MALAYSIA MILESTONES, PART III-
PEACE PREVAILS IN THE HOME
Malaysia—Elke is in her 60s and has raised three boys. She is an immigrant from a nearby country in southeast Asia. Now, she is in a Friendship Bible Coffee study. She said she has never read the Bible and couldn’t understand it until she started talking about it at the Coffee. She said she now enjoys reading the Bible and wishes she would have known how to read God’s Word when she was younger.
Jillian and her husband planned to move to another part of the country, and Jillian was upset about the details. She began attending a local Friendship Bible Coffee regularly. Because of that, Jillian began reading the Bible and praying. Now, she has the answers to some of her innermost questions. Her husband, who has not believed Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior, has expressed his pleasure at the change in Jillian’s attitude and outlook. He is more comfortable around her, Mika wrote. And, she said, he is more willing to cooperate with her. “Their marriage is so much stronger now and peace prevails in the home.”
“What more can I say?” writes Mika. “Each meeting is so refreshing. Each lady is so precious. It is as if each one has come along by divine appointment. The Holy Spirit is the true Guide in our Friendship Bible Coffee meetings. There is such an awesome presence of God as each one ministers to the others.”
*The names of the women involved with Stonecroft Ministries in Malaysia have been changed in this report due in part to safety issues in this predominately Muslim country.
MALAYSIA MILESTONES, PART II-
WOMEN MINISTERING TO EACH OTHER
Malaysia—Ursla is from a remote part of Malaysia and is an individual from a minority group of people. She has little education and has suffered from prejudice and rejection. Ursla joined a Friendship Bible Coffee and was blessed by the friendship and acceptance of the women there. “She used to cry a lot as the women ministered to her with the Word of God and with love,” Mika wrote. “She was also blessed with a brand new Bible, which she could not afford herself.” Ursla has learned to trust God and claim His promises. Recently her family went through a crisis and she remained cheerful and steady in the midst of those troubles.
When Jessie joined the Friendship Bible Coffee group, she had never read the Bible. Now, she is faithful to prepare her lessons, and takes part in the answering, asking, and learning. She wants to apply the lessons to her life. She has many times shared with her family the truth of God.
“What more can I say?” writes Mika. “Each meeting is so refreshing. Each lady is so precious. It is as if each one has come along by divine appointment. The Holy Spirit is the true Guide in our Friendship Bible Coffee meetings. There is such an awesome presence of God as each one ministers to the others.”
*The names of the women involved with Stonecroft Ministries in Malaysia have been changed in this report due in part to safety issues in this predominately Muslim country
December 27, 28, and 29, Stonecroft LIVE brings you a three part report compiled from stories from Malaysia sent by Mika*, a Stonecroft Friendship Bible Coffee coordinator, to Margaret*, our District Consulting Coordinator. Stonecroft Ministries is active in more than 60 countries. Stonecroft LIVE returns to this space January 3, 2006 with daily, updated, fresh news about how God is at work through Stonecroft Ministries outreaches across the country and around the world.
MALAYSIA MILESTONES, PART I-
GOD'S WORD LEADS TO RECONCILIATION
Malaysia—In her first Stonecroft Friendship Bible Coffee, Mika guided four women through Christ in the Home. One woman, a widow, insisted on taking part though she realized the study was intended for couples. Toward the end of the study, this woman took what she had learned and visited her four grown children. As she imparted to them the lessons from scripture, she began to see a difference in their lives and their marriages. One son who was contemplating divorce is now reconciled to his wife.
“Most of all, she herself was touched by the revelation that she is a complete person—not half a person,” Mika writes. “After realizing that, she is so full of energy and ready to continue her journey on earth—living for Christ and His purposes.”
Another woman who took part in the study had just retired with her husband. They were not getting along and were discussing a separation. “As she studied God’s Word during the Bible study, and heard other ladies share about their husbands and problems, she began to put things into perspective and count her blessings,” Mika writes. “She began to appreciate her husband more. It’s almost unbelievable! I met them two weeks ago at a function and they looked so radiant—like a newly married couple!”
“What more can I say?” writes Mika. “Each meeting is so refreshing. Each lady is so precious. It is as if each one has come along by divine appointment. The Holy Spirit is the true Guide in our Friendship Bible Coffee meetings. There is such an awesome presence of God as each one ministers to the others.”
*The names of the women involved with Stonecroft Ministries in Malaysia have been changed in this report due in part to safety issues in this predominately Muslim country.
LET IT SNOW!
Ulster, Pennsylvania — In many parts of the country, those who plan events this time of year know that there is always a chance of winter weather interfering. Such was the case in Ulster last week when snow threatened a Christmas Gathering at the home of MaryEllen Geppert.
