In spite of the recession and widespread cuts in funding, the fight against domestic abuse continues undaunted from a small office in Pompano Beach. Kate Johnson, the founder of the Christian Coalition Against Domestic Abuse, is gearing up for National Domestic Violence Awareness month in October by calling for more awareness and support from the Christian community. She said churches can contact the CCADA for presentation materials or to request a speaker.

Kate said the tragedy of the economic downturn is not only the cuts in funding as donors cinch in their belts, but that economic hardship worsens the plight of many people in domestic violence situations.

“I am getting more and more e-mails from people around the country being trapped in domestic abuse situations because of their economic situation,” she said.

“Our giving is down which means we have had to rely more on grants from secular sources. They give because they believe in the topic and our work, but it limits us in sharing The Good News.”

However, in spite of the challenges, the CCADA, which was only founded two years ago, has secured several grants, allowing them to open a main office in Pompano and a satellite office in North Miami. They provide support and counseling to churches and individuals across the United

States, Canada, England and Australia.

And Kate and her volunteers have been busy.

They’ve been speaking out about domestic violence at community events, meeting with pastors, hosting conferences on the issue and assisting a church in Wapakoneta, Ohio, set up a domestic abuse Life . Kate also recently wrote a Bible Study support group workbook which was translated into Spanish and Creole.

“We have begun two new support groups, one in Miami and one in Tamarac, using the workbook I wrote, ‘Healing the Broken Places,'” Kate said. “It has been such a blessing to see how God is using it to change lives … and how God is using it to help many around the world who have asked for it.”

Kate said people can become involved in the fight simply by talking about it.

“Talking about it is bringing light onto the issue, and when the light of Christ is brought into the darkness, the darkness flees,” she said. “And there is nothing darker than living in an abusive situation.”

Kate should know. She survived 25 years of abuse.

“The redemption God brought in my life was not only profound and life-changing, but He has propelled me into this Life to use my suffering so that others would suffer less,” she says.

Kate is a licensed mental health counselor in general practice but specializing in domestic abuse survivors. Her husband and partner in the fight against domestic violence, George Johnson, is a certified life coach who specializes in helping men with relational issues, including working with those who are abusive.

For more information on National Domestic Violence Awareness month, e-mail Kate at [email protected] or George at [email protected]. Colleen Webb is a writer and certified Christian life coach. You can contact her at LifeCoachforPurpose.com.