Restoration Ministries to Host the Sojourner Truth Women’s Ministry Conference, September 25th – 27th, 2025 Sponsored by the Rudd Empowerment Center at American Baptist Women’s Ministries

As people in general and women in particular face the uncertainties, pain, and struggles of these times, we might be tempted to lose hope. Rather than retreating in despair and defeat, we can embrace and follow the words of womanist giant, Sojourner Truth: “I will not allow my life’s light to be determined by the darkness around me.”

Conference Theme: “Empowered by God’s Light, Leading with God’s Love”

Scripture: “ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5, NIV

Join us Thursday, September 25th, 2025 (Pre-Conference), Friday, September 26th, and Saturday, September 27th, 2025 (Conference)

“At this pivotal moment, as women leaders, we must “retool” ourselves. The Sojourner Truth Women’s Ministry Conference is designed to assist in this endeavor. Women at all levels of ministry (clergy and laywomen) are welcome! We will focus on leadership development: leadership styles, navigating world and church politics as leaders, economic empowerment, mentorship, and nurturing holistic health (spiritual, physical, emotional, and financial) as we lead. The conference will also include components for teen girls.”

Restoration Ministries is honored to host this exciting women’s conference, sponsored by the REC! Our senior pastor, Rev. Dr. Christine A. Smith serves as the Director of the Rudd Empowerment Center at ABWM. All women of all ages are invited and encouraged to register for this empowering event. To learn more about the Rudd Empowerment Center, the conference, and to register, click here or scan the QR code below.

Restoration Ministries Youth Initiative “R.E.A.C.H.” Receives Two Community Grants…

Restoration Ministries of Greater Cleveland’s Youth Initiative R.E.A.C.H. has been blessed to receive TWO community grants for 2025-2026. In 2025, Restoration Ministries of Greater Cleveland was accepted into the Greater Cleveland Interfaith Alliance (GCIA) Cohort V. “The Greater Cleveland Interfaith Alliance (GCIA), launched with support from the Cleveland Foundation in 2015, strives to bring houses of worship together across lines of race, faith tradition, geography and more to serve the community. Formerly called the Greater Cleveland Faith Based Collaborative, the Alliance creates opportunities for organizations to enhance the mission-critical services they provide every day to our residents – and to strengthen the communities in which they serve.” As a part of this amazing Cohort, R.E.A.C.H. leaders participate in a variety of learning and networking opportunities (i.e., grant writing workshops, best practices for nonprofit organizations, connections with other houses of worship for service opportunities, etc.). For 2025, R.E.A.C.H. received a grant of $10,000 to continue our ongoing programming with young people ages 15-21. We are eligible to apply for another $10,000 grant in 2026! R.E.A.C.H. was also blessed to receive a $1,000 grant from the area Kiwanis to assist with transportation to and from our volunteer worksites during the summer Y.O.U./R.E.A.C.H. (Youth Opportunities Unlimited) program. We are GRATEFUL to God and our community partners for the continued support of R.E.A.C.H.

Pictures from some of our GCIA Gatherings….