The snow did come, but stopped in time for the snow plows to clear the roads. Eighteen people attended the Gathering, including a few who were able to come because school was cancelled. The attendees were told about Stonecroft Bible Studies and were also invited to the After 5 that night. One woman did come to the After 5, where she accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior!
FREE LUNCH
Ocean City, New Jersey- The Cape Atlantic Christian Women’s Club was forced this month to find an alternative location for its luncheon—and the elegant Flanders Hotel served well.
When reservations outnumbered the initial reserved room, the group was moved to the ballroom and, on December 7, the local Stonecroft outreach group welcomed 186 women to its event. “It was amazing,” said Regional Representative Dottie Schmidt. “The group was down to 22 just a few years ago. God took this old club and really shook it!”
A fashion show by a regional department store supplied the feature, and Nancy O’Mearas came in from Maryland to speak about her relationship with Jesus Christ. When she offered an invitation for the guests to pray with her, at least 19 women accepted Jesus as their Savior.
Dottie said that one of the aspects of the group’s growth is the offer of a free lunch. When first timers to a Cape Atlantic Christian Women’s Club luncheon return and bring a first timer with them, the Planning Team underwrites the second-timer’s lunch. “Some luncheons we have to pay for more than a dozen free lunches,” she said. “But, you know, the money is always there.”
REACHING MOTHERS AND MORE
Willow, Alaska-Last week Stonecroft Development Leader Anita Bacon had the opportunity to speak at an outreach meeting with local MOPS—Mothers of Pre-Schoolers. Sixty-one attended. Eight took A New Beginning booklets and six signed up for Stonecroft Stonecroft Bible Studies.
In January, two study groups of Who is Jesus? and a couple’s study of Christ in the Home are scheduled. Anita remarked, “I am stretching beyond my comfort zone and really enjoy it.”
CAPTURING CHRISTMAS MOMENTS
Poplar Grove, Illinois-When Barbara Disse returned home from a Capture the Moment event this fall, she was excited about Christmas Gatherings and wanted to challenge the women in her neighborhood Friendship Bible Coffee to hold one. They had many questions and were a little unsure about this new venture, but agreed to help if Barbara would be the hostess. They decided to invite all the neighbors, so that no one would feel left out—and they began to pray earnestly.
Twenty-three women attended the event on December 10. “It was wonderful watching all the ladies as they enjoyed the time getting to know each other,” Barbara commented. “Many are new neighbors who have moved into the condos this past year. There was no need for conversation starters—the chatter was wonderful. The time of sharing traditions was good. There was no reluctance and much laughter. Speaker Joan Dietrich did a great job with her talk about God’s gift. And 10 women indicated they prayed with her to receive that gift of salvation. Five indicated that they were interested in attending Bible study.”
“The women stayed way past the two hours,” Barbara continued. “And looking into the eyes of each as she left, I know God had worked. This will be a very special Christmas season for them.”
Barbara was also grateful for the opportunity to get to know her neighbors better and to build relationships with them. “One woman asked me to pray for her sister-in-law who has breast cancer,” Barbara said. “I will be able to call and see how she is doing. Another neighbor wants to go to lunch after the holidays.”
She summed up the day by saying, “The excitement from this day will be with me for a long time. I pray the passion to reach out will continue to burn in my heart. It is truly what we were made for. I do thank God for His grace and for how He changed my life today.”
CHRISTIE CASEY
Kansas City, Missouri-“This is a dream job for me,” says Christie Casey about her new position, Stonecroft’s Special Events Marketing Coordinator. “I have always had a heart for women’s ministry and I felt like Stonecroft was a perfect fit.”
Christie is a native of Kansas City and graduated from the University of Missouri, Kansas City with a degree in Communications. After college, she worked in New York for a time with Fox Broadcasting and Essence magazine. “I had wanted to live in New York and liked the fast pace for a while,” Christie recalls. However, wanting to be near her family and feeling a desire to slow down a little brought her back to Kansas City in 2003.
Christie started working at Stonecroft in November and much of her focus has been on marketing and promoting IMPACT ’06, the Stonecroft evangelism conference being held April 24-26, 2006. Click here for more on IMPACT.
In the future, Christie will help promote other Stonecroft regional and national events. “I’m looking forward to how God is going to work and change lives,” she says.
TEDDY BEARS ON PARADE
Hyannis, Massachusetts- Though a snowstorm was threatened, it turned out to be a beautiful day inside and out at the Christian Women’s Club Teddy Bear Tea. Forty adults and 16 children, dressed in their Christmas finery, attended. Each guest was asked to bring a teddy bear to donate to the Bourne Fire Department. (Firefighters keep the bears on hand to comfort frightened children.)
The feature for the December 10 event was a Teddy Bear Parade. Peppy Christmas music played as a “real live” teddy bear led the parade, marching the children around so everyone could admire their Christmas attire, then leading the adults around the room so they could deposit their donated bears in the collection box.
