The Founder of Advocates for Hope: Karen Austin
God spoke to me one morning, while driving to my counseling session. Yes, because of what had happened the night before, I am healed and have a renewed spirit within me.
In 2009, I was driving on I-70 at night, the roads were slippery and I was driving fast. All of a sudden, the interstate curved and I almost hit the concrete guard rail. Realizing what was going on I thought for sure I was going to die. But God helped me steer my car to the side of the road where I pulled off and got my composure and then went on to teach my music lessons.
The next morning, as I was driving to my counseling session, God spoke to me. He said, “Karen, You Wanted to Live Last Night.”
I said “What?”
God said again, “Karen, You Wanted to Live Last Night.”
I began to Cry! At that moment, I realized I Wanted to Live for the First Time in Over 30 Years!
I have been praying that God will allow me to help others that are going through what I went through. Advocates for Hope, Inc. was founded in 2010 (previously known as But God Ministry, Inc).
In 2013, I wrote a book entitled: He Meant it for Evil…But God. One Woman’s Journey Through Domestic Violence.
My Prayer for my book and for Advocates for Hope, Inc. is that it can help others to avoid having to go through what I went through and to educate the community about domestic violence. Also, that many people would come to know our great God through the story of His grace poured out to me in my darkest hours!
My husband, of 23 years, was a very abusive; physically, emotionally, financially, sexually, and spiritually. My husband was a pastor. Power and control was an everyday part of our lives. In 1995, my three children and I escaped our abuser.
As well as being an author, I am a speaker, an educator and an advocate for victims of domestic violence. I hold a Bachelors’ Degree in Music Education, a Masters’ in Christian Education and a Masters’ in Christian Counseling. I am a certified Danger Assessment Assessor. I’m a member of a local church and a member and/or associated with numerous community and national organizations. Some of which are; American Association of Christian Counselors, National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Christian Coalition Against Domestic Abuse, National Association for Music Education, and Colorado Association for Music Education.
I taught school for 25 years as a band director and music teacher in Louisiana, Virginia, Arkansas, and Texas. Presently, I teach private music lessons in the Denver Metro Area. I am the mother of three children and blessed with eleven grandchildren.
This blog is space in which I'll share my story, my advice, information about domestic violence, and the preventative measures I believe we can take to stop domestic violence.