Brand New Training!

Last week we had the first session of our brand new Zoe Community training! Over the past few years, we have compiled content from professional therapists, leaders, pastors, and more who we have relationship with here in Ireland. They have helped us create a custom training for our Zoe Community volunteers, specifically our Advocate Volunteers (those on the web chat or meeting guests face to face in our physical location). We’ve seen a unique effect from this training as those attending not only are equipped to support those in crisis, but the attendees also find healing as we encourage them to face their past, their motives, and their “why”.

In 2025 Katy felt God pushing her to make this training available to individuals outside of the Zoe organisation, as this material is remarkably effective in the area of pastoral care. We brought in fresh eyes (a professor of pastoral care at the Irish Bible Institute and a professional content designer) to help us reimagine and repackage our training. The first draft of this product is in the pictured above. We were even able to print and bind them in-house thanks to the donation of a comb binding machine! (You can see my handiwork with in the pic above.)

Our first day was phenomenal with two new Zoe volunteers and three local church pastoral care team members in attendance. The content was relatable, connected well practically, and spoke to their hearts in powerful ways. As this is the first step, we’re believing to improve and expand this training to many more!

Thank you for being part of this. Because you give and pray, this kind of training can happen. Not only are we furthering Zoe Community, but now we’re able to support to local churches from across Ireland! Thank you!

Annual Prayer Retreat

Years ago I (Blake) started taking prayer retreats. It began over a few years of reading books books about rest, prayer, and solitude. I know that the pace I was keeping would not be sustainable in the longterm.

This past week I took yet another prayer retreat to a place that has become my go-to for this kind of thing. The Glendalough Hermitage Centre has it all from epic views, cozy yet modern quarters, peaceful grounds to walk through, and an incredibly kind staff of nuns creating space for prayer and contemplation.

By taking time at the beginning of the year, I have found peace, comfort, empowerment, direction, and so much more. Even with just a short getaway (two nights in the hermitage) has become the perfect way for me to begin each year. Plus it’s usually really cold, so I can take full advantage of their real wood-burning stove. (I love a good real wood fire.)

I just wanted to let you know that as we begin this year of soon-coming miracles in missionary support raising, helping women in unplanned pregnancy, and Irish fundraising, we are beginning by trusting in God.

I took time to pray for each of you individually. We, as a team, will see God do amazing things this coming year is Zoe Community and throughout Ireland! Thank you for being on this journey with us!

Amy

Around the time Zoe Community launched publicly (October 2024), a young lady found out she was pregnant, felt frightened, and couldn’t see a path forward. The voices (boyfriend, family, etc.) pleading with her to keep the baby were well-meaning, but she needed space to think. She needed an ear to listen. The day she walked into our office, she had no idea what she was going to do. As the left from meeting one of our amazing Zoe Community volunteers, she walked away with courage and confidence, believing “I can do this”. 

Because you gave, Amy found comfort, encouragement, and a listening ear. She found hope for her future. She found hope for her baby’s future. Just before Christmas she visited us in the office to share her story on video (you will see this soon). She told us of her constant reminder when she looks at her now 9-month old daughter that were it not for Zoe, baby Amayah would not be here. Amy has been so impacted, she's asked that we share her story and is looking to volunteer with Zoe to help other women in the same situation!

Amy is brave. You have helped her. I’m sharing her story with you, because over the next few months I will be talking more about funding. It’s important we all remember why we became part of this team. Amy is why. Her daughter is why. And there are thousands more Amy’s out there who need help. We can do it, but it will require expansion. Expansion requires money. But it’s God’s vision and he will provide. I’m just so grateful to be part of His plan, and I’m grateful that YOU are part of this team. 

Thank you. I’m excited to see what God does through this next year!