Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr Earnestine Hunt.
Dr Earnestine, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Soul Sisters International began in 2000 as a call from Jesus Christ to help heal the racial climate in Memphis, TN, the city where civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King lost his life.
I, Dr. Earnestine Hunt, Founder, was attending Memphis Theological Seminary, enrolled in a course entitled the Beloved Community.
One day while sitting in the student center glancing out the window, I experienced an epiphany. Black students were on one side of the campus. white students were on another side. The scene grieved me. I didn’t know it at the time, but in the middle of the students was a pole with the words “peace,”
I said to myself, here we are ministers supposedly learning how to minister to the masses. Yet, we cannot minister to each other.
Once again, God called me to act upon my faith and do something about it.
Soul Sisters International was born. Intentional relationships were formed first between black and white women in Memphis. We later expanded the matches to include women of all races. The mission is to encourage women to bond with someone of a different race. Our goal is to improve racism, diversity, and spread genuine love among the races.
Our strategy is to hold teas to match women. Some wonderful success stories have followed. I met my very first Soul Sister at her garage sale, which is a story within itself. But our story has expanded to over 23 years. She became my first ministry partner for Soul Sisters. We later changed the name to Soul Sister’s International. Together, we have traveled through many journeys,
Many other Soul Sisters joined the journey. As Founder, I recently travel to Korea with the help of one of the Soul Sisters to continue to share the vision.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Racism remains challenging. Sadly, the journey has not been smooth. However, the journey has been rewarding despite the obstacles. When we as Soul Sisters personally experience life changing revelations regarding our prejudices and biases, transformative miracles occur. I have witnessed many cry and ask for forgiveness regarding the tragedies that have occurred as a result of racism. Hearts and lives have been changed!
Our main strategy is to find a sponsor that will host a tea. We invite women to attend free. Then we match the women with someone of a different race. We ask them to meet for at least a year.. Whether it’s for a cup of coffee/tea or a simple phone call. We also ask them to share their stories.
Some struggled from the very beginning. They were hesitant to participate due to what family and friends would think. Others bonded quickly. Some deeply. The stories we were able to document are awesome!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a wife (46 ys), mother (3), grandmother (7), a minister called to serve humanity.
My calls have included but not limited to the following: Chaplain, Hospice Chaplain, Pastor, Founder of W.E.E.P. (Wo+men Enabling & Empowering People), Soul Sisters International, and J.O.Y. (Jesus Over You) Ministries.
I would like to say that I do whatever God calls me to, and that I specialize in trying to help hurting people heal.
I am most proud of the fact that I try very hard to obey God regarding the calls on my life. I believe that God has set me apart to help others, especially those who are hurting.
How do you define success?
Joshua 1:8 tells me that if I meditate on the Word of God day and night, then I will have true success. I really take this word from God to heart, literally.
I try not to do anything without going to God first. Whatever the situation, I find a Word from God in the bible and meditate on it. Then I act as the Spirit of God leads me.
