“The most courageous woman I’ve ever met.” “What a dedicated mother!” “A fighter, not a quitter.” “Her love for Jesus showed in how she cared for others.” This is how friends describe Jennifer Ruff, who lost her two-year battle with cancer last week.

Jenn invested five years of her life working with Five Talents, helping build our capacity to serve the poorest of the poor. As a volunteer chaplain to the team, I saw Jenn’s heart to serve God and to empower women especially. She and I worked together on special events so more people could hear “the greatest story never told”— how thousands of people are moving from poverty to starting their own businesses.

Jenn’s husband John served for three years on the Board of Directors for Five Talents. And I have loved watching their children, 8-year-old Emma-Grace and 5-year-old Gabe, grow up as their family is involved in our church.