Deacons of Hope: How One Ministry Is Changing Lives—One Mother, One Baby at a Time (Ep. 278)
The Joe Rooz Show · Joe Russiello
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Show Notes
Tonight I sat down with Deacon Dr. Kevin Cummings, a retired dentist turned Catholic deacon whose second act is anything but quiet. After four decades in dentistry and ordination in 2011, Kevin helped found Deacons of Hope and Saint Mary’s Home for Mothers—an 18‑bed residence in Missouri serving homeless pregnant women. We talked candidly about turning convictions into concrete action, why so many people want to help but don’t know how, and how faith, fatherhood, and service intersect when you decide to do the hard work in front of you. Kevin shared the origin story of the homes, the crucial role of volunteers and “angels” on a 24/7 hotline, and why creating real alternatives changes lives—45 babies born at Saint Mary’s last year alone.
We also dug into marriage and fatherhood, the dignity of life, and what it means to protect and provide in a culture that often sidelines men. Kevin spoke powerfully about redemption, practical mercy, and building community across denominational lines—because real help doesn’t check your church label at the door. If you’ve ever wondered how to move from debate to doing, this conversation is a blueprint. Resources and ways to support are below—every bit helps.
Guest: Deacon Dr. Kevin Cummings
https://deaconsofhope.org/
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(00:00:42) Live from Texas: Welcome to the Joe Ruse Show
(00:01:24) Tech hiccup, weekend recap, and show lineup
(00:03:20) Tonight’s guest: Deacon Dr. Kevin Cummings and his mission
(00:04:08) Housekeeping: website, contact options, and platforms
(00:06:24) Live schedule: weeknights, crypto Saturdays, and Bible study Sundays
(00:08:33) Guest joins: Kevin Cummings introduces himself
(00:10:15) Icebreakers: random skills, art, pottery, and stained glass
(00:18:26) Faith and beauty: holiness, spirit, and the good, true, and beautiful
(00:18:32) Dumbest injuries: roof fall and a boiling water mishap
(00:28:18) From dentistry to the diaconate: the call to serve
(00:41:04) Formation, marriage first, and being "all in"
(00:47:35) Founding Deacons of Hope and St. Mary’s Home for Mothers
(00:53:58) Adoption-focused home and making care affordable
(00:57:14) Why people talk but don’t act: from pews to volunteers
(01:01:55) Role of deacons, expanding homes, and pro-life infrastructure
(01:11:00) What the public doesn’t see: angels, trauma care, and no judgment
(01:16:16) Fatherhood and masculinity: protecting and adoring
(01:21:10) Seeing and believing: Eucharist, faith, and joy
(01:23:06) How to support: websites, volunteering, and growth
(01:25:07) Rapid fire: confidence in fatherhood and guiding scriptures
(01:30:09) Heroes: Mother Teresa, JPII, and the ultimate model—Jesus
(01:32:05) Closing thanks and call to action
(01:33:14) End credits: value-for-value, shout-outs, and final thoughts
(01:36:57) Sign-off: upcoming show and parting words
- Wayne Rankin
- Rosanna Rankin
- Carolina Jimenez