But the highlight of the morning was the evidence of God at work in people’s lives. Three women indicated they made decisions to trust Jesus Christ as Savior, two indicated an interest in Bible study, one offered to be a Bible study Guide, and another offered to help the local group with their computer work.
“The day before our meeting, things looked pretty grim,” Chair Alice Slayter said, “but prayer changed everything. It was a beautiful day all around. Our God is so faithful.”
FIREWOOD FRIENDSHIPS
LaPine, Oregon- A new outreach group started here recently after a Stonecroft on the Road event introduced the ministry to the community. The LaPine Women’s Connection met Sunday evening for the seventh time this year.
Stonecroft Development Leader Pat Abernathy reports that 44 women attended the Holiday Gift Fair that filled the air with festive carols. Best of all, eight women indicated they entered an eternal relationship with God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Now, four of them, all teenagers, are starting a Friendship Bible Coffee group that will meet after school in a local espresso shop.
Pat said the girls were invited to the Gift Fair after one of them showed up to help a man collect firewood at the Abernathy home. When Pat invited her to the outreach meeting, she also encouraged her to bring a friend. The girl brought three of her friends—and now they all are beginning a relationship with Jesus.
Pray for these girls—and the four others who accepted Christ—to be reading God’s Word and to learn to walk closely with Him.
FELIZ NAVIDAD!
Kansas City, Missouri- That was the standard Christmas greeting on Saturday as 16 Hispanic pastors and their wives gathered at Stonecroft Headquarters to experience a Christmas Gathering. The event was coordinated by Marilyn Sheets, Stonecroft Ministries International Liaison, to help these local pastors become more aware of the resources Stonecroft offers for outreach.
There was much laughter and fun as the group ate together and shared their Christmas traditions. Participants were originally from Cuba, Mexico, and Central America, so there was great variety in their experiences. Then Marilyn beautifully presented the Gospel and God’s greatest gift. The pastors were deeply moved by this presentation. Their joy bubbled over into song and they concluded the morning with singing. But before they went home, one of the pastors expressed his thanks on behalf of the group and prayed for the Stonecroft staff.
“It was a wonderful morning,” Marilyn explains. “There was such a spirit of love and unity of purpose. Our guests really grasped the tools we have and how they could use them. We are so excited about working with them to further outreach in the Hispanic community here in our own area.”
FLYING SOUTH
Chandler, Minnesota- Flying south for the winter provides advantages beyond escaping frigid snowy weather. Naomi Gilbertson is no stranger to this way of life. While living in Arizona one winter, she discovered Stonecroft Ministries and Friendship Bible Coffee studies. She soon became a Guide.
When she returned to Minnesota this past summer, she wanted to spread the word about these studies. She was put in contact with Coordinator Karen Larson, who helped her set up a study. Naomi invited and Karen guided. A myriad of women attended with different ethnic backgrounds and stations of life. A babysitter was needed as five of the women were young moms.
This group is currently studying Mark: Christ—God’s Perfect Servant.
MEET THE STOPHELS
Kansas City, Missouri-The mission of Stonecroft Ministries
is to equip and encourage women to impact their communities with the Gospel
of Jesus Christ. And a large part of a woman’s community is made up of
her husband and family. That’s why ministry to couples is important.
Recognizing the value of couples’ ministry to Stonecroft Ministries as a whole, a new staff position of Stonecroft Couples’ Ministry Director was created. Chuck Stophel of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, is now filling this position. On Wednesday, December 7, he and his wife, Sara, began their first day on staff with orientation and training here at Stonecroft Headquarters. They are serving together as a ministry team to oversee the day-to-day operations of Stonecroft Couples’ Ministry.
Chuck and Sara have a heart for ministry and a passion to see people come to know Jesus Christ personally. For the past ten years, they have been traveling with their own concert evangelism ministry, Beracah Heart Ministries, with a goal of helping people find restoration in their relationship with the Lord. Three years ago, they added an extension to their ministry called Transplant TEAMS, which ministers to the physical and spiritual needs of transplant patients.
Earlier this year, the Stophels began serving as Chaircouple for the Tulsa, Oklahoma Couples’ Connection. While attending a Stonecroft couples’ leadership conference, they heard about the position of Couples’ Ministry Director and their interest was peaked. God continued to lead and guide them through the process in the months that followed.
Chuck and Sara are the parents of three sons: Creston, 13; Nikolai, 11; and Asher, 5½. They will maintain their home base in Oklahoma while working in close contact with Stonecroft Headquarters.
When asked why couples’ ministry is important, Sara replied, “Besides evangelizing non-Christians, we have to minister to couples to save marriages and families. There is such a need among both Christians and non-Christians.” Chuck stated his goal for the future simply: “To help equip couples with the tools to build relationships with pre-Christians and other couples to gain permission to speak the Gospel into their lives.”
