The Woman Feeding the Nation
June Ross MBE is founder/leader of Esther’s Community Enterprise (ECE) – one of the largest non-profit/charitable organisations started by a Black woman here in Britain. ECE leads a consortium of charities, faith groups, projects, and organisations whose 400+ volunteers distribute free food and clothing to people across London and the UK. ECE’s work has had great impact, and in 2016, June received an MBE from the late Queen. June, a mother of two and committed Christian, spoke to Keep The Faith about her work, faith, and feeding the nation.
KEEP THE FAITH (KTF): What inspired you to set up Esther’s Community Enterprise (ECE), and how did your Christian faith influence that decision?
JUNE ROSS MBE (JR): I was doing my housework in April 2004, when I heard a distinct voice saying, “I’m going to feed you with manna.” In that same week, I had a prophetic dream and saw myself dressed in a purple robe with an exquisite crown on my head. I was standing in front of a supermarket with an open automatic door. As I looked down at my hands, I saw food coming out at a phenomenal rate. The dream was so real, that I went and bought a tiara – to symbolise the crown – and a purple piece of fabric which I put in a box as a symbolic act. I sought the Lord for clarity, and he told me that a time was coming when people would not be able to feed themselves or their families. He gave me a blueprint of how to set up foodbanks and secure contractual agreements with our retail sponsor donors, which would help to support the communities in the future. By 2008, there was an economic crash, and our foodbanks were already set in motion to help those in need.
KTF: How many people does ECE currently serve, and what kind of impact does the foodbank have on their lives?
JR: We currently feed more than 50,000 people on a weekly basis across the UK in London, Birmingham, Milton Keynes, Leeds, and Wolverhampton. We are seeing white-collar workers having to access our foodbanks due to the cost-of-living crisis, which proves “misfortune has no prejudice”. Anyone can find themselves in need of help. We have seen church growth, people finding jobs, and social cohesion formed within neighbourhoods and communities because of the foodbanks.
KTF: ECE has been operating for some time now. What are some of the major achievements that have stood out to you over the years?
JR: We celebrate 21 years of service in 2025 and will host a fundraising gala event in the autumn. This is a major accomplishment for a non-profit voluntary organisation. The greatest milestone for me was seeing the prophetic dream and blueprint materialise in real time. In 2011, ECE was awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (equivalent to an MBE for volunteers). The commemorative crystal was encased in a purple box with an image of a gold crown on the front – just like the symbols of my dream! In 2016, I received my MBE from the Queen herself, which aligned with the biblical story of the journey of Esther and royalty. Other milestones include being a self-published author of my first book, A Call by Royal Appointment: Your Dreams Can Come True, which highlights my personal journey with ECE.
KTF: What have been the major challenges you have experienced running ECE, and how has your faith helped you overcome them?
JR: From the onset of starting ECE, I was very much aware that this was something God Himself was orchestrating, not me. One of the words He gave me was “You look after My business, and I will look after yours.” These words cemented my trust in Him during those dark moments when I wanted to quit. My major challenges came in the form of sabotage and jealousy. Like anyone in leadership, in the early years you will encounter those who have ulterior motives, who will only follow you for the ‘fish and bread’ (literally).
KTF: Tell me a little bit about your upbringing, i.e., your childhood, siblings, and the role of faith in your life.
JR: My dad was a pastor and one of the co-founders and pioneers to establish the COGOP in England. Both our parents are now deceased: Mum in 1987 and Dad in 2020. I am one of nine siblings (six from the marriage of my parents); I have six bonus siblings from my father’s remarriage, after my mother passed.
My mother had what I would describe as a ‘heightened discernment’ like no other. She was the epitome of a nurturer. Mum was a homemaker and had creative skills, like dressmaking, making patties, and homemade ginger beer. Dad was very much the disciplinarian and flowed in the healing ministry from time to time. He also had a dry sense of humour! As a child I suffered from chronic asthma, which at one point left me lifeless during one of our church services. I was 10 years old. It was my father who anointed me with oil, took me in his arms, and threw me up in the air three times whilst speaking in tongues. I was healed instantly and never had another asthma attack again. That experience stirred a hunger and love for God, as I began to experience many prophetic dreams and visions during my early childhood and throughout my present Christian walk. Even when I didn’t have the full knowledge and understanding of what they meant, they would always play out with great accuracy when God gave me the revelation.
KTF: What inspired you to make the decision to follow Jesus, and how has being a Christian impacted your life?
JR: For obvious reasons, you had little to no choice whether you were going to be a Christian or not, when you’re raised as a PK (Pastor’s Kid). However, my healing was the catalyst of wanting to know Christ more, in addition to witnessing great examples of parents who knew how to pray and who lived sacrificially for the work of the Lord. As I continue my walk with Christ, I have come to realise that the fear and reverence of His presence will help me to make right choices. I have witnessed firsthand the miracles and provision He has made for me as a single parent and for my children (who are now grown adults). There were days when I didn’t know how things would work out, but God always has a plan. Witnessing my eldest daughter getting married recently has been the highlight of this year for me. My family mean the world to me. I would encourage those experiencing life struggles to find a good church home where you can start your healing journey. For me and my household, Ruach City Church was the oasis that helped bring my vision back to life.
KTF: How do you feel about founding and leading one of the largest charities/non-profit organisations founded by a Black woman here in the UK?
JR: To be honest, it didn’t dawn on me until I read one of your featured articles in The Voice newspaper many years ago on ‘Women making a difference’, and you added me to the line-up!!! I never started this journey for the accolades, but He who sees in secret will reward you openly. I do feel honoured and privileged to be doing something I really enjoy and that brings a sense of satisfaction. I see Black women making their mark in areas that were once prohibited for them to thrive in. Many sacrifices have been made by our forerunners, and I believe we owe it to ourselves – and to them – to take our seat at the table unapologetically.
KTF: Looking ahead to 2025, what are your hopes and dreams for the future of ECE? Are there specific goals or new initiatives you’d like to achieve?
JR: It would be great to see the economy level up from this place of austerity to where there would be no need for foodbanks and everyone inherited their ‘promised land’, so to speak. I understand my assignment as being part of the seven mountains of influence in the Kingdom, therefore I believe that ECE will continue to serve until such time when the need for manna will cease. Until then, I am enjoying the journey with my ECE family, and the doors that are being opened as well as the ones that are being closed.
KTF: Finally, what message would you like to share with readers who might be considering starting their own faith-inspired initiatives?
JR: Be more concerned about having the presence of God going with you and before you if you want to start a faith-inspired initiative. There are many gifted initiatives that may seem good, but is it God? The process of the call will either make you or break you, so it is vital that your foundation is based on Christ, on His directives and on His Word. Leading people is no easy feat; I witnessed some difficult moments my parents faced in their pastoral journey. God will send you your tribe of people who will help and support you to execute the vision He gave you.
For more details about Esther’s Community Enterprise, visit https://www.eceuk.org/
Connect with June on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/june-ross-mbe-8721b415/
