Palm Tree Ministry — Birmingham, Alabama

Palm Tree Ministry is an interdenominational, faith-based arm of the church that ministers to single mother families through ... Support groups, Bible studies, Counseling and Material assistance. Our objective is to minister the grace of God to single mother families and to encourage and assist local churches and other interested groups in reaching out to single mother families with the love and grace of Jesus Christ.

Developing Support Groups Based Upon:
A biblical perspective Acceptance and confidentiality Intercessory prayer Promotion of emotional healing Fellowship in small groups Types of Groups Based Upon Need: Divorce Recovery for adults and children Discipleship of new Christians Finances and budgeting Grief Recovery for widows Single Parenting Issues Stress and Time Management Growth Groups / Bible Studies.

Financial Support:
The operational basis of Palm Tree Ministry, Inc. is a total dependence upon God to lay upon the hearts of like-minded churches and individuals the concern and motivation to help single mother families find strength and resource in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. As the Holy Spirit leads His people to give to the ministry, some give faithfully and regularly while others may give occasionally. As God supplies, Palm Tree Ministry continues investing in rescuing and rebuilding the lives of single mothers and their children. We practice and teach biblical principles of financial management.

Palm Tree Ministry Scholarship Fund:
In order to provide help for instilling high spiritual and educational goals in the hearts of the children of single mothers who have proven to be faithful in their walk with the Lord, Palm Tree Ministry has established The Albert A. Bond Youth Development and Scholarship Fund. The fund's purpose is to provide finances that will be applied directly toward Christian education and other opportunities that teach and motivate children and youth in the development of Christian character. Each single mother applicant must meet high standards that represent wise and godly living in order for their children to benefit. Contributions toward this fund should be so designated in order that the gift may be applied as intended by the donor. Palm Tree Ministry, Inc. is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All funds received are managed according to standard accounting practices and receipts are issued to donors. The Board of Directors, according to an annual operating budget, carefully oversees the allocation and disbursement of all funds and properties.

Helps for Single Mothers:
Advice for the Hurting | Death of a Spouse | Books for Divorce Recovery Books for Grief Recovery | Practical Solutions for Single Mothers

Testimonies from Single Mothers:
What Palm Tree Ministry and the Birth of My Daughter Have Meant to Me… "A few months ago I never could have imagined the joy I would feel in my heart only months after questioning if life would go on. Heart – broken after the death of my fiancé’, I didn’t understand how I would be able to find strength to go forward. Then, a post-it note was handed to me with a name and a phone number on it. That name, Harriett Bond, would lead me in a direction that would give me the strength and encouragement I so desperately sought. Since making that first phone call to this “stranger,” my life has been blessed by countless people rooted in the Christian foundation that is capable of embracing all. My faith in God’s decisions, although sometimes hard to understand, has been restored. My faith in individuals, stripped by an un-loving childhood, has been restored. My faith in life and love, blocked by the security wall I built around myself, has been restored. And now, with the birth of my daughter, my faith is all that is God has been restored. So, my purpose with these words is to say, “thank-you to every individual that I have encountered so far on this new path. Thank you for the thoughts. Thank you for the prayers. Thank you for the wonderful gifts for my daughter. And most of all, thank you for helping me re-open my eyes and my heart to the grace that is God." -- Jessica and Olivia Hamner

"Palm Tree Ministry has had such an incredible impact in my life and in my children's lives. I have been a single mom for 10 years and was introduced to the single mom's ministry through our church, Shades Mountain Independent Church in Birmingham, Alabama.

This is where I learned that God is not some nebulous being in the sky punishing me for a bad marriage, but that He loves me in spite of my failed marriage and that He is my Father and my husband. I learned how to pray for my two children and how to expect big things.

Even though my finances have been very limited - through the single mom's ministry, prayer, and faith, my daughter has been able to stay in Christian education which is a priority for me as an educator myself. I lost my job in May, 2004 and am still on a journey of trial and testing.

Harriett keeps reminding me that God has something big for me and to be patient for His timing. What a great encouragement! I know that she is not just saying that because I have seen Him work great things in her life through this ministry. In September '04 my house flooded during Ivan, the hurricane. This was just too big for me. Harriett prayed for me and specifically prayed for favor in paying for this big bill and showed me how to pray. God answered in a big way and it is these testimonies in my life that my children see and are always reminded of His great works and faith!

These are just a few of the instances of how the influence of the single mother ministry has helped me in my walk with God and how Palm Tree Ministry has helped my family keep our eyes focused on God and His great plan! When times are hard or my children face a trial, I can remind them of the great things God has done for us and how He is not going to ever leave us." -- Anne Pace

"I was first introduced to the concept of God as a husband to the husbandless through Palm Tree Ministry when I was in the process of my divorce. I had been living with my 4 children ages 8 and under for 4 months. Isaiah 54 became an anchor for me. As a born again believer, I knew God would care for us and provide for us, but these verses made His provision very personal. I had married for life and truly felt the ripping, tearing and shearing of my heart as my marriage died. Palm Tree Ministry provided reinforcement and encouragement to me as I moved forward in believing God's word to husband me and father my children.

We have regularly attended the Single Mom's Retreat coordinated by Camp Victory and Palm Tree Ministry. It provides an opportunity for us to "camp" as a family in a safe environment where there are no meals to prepare, no homework to do, no laundry to fold. My children enjoy the multiple activities. As Palm Tree Ministry hosts this event annually, we also renew old friendships that are created out of a bond of shared pain and love." -- Laurie Ann Walley

Palm Tree Ministry Website:
www.palmtreeministry.org