About Walking with Purpose
Walking with Purpose (WWP) is a Catholic women's apostolate that develops and delivers Scripture-based Bible studies for adult women, young adult women, and girls. Founded in 2002 as a small parish-based study and formalized in 2008 as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, WWP operates primarily through parish programs led by trained laywomen, complemented by virtual groups, school programs, and large-scale conferences. Headquartered in Greenwich, Connecticut, the ministry reaches women in more than 700 parishes across the United States, Canada, and Europe, with every study bearing the Roman Catholic Church's imprimatur.
Mission
To enable women to know Christ personally through Scripture.
- Founded
- 2002 (informal parish Bible study); 2008 (incorporated as 501(c)(3) nonprofit)
- Founder
- Lisa Brenninkmeyer
- Leader
- Lisa Brenninkmeyer, Founder and CEO
- Reach
- Active in approximately 710 parishes across the United States, Canada, and Europe; more than 102,000 women participated in the most recent reporting year; programs present in 94+ dioceses across 40+ U.S. states.
- Serves
- Catholic women of every faith background, age, or marital status; young adult women; high school girls; tween/teen girls; parish volunteer leaders and clergy sponsors.
Our Story
Walking with Purpose began in 2002 as a single weekly women's Bible study started by Lisa Brenninkmeyer at her parish in Maryland. Within two years the group had grown from a small circle of friends to 55 women, and the model spread to other parishes along the East Coast. Demand turned what was an informal ministry into an organization, and in 2008 WWP formally incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Headquarters later moved to Greenwich, Connecticut, where the ministry now coordinates programs that reach women across the United States, Canada, and Europe.
- 2002 — First parish Bible study launched in Maryland
- 2004 — Original group reaches 55 women
- 2008 — Walking with Purpose formally founded as a 501(c)(3)
- Present — Active in 710 parishes across the U.S., Canada, and Europe
Our Apostolate
WWP describes itself as a Catholic women's apostolate that develops and delivers Bible studies for adult women, young adult women, and girls. Each study presents practical Biblical teaching consistent with Church doctrine, uses the Catechism of the Catholic Church as an additional resource, and carries an imprimatur. Studies vary in length and depth so that women at different stages of faith can find a fit.
- Practical Biblical teaching consistent with Church doctrine
- Uses the Catechism of the Catholic Church
- All studies carry an imprimatur
- Multi-format delivery: parishes, homes, schools, and virtual
Parish Programs for Adult Women
The heart of the WWP apostolate is the parish-based Bible study program for adult women. Each program is approved by the parish pastor and run by local laywomen volunteers with the support of WWP's national staff. Programs combine at-home Scripture study, weekly small-group discussion, and monthly talks on study material. Every parish team receives online training and ongoing mentoring through WWP's leadership development program. The programs welcome women of any faith background, age, or marital status.
- Approved by parish pastors
- Run by trained laywomen volunteers
- At-home study + weekly small group + monthly talks
- Online training and ongoing mentoring for leaders
Bible Studies for Adult Women
WWP publishes more than a dozen Catholic Bible studies that move women from foundational discipleship into deeper study of Scripture. New participants are encouraged to begin with the 22-lesson 'Opening Your Heart: The Starting Point' foundational study, which is accompanied by a series of Connect Coffee talks. Subsequent studies explore topics from prayer and the Eucharist to identity, balance, friendship, and suffering.
- Opening Your Heart: The Starting Point (foundational, 22 lessons)
- Discovering Our Dignity
- Living in the Father's Love
- Keeping in Balance
- Ordering Your Priorities
- Touching the Divine (Second Edition)
- Beholding His Glory / Beholding Your King
- Passionate Discipleship
- Spiritual Motherhood
- Fearless and Free (6 lessons)
- Reclaiming Friendship
- Rooted and Radiant
- Grounded in Hope
Virtual Groups
For women who prefer to join a community from home, WWP runs virtual groups forming regularly through online small-group Bible study. The format was significantly expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic after WWP 'reinvented' its approach so women could lead or join groups online. Virtual groups follow the same studies and discussion model as parish programs.
