Renee’s Story

My mother contracted whooping cough when she was 5 months old, severely affecting her speech and motor skills. Because of these challenges, she was homeschooled, but her intelligence enabled her to overcome them and earn her high school diploma.

She continued living with her parents after graduation.Their pastor—a respected, married man with two teenage children—was good friends with her daddy and was frequently in their home. Momma never had any male attention, and he took advantage of the situation. She became pregnant with me and, when confronted, the pastor gave her $1,500 and said he never wanted to hear about it again.

Unsure whether to keep me or place me for adoption—and knowing she would need help because of her physical limitations—Momma went to the Salvation Army home and hospital in Louisville. She and my granny planned to keep my paternity private, but another woman soon after became pregnant by this same pastor and publicly confronted him. She learned about my mom and brought her into the situation. The pastor resigned, but the damage was done.

My story would have had a much different ending had it not been for my foster parents opening their hearts and homes to me.

After I was born, Momma moved back to her hometown, but it wasn’t long before the challenge of raising a toddler became too much. I entered foster care at the age of 7. At 8, two wonderful sets of foster parents introduced me to Jesus. A year later, I moved to a children’s home, where I remained until graduating from high school. While there, church attendance was mandatory every Sunday morning and evening, as well as during revivals and other special services.

Following graduation, I was burned out on church and carried deep bitterness toward God because of my “dad.” I also felt ashamed and like a burden to my momma, so I stayed away from church for many years. That changed around 2014-15 when I was invited by a friend to Southeast’s Easter service. I had no desire to attend a large church, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer. Dave Stone was Senior Pastor at the time, and both he and Kyle spoke that day. Their humor and message touched my heart, and I’ve been attending ever since.

Coming back to church gave me a sense of community and helped ease my feeling of being alone. The fellowship within my small group has been such a blessing and has deepened my understanding of the Bible. Chapel in the Woods, along with my small group and other church friends, has become the spiritual family I needed. 

My story would have had a much different ending had it not been for my foster parents opening their hearts and homes to me. While I never lost my faith in God, I did lose my faith in people. Because of my own experience, I am especially grateful for the Family Advocacy Ministry at Southeast, as I know firsthand the difference fostering can make in a child’s life.

Renee attends the Chapel in the Woods Campus.