One of the things we value as a church is the opportunity to invest in ministries making a difference right here in our community. Sophia Women’s Center in Salem, Ohio, is one of those ministries. Through our church’s financial support and the willingness of our people to serve, we are grateful to partner with Sophia as they come alongside women and families during some of the most important and challenging moments of their lives.

Sophia Women’s Center exists to provide a safe, welcoming place where women facing an unplanned pregnancy can receive support, information, and resources. But the ministry is about more than services—it’s about relationships. It’s about reminding women that they are not alone, that their lives have value, and that people are willing to walk alongside them.

God is also opening new doors for Sophia. Since purchasing their building last fall, their supporters' generosity has enabled them to move forward with several much-needed improvements. A new parking lot has already been completed, creating a safer and more welcoming entrance for the women and families who come through their doors. This fall, renovations are planned for the downstairs area, creating additional space to expand the ways they serve and support women beyond their immediate needs.

As Sophia grows, so does the opportunity for our church family to be involved. Recently, a team of men from our Celebrate Recovery ministry spent time at Sophia helping with some of the renovation work. They removed cabinets and countertops, pulled up carpet, and helped clear an area in preparation for a new playground. It may sound like simple, behind-the-scenes work, but these are the kinds of practical acts of service that help a ministry prepare for what God has next.

And perhaps most exciting of all, Sophia is preparing to expand its team and bring additional volunteers alongside the women they serve. Their vision is to build meaningful relationships through encouragement, mentoring, education, and support—walking with women not just through a moment of need, but as they take their next steps.

This is what it looks like when the Church is awakened to its calling to be sent to love the world through missions.

There is something powerful about seeing the Church serve beyond the walls of our own building. We may never know every story that is impacted by our partnership with Sophia, but we can trust that God uses our faithfulness to bring hope, help, and encouragement to people right here in our community.

We’re grateful for Sophia Women’s Center, grateful for the people from our church who serve there, and grateful for the opportunity to be part of what God is doing.

Together, we’re making a difference—right here at home.