The SHOCKING Truth About Selfless Acts You Won't Believe
Kim M., Webb
CEO of the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky
The Unlikely Calling: From Suburban Housewife to Servant Leader
Kim M. Webb is a veteran leader in the nonprofit sector and the Chief Executive Officer of the Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky (ESNKY), where she has served with purpose and resilience for over a decade. She has dedicated her life to providing life-saving and life-changing shelter and services to Northern Kentucky’s homeless population. Her journey, however, began in an unlikely place: the suburbs.
Kim admits she "didn't go to school to run a shelter" and had "no knowledge of homelessness". She was a suburban housewife and mother. Yet, God had a plan for her. The turning point wasn't a job search, but a service project: her oldest son needed hours at a local Catholic school, leading them to the very shelter she now leads.
This experience highlights a key truth: God often calls the unqualified to make His purpose known. Kim's passion for "caring about humanity and caring about people" was the only qualification she needed. As her friend pointed out when she hesitated to apply for Executive Director: managing a busy household is, itself, "strategic planning". Kim’s story is a powerful reminder that if you have a deep faith and an open heart, the Lord will connect your passion with His purpose.
Dignity and the Two Greatest Commandments
Kim’s leadership is fundamentally driven by a Christ-centric view of humanity. She sees homelessness not as an addiction problem, but as a human dignity issue. In the interview, she tearfully shares: "This is about caring for people and my God tells me to not judge why someone needs services... and to just take care of them, to keep them alive".
This commitment reflects the core of Christian life: the two greatest commandments: Love God and Love your neighbor as yourself. As host David Mansilla notes, the Greek word for "neighbor" means the people in front of you in your vicinity.
Love as Unconditional Service: The Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky operates as a low-barrier shelter. This means they truly meet people where they are, focusing on survival and dignity first.
The Least of These: Kim and David repeatedly return to Jesus's words in Matthew 25: "When you did it on to us that are mine, you did it unto me". Kim's highest hope is to one day stand before the Master and hear Him say, "I was homeless and you gave me a shelter".
Kim’s belief that homelessness is a "human dignity issue" defines her mission, proving that faith without works is dead.
True Leadership: Doing the Right Thing
Kim Webb's leadership is encapsulated in her motto: "Managers do things right. Leaders do the right thing". This ethos guided ESNKY's largest-ever capital campaign, which resulted in relocating the shelter from a small, dilapidated building to a 10,000-square-foot, purpose-built, trauma-informed facility.
The decision to move was deeply connected to dignity. The old facility was on a busy street where vulnerable guests were "on display" in line. The new facility, operating 24/7/365, now offers 68 beds, an on-site healthcare clinic, and proper staff offices.
This massive undertaking required the faith and courage of Christ-like servant leadership.
Championing the Vulnerable: A true leader uses their voice to champion those who are not at the table of power. Kim stood up to political opposition, advocating fiercely for the people society wanted to "throw away or lock up".
Focusing on the Internal: Kim acknowledges that to serve others effectively, she must also care for her staff. This commitment to leadership renewal and sustainability (even taking a three-month sabbatical ) is crucial for long-term mission effectiveness.
Gratitude: The Superpower Against Anxiety
Service is rewarding, but it is also emotionally and politically charged and incredibly difficult. Kim shares that her work has "tested me in ways that I never thought possible".
It is here that David Mansilla shares the powerful Christian answer to stress: Gratitude as a Superpower. He quotes Philippians 4:6–8, which states:
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
The secret is thanksgiving. Gratitude, David explains, is like a portal into the heart and love of Jesus Christ. Kim's office manager told her that gratitude is her superpower , and that very quality is what protects her in the face of anxiety and conflict.
When life is falling apart, being in a state of gratefulness allows the peace of God to eliminate worry.
Never Alone: Finding Strength in the Unseen
The final lesson from Kim's ministry is the unwavering strength found in Christ-centric faith, even when facing darkness. Kim is inspired by Hebrews 11:1, which speaks of "faith in the unseen".
This "faith in the unseen" is what allows her to look beyond the trauma and disability to say, "You deserve life". The interview concludes with a powerful reminder of the profound resources available to a person of faith:
The Holy Spirit: As a Christian, the Holy Spirit dwells within you; you are the temple of the Lord.
Guardian Angels: We are never alone, as our guardian angels are in the presence of the Lord every single day.
The Savior: With Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life , we have access to a creator who is merciful and forgives our sins.
Kim Webb's testimony is one of Anchored Hope—a life where purpose is found by serving the least of these, resilience is sustained by gratitude, and the direction is driven by an unwavering faith in the unseen love of God..
Written by Jovilyn Dela Cruz
“You held hope for me when I couldn’t hold it for myself.”
