LIFE STORY
Clearwater, Florida—Joyce Day, Area Representative for the Clearwater Florida Women’s Connection, recently wrote in about her distribution of Stonecroft Life Publications.
“I gave some Life Publications out at Christmas—The Perfect Gift to neighbors and others with a little plate of goodies. I also gave one to the mailman, our building maintenance man, and to the pilot and crew of the airplane when we went to Michigan for Christmas,” Joyce wrote. “I really don't know if there is any outcome from it, but it was fun to do. I just pray God will use them to bring many to Jesus.”
Stonecroft Ministries publishes several Life Publications—each designed to present the Gospel in a clear and compelling manner. To learn more, please see our catalog.
CLICK HERE TO ACCESS CATALOG IN PDF FORMAT.
SOLD OUT FOR JESUS
Glenwood Springs, Colorado—Being a door-to-door saleswoman presents its fair share of challenges. However, when *Julie knocked on Coordinator Eda Mae McCune’s front door, she was in store for much more than making a sale.
Eda Mae was hosting the study of Colossians at her home. After greeting Julie, Eda Mae was prompted by her Guide to invite Julie in to join the group in their Bible study. Eda Mae went through the Would You Believe It? booklet with the saleswoman, and Julie acknowledged that she was a sinner and trusted Jesus Christ with her life.
*Name has been changed.
THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO WORK
Chester, Virginia— Betty Johnson, a Friendship Bible Coffee Consulting Coordinator in Chester, recently wrote to Stonecroft Live with a story about Stonecroft outreach groups and Bible studies working together.
Betty was told that a woman named Linda had moved from New Jersey to the Chester area. When Betty invited Linda to an outreach meeting, Linda accepted the invitation. At the meeting, she signed up to take part in a Friendship Bible Coffee study. Since then, Linda has hosted Bible studies in her home and brought one of her neighbors who attended a study to an outreach meeting. She also is planning to guide a study at the home of another neighbor.
This is “the way I feel Stonecroft Bible studies are supposed to work,” Betty writes. “I only wish I had more stories to tell.”
Do you have a story to tell about how God is working through Stonecroft Ministries in your area? We’d love to hear from you! Click the link below to get started.
Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006
NEW LIFE IN NEWTON
Newton, Kansas—Singing, simple rhythms, high and low voices, soft and loud noises are some of the elements the local Kindermusic program teaches toddlers and preschool children. The director explained the program for the Newton Kansas After 5 for its January 16 outreach meeting.
The presentation on the foundations of music gave way to Mary Adams, a retired National Representative for Stonecroft Ministries, who explained the foundations of faith in Jesus Christ. “People really enjoyed hearing from Mary. They enjoyed her enthusiasm,” said Nancy Back, the local Area Representative.
About 50 women attended the meeting at one of Newton’s favorite buffets—The Breadbasket. Nancy reported that six of those women indicated that night they prayed with Mary to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord.
BIBLE STUDY WHIRLWIND
DeWitt, Iowa-Strong winds are fairly commonplace in Iowa, but the small town of DeWitt is experiencing a whirlwind of another type. "God has us in a wonderful whirlwind of Bible study activity here," Coordinator Bev Frey reports.
At the studies being held on Monday and Tuesday evenings, there has been a significant increase recently in new people becoming involved and in current participants reaching out to others. Two husbands have joined the Monday night study group and three attendees have filled out Guide applications so they can have a part in new studies being started. In addition, one of the Guides, Corina Andreson, had the opportunity to introduce women to Stonecroft Bible Studies at a local church retreat and to invite them to a new Wednesday night study.
Bev is excited to see the Bible studies flourishing because she knows first-hand how God's Word can change a life. She says it was in 1989, while attending her first Friendship Bible Coffee, that she fell in love with Jesus. "God knows the plans He has for us," Bev stated, and she is thrilled to have a part in helping others discover His plan for their lives.
GETTING ORGANIZED
Shelby Township, Michigan-Organizing your clutter can be easier than you think. At the Shelby Township Michigan After 5 on January 12, they learned to do just that with a few helpful hints from experts on uncluttering your house and your heart. God used speaker Chris Bassett's personal life experiences to bring 27 women out of the 82 in attendance to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Several women are interested in a Stonecroft Friendship Bible Coffee study. Coordinator Debbie Norris is so excited about getting these women involved in studying God's Word and applying it to their lives.
GOD AT WORK
Marietta, Georgia-Talk to Diane Rose, Chair of the Marietta Christian Women's Club, and you'll have no doubt that God is at work. In the past four months, the group has seen more than 40 women accept Jesus Christ as their Savior at the outreach meetings!
