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Strong & Courageous single mothers ministry continues to thrive at First Dallas
DALLAS—Shea Lowery experienced single motherhood in the blink of an eye more than three decades ago. Her friend Nicole Pineda found the journey to singleness through separation and divorce when her husband was incarcerated.
The two women became fast friends and, eventually, partners in a ministry that continues to thrive in Dallas and beyond.
“I was a 24-year-old stay-at-home mom with no college education. I had awakened that morning a married woman and I [went] to bed that night a single mom,” Lowery recalled of the day her husband, Jeff, died in a construction accident in Alabama. Her world was upended.
Trauma to triumph
Lowery turned trauma into triumph, eventually founding Entrusted Hope Ministries in 2017.
Strong & Courageous, the single mothers’ ministry under Entrusted Hope’s umbrella, grew when Lowery was asked to teach a Sunday school class for single moms at First Baptist Dallas. The class flourished, with Shea using the Strong & Courageous curriculum she developed.
Recently, Lowery has moved the headquarters of Entrusted Hope to a Christian university in Mississippi, a move she made to be closer to family. There she serves as an adjunct professor, engages in discipleship on campus, and continues her speaking and writing ministry, producing biblically based resources for single moms and families.
The move to Mississippi meant a move from First Baptist Dallas, where Strong & Courageous had become a vital part of the church’s overall women’s ministry.
Enter Pineda. She began attending the S&C Sunday school and other classes almost five years ago at First Dallas and started serving on the churchwide S&C ministry committee three years ago.
“I found Strong & Courageous because of my mom,” Pineda said. “When everything happened with my ex, we left the church we were at and went to First Baptist Dallas. We wanted to go to a large church, blend in, go with the flow, and not be seen.”
At least initially.
Building community
When Pineda found herself ready to “start building community,” her mom, Kathy, told her about Lowery. “I met Shea. She is a single mom and teaches a Sunday school class. She is the sweetest person,” Kathy told her daughter.
Pineda thought she would give it a try. “That is where I am,” she recalled thinking.
Pineda quickly felt at home. “The first time I came, I walked in and was greeted with smiles. Shea hugged me. They had never even seen me before. They welcomed me,” she said.
“We have prayed already for everyone who walks through these doors,” Shea said.
It didn’t take long for Pineda to get involved in the Sunday school class. “I became a prayer partner, care leader, group leader … I loved the community [and] being able to be with women who are in the same season of life, who understand your frustrations and struggles. It was a nice thing to be able to go to each week,” she said.
A natural administrator, Pineda, who works as an electronic data interchange analyst, became the event coordinator for the S&C ministry. “That’s my sweet spot,” she said. “I love organizing.”
“I am excited to help other single moms.”
Something for every single one
Today the S&C ministry has grown to include a popular Mother’s Day luncheon, back-to-school events, and 4-5 fellowships throughout the year when the church offers parents’ night out.
“Then the moms just enjoy game night or going out to eat with one another,” Pineda said.
In mid-October, S&C held its first free oil change event as a White Rock Lake area automotive repair company partnered with the First Dallas women’s ministry and Strong & Courageous to provide free oil changes for more than 20 single moms, Pineda said.
In addition to the S&C class, single moms can attend S&C offerings during the fall and spring semesters as part of the church’s Discipleship University.
These include Entrusted Hope’s Equip series, in which guest speakers address such topics as resumé building, interview tips, budgeting ideas, hospitality, and parenting. Groups also go through Lowery’s Bible study My Life as a Single Mom and other curricula from Entrusted Hope.
Pineda is embracing the opportunity to continue Lowery’s work in leading S&C.
“I am excited to help other single moms,” she said, noting that S&C has also benefitted her family by providing opportunities for her children to develop friendships with other kids of single mothers. “I am very thankful for the opportunity to get to serve and to share the ministry and the blessing it’s been for me and my family.”
