Imagine an elderly neighbor, living on a fixed income and being financially manipulated by a caregiver who is draining their life’s savings with no hope and no help in their situation.
Picture a young mom, facing threats of losing custody if she leaves her abusive partner. Without affordable legal help, she is unable to protect herself or her kids – she feels trapped and without hope.
Think of a hardworking family fighting to keep a roof over their heads after hours are cut at work. The stakes couldn’t be higher, because an eviction notice is not just about losing a place to live—it’s about losing the stability, safety, and foundation their home provides.
For millions of Americans, these situations that feel empty of hope aren’t hypothetical—they’re reality. Out of 142 countries, the United States ranks 107th in the affordability and accessibility of civil justice. Justice issues weigh heavily on the most vulnerable—like the elderly, the person trapped in abuse, and those living paycheck to paycheck. Alarmingly, low-income Americans receive little to no legal assistance for 92% of their substantial civil legal problems, leaving them to navigate complex and critical issues on their own.
For me, these numbers are more than statistics—they’re personal.
Growing up, I was a high-performing, top-of-my-class student with aspirations of going to a top-tier college, securing a meaningful job, and changing the world. But after several deeply traumatic events as a young teenager, my life changed drastically. I left home and, without the safety net of my family, made reckless teenage choices. By 19, I was pregnant, without a safe home, and uncertain of what the future would hold. Yet even in that difficult season, I began to sense that God had a purpose for my life—a purpose that gave me hope and courage to start living differently.
As a teenager with a baby, I struggled to make ends meet. I moved frequently, trying to improve our circumstances, but I was always at risk of not being able to pay the next month’s rent, purchase groceries, or afford childcare that allowed me to go to work. But I kept at it—working multiple jobs, putting myself through school, and doing my best to be a parent, not really knowing how. I often lived in fear—fear of how I’d pay rent, how I’d afford food and clothes, what I’d do when the car broke down again, and how I’d create a better life for my son than the one I was living at the time.
Yet, during those struggles, God provided in ways I never expected. I could tell stories for days! But today, I’ll share two key things that I received during that time that changed my life dramatically: having the opportunity to work as a legal assistant and receiving the loving care and encouragement of the church.
While working as a legal assistant to support myself through school, I picked up valuable skills—how to read statutes; use sound logic; and write persuasive, compelling letters. These skills gave me the confidence to stand up for myself and my son in ways I never thought possible.
For example, when a landlord wrongly withheld my security deposit, I used what I’d learned to cite tenant and landlord laws in a clear letter and win back my money. When custody arrangements needed to be negotiated, I had the tools to advocate for my son’s safety and well-being. I also had the blessing of a pro bono attorney during my custody hearing. Their help made all the difference.
But it wasn’t just legal knowledge and connections that carried me through. The church was there, too. Members of the church welcomed me and my son with open arms, encouraged me in my faith, and supported us in countless practical ways—helping with childcare, providing me with groceries unexpectedly, inviting us over for meals and games, and simply reminding me that we weren’t alone.
Now, imagine those two forces—the practical help of a lawyer and the love and support of the church—working together. That’s exactly what Administer Justice makes possible.
Administer Justice empowers vulnerable neighbors with the help of a lawyer and the hope of God’s love. Through the organization’s Gospel Justice Centers, churches become places where justice and compassion meet. Administer Justice equips churches with everything they need to launch these centers, providing resources, training, and a turnkey model that allows volunteers to step into roles that reflect their unique gifts.
I had the privilege of serving on the board of Administer Justice for more than six years. During that time, I saw how this ministry transforms lives and the commitment of the board and the staff to see Gospel Justice Centers stretch across the country. It deepened my commitment to this mission and inspired me to continue serving. Now, I have the joy of helping to plan the opening of a Gospel Justice Center at my local church in Charleston, SC. This has been a long-time prayer of mine, and I’ll be so excited to see our doors open soon.
As Administer Justice celebrates its 25th anniversary, they’ve equipped churches across the country (currently at 109 Gospel Justice Centers and counting) to bring legal aid to their communities. This year, as we prepare to launch a Gospel Justice Center in communities. I’m excited to see how God will use Gospel Justice Centers to transform lives in the coming year.”.
Thanks to a loving church family, access to legal support, and the Lord’s provision, I built a more stable life. Over time, and with God’s provision, I built a more stable life for my son and myself, earned a graduate degree, and now have the privilege of raising resources to help transform lives around the world through a global ministry. I am incredibly blessed to share my life with a loving, kind, and encouraging husband and my son, who has grown into an intelligent, compassionate, and generous man—qualities that inspire me every day.
The justice gap leaves millions of Americans vulnerable, but together, we can create spaces where justice and compassion meet. If your heart breaks for those left behind by the justice system, or if you wonder how your church can be a place of both hope and practical help, I encourage you to learn more about Administer Justice. You can learn how to be a part of a gospel justice movement and help to close the justice gap and share God’s love with your neighbors across the country.
Our guest contributor, Jen Adams, is a former Administer Justice Board Member and currently works as executive vice president of partnerships and communications at Water Mission.