Diane remarked that although every speaker has had a different style, each one presented the Gospel clearly, making it easy for women to understand the need they have for God in their lives. She also mentioned that other program elements leading up to the speaker created just the right mood for the speakers, preparing the women for what they were going to hear.
"We have a full Planning Team and the country club where we meet has been great to work with," says Diane. She admits that she might have been the one who needed most to see what God could do. Even though she just recently began working full-time again, God has used these exciting happenings to confirm to her that she still needs to be part of Stonecroft Ministries, reaching women in her community for Jesus Christ.
SIZZLIN' IN NORTH CAROLINA
Clinton, North Carolina-Interest in Stonecroft Ministries is sizzlin' in North Carolina. A Stonecroft on the Road event held last Wednesday (January 11) was ample evidence of that as 101 women attended, including a busload of women from a nearby town. More than 20 attendees indicated an interest in Stonecroft Bible Studies, and more than 25 offered to help at the next meeting. Best of all, 24 women made commitments to Jesus Christ that day.
This Stonecroft on the Road event was made possible by the hard work and prayers of the Planning Team from the nearby Fayetteville Women's Connection. The success and excitement of this event have laid the groundwork for a permanent outreach group in Clinton. A March meeting is already in the works and Planning Team members for the group are being sought.
Stonecroft Stonecroft Bible Studies are also exploding in the area, thanks in part to a get-acquainted tea held in December. The event, called "Pausing for Christmas," was put together by Coordinator Mary Comstock, with assistance from Consulting Coordinators Paula Byrd and Lynne O'Quinn. There were 52 people in attendance that day-and 48 stated they would like to be involved in a study.
Many churches were represented that morning and interest in using the studies at churches has mushroomed. The Snyder Memorial Baptist Church, which hosted the "Pausing for Christmas" event, is blazing the way. There, studies are now being planned for the staff and for the school workers. Attendance at the ongoing Tuesday morning study has grown so dramatically that it soon may be multiplied into two or three groups and a Friendship Bible Coffee study has been added to the Wednesday night discipleship training program. At least two homes of church members are also being opened for studies and one of the pastors told Lynne that he is praying for 12 studies to be held each week! At a smaller church where Area Representative Gloria Denning attends, 45 people have signed up for Stonecroft Bible Studies. And the follow-up from the December event is just now truly getting underway-so the excitement is just beginning.
"I feel God working so in our area," Lynne commented. "He is so good and so faithful. And He always rewards our faithfulness and obedience."
WORTH THE EFFORT
Kingstown, Rhode Island-Forty-five minutes each way. Twice. This is how far Dianne Mello, the new Vice Chair for the North Kingstown, Rhode Island Christian Women's Club West Bay, drove to pick up six Katrina evacuees for the group's December meeting. She arrived to pick up three of the evacuees and found them still in their pajamas. They had recently learned that the Federal Emergency Management Association intended to move them to another location, and the news had left them depressed. Dianne helped them get ready, drove 45 minutes back to the meeting, dropped them off, and headed back across the bay bridges to pick up three additional evacuees. She arrived with the second group just in time for them to hear the musician and the speaker.
These six women wrote nothing but positive comments on their guest cards. Three indicated they had prayed with the speaker, and the outreach group had four offers to help with future meetings. Area Representative Anne Sauerbrey gave them a warm goodbye and told them that Stonecroft has similar groups of women meeting all across the country. Wherever they end up, she told them, there will be a Stonecroft family to connect with them.
Anne covers four Planning Team positions for this group in addition to her role as Area Representative, plus her responsibilities as a wife, an employee, and at her local church. Gloria Rosser, a former Chair of a nearby group, also offered to help Dianne bring the evacuees to the next meeting. Through the commitment of women like these, many in this nation and around the world continue to hear the Good News that they can have peace with God through Jesus Christ.
FORGIVENESS LIST
Fort Wayne, Indiana-Volunteering is what Stonecroft leaders do best. Friendship Bible Coffee Coordinator Janice Young is no different. Every Tuesday, she volunteers at the Allen County Jail.
At the jail, Janice met *Sally, who was unable to forgive others who had hurt her in the past. Janice sensed that Sally desired to speak further with her. When she readily agreed to an additional private time, Janice made a special trip to the jail the following Friday to minister to her.
The two women spent a sweet time with the Lord while going through the Would You Believe It? booklet. As a result, Sally saw the need to forgive those on her "forgiveness list" because of the Lord's forgiveness for her. After many tears, she was able to forgive everyone on her list.
