Founder and CEO Marsha Drennen has spent 25 years working with homeless, low income and abused women. Her heart is to show the love of Jesus by giving a hand up to women facing tough times. She worships at Christ Church United Methodist Church.
About 25 years ago, my husband and I moved out to a lake nestled in the Alabama pines, a beautiful, serene setting. At that time, I had a small special events company which left me little time to “Be still and know that I am God.”
I was convinced that the busyness of my life was keeping me from more important things, so I sold my business. Once my schedule was clear, I prayed for God to use me. The next morning I received a call from an executive director of a local women’s shelter asking me to serve on their board. I took that as an answer from God and accepted the position. It was through that work that I began to learn about the incredible obstacles that abused and homeless women and children face, the traumas they’ve endured and the long healing process required for their restoration.
God opened the door for us to teach a Bible study in the shelter. We taught the love of God, the worth we have as His children, and His incomparable power for those who believe. Whenever we would talk about the women’s futures, fear gripped their faces, and my heart broke. They knew, better that we, that they could not support their families on a fast-food or grocery store clerk salary. Many times, because they could not support themselves or their families, they went back to their abusers.
God opened my eyes to the help needed for women struggling to overcome homelessness, poverty, abuse and addictions. God called me to lead the effort to raise monies for a new long-term Christian home. He is a God of Abundance and provided us with about $1.7 million to build and operate the home.
We are now in a new season, one that will provide support for low income working women who have been cast off, marginalized, rejected. I pray you will join us in our efforts to give a hand up to hurting women.
“And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.” Isaiah 58:10-11
About 25 years ago, my husband and I moved out to a lake nestled in the Alabama pines, a beautiful, serene setting. At that time, I had a small special events company which left me little time to “Be still and know that I am God.”
I was convinced that the busyness of my life was keeping me from more important things, so I sold my business. Once my schedule was clear, I prayed for God to use me. The next morning I received a call from an executive director of a local women’s shelter asking me to serve on their board. I took that as an answer from God and accepted the position. It was through that work that I began to learn about the incredible obstacles that abused and homeless women and children face, the traumas they’ve endured and the long healing process required for their restoration.
God opened the door for us to teach a Bible study in the shelter. We taught the love of God, the worth we have as His children, and His incomparable power for those who believe. Whenever we would talk about the women’s futures, fear gripped their faces, and my heart broke. They knew, better that we, that they could not support their families on a fast-food or grocery store clerk salary. Many times, because they could not support themselves or their families, they went back to their abusers.
God opened my eyes to the help needed for women struggling to overcome homelessness, poverty, abuse and addictions. God called me to lead the effort to raise monies for a new long-term Christian home. He is a God of Abundance and provided us with about $1.7 million to build and operate the home.
We are now in a new season, one that will provide support for low income working women who have been cast off, marginalized, rejected. I pray you will join us in our efforts to give a hand up to hurting women.
“And if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame.” Isaiah 58:10-11
Belinda is a Corporate Trust Review Analyst for U.S. Bank in Birmingham with a vast array of banking and finance experience. She has spent the majority of her 30 plus year career in branch banking, document custody with the last 12 years in corporate trust. She uses her knowledge of banking and finance at First Fruits by handling all bookkeeping duties. Belinda has a passion for serving others so she also has the joy and privilege of baking the yummy gourmet teacakes sold at the area markets. In her spare time you will find her hiking, fishing and cycling with friends and her husband, Eric, or loving on her new grandbaby Jace. Belinda is also an active member of Church of the Highlands where she is on the Serve Team.
Nina has a BS degree in Home Economics Education and a minor in English from the University of Montevallo. She also has a Master’s Degree in Home Economics Education from Auburn University. She was Food Service Manager at Briarwood Presbyterian Church for 13 years, worked as a product specialist for Kitchen Consultants, and was a home school mom for 10 years.
Presently, she is partnered with her niece in their business Forget Him Knot. Forget Him Knot is their heart’s mission to remind everyone of the amazing things God has done so that we do not forget His many blessings. They look for creative ways to help remember God whether in Bible courses, art courses, products, special events or weddings.
Nina loves being able to use her God given talents in the first fruits kitchens, to make candles and baskets, and to manage the Farmers Markets for the purpose of touching the lives of others.
Nina loves being able to use her God given talents in the first fruits kitchens, to make candles and baskets, and to manage the Farmers Markets for the purpose of touching the lives of others.
Angie Holder is the owner ofMomenTaker Photography.
She is married, has 2 wonderful sons, is a member of Canterbury United Methodist Church, and belongs to several church, social, & civic organizations.
She is married, has 2 wonderful sons, is a member of Canterbury United Methodist Church, and belongs to several church, social, & civic organizations.
Steve Wingate- Affordable Car Program ManagerSteve joined First Fruits Ministries in April of 2019 as our eBay store manager. He brought over 30 years of experience in the retail arena with him, including 10 years in thrift store management. Leveraging our 501(c)(3) status, he pivoted our focus from buying wholesale lots to soliciting donations of household goods to sell in our eBay store. By the time we closed the store in 2024, 95% of our eBay listings were donor-provided.
In 2021, he was given the job of maintaining our website. By 2023, he was also managing our social media accounts, creating content and serving as an instructor and photographer for Cars For a Purpose. 2024 brought an all-new challenge for Steve as he was promoted to Affordable Car Program Manager. First Fruits awarded 13 cars in 2024, the most since the program began in 2020. In 2025, Cars For a Purpose awarded 25 cars.
Steve lives in Pinson, Alabama with his wife Jennifer. They have two grown sons and an incredibly spoiled dog named Dixie. Jennifer has now assumed the role of photographer for vehicle awards so her husband can concentrate on mentoring the car recipients.
In 2021, he was given the job of maintaining our website. By 2023, he was also managing our social media accounts, creating content and serving as an instructor and photographer for Cars For a Purpose. 2024 brought an all-new challenge for Steve as he was promoted to Affordable Car Program Manager. First Fruits awarded 13 cars in 2024, the most since the program began in 2020. In 2025, Cars For a Purpose awarded 25 cars.
Steve lives in Pinson, Alabama with his wife Jennifer. They have two grown sons and an incredibly spoiled dog named Dixie. Jennifer has now assumed the role of photographer for vehicle awards so her husband can concentrate on mentoring the car recipients.
Faith Peck- Vice President, Making Homes of Hope CoordinatorFaith was a stay-at-home mom for 23 years. When her youngest left for college, she had to “figure out what she wanted to be when she grew up”. She went back to school and became a Physical Therapist Assistant and has been working in that field for 13 years. This is how she first connected with First Fruits as Marsha’s husband Jim was her supervisor.
She has now stepped up to the role of office manager at her physical therapy firm, which has given her the flexibility to be more involved with First Fruits. She visits our potential clients and helps them with budgeting. She was also instrumental in developing our Making Homes of Hope program. She and her husband Shannon pick up and deliver furniture and other household goods to single working women in need. They have a grown daughter and son.
She has now stepped up to the role of office manager at her physical therapy firm, which has given her the flexibility to be more involved with First Fruits. She visits our potential clients and helps them with budgeting. She was also instrumental in developing our Making Homes of Hope program. She and her husband Shannon pick up and deliver furniture and other household goods to single working women in need. They have a grown daughter and son.