MEET KIM

Keynote Speaking - Fundraising - Events & Conferences - Pregnancy Resource Development & Support

Special Needs

Unplanned Pregnancy

Single Parenting

Blended Families

Adoption

Relationships

Image

Fear & Anxiety

Shame

Overcoming Obstacles Serving with Excellence Leading like Christ

Redemption

Salvation

Knowing God

Forgiviness

Walking in Faith

Cultivating Community

Personal

With roots deeply entwined in the blue grasses of Kentucky, Kim is a storyteller by birth, able to pull hearers into her stories. Although Kim was a planned child, her parents were not married. Her early years were wrapped in a firm sense of security amidst the chaos until the tender age of three when anxiety entered her life and soon consumed her. A series of traumatic events brought Kim and her mother back to her mother's home state of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania was new and foreign to the barefoot girl with a thick southern draw; she soon adapted, but fear and anxiety lingered.

At six years old, her brother Jack was born with multiple congenital disorders, causing unpredictable chaos. His conditions have stumped countless professionals, caused their mother to become a fierce advocate, and made Kim into the woman she is today. Although Jack's special needs led to seasons of trials, instability in Kim's young life, and added responsibility for her, his life has been a source of joy, motivation, and the ability to overcome adversity.

Growing up with a single mom and then a blended family set the stage for a textbook case of absent father syndrome that led Kim down a path of self-destruction. An unplanned pregnancy and unraveling life led Kim to go back to church, where the God who had been chasing her was waiting there with open arms. Over the next year, she built a solid community that supported her through that hard season of personal rebirth and carried her with grace to complete restoration while pregnant with her second child.

It was through mothering that Kim tangibly understood God's love and unconditional desire to be in relationship with her. God used her precious daughters to change her life forever. Although she loved being a mother, postpartum depression and fear for her children's safety and future were like gasoline on the consuming flames of anxiety. Living in subsidized housing, trying to recover financially, and determined to raise her daughters well, Kim dug into her faith, worked on forgiveness and healing, and studied the character of God. Her battle with depression and anxiety continued after a series of tragic losses and as new family struggles arose, opening old wounds. Her hope for the future also fell under attack as she struggled to believe she was worthy of love. But God.

Here is a glimpse into some experiences that have molded Kim and sharpened her faith. Kim loves to share her life to encourage others in their walk with Christ. Her story is not over; what God has done for her, He will do for anyone. She uses her freedom as a platform to proclaim the good news, give hope to the hurting, and minister freedom to those held captive by sin and lies. Twenty years as a follower of Christ has given Kim confidence in the Author of her life and the chapters yet to come. As Proverbs 31:25 says, She laughs without fear of the future.

Professional

After ten years as executive director at the local pregnancy resource center, Kim felt the call to be home. Kim served the pregnancy center for sixteen years in various roles and still supports the ministry today. She also has nine years of experience as an in-home health aid, two years as a bank teller, and short stints in food services and housekeeping. Kim does not consider any experience as menial, having gained valuable life and work experience from every role she filled.

Matters of life were always a central theme in Kim's life, driving her passion into adulthood. She first encountered the concept of adoption in second grade when her teacher took her under her wing during a crucial season in Kim's life. It became known that this beloved teacher wanted children but did not have any. Kim was too young to comprehend the struggles of infertility, but she recalls the special visit where she met her teacher's baby girl and the feeling of being a part of that sacred moment.

The following year, Kim found herself under the teaching of another Jesus-loving woman whose daughter had special needs. Kim felt seen and understood as this teacher poured into her and encouraged her. That year, Kim saw the beauty of inclusion, gained a love for writing, and learned that her voice was a tool to bring awareness.

Throughout her life, Kim worked with the special needs community, volunteering and fundraising alongside her mother; at home, she was a caregiver to her brother, and at school, she was an advocate. The abundant and unconditional love with which the special needs community welcomes friends is unmatched and a true expression of God's love.

In high school, Kim came face to face with the devastating impact of abortion as a friend shared her secret at the lunchroom table; Kim witnessed her vibrant friend become depressed and withdrawn, ending all relationships, and a passion was born in her. Not long after that lunchroom confession, another friend confided that she was facing pressure to have an abortion, so Kim put her passion into action. During her four years of high school, multiple young women faced the reality of teen pregnancy. Kim did her best to support and advocate for them all.

Although Kim struggled with self-worth, supporting other girls gave her a sense of purpose. This drive and her newfound freedom in Christ led Kim to volunteer at her local pregnancy resource center. Serving in various roles and through diverse trials gave Kim wide-ranging experience and insight to now support and empower other centers in their mission. Above all, she witnessed what happens when you put God at the center of your ministry. In 25 years, the local center had undergone several location moves, changes in leadership, and financial hardships. Amid a hard season, Kim was committed daily to serving with excellence and trusting God with the provision. In her last year, they purchased and renovated a new office building, debt-free, ensuring the ministry would have a space to serve the community for generations.

Spiritual

”Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness, and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭26‬-‭31‬ ‭NIV

Likely because of a praying Mamaw and most certainly because of the Grace of God, Kim felt the call of God on her life at a young age. Even though her parents did not attend church regularly, one of her earliest memories is singing hymns in a little country church with her mamaw and cousins.

Later, the concept of having a personal relationship with the God of the Bible was first presented to Kim while at vacation Bible school. She answered that call, and God became very real and personal to her. God started bringing mentors, like her elementary school teachers, into her life, always pointing her back to God while she did not have a church family. From age eight until fifteen, her family had consistent Church involvement between two very different denominations. Kim struggled with feelings of inferiority; she could not memorize scriptures like the other children, only what the verses spoke to her, and she saw a disparity between her life and those around her, which made her feel unworthy. Anxiety and shame threw Kim at the alter countless times until, without discipleship, Kim drifted away believing lies. Kim always felt God calling her heart but did everything she could to drown it out after she walked away, afraid of God seeing her mess.

At twenty, Kim became a new creation in Christ, reclaimed, restored, and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, and her journey began to learn the truth of her faith and shed the lies she believed. Faith that only comes through the word of God set her free. Kim does not belong to a denomination, and as 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, she believes, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." She also believes that there is greater understanding in learning the history and culture of the people of the Bible. Her statement of faith is as simple as Ephesians 2:8-9, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast." Our works are evidence of our salvation, not a means to it.

Kim began speaking at churches as a representative of the pregnancy center and later began delivering the message during Sunday services at supporting churches. God continued to provide opportunities both for her to speak and for her refining. She has led numerous small groups, and church ministries, and was part of a women’s ministry team that held annual conferences, mini-events, and growth groups, ministering to hundreds of women and teens, Kim believes our response to the message is far more important than the messenger or translation. She loves worshipping with her extended church family and has spoken at various churches across denominations.

The above list highlights topics near and dear to Kim’s heart. If you feel Kim may be a good fit for your needs, but your focus is not listed above, do not hesitate to contact her and open that conversation. If she can not help you she may have a recommendation.

Please email all inquiries to

kimcrousespeaker@gmail.com

Please include your name, organization, event type, and date in your email. You will receive a response within 24 hours. Kim travels from northern Pennsylvania, requests travel and hospitality for 2, and will work with your budget for speaking fees.