Created for a Purpose is a ministry that shares the gospel of Jesus Christ with 3rd-8th grade girls through creative art projects, sound biblical teaching, worship and small groups.
OUR STORY
Created for a Purpose began in 2006 by a group of mothers who wanted their daughters and their friends together to learn more about Jesus in a fun, creative and hands on way. In 2008 the ministry moved from a home to Covenant Presbyterian Church. The program grew quickly, and it was evident that a ministry niche had been discovered that girls were excited about being a part of. We wanted to share the vision, the curriculum and the projects with other churches and communities.
We also found that the ministry attracted un-churched girls and crossed socio-economic lines. These two discoveries allowed us to take the show on the road for mission trips from not only within the city limits, but also to New England, Zambia, and Honduras.
We developed a training curriculum and manual and started inviting churches to come hear more about offering Created for a Purpose to their community. We want girls to hear the truth of the gospel! We desire for them to know that the Bible is true, that God has created them and that He longs for a personal relationship with them. We want them to know what it means to be in the world but not of the world. We pray that they understand that they have options and that means they do not have to conform to the ways of the world. We want them to know and believe that God is who He says He is and that does not change.
Through the growth of Created for a Purpose while being housed at our home church, Covenant Presbyterian, we have recruited heavily from our church family to make these camps happen. We have grandmothers, moms, teachers, singles, college students and high school students all participate in ministering and teaching the campers during Created for a Purpose. It is a beautiful picture of the body of Christ to see these ladies, young and old, come together with the sole purpose of sharing the love of Christ and the truth of the gospel with the campers.
It is exciting to see high school and college girls teach projects, command a classroom, lead a small group, share their faith and give selflessly to the campers. They learn, grow, and develop skills that they do not even realize they are learning.
Created for a Purpose operates under the direction of a Board of Directors, listed below and is a 501(c)3. We work closely with the pastoral staff at Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA) and office onsite at the church.
We hope that you will join us in the mission of creating the resources needed to equip churches to offer Created for a Purpose and to share Christ on mission trips using the Created for a Purpose curriculum. Because we are a charitable organization, all donations go to support the operations of our ministry. To give to our ministry, go to the GIVE page.
Our Team
Ingram Link serves as the Director of Created for a Purpose ministries. She is the founder and has a deep desire for girls to hear and understand that God loves them and has created them to be His image bearers. She longs for each of the campers and counselors who participate in Created for a Purpose to know that they are wonderfully made and that God is weaving His unique story in their lives. Ingram is married to David Link. They have four children, three who have flown the nest, and are members at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL. She also is on staff at Covenant as Director of Women’s Ministries.
Sara Ellen Allbritton serves as the Assistant Director of Created for a Purpose ministries and works as the liaison to our church ministry partners. Sara Ellen loves Jesus, the Bible, praying and teaching God’s word. Her energy and honest, bright spirit is vital to her role and the Lord uses her to encourage our church partners, camp counselors, and all of us! Her creative mind is always at work as she tests sculpture, painting, and paper projects. She and her husband Matt have three children and are members of Cahaba Park Church PCA in Birmingham, AL.
Katie Caldwell serves as Director of Operations and oversees branding, publications, and merchandise. She designs everything from our training manuals, promotional materials, merchandise, devotionals, cookbooks, and more! The publications she produces for the girls are easy to follow, engaging the youngest campers and our oldest helpers. Her eye for detail and her attention to trends make the merchandise items appealing to the campers, counselors, and adult women! Katie is married to Lee and they have three children. The Caldwells are members of Faith Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL.
Katie Flores, Laura Tucker and Sara Litten work with Ingram and Sara Ellen on the spiritual content for Created for a Purpose each summer. These ladies are godly women who love Jesus and have a passion for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be proclaimed.
Katie Flores has served on staff at Covenant for over 20 years and currently serves with CDM. She and her husband, Bryan, attend Covenant Presbyterian Church with their two children.
Laura Tucker is the Director of Children’s Ministries at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL. Laura, her husband, Darrell, and their three children are members at Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Sara Litten is the Director of Youth Ministries at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL. Sara grew up at Covenant, and never left the youth group! She is married to Paul and they have two children.
Other team members include:
Sarah Allen coordinates and oversees sewing projects.
Hillary Gamble creates menus and coordinates cooking projects.
Laura Lancaster offers wisdom and advice on all things registration related.
Lauren Thomason organizes counselors and helper communication and schedules.
Created for a purpose board
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Lindy bought into the CFAP mission hook, line and sinker when her two daughters participated and then worked as counselors with Created for a Purpose. She has seen first hand that CFAP not only helps young girls see that they are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image, but that they also have unique talents to use in serving the God. Lindy serves as the Development Director for a local nonprofit, is a new empty-nester and is trying to learn to keep plants alive. Lindy has three grown children and lives with her husband, David, and their goldendoodle, Holly, in Vestavia Hills.
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I have a real passion for ministry to youths of all ages. Created for a Purpose is a remarkably innovative way to present Gospel life to these young girls in the way of activities that draw on the gifts The Lord has blessed each of them with. To be a small part of this incredible work is truly a privilege. I have 2 grown daughters who have fulfilled their God ordained calling by giving my wife and I 4 amazing grand-children!
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Lindsey (McMahon) McGehee grew up in Birmingham attending Created for a Purpose and eventually becoming a counselor, project leader, photographer and “put me where you need me”-er. After obtaining her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Graphic Design from Auburn University, Lindsey and her husband Andrew have moved back to Birmingham and attend Briarwood Presbyterian Church. Created for a Purpose tangibly speaks life into the girls who attend by showing them that they are each uniquely created by God for a specific purpose. In the same way we make the tiniest of creative decisions, our Lord and Savior uniquely knit us together. The christian life is sometimes messy and sometimes fun, but the end result is always a work of art.
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Catherine Hogewood is thankful for the ministry of Created for a Purpose, as both of her daughters attended annually from 3rd through 8th grades then went on to serve as leaders during high school. The girls grew spiritually and as servant leaders during their years with Created for a Purpose, and one of them had the opportunity to teach the program in Honduras during a mission trip. Catherine is an attorney and a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church. She is married to Mark and they have 3 adult children.
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Carol Schaffeld coordinated CFAP registration for several years. Carol watched her daughter and many other young believers fall more in love with Jesus through their experience at Created for a Purpose. Her daughter became a counselor and later worked on a CFAP missions team in Maine and Honduras. She appreciates how CFAP is a multigenerational ministry and fosters spiritual growth in a creative environment. Carol is a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church. She and Bob have 4 grown children.
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Created for a Purpose at Covenant Presbyterian Church (Birmingham, AL)
Created for a Purpose at Covenant Presbyterian Church 2017