Who We Help

Why We Support Balling for Jesus… a note from Co-Founder, Pastor Leah Miles:

On a hot Saturday morning in August 2018 in Dade City, Florida we were setting up The Esther 414 Foundation’s booth for the Balling for Jesus Back-to-School event. We were busy organizing supplies when I heard a young girl’s voice. I looked up and saw a pretty little girl running across the playground toward me, waving and yelling, “Pastor Mamma, Pastor Mamma, do you remember me? It’s me, Esther, Queen Esther! I’m here!”. She energetically approached me with her arms outstretched and hugged the bottom of my legs. I noticed that in her hand she held a very worn flower wreath crown. It was the same floral garland I had crowned her with last year, declaring her a Queen and a daughter of the King. At that moment time stood still, and I will forever remember that beautiful young girl’s face and what appeared to be a light and halo over her head as she adjusted her flower crown and said, “My real name is Latoya, but I’m Queen Esther too! You know, I’m destined for greatness! You told me, no matter what anyone says, God loves me, and He made me extra, extra good, and I ain’t believing nobody for nothin’ ‘cause I’m smart and was born to be a Queen.” Wow! Did I just hear this sweet child announce she was an Esther and that God loves her? How precious! My heart melted, and my eyes filled with tears of joy. I felt the overwhelming goodness of our Father.

Balling for Jesus is more than a sporting event where young people receive school supplies, play ball, enjoy food and carnival games. It’s an event that allows The Esther 414 Foundation to share the love of Jesus and inspire young girls, their moms, aunties, grandmothers and other women to “Live As An Esther”. The Esther 414 Foundation’s booth hosts several story times throughout the day sharing the book of Esther from the Bible. We share how God worked through an ordinary young girl named Esther and made her an extraordinary Queen to save her people from destruction. We inspire living biblical principles to help build positive self-esteem, to ensure they are loved, and for them to know they are daughters of the King of Kings. We crown each female participant with a floral garland and declare them a Queen, proclaiming God’s great destiny and purpose over their lives.

I left the event that Saturday knowing our ministry’s resources were well spent. We witnessed the presence of God working throughout the day – not only at our booth but in the leadership of Pastor Dee and Lady Taffini Reed and the other activities that were happening. Latoya’s story is one of hundreds. We also see generations of families — women proudly wearing their crowns, proclaiming they are an “Esther”.

We thank you for your financial support that allows us to help raise the next generation of Esthers “for such a time as this”.

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16