J127 Ministry had its annual Journey with J fundraiser dinner recently at Community Christian Church and the new executive director was introduced.
Connie Pettitt has taken the reins of the ministry that provides housing for young women who have aged out of the foster care system. J127 Ministry, inspired by James 1:27, supports young women transitioning out of foster care with spiritual, emotional, and practical resources. The ministry’s holistic approach combines life skills development, mentorship and faith-based support to empower lasting transformation.
She replaces Adrean Stinnett, who founded the organization five years ago.
Pettitt brings more than 13 years of nonprofit leadership experience and a deep commitment to walking alongside young women who have aged out of the foster care system. As a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) in Texas and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oklahoma, her leadership is grounded in traumainformed care, practical solutions and faith-driven purpose.
She said she is honored to serve as the next executive director for J127.
“The Journey to J was clearly directed by God,” Pettitt said.
She said that in 2021, her husband and herself felt led to move to Oklahoma to be with daughter Krystal, husband Cody Maynard and grandchildren. After relocating, Pettitt became a Licensed Professional Counselor in Oklahoma. She said she had thoughts of retiring, but God had other plans. One day when she was driving on 49th Avenue where J127 is located, she heard the Holy Spirit whisper for her to pull over.
“I didn’t necessarily respond right away, but after several days and nudges, I finally did,” Pettitt said. “There I was parked in front of what looked like a church. I remember this feeling like I was trespassing, wondering if someone might come out and wonder what I was doing there. But in that moment, I paused and I prayed … are you willing? With my hands lifted up in surrender, my response was simple: I said, ‘Yes, Lord. I will do whatever you want me to do and I’m willing to go.’” Pettitt then called her daughter to ask what J127 was.
“She laughed and said, ‘J127 Ministry?’ That’s the ministry I wanted you to reach out to when you first got here,”’ Pettitt said. “She knew I had experience with grant writing and emergency shelters and transitional homes and I told her I felt like God was calling me to J now, but I didn’t know in what capacity. I didn’t know if I was going to sweep floors. I was willing to do whatever God wanted me to do. She agreed to be praying with me about this plan, so ultimately, it was a simple act of obedience and much prayer that led me to serve God here at J127 Min- istry as their new executive director. All it took was me being willing to say yes to God.”
Pettitt then recognized Stinnett, describing her as the heartbeat behind the development and growth of J127 Ministry during the last five years. Board member Troy Humphrey then presented Stinnett with a plaque to honor her service.
“In recognition of Adrean Stinnett, founder and executive director of J127 Ministry, with heartfelt gratitude, we honor Adrean Stinnett for her vision, unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in establishing the foundation of J127 Ministry,” Humphrey said. “Your commitment, passion and selfless service, she has created a strong and enduring foundation, empowering countless lives and positioning the ministry for continued growth and impact in the years to come. Her legacy as a founder will remain as the heart of J127 Ministry and we are forever grateful for the path she has paved.”
Stinnett this has been a beautiful journey and one of the best adventures of her life.
“It’s one of the things that I’m truly honored to stand before you tonight in this incredible gathering and I think it was meant to happen here,” Stinnett said. “This is where it started and this was my home church at that time. I just want to start thanking everyone of you for showing up and believing in what God is going to do in J127 Ministry.”
Stinnett spoke of a video shown earlier and said the words of the woman in the video were simple yet powerful: “If you can do something, why wouldn’t you?”
Stinnett said that line stuck with her.
“Because when we see a need, when we know we can make a difference, the real question becomes why wouldn’t you?” Stinnett said. “That’s the heart of J127. This isn’t just a suggestion. It’s a call, it’s a direction, it’s a way of life. God has made it clear we are meant to care for the vulnerable. J127 exists to walk out this very scripture. We are called to stand in the gap of these young girls who have aged out of foster care who are often overlooked. They’re unheard and they’re unprotected. These girls are resilient. They’re brave and they are worthy of more than just survival.
“They’re worthy of hope. They’re worthy of healing and they’re worthy to have a place that is called home and most of all, they are worthy to discover who they were created to be in Christ.”
Stinnett said there is so much more work to do because of the number of young women who need a safe place to land.
“We have over 20,000 youth every year in the United States that are leaving out of foster care,” Stinnett said. “They need somewhere to land where someone believes in them. Someone to walk along side them. We must keep going. You see, together, we are the solution to a solvable problem. Together, we can create a place where young women can rebuild, rediscover who they are in Christ and rewrite their story and when that happens, we’re not just changing their life, we’re changing generations to come. A young girl who never knew stability gets a chance to heal. She becomes a mother who raises her kids differently. A young woman who felt she was invisible.
“So tonight, I leave you with with this: If you can do something, if we can do something, why wouldn’t we? If we are called to walk out James 127, how can we say no? Let’s keep walking, let’s keep loving, let’s keep building a future where there is no young lady that is left behind because remember, we are the solution to a solvable problem.”
