Fall classes to being at the Hephzibah House

The Hephzibah House in Newton is getting ready to start its fall class schedule in October.

Classes, which are scheduled every day, are for the women who live in the house and well as women in the community who would like to attend.

For only women and run by women, the Hephzibah House is a nonprofit women’s ministry and “a woman’s resource and Christian learning center,” said Koni Bunse, president of Hephzibah House.

The house, which is in its eighth year, was founded by BeLinda and Dennis Thomas and Amber Dolezal and is located at 721 E. Fourth St. N.

“It’s a place for restoration, redemption, reconciliation ... for women to come and learn who they are in Christ. It’s a faith-based program,” Bunse said.

The house, which can house up to six women as well as the house mother, costs $250 a month with food and living supplies provided.

“We don’t deny anyone to come and do the program, we never want money to be a deterrent if somebody wants to come and stay there and take our classes,” Bunse said. “The community has been really awesome in supporting us.”

The program runs six months, while the class schedule changes every three months. Classes are required for those staying in the house. All of the classes are taught by volunteers from the community as well as a local minister.

Topics for the upcoming classes include Financial Peace, Celebrate Recovery, One Month to Live, which is a Bible study, Battlefield of the Mind and Beauty for Ashes.

For those who don’t live in the house, the cost of the class is for the study material. Bunse hopes to someday be able to teach more job skills such as resume building, typing skills and computer proficiency.

“I want them to know they are more than the menial jobs that are out there,” Bunse said. “(The Hephzibah House hopes) to build them up so they can continue on in their journey.”

The house is not equipped for children on a full time basis, but they are welcome to visit during designated visiting hours.

Contact Staff Writer Jamee A. Pierson at (641) 792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com.