CHRISTMAS IN CALIFORNIA
Yorba Linda, California- When Karla Shippey planned two Christmas Gatherings for her neighborhood, she thought she knew what to expect. Things didn’t turn out quite the way she planned—but the results were all that she hoped for and more.
Karla figured some of the young moms in the neighborhood would attend the daytime event while their children were in school. Instead, two retired women were the guests. Both enjoyed the event—and both indicated an interest in Bible study.
Originally, 15 people were slated to come to the evening event. Only six people were able to attend, but one woman prayed to receive Christ that evening, and all the women in attendance wanted to be involved in a Bible study.
Helping the neighbors get better acquainted with one another was an unexpected benefit. One thanked Karla for the opportunity, saying, “This is so good of you to get the neighbors together.” Two new Bible studies will be starting in the neighborhood soon.
“The Lord is so magnificent,” Karla says. “He just works—even in ways we don’t expect. It was awesome.”
APPLYING THE TRUTH
Sherwood, Oregon-SRA Karon Heineman from Sherwood, Oregon is actively involved in Stonecroft Friendship Bible Coffees in her area. She started a study with a few young moms from her church who realized that their children knew more about the Bible than they did.
She invited these women to a Christmas Gathering last year. As a result, 10 young moms became involved in a Bible study. Three bring their babies to the group and, according to Karon, the women “are thrilled to be discovering that mom can study and apply the Bible to her life too.”
GOD AT WORK IN SANTA FE
Santa Fe, New Mexico-The morning before the Santa Fe After 5 met in November, Regional Representative Barbara Blackwell sent out an SOS e-mail asking for prayer. The problems: very low reservation numbers, hesitation on the part of the shop doing the fashion show as the feature, and discouragement because of turn-downs by women asked to model and/or attend.
Throughout the rest of that day and the next, Barbara and others were busy on the phone, trying to bring up the numbers of attendees and models. Despite more problems cropping up—the Chair not making it back from an out-of-town trip, models getting sick, and an unexpectedly long dentist appointment for Barbara right before the meeting—the event went on.
The number of attendees was still low, but God worked in powerful ways. In Barbara’s words, “God had a plan for some young ladies to enter His kingdom. Five of the first-timers indicated they had prayed with the speaker to receive Jesus! His perfect will was done!”
GRACE IN UNEXPECTED PLACES
Indio , California-Sometimes speakers at Stonecroft outreach groups do not know how God has used them until “after the fact.” That was the case for Karen O’Connor, who spoke recently at the group in Indio, where there were 141 in attendance and more than 20 first-timers.
After the meeting, the Chair dropped Karen a note, which read: “With tears of joy, I am sharing with you that nine decisions were made today! Four of them were first-time guests. Three of these ladies indicated they wanted to be part of a Bible study and one said she wanted to learn more about Bible study and prayer.”
Seeing God at work is overwhelming, exciting, and encouraging to a speaker’s heart. “What an outpouring of God’s amazing grace,” Karen commented. “I am humbled down to my toes!”
BULGARIAN BRIGADE
Bulgaria- Guides in this eastern European country want to start more Stonecroft Stonecroft Bible Studies. Recently, 23 Bible study Guides and leaders gathered for training and encouragement.
“Some groups have already done all the studies,” said Madeleine Huck, a District Consulting Coordinator from Paris, France, who led the training. “They have translated 13 studies into Bulgarian. I gave out a sample of Who is Jesus? and Where is the Holy Spirit? They will most certainly translate those as well.”
Madeleine met with Sasha Ignatov, the Friendship Bible Coffee Coordinator in Bulgaria, and her husband, Daniel, and several additional leaders. “Sasha told us she never guides more than three studies with one group. Then she integrates new women and starts another study.”
Today, thank God for Madeleine and her leadership, and for Sasha and others in Bulgaria who are impacting their communities with the message of Jesus Christ. Stonecroft Ministries is active in more than 60 countries.
GIVING THEIR TIME
Clatskanie, Oregon- Busy lives make many people more selective when they are asked to give time to a project. However, the leadership team at the Clatskanie Oregon Christian Women’s Club does not hesitate to get involved when asked, according to Stonecroft Development Leader and District Consulting Coordinator Faye Marie Miller.
Recently, three women who trusted their lives to Jesus Christ at a local Stonecroft outreach event began the Stonecroft Friendship Bible Coffee Life’s New Beginning. To make it happen, Chair Terri Thorud babysat and the Vice Chair Rita Sherman served as the Guide.
One of those in that study, who just finished her first Stonecroft Friendship Bible Coffee as a new believer, is Faye Marie’s 17-year-old granddaughter, Chrystal.
