Each week, men and women across the United States and throughout the world attend classes at Christian Women’s Job Corps / Christian Men’s Job Corps (CWJC/CMJC) in their communities. CWJC/CMJC provides a Christian environment in which women and men are equipped for life and employment. Participants are engaged in weekly Bible study and are paired with a mentor for guidance and encouragement. Participants receive training to help them attain education, job readiness, and self-sufficiency.
This past year has provided challenges for CWJC/CMJC sites as they have navigated how to continue classes in the midst of the pandemic. However, despite the difficulties, site leaders have relied on God for endurance and have stayed committed to the goals and mission of their ministry. They have faithfully served and seen God at work.
“Like many sites, the pandemic has made it hard helping students to obtain their high school equivalency (HSE) test because test sites were closed,” shared one site coordinator. “This past August we had our first HSE graduates at our site. I am proud of our volunteers and students for continuing to work hard to achieve their goals. We had four students graduate by passing their last test in August.”
Another site leader said, “One student came to our site two years ago . . .through a local drug recovery program. She states the only reason she came was to get away from the ‘day program,’ stating there was way ‘too much drama.’ She found so much more . . . she found women who cared. She began listening and studying and taking the GED tests. She wants to give back what God has given her . . .freedom from drugs, her education, but most importantly her love for the Lord.”
“A graduate reported that her husband, who is unchurched and formerly totally disinterested in spiritual matters, has become very interested in virtual church services,” said a site coordinator. “She thinks this change is due to two things: her involvement with CWJC and interest of her husband’s former boss. The husband’s health is extremely bad. The change in the husband’s attitude toward spiritual matters is a real gift and miracle from God.”
Another site leader added, “God has been faithful as we sought to form and maintain relationships in a virtual season. Our mentors have remained committed even though our services have been minimal. Mentors have stepped up and been teachers in virtual one-on-one classes. Participants have developed deeper relationships with God and with their mentors.”
In the midst of a challenging situation, God has used the investment made by volunteers and site leaders in the lives of many. There are many ways you could be a part of investing in the lives of men and women through CWJC/CMJC, including:
- Praying for CWJC/CMJC sites.
- Becoming a compassion ministries partner and encouraging local sites regularly.
- Volunteering at a local CWJC/CMJC site in your community.
Visit wmu.com/jobcorps to learn more.
Reprinted from the June 2021 issue of Missions Mosaic, Woman’s Missionary Union, Birmingham, Alabama. Written by Lena Plunk, national CWJC/CMJC consultant. Used by permission. To receive this issue, or subscribe to Missions Mosaic, call 1-800-968-7301.