Hope D. Blackwell                                                         

And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

(Isaiah 61:4)

Hope D. Blackwell is a mother, grandmother, author, missionary, and an intercessor. She is also the founder of Back to the Garden Ministries, Inc. an organization that assists people locally and globally in becoming spiritually, emotionally, and socially stable and productive members of their society. She is also the Pastor of The Hope Center Church whose mission is to share Christ, the Hope of Glory with the world! Hope's personal mission is to encourage, equip, and empower God's people to walk in victoriously in their purpose through (HOPE) Helping Others Perform in Excellence, no matter where they are in life. Hope's life is the manifestation of  the miracles of God and proof of His ability to redeem and transform the most broken life. As Hope shares the love and power of Jesus Christ she leaves no one untouched. God has shaped Hope into a unique and refreshing mouthpiece for such a time as this, ushering people all over the world "back to the garden". She preaches the gospel of the Kingdom releasing the hope found in Christ to those she serves.

Although saved at 9 years old and raised in the church with a loving family, shortly after her confirmation and baptism Hope became a victim of molestation, which led her down a path of low self worth, and physically and sexually abusive and destructive relationships. Becoming a teenage mother of three sons, high school drop out, and feeling trapped in a physically and verbally abusive marriage; hope often felt like giving up, even attempting suicide on several occasions. In the midst of her pain, discouragement, and disappointment the Lord continually declared to Hope, I have called you out to build the old wastes, raise up the former desolations, and repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.” (Isaiah 61:4 KJV) For nearly a decade hope faced many struggles, during which period she was attacked & raped  and mothered two more children; a son whom she secretly had and put up for adoption and a daughter. After years of healing and restoration Hope lost the battle for her marriage, which left her devastated and confused, wondering what good could ever really come out of her life. Filled with great shame and hopelessness, she felt there was no way possible God could use her life after such a blow. The issues and consequences of the past often haunted Hope and caused her to doubt God's plan for her life.

Nevertheless, despite the enemy’s attempts to hi-jack God’s destiny for Hope, the Holy Ghost protected, healed, strengthened, delivered, and encouraged Hope as she began to serve Him more fervently than ever. Her struggles as a single mom were numerous, but her passion for God, desire for His wisdom, love for her family, and heart to see others free from their pain took precedence over her own lack. During times of fasting, prayer, and study God drew Hope closer to Him and gave her deeper revelations and understanding of His Word. He took her "back to the garden" to the early chapters of Genesis where she embraced her full value, purpose, healing, and deliverance, receiving the revelation that not only set her free, but others that she would share the teachings with. As God further developed and matured Hope He gave her favor, wisdom, and influence in the church, marketplace, and community. Hope began her own non profit which has empowered many people in the low to moderate income community become stable and productive members of society through a variety of programs and  services which was a powerful vehicle that conveyed the gospel winning souls to Christ. In 2003, God released Hope to finally began to author the "Back to the Garden" messages, currently up to four books, which are transforming lives across the world. Also after many years of secret prayer and 40 days of fasting and consecration, God miraculously united Hope and her family with the son no one knew she had put up for adoption many years before. By the power of Jesus Christ, Hope lives a victorious and purposeful life in Christ, sharing her many stories of shame to victory and the redemptive power of Jesus Christ to save, heal, deliver, and restore. Her life is one of  faith and sacrifice dedicated to conveying hope to all, sharing the message that regardless of one's past or present circumstances, God works ALL things together for the good of them who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Hope has sacrificed her life and lifestyle to be about the great commission of Christ, and committed to her call to go to the four corners of the world to spiritually, physically, and financially assist men, women, and children in the most poverty stricken places.  

Clothed in the humility, love, compassion, and wisdom of God, Hope is a  transparent woman who is passionate about accurately teaching God's people to handle real, everyday issues. She continues to serve in various capacities of ministry including: outreach, evangelism, global missions, prayer, counseling, teaching, preaching, and training. She also continues to author & publish books, teachings, and trainings that help God’s people operate in their full potential in the Kingdom of God. She has a unique and effective ministry to women and a passion to raise up Proverbs 31 women of worth throughout the world. Her humility, giving heart, and extensive but "down to earth" teaching style enable her to touch the lost, as well as the many wounded Christians of all cultures, sexes, ages, and status. It is Hope' s desire to help others experience the saving, healing, delivering, and transforming power of God found through genuine relationship with Jesus Christ, leading to an accurate representation of Him in the earth, thus advancing the Kingdom of God, and reclaiming the world for Christ. She is sold out to the mandate upon her life and by God's grace, leads a lifestyle that exemplifies Christ. Hope expresses her love for God and His people through a lifestyle of worship and unconditional love and service to others. She is driven by her passion to introduce the world to the perfect, undying, unconditional, redemptive love of her savior, Jesus Christ; who gave her victory over her three greatest enemies...the flesh, the world, and devil! She is supported by her Spiritual parents; Dr. Geoffrey V. Guns & Rosetta Guns, leaders of Second Calvary Church in Norfolk, Virginia.

One of Hope's treasured scriptures is found in the final replies of Job after his deeper understanding of God's awesome and divine orchestration of his life and that God had a work in progress in times that "appeared" HOPELESS: Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do everything, and that no purpose of yours can be withheld from you…Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Listen please, and let me speak… I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42: 1-6 NKJV) 

Featured song "Have Hope" from the upcoming "Breakthrough" CD, written, produced, and performed by Hope Askew.