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Courtney Bullard has called Jenks, Oklahoma, home for over 20 years, but her heart beats for a mission far from its borders. As the co- founder of The Pearl House, a ministry providing hope and a future for teenage girls in Ghana, West Africa, Courtney’s life is a testimony to what happens when someone gives God their full “yes.”
Her journey started in 2001, when Courtney began ministering to teenage girls through I.D. Ministries, a program she led for over a decade. It was a ministry built on the foundation of empowering young women to embrace their identity in Christ. Alongside her husband,
Steve, a youth pastor of 18 years, Courtney discipled, mentored, and taught countless girls. “I believe God has gifted me in speaking, teaching, and writing, and I love all three,” Courtney said. But even with a thriving ministry and a full life, God wasn’t finished with her yet.
A Burden That Wouldn’t Let Go
Courtney recalls the pivotal moment her life changed. Steve had just returned from a mission trip to Ghana, where he had seen young girls as young as 8 or 10 living on the streets of Accra, the capital city. They were vulnerable, desperate to stay safe from the dangers of child marriage and trafficking, and seemingly without hope.
“When Steve described what he saw, I couldn’t stop thinking about those girls,” Courtney shares. “I kept asking God, ‘What can I do?’ I told Him, ‘You have my full yes on the table.’”
It didn’t take long for God to answer. “One night, God woke me up and told me clearly, ‘Build a home in Ghana for these girls.’ I thought, ‘Me? Build a home? In Africa? This seems impossible.’ But when God gives you a vision, He has already prepared the way—even if
you can’t see it yet.”
When the Impossible Becomes Possible
Courtney traveled to Ghana on a vision trip, where she met incredible people but also faced a barrage of challenges. “I was told over and over, ‘This is impossible.’ At the time, there was nothing like this in Ghana. To provide a home for these girls, you’d have to find and gain guardianship from their next of kin scattered across the country. It seemed daunting and overwhelming,” she said. But Courtney clung to God’s promises. “God makes the impossible
possible,” she said. “When He gives you a vision, He’s already lined up people on the other side to help you carry it out. You’re never alone in His plans.”
Just two days after returning from Ghana, Steve took their youth group on a mission trip to Memphis, where he met another youth minister, Courtney Garland. “She told him she’d been to Ghana 11 times and believed God was calling her to move there to run a home for teenage girls. It was like God dropped her into our lives at just the right time,” Bullard recalls. Courtney Garland sold all her belongings and moved to Ghana to bring the vision to life. Steve, along with the two Courtneys established The Pearl House, a safe haven inspired by the parable of the pearl of great price in Matthew 13:45-46.
Bringing Pearls to the Surface
“The parable reminds us that pearls always have value and worth,” Courtney explains. “But until you bring them to the surface, you can’t see their true beauty. That’s our mission at The Pearl House. These girls have always had value and worth, but sometimes they don’t realize it until someone shows them their potential, offers them hope, and gives them a bright future.”
The Pearl House provides not just shelter but education, discipleship, and a community where the girls can thrive. It’s a place where young women can grow into the unique, God-designed individuals they were always meant to be.
A Heart for Empowerment
Today, Courtney serves as the Chief Visionary Officer for The Pearl House and continues to inspire women and girls worldwide through her public speaking, teaching, and writing. She is also the co-author of “The Same Page”, a book that explores communication and unity
in relationships.
At home, she’s a proud mom to two daughters (and two sometimes precious Pomeranians). But her heart always beats for the girls in Ghana. “It’s amazing to see how God has used my ‘yes’ to create something so much bigger than I ever imagined,” she said.
Lessons We Can All Learn
Courtney’s story is a reminder that when we say “yes” to God, He can turn our obedience into something extraordinary. Whether or not we’ve walked the same path as Courtney, we can all relate to the need for courage, faith, and trust in the face of the unknown. “Whatever God is calling you to do, don’t let fear or doubt hold you back,” Courtney encourages. “The path may seem impossible, but with God, all things are possible.” And perhaps that’s the most beautiful part of her story: that it’s not just about Courtney, or the two Courtneys, or even the hundreds of
girls who The Pearl House has touched. It’s about what happens when ordinary people trust an extraordinary God.
The Pearl in You
As Courtney’s story shows, God sees each of us as a pearl—precious, valuable, and full of potential. The grit of life’s challenges may shape us, but His grace refines us into something beautiful. So, the next time you feel like the journey is too hard or the calling is too big, remember this: God has already prepared the way. All He’s asking for is your “yes.”
As Courtney puts it, “You don’t have to be perfect or have it all figured out. You just have to be willing. God will take care of the rest.” And with that, the pearl inside you begins to shine.
For more information about The Pearl House visit thepearlhouse.org.
Kimberly Sutton is a devoted mother of three and a faithful partner to her husband of 34 years. Their journey has spanned over three decades of shared ministry, including roles as pastors, youth mentors, church planters, and missionaries, with transformative service in Paraguay. Graduating from Evangel University with a BS in Communications/Journalism and immersing herself in Spanish culture for a year in Costa
Rica have equipped her to connect deeply with others. Her unwavering commitment to her Christian faith truly defines her purpose.
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