The Story of Hannah’s Hope
Hannah’s Hope was created in 2003 to minister to children and families.
Hannah’s Hope was created in 2003 to minister to children and families. Born out of the rich tradition of the Holston Home for Children – which served as the United Methodist adoption agency in West Tennessee from 1985 until 2002 – Hannah’s Hope was built on that foundation. The Memphis Conference of the United Methodist Church helped create Hannah’s Hope to continue the needed ministry of adoption services, crisis pregnancy counseling, and adoption counseling.
A progressive agency as a matter of policy and principle, Hannah’s Hope promotes each person’s ability to develop to their maximum capacity – honoring the individual’s right to acceptance, love, and membership in a family. Services and programs through Hannah’s Hope are offered without regard to race, gender, sexual orientation, or religious affiliation.
Funding for Hannah’s Hope is provided through: grants with the State of Tennessee, grants from the Tennessee Western Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, a grant from the Mission Committee at Germantown United Methodist Church, and the generosity of individuals, groups, and congregations who support the mission of the agency.
Who Was Hannah?
“For this child I prayed; and the Lord has granted me the petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives, he is given to the Lord.” (1 Sam. 1:27-28)
The story of Hannah, Elkanah’s childless wife found in 1 Samuel Chapter 1, is the inspiration for the name of our agency. Hannah was tormented by Peninnah, Elkanah’s other wife who had borne him children, because the “Lord had closed Hannah’s womb” (1 Sam. 1:5). Hannah wept, could not eat, and prayed to God fervently. God granted her petition. She became pregnant and gave birth to Samuel. Hannah then dedicated him to God as she had promised.