Each Friday, Baptist Women in Ministry introduces an amazing minister. This week, we are thrilled to introduce Kim Divelbiss.
Kim, tell us about your ministry journey, the places and ways you have been serving and are serving.
I began serving in churches through Mother’s Day Out and Preschool programs, first as a teacher and then as director, starting two programs from the beginning. One of the programs I created is at NorthHaven Church in Norman, Oklahoma. It has been ten years since our Mother’s Day Out opened its doors, and soon after we opened, the opportunity to collaborate with other community agencies to offer an early outreach program for children with autism presented itself. Operating within our Mother’s Day Out, this program provides both one-on-one therapy as well as inclusion in a typical classroom setting for preschool children with autism. As a mom of a child with autism, being part of a special needs ministry has been extremely rewarding.
Almost three years ago, God called me to the position of minister to children and families at NorthHaven. With a background in education rather than religion, I answered this call cautiously and nervously but with complete reliance that God would give me what I needed to fulfill a ministry role. Early last year, I began taking courses through Truett Seminary’s Certificate of Ministry program. With incredible support from the NorthHaven leadership and congregation, I was ordained on December 9, 2017. This year, I have been blessed by the opportunity to participate in Baptist Women in Ministry’s Mentoring Cohort.
Although my primary position is ministering to children, I often serve alongside our youth minister as a sponsor for youth trips and activities. Additionally, I have enjoyed loving and serving the senior adults of NorthHaven. I consider it a gift that, while our staff each has assigned areas of responsibility, we are able to support and participate in each other’s ministry.
What have been your greatest sources of joy in ministry?
My greatest joy in ministry is most certainly the relationships. What a privilege it is to hold someone’s hand as they approach the end of life, to dry the tears of someone who is hurting, to share in the joy of a family welcoming a new baby! These moments of walking beside the people I serve brings tremendous rewards to my life.
How do you stay healthy physically, spiritually, and mentally?
I maintain an ongoing dialogue with God. I often say that I pray in snippets, turning to Christ with my moments of gratitude, concern, fear, and happiness. One of the most difficult yet necessary things that I have had to incorporate into my life is giving myself permission to rest. Resting is one of the most important things I do for myself in my busy world of juggling motherhood and ministry. Writing is extremely therapeutic for me. I try to blog several mornings a week. I also choose both humor and gratitude to survive the difficult times in life. Surrounding myself with Godly women of a variety of ages has been a great avenue of support and wisdom in my life as well.
I wish that I could say that I ate only the healthiest foods and exercised regularly, but that is not the case. I love my Dr. Pepper and my exercise stints usually last about a week. But, I am faithful to my vitamins!
What is the best advice you have received about ministry?
Someone who has mentored me in ministry once told me that my call to ministry was just that, mine, and that not everyone would understand or agree with it and that was okay. I have appreciated those words as they have given me permission to place my focus wholly on God’s plan for my life in ministry.