Growing up girls: The ministry of Donna Greene

In 1973, Donna Greene thought she was just taking a summer job leading a girls’ club. Thirty-nine years later, her Bible study ministry, now called Community Ministry for Girls, has touched more than 4,000 high school girls and continues to grow every year.

Greene, a Mountain Brook resident, has spread her mission to prepare girls to become Godly women who impact their spheres of life for Christ through her six books. She also coaches women, many of whom were once “Bible study girls,” to start their own Bible studies — all over the country and back in Mountain Brook where her studies have met in homes for 35 years.

Donne Toomey, who was in Greene’s Bible study from 1979 to 1984, now hosts her daughter Sullins’ Bible study at her home.

 “I agreed to host Bible study because Donna asked me to, and you can never say no to Donna!” Toomey said with a smile. “Seriously, I was thrilled when she asked because my parents hosted the Bible study for my sister and me, so I was happy to do the same for my daughter. Donna taught us to have an ongoing, personal relationship with God that keeps you grounded during the teenage years and prepares you for what life has in store for you later on, and I wanted my daughter to have this knowledge while making long lasting friendships.”

After flying as a stewardess for American Airlines, Greene came to Birmingham in the 1970s to care for her ailing grandmother. It was then that Frank Barker, the pastor of Briarwood Presbyterian Church, approached her with a special proposal.

 “Frank asked me if I would work for Briarwood for the summer,” Greene said, “and when I asked him what he wanted me to do, his response was, ‘Anything you can think up. You have a remarkable gift with children.’”

Barker’s 11-year-old daughter, Anita, begged Greene to start a club for her and her friends to teach them how to put on makeup and how to walk and talk like a leader.

 “Since the church was paying me, we decided that this ‘club’ should have more purpose than just working with outward appearance,” Greene said.

That first meeting consisted of 12 girls from various churches and denominations, but, by the end of the summer, it had grown to more than 60 girls. After three years, the group had grown so large that Greene decided to quit her job teaching Bible at Briarwood Christian School to teach the girls full time, leading weekly Bible studies for grades 5 to 12.

 “When all of this began, I had no idea that a ministry was being birthed,” Greene said. “I only knew that I loved girls and enjoyed being with them. I also knew that I loved the Lord and wanted each girl to know Him intimately — for Jesus to be their first priority.”

“Donna has truly found her niche with her ministry,” said Kacy Eof, one of the college or post-college-aged women who helps lead studies. “She has made her Bible study a popular and well-liked group in that it draws people in rather than turning them away from Christianity. Starting early will impact these girls’ decisions and the way of life in their futures with college and beyond.”

The Bible study continued to grow until an unexpected twist shook Greene and her girls’ world. On June 12, 1998, Greene was diagnosed with breast cancer. At the time she was teaching nine bible studies each week to more than 500 girls from 29 different schools. After her oncologist insisted that she slow her life down, Greene decided to focus solely on high school girls, acting as a guest speaker for the younger grades.

Greene’s battle with cancer led the Bible study to become heavily involved in community services, especially with Relay for Life and the Hope Lodge of the American Cancer Society. This service not only includes raising money and awareness but also involves visits to patients staying at the Birmingham, Atlanta, Nashville and New York City Hope Lodges.

 “A long time ago a counselor at MBHS remarked that she had noticed that our girls had the highest form of leadership in the school,” Greene said. “Leadership is developed through serving and learning where personal strengths, talents and spiritual gifts lie.”

After 38 years only one question remains: How long will Greene continue leading her Bible studies for Mountain Brook girls?

 “Only The Lord knows the answer to that. Bible Study does not depend upon Donna Greene. Roots grow deep in the hearts of the girls, and I hope that my ministries will continue for a long time through the young women I have taught,” she said.