“The Power of Faith” by Kelly C.
As readers familiar with this blog by now know, I was a co-founder of the predecessor to Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia https://clcphila.org/.
Volunteer Christian attorneys at CLCP serve the “inner city” poor of Philadelphia, with the assistance of law students and sponsor organizations such as the Salvation Army.
The following is a firsthand account by one such law student, Kelly C.
“The first day of my externship at Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia…I was eager to start…but I didn’t know what to expect in terms of how the attorneys at CLCP would incorporate Christianity into legal counsel. One of the first clients I saw was a man who needed help with a custody and divorce issue. This appointment seemed like a standard attorney-client transaction. I assisted him in filling out the required paperwork and took notes of the family law attorney’s advice.
I later found out that the translator…had met this client on the bus. The client was struggling with addiction issues at the time and the translator brought him to the center to get a meal. The client was then connected to the legal clinic…Over the past few months…he finished treatment at an addiction rehabilitation center, stayed clean, got a job, found a running group, joined a Church that the family law attorney suggested, and rekindled his relationship with his children. He told me that God must have been on the bus with him that day to offer help when he needed it most, which I know is true.”
“…This client’s ability to turn his life around so quickly, through faith and hard work, confirmed for me that there is a place for faith in the legal community.
As a law student, I read and hear so much that challenges my faith. Yet at Christian Legal Clinics I saw that many clients benefited from the prayers we said together. Often, this was enough to ground them and give them the grace and patience to let go of any anger they felt towards the legal system or the opposing party. My experience with the staff and clients at Christian Legal Clinics solidified that I want to do family law for the most vulnerable and underrepresented clients in Philadelphia. I am so grateful that I had the…chance to see that it was possible to maintain my faith and share it with clients that are open to it [1].”
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[1] Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia/Ministry Briefs 2022, Fall Edition, “The Power of Faith” by Kelly C.
READERS CAN FIND MY VIEWS ON ABUSE AND ABUSE-RELATED ISSUES AT ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse https://www.avoicereclaimed.com
A Lawyer's Prayers 
This is a beautiful testimony.
I thought so, too, Linda. ❤
Thanks for sharing this uplifting testimony, Anna.
Thank you for stopping by, Louise. Blessings, A. ❤
I am very glad to read testimonies like this Anna. Christ makes a difference in every place in our lives and faith in a God who loves all of us should permeate our being and our work. Segmenting one’s faith just makes one religious as an add on to life when convenient.
I feel the same way, Gary.
Wonderful!
Glad you found it encouraging!
I see that (Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia) is a powerful clinic, helping other. I will give a monthly donation . My full name is Michael (Jerome) Jackson.
God bless you, Michael. Any donations should be given directly to CLCP. I have no monetary stake in the clinic.
Got it.
Vielen Dank dafür, dass Du solch einen wunderbaren Beitrag geschrieben hast. Du machst Dir immer so viel Mühe mit dem Recherchieren, aber das Ergebnis ist immer hervorragend. Liebe Grüße, Marie
Du bist immer nett zu mir, liebe Freundin. Bei so viel Dunkelheit in der Welt bedeutet Ihre Ermutigung sehr viel. Mit Liebe, A. ❤
Du versuchst immer, anderen zu helfen, und das finde ich großartig. Ich bin sehr dankbar, Dich als Freundin zu haben. In Liebe, Marie
Ich bin ebenso dankbar, dich als Freundin zu haben, Marie. ❤
Love this post!
Some of the greatest work that God does is far removed from a church building. In fact, I will go so far as to say the majority of real ministry happens in the “highways and byways” of our world, where real people have real needs that are being met by real servants of Christ.
I’m glad you were as encouraged as I was by this law student’s testimony, Ron. I love the lyrics from that Joan Osborne song, “What if God was one of us? Just a slob like one of us? Just a stranger on the bus trying to make His way home?” Of course, Christ did take on a human nature for all our sakes. And Christians are blessed to see Him in the faces of those we have the privilege of serving.
This is so – not violent. It is comforting. Yet it is held in contempt by many. Boggles the mind.
You are so right, Marilee. A sad commentary on our times.