In 2021 when God began to illuminate our path back to Kentucky we were walking by faith. I learned real fast God does not show you the whole picture all at once. He wants to see that mustard seed of faith blossom. Each time we took a step toward Kentucky he gave us a little wink showing His delight in our faith.

We truly had no idea what our future held. We just knew He wanted us back in Kentucky. When I look back on the past four years (WOW! It will be four years on September 3rd) I can see each thing God did to lead us to why He brought us here.

In November 2021 I ended up applying at Chapel Hill Head Start because one of my besties worked for Head Start in another county. That is where God began to show me the many needs of our community. Groceries, coats, shoes, educating families on budgeting and shopping on a budget were big needs.

Through donations from friends, family and Big Life sisters we were able to send 27 families home with a Christmas Food Box in 2022. Knowing families had that extra bit to help them get through Christmas break was fantastic.

Summer of 2022 we started making weekly donations of fresh veggies from our garden to the Food Pantry at Marion Baptist Church (MBC). I actually met Brother Aaron when he came to Chapel Hill to read to our kids.

Summer of 2023, after months of feeling a nudge from God we started attending MBC. Not only is it an amazing church, but they thrive in helping their community. My husband joined the Praise and Worship Team. That was a true gift. Seeing Kevin use the gift God gave him to worship Him.

That summer I also applied for a job at MBC that would allow me to work with the Food Pantry. From there I began to see other needs of our community. God started dropping ideas and I began journaling and dreaming. I was soaking up all I had learned about our community and trying to figure out how God wanted me to move forward. What was His overall plan?

My pastor, Aaron is a dreamer like myself. I began sharing my ideas with him. He told me you dream it, you put in the work and we will make sure it happens. For the past year I have been dreaming and trying to do some things here and there. I was holding back, playing small and waiting for a perfection that wasn’t coming.

In November 2024 we did a Toiletry Donation Drive to stock a closet so we could help families out with toiletry needs. It was a huge success! In January 2025 we began giving out Blessing Bags when families would pick up their food boxes.

God has been in my ear a lot this year. I am constantly hearing him say, “JUST TAKE A STEP KELLY!” BUT–I would say back. This past month I have really felt him telling me there is not a perfect time, there is no perfect plan you just need to take a step.

Last week at a retreat I shared with the girls about 5&2 and the different areas I felt God was telling me to go. One of the girls reached out to me saying that God nudged her to ask how she could help. Ok God I hear you! So, here I am taking a step!

Yesterday was my 52nd birthday. I did a post on Facebook about period poverty and how I wanted to stock a closet so we could start offering Period Packs. I made an Amazon Wish List and asked my friends to make a donation in honor of my birthday.

Golly Gee did my friends show up and show out! I will be getting Amazon boxes of tampons and pads for days! haha! I had to warn my husband that the stuff coming this week was not me going crazy on Amazon. Thank you God I love it!

With all that being said its time we officially launch 5&2 Ministry!

The name came to me because I have always loved the story of Jesus feeding 5,000. Jesus takes what is available and multiples it. But, He doesn’t just multiple it He goes above and beyond. Every person is filled to satisfaction and there are leftovers!

5&2 Ministry is inspired by this miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with just five loaves and two fish. Our goal is to take what we have—no matter how small—and allow God to multiply it to meet the needs of His flock.

I have always tried to image what it would have been like to be one of the disciples or one of the people in crowd when he does this. I could never wrap my mind around it. What it would be like to witness something so astonishing. When The Chosen did an episode on Jesus feeding the 5,000 I was thrilled! They brought it to life so wonderfully.

As I was searching for verses to describe 5&2 Ministry 1 Peter 5:2 in the passion translation is the one I kept going back to. I truly feel God brought us back here to cheerfully and joyfully provide for His flock.

I have to tell you all that the fact that the chapter and verse are 5 and 2 went right over my head until my friend Pamela pointed it out to me. Just another wink and sign that God.

Our Mission:

Our mission is to help our community thrive by providing access to essential resources—food, toiletries, clothing, and educational tools. We empower individuals and families in our community.

Areas of Service:           

• Farmers Market (fresh veggies, fruit & eggs)
• Toiletry Closet
• Period Packs
• Coat & Shoe Closet
• Can Food Drive (to help supplement the food panty)
• Life Skills
• Budgeting

GOALS:

• We are here to cheerfully serve our community.  
• We show up with a positive attitude and heart full of kindness ready to take on any challenge.
• We compassionately seek solutions for the needs of our community.
• We joyfully take on the responsibility to serve, guide and care for our community.
• With our Can Food Drive we work hard to collect food to supplement our Food Pantry and provide to our neighbors in need.
• As a Farmers Market we strive to offer a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits and eggs to our neighbors in need.
• As a Toiletry Closet we aim to aid our neighbors by providing essential hygiene items.
• With our Period Packs we aim to provide women, schools, shelters and community organizations with menstrual products to help meet their immediate needs.  
• As a Coat & Shoe Closet our focus is to provide warm outerwear and shoes to those in need.
• We seek to address issues with food insecurity through education, life skills and teaching food preservation.
• We are a ministry that helps build our community through faith in action.  
• We work together to advocate, raise awareness and transform lives in our community.