Our Story

Our ministry re-launched out of a cry from our Founder, Rev. Lou Etta Burkins to "Finish the Work" that God had called her to do. Rev. Lou has always had a heart to give back to women and children.  After accepting her call to preach in 1999, she left the corporate world, began her seminary training and launched Sisters in the Lord Ministry. From 1999-2003, through Sisters in the Lord, she focused on ministering to over 300 women who were struggling with everyday life issues, just as she had done. Her following was global, and her impact was great as many lives were changed. In 2003, she was led in another direction and commissioned by her Pastor to re-tool Children’s Church at her local church. This was part of her parish practicum for receiving her Master of Divinity degree. So, from 2003-2009, she led a team of over 25 volunteers who led Children’s Church at 0800 and 1100 worship services each Sunday morning at the historic New Sardis Baptist Church in Memphis, TN. Through that ministry over 50 young souls were saved. To God be the glory!  She later sensed a need to rest and took a two-year sabbatical.  Rev. Lou resumed church and volunteer ministry in 2011 serving in various roles such as Christian Education Director, Intercessory Prayer Ministry Lead, Youth Lead, Vacation Bible School Director, Sunday School Teacher, Singles Ministry Director, and Trustee. at New Sardis.  

All was going well but then a shifting in her spirit occurred during the COVID-19 global pandemic. She hit a roadblock and stepped back from many of her ministerial duties as she dealt with her own anxieties, fear and even a low-grade depression. She often agonized over her future, her mortality and the calling that she had on her life. During this season, her prayer life grew as she spent hours in her newly created War Room. In those moments, she heard the voice of God say: “Finish the Work; your vocational calling as an engineer needs to be wrapped up and I need you focused on full-time ministry!” Despite months of denial, fear, and apprehension, her faith over them all led her to the re-branding, re-naming and re-launching of Sisters in the Lord Ministry.  In November 2021, Rev. Lou launched Rev. Lou Ministries and FinisHers Women’s Ministry with a renewed sense of purpose to finish strong and finish the work that God had called her to do.  Since 2021, she has done just that and ministers to over 900 women through her online private Facebook group, FinisHers, as well as other social media avenues.

Rev. Lou recently joined Hope Church Memphis and is excited about her next assignment. While still being committed to FinisHers Women’s Ministry, Rev. is poised to launch Crossing Guards Ministry, which will focus on our next generation in the city of Memphis and surrounding suburbs. Be on the lookout in 2025.