By Bob Holmes

Special to the Chronicle

Patricia England says Columbia International University's Diploma in Women’s Leadership “takes you to another level.”

England graduated from the program’s inaugural class in 2019.

She credits CIU with helping in her ministry to incarcerated fwomen in the Lexington County jail.

It's a place where she spent a lot of time in trouble when she was young.

“One of the things I remember the most is pictures I had of me when I was 16.

"There was no hope in my eyes. There was no hope,” England stressed.

“I don’t know any better words for it, but hopeless.”

England has been in federal prison twice, but honestly can’t remember how many times she has been in and out of county jails.

Her convictions included drug charges and prostitution.

She has lost a child to drugs.

In 2014, England was about to commit suicide with a razor in the jail shower.

Before the shower, a fellow inmate shared a Bible verse that changed everything.

Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood, I said to you live. (Ezekiel 16:6)

“Live was in bold letters,” England recalled.

“Getting in that shower I wanted to (commit suicide) but God just told me to live.

"I surrendered.”

From England’s jail experiences, Hadassah Hope Ministries was born.

Hadassah is the Hebrew name of the Old Testament’s Queen Esther.

England now is drug free and has a daughter of whom she is proud.

She teaches biblically-based life skills to the women at the jail.

She is preparing to publish a workbook to assist them.

It’s about her journey to freedom through Christ and practical aids for women reentering society.

CIU's Diploma in Women’s Leadership empowered her to found the nonprofit and write the workbook.

“I don’t think I would have ever tackled the workbook had it not been for CIU,” England said.

“It taught me how to outline a devotional message and how to apply it … how to research … it empowered me with so much knowledge.

"It just takes you to another level in your relationship with Christ.” 

England’s dream is to help women in seemingly hopeless situations discover the freedom in Christ she now knows and open a halfway house for women after their incarceration.

Where will the Diploma in Women’s Leadership take you? Discover more and register today.

With record enrollment in 2020, CIU consistently ranks among the Top Regional Universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report, as well as a Best Value Regional University in the South. Request information on enrollment at CIU and Columbia Biblical Seminary or call (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024.