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This week’s Greenville Advocate Hero of the Week is Jahne Mitchell, who was nominated by her 11-year-old son, Caleb because of the ways she supports local children.

“She’s a good person,” Caleb said. “She prays for all the kids and she deserves praise… and she’s a really good cook.”

Born in Pensacola, Florida as one in a set of triplets, Mitchell grew up with her sisters in foster care before a relative stepped in and relocated the trio to Butler County. 

“We were able to stay together,” Jahne said. “God allowed my auntie to raise us together in Greenville.”

Mitchell believes that the tough times she endured as a foster child have helped shape her into the person she is today.

“I kind of grew up in the church and I had to grow up at an early age,” Jahne said. “ I always felt kind of set apart. I dealt with a lot of rejection and abandonment issues, but as I grew in my faith, God really showed me my purpose and helped me to realize that He is always with us.”

Today, Jahne is a married mother of four who runs her own business, God’s Gifts, T-shirts and Designs, where she personalizes items such as bags, cups and shirts. 

Jahne said her faith played a significant role in opening her own business.

“God gave me my business,” Jahne said. “We were really struggling at the time and God gave me a verse in Deuteronomy which says that God gives you the power to provide wealth for your family.”

In addition to her full-time job, Jahne is also a minister at Perfecting Holiness Non-Denominational Church, where she assists in the youth department alongside Bishop Wiley Thornton III.

Mitchell’s husband, Michael, praises her dedication to their family and the community. 

“Every year around this time when school starts back, she wakes up and prays for all the kids on her list,” Michael said. “Every single morning the whole school year.”

Jahne noted that her struggles growing up as a foster child have left her with a heart for children.

“I was getting up every morning and praying for mine,” Jahne said. “But God put it on my heart, ‘What about the other children?’ The children that don’t have anyone praying over them.”

Last year, Jahne’s prayer list included over 500 children from as far away as India and Africa.

“I put up a Facebook post and people add names to it,” Jahne said. “People that want their children or their nieces or their grandchildren prayed over..”

In addition to her prayers, Jahne shares daily messages inspired by her faith. “God gives me a word every day,” she said. “So I post a message, something involving how to train our children in the ways of the word.”