- Virtual group Bible study from home
- Online small-group leader resources and training videos
- Robust tools for running groups outside the parish setting
Independently Run Small Groups and School Programs
WWP offers online resources for women who prefer to lead Bible studies in homes, at schools, or alongside other women's ministries rather than through a parish program. School-based programs can be tailored for mothers of school-aged children, with sessions shortened to fit meeting windows.
- Home-based small group leader resources
- School community programs for mothers
- Training videos and organizational tools
Bible Studies for Young Adult Women
WWP meets young adult women where they are with the Beloved series — a continuation of the Opening Your Heart young adult track — along with short studies designed for busy seasons of life. These studies share the same imprimatur and small-group format as the core adult offerings.
- Beloved (Opening Your Heart Young Adult Series)
- Short studies for young adult women
BLAZE — Tween and Teen Girls
BLAZE is WWP's program for tween and teen girls developed to counter cultural pressures that drive young girls to question their worth, purpose, and faith. The 20-lesson BLAZE Core program equips an adult leader to run Bible study for any number of girls in settings such as school, parish, or home, using a Leader's Guide and one BLAZE Kit per girl. Supplementary resources include Discovering My Purpose (a 6-lesson study on spiritual gifts) and Between You & Me, a 40-day mother-daughter conversation guide.
- BLAZE Core — 20-lesson Bible study with Leader's Guide and Kits
- Discovering My Purpose — 6-lesson study on spiritual gifts
- Between You & Me — 40-day mother-daughter conversation guide
Sisters of Strength — High School Girls
Sisters of Strength is a Catholic mentoring program for high school girls born out of concern over rising rates of anxiety, depression, and loss of faith among teenage girls. The program reinforces each girl's true identity and purpose in small-group settings using a Leader's Guide, a journaling companion, and a standalone book written directly for high school girls.
- Sisters of Strength: A Catholic Mentoring Program for High School Girls (Leader's Guide)
- Sisters of Strength Journal
- Sisters of Strength: Exploring Identity, Friendship, and Purpose (book for girls)
Events and Conferences
WWP hosts events across the country to inspire women to anchor themselves in the truths of Scripture. Events feature founder and CEO Lisa Brenninkmeyer and other speakers for worship, encouragement, and fellowship. The ministry also runs free LIVE informational sessions that introduce attendees to the WWP model and explain how to bring Bible study to their own parish or community.
- National conferences and speaker events
- Free LIVE informational sessions
- Worship, fellowship, and teaching
Becoming a Leader
WWP's leadership development program equips laywomen with training, tools, and ongoing mentoring so they can confidently launch a parish or small-group program without overextending parish resources. Online training is paired with continuing coaching from national staff Ministry Coaches.
- Online leadership training
- Ongoing mentoring from Ministry Coaches
- Resources to launch a parish or home group
Devotionals and Books
Beyond its line of Bible study guides, WWP publishes devotionals for daily spiritual formation — including 'Rest: 31 Days of Peace' and the 'Be Still 365-Day Devotional to Quiet Your Heart' — alongside the Sisters of Strength book for high school girls.
- Rest: 31 Days of Peace Devotional
- Be Still 365-Day Devotional to Quiet Your Heart
- Sisters of Strength standalone book
Leadership — Founder and Staff
Lisa Brenninkmeyer, the founder and CEO, leads the organization from its Greenwich, Connecticut, headquarters. She is supported by a board of directors, an advisory panel of chaplains, and a national team of Ministry Coaches, operations staff, and communications personnel. Notable staff roles on the team page include a Director of Ministry Growth and Strategy, Head Ministry Coach, Director of Ministry Operations, and Youth Program and Prayer Initiatives Manager.
- Lisa Brenninkmeyer — Founder & CEO
- Samantha Romero — Director of Ministry Growth and Strategy
- Board of Directors and advisory chaplains
- National staff including Ministry Coaches and operations leadership
Get Connected
Women looking to join a study can use the 'Find a Group' / Parish Lookup tool on the WWP website, browse Virtual Groups and Home Groups, or contact the national office to bring Walking with Purpose to their parish. The website offers a complete e-commerce shop with study guides, digital e-books, and devotionals.
- Find a Group — parish-based program locator
- Virtual Groups and Home Groups directories
- Online shop for study guides, e-books, and devotionals
- Contact page for bringing WWP to your parish
