Walking with Purpose
What is Walking with Purpose?
Walking with Purpose is a Catholic Bible study program that aims to bring women to a deeper personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We offer personal study and small group discussion that link our everyday challenges and struggles with the solutions given to us through the teachings of Christ and the Catholic Church.
Walking with Purpose endeavors to meet women where they are, giving them practical Biblical teaching that is consistent with Church doctrine and uses the Catechism of the Catholic Church as an additional resource. Walking with Purpose has three elements: at-home study, parish-based or independently run weekly small group meetings, and a monthly talk on relevant course material. Parish-based programs are offered during the daytime or in the evenings, and childcare is provided. All Bible study materials have received the imprimatur from the Archdiocese of Baltimore, and vary in length and depth of study in order to meet the varying needs of participants.
Opening Your Heart is the recommended starting point for all participants, regardless of previous experience with course. Walking with Purpose wants every Catholic woman in the United States to experience Opening Your Heart because we believe that this course is an incredibly effective guide to deep, lasting transformation of the heart. Those who long to evangelize women in the pews and beyond will find this particular course to be exactly the tool they need. We firmly believe that true change can happen in the hearts of women – and, by extension, in their families and beyond – through Bible study; Opening Your Heart is the natural first step.
Walking with Purpose was founded by Lisa Brenninkmeyer in Annapolis, Maryland in 2002. A convert to Catholicism herself, Lisa noticed a lack of fresh, relevant Catholic Bible Studies to attract and meet the needs of young mothers; she decided to offer a Bible Study to help fill this need in the community. Eight women responded to her advertisement in the church bulletin, and the group began. Each year thereafter, the number of women in the program doubled as news of the positive impact of the program was shared, woman to woman, irrespective of faith background, age, or marital status. Women from both Catholic and Protestant churches were now part of the program, and all were gaining further insight into shared Christian ideals as well as a new understanding of different Christian traditions.
In the fall of 2008, the program was given the name Walking with Purpose and became a fully independent non-profit organization with 501 c (3) status and a Board of Directors. At this point, WWP began its expansion to other locations in earnest.
Since then, Walking with Purpose has grown steadily at a rate of 70% annually. After participating in WWP, the number of women who report being highly satisfied with their faith more than doubles. 97% report that their prayer life is improved. 97% say their relationship with Christ is stronger. 92% would recommend WWP to a friend because it works.
Today, Walking with Purpose has close to 200 parishes involved in its Leadership Training Program in the United States, Europe, and Canada and has helped thousands of women deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
For more information, visit the WWP website.
Click here to read National Catholic Register’s feature of WWP.