Sally is now in a state prison. Pray for her continued growth in the Lord as she stays in contact with Janice.
*Name has been changed.
IT'S NOT ABOUT NUMBERS
Indianola, Iowa-As a way of reaching more women in their community, the Indianola Midday Connection Planning Team has been hosting an evening meeting on the same day as their regular outreach meeting. The evening meeting simply duplicates the noon program, using the same feature and speaker.
Karen Langstraat, a Stonecroft Regional Administrator from Indianola, explained that the attendance for the evening events has never been high. But before the group's meeting earlier this month, Karen wondered if they would have to cancel since they had less than 10 reservations. The Planning Team members were adamant that the meeting should go on because they knew of at least one woman coming who had never attended before. As it turned out, that woman did come, and chose to allow Jesus Christ to be her Savior that night!
Regardless of size, it can be said that this group of women truly are fulfilling the mission of Stonecroft Ministries: impacting their community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
NEVER TOO OLD
Center Line, Michigan-You're never too old to learn and grow. That's a secret Kathy Hanselman has discovered as she guides a Stonecroft Friendship Bible Coffee study at a local nursing home. "It's so wonderful to see the participants grasp new ideas," Kathy said. "One dear lady who has been a faithful churchgoer all her life recently told me she has learned so much about God's love since attending the study. She said she finally understands that God's love is not just for the people in her denomination."
Kathy began guiding the studies there about ten years ago, when her mother-in-law became a resident. The study groups have been going strong ever since. Jackie Lancaster, a Stonecroft Prayer Consultant, sometimes snowbird, and Kathy's good friend, assists with the study when she is in town. "Because of our circumstances and attendees, we do things a little differently from the usual study," she explains. "We bring in goodies and take time to 'love on' the people. They enjoy singing together and we take time to pray for each attendee's requests, in addition to our Bible study." Though the group's size varies, around 10 attend each week, in addition to other staff and visitors who sometimes listen in.
During the Christmas season, Kathy had a desire to let all the residents know they were special and loved. God orchestrated the details as others joined with her in this worthwhile goal. Individuals and businesses donated items for 230 treat bags, which included a delicious orange, toasty socks, a large print Would You Believe It? booklet, a card made by students from the Macomb Christian Schools, an ornament and figurine for the women, and pens and tablets for the men. The nursing home donated cookies to be shared at the distribution time. "So many people helped to make this possible," Kathy said, "and everyone gave from their hearts. God put it all together." On the distribution date, a short program was held where the students sang carols and Kathy presented the Gospel. "It was a wonderful time," she remembers. After all, you're never too old to give and receive love.
MORNING OF PRAYER
Picutured at Right: Stonecroft Board of Directors Chair Phyllis Stern shares with the Stonecroft Ministries staff about how God sustained and blessed her family in 2005.
Kansas City, Missouri-Each day at Stonecroft Ministries headquarters begins with staff devotions and prayer. Once each month, a morning is set aside to pray for the ministry.
Thursday morning the staff was treated to a special morning of worship and prayer led by the ministry's Board of Directors. Vera Velk presided. The theme for the morning was discovering and exploring the grand epic God has created and invited us to take a part of with Him.
Various board members took the time to tell how God has walked with them through the past year-during times of great distress and difficulty, and during times of great joy and celebration. Their stories related how God's greatness was evident in the birth of grandchildren, in the loss of a job, and in the death of a child. The entire morning was a vivid reminder of God's provision, His care, and His love.
The Board of Directors is at ministry headquarters in Kansas City today and Saturday for their semi-annual meetings. We at headquarters praise God for each woman who serves as a director, for the reliance upon His provision we see in each of their lives, as well as their dedication to this ministry and to building the kingdom of God.
Please join the staff in praying for the board members, for the Executive Team, and for each discussion and decision to honor God and take guidance and direction from Him.
Click here to meet the board of directors
The stonecroft Board of Directors led the staff in worship during Thursday's monthly Morning of Prayer.
TAKING THE INITIATIVE
Mechanicsville, Virginia-Connecting with younger women means taking the initiative. According to District Consulting Coordinator Claire McBride, this is exactly what a Stonecroft Friendship Bible Coffee group of retired ladies recently did.
They decided that the Lord was calling them to minister to the younger women in their neighborhood. Two of the retired women offered free babysitting during the study.
The young moms were blessed to know that the retired women desired to serve and mentor them. Claire says, "Only the Lord could have done this!"
ONE SMALL STEP IN FAITH
Rancho Bernardo, California-Stonecroft encourages women to initiate shared interest groups (such as jogging, cooking, or scrapbooking) with the purpose of building relationships with other women. Kathryn Homer, an Area Representative, writes about how shared interest groups are starting in Rancho Bernardo:
"I have been excited about the idea of shared interest groups since I heard about them in April. We decided to focus on it when God added more women to our Planning Team. In December, still longing for a way to connect with more women, the Chair and I decided to make an open invitation to everyone at the outreach meeting to join us for an hour at Starbucks on the first Friday in January. We pitched it as an opportunity to get to know each other a little bit-strictly a social time, no meeting, no agenda. We really didn't know if anyone would actually come.
"Five women came to Starbucks. Four of them were not on the Planning Team. I started talking to them about the idea of shared interest groups. They loved the idea! In a matter of minutes, one woman agreed to organize a book reading group, another agreed to organize a Girls Night Out group to go out to eat at different restaurants each month, and a third woman asked if she could organize a needlework group. I decided to coordinate a walking/hiking group.
"It was exciting to see God use one hour that we set aside just to connect with women. He blessed us with three women not on the Planning Team who are excited to get involved and be points of contact for shared interest groups. What sounded like a job too big, turned out to be no job at all-when we took one small step in faith."
A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER
Kansas City, Missouri-Eating, laughing, talking, praying, praising, and more eating and talking-a series of weekend activities celebrated the work God has done through the hundreds of National Representatives who served with Stonecroft Ministries.
At Stonecroft's International Headquarters, dozens of women who have served as National Representatives were treated to three days of remembrance and honor. A special retirement dinner Saturday celebrated the service and retirement of the final four National Representatives-Paula Markas, Suzanne Weibel, Mary Adams, and Bonnilee Ashley (pictured above). Combined, these four have served Stonecroft Ministries more than 199.5 years! Joyce Courtney, a former National Representative and past CEO of Stonecroft Ministries, served as master of ceremonies and invited staff and guests to share stories about these four and their work, play, and life with Stonecroft.
Historically, National Representatives traveled the United States and Canada to establish new outreach groups, form Bible study programs, train local leadership, pray with women, and carry out a host of other ministry planting, caring, and praying activities. National Representatives normally stayed in an area for several months, lived with volunteers, and worked tirelessly to prepare local women to impact their communities with the Gospel.
This weekend's activities celebrated their work and honored formal National Representatives for their service. Now, Stonecroft is in the process of hiring Regional Field Directors-women who will work from their hometowns, but develop and build ministry in a multi-state region. To learn more about Regional Field Directors, click here.
REMEMBERING MILLIE PARTINGTON
Kansas City, Missouri-Millie Partington, longtime staff member and former corporate board member, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 5, at the age of 85.
Millie devoted a lifetime of service to Stonecroft Ministries, serving as a missionary for more than 50 years. Her association with Stonecroft began in 1944, when Millie served as a Youth Home Missionary, helping to provide Christian leadership for small churches in rural America. Looking back on those years, Millie once commented, "When we first started, we were too green to know it was okay to say no to some requests. As a result, we did everything we were asked to do. We taught Vacation Bible School; held evangelistic meetings; took part in graduation exercises, prayer meetings, family dinners and holiday parades." She remembered those years as times of wonderful friendships and seeing many make decisions for Christ.
For nearly forty years as a National Representative for Stonecroft, Millie traveled across the U.S. and Canada starting outreach groups. She also served as a conference coordinator. Millie loved serving as a National Representative, but she stated that the demanding lifestyle required "the patience of Job, the wisdom of Solomon, the hide of an elephant, and a definite call of God."
In 1995, Millie was named a National Director for Stonecroft Ministries. She also served as a corporate board member until 2003.
Phyllis Stern, Chair of the Stonecroft Ministries National Board, fondly remembers serving alongside Millie. "There are two things I always think about in regard to Millie," she commented. "Her sense of humor was unparalleled. She would say the most unexpected things with a completely deadpan face. Her humor made a difference when we faced tense situations. But the thing we valued most about Millie at the board meetings was when she would pray. You were taken right into the presence of God. She was such a prayer warrior-and I will always remember her prayers."
Millie was known and loved by thousands of people across North America and was a treasured part of the Stonecroft Ministries family. She will be remembered for her delightful sense of humor, keen spiritual insight, and prayerful spirit.
Memorials may be made in Millie's name to Stonecroft Ministries.
Please click here if you would like to make a donation online. Thank you for indicating in the comment box on the online form that your gift is in honor of
WHAT WILL 2006 HOLD
Sanford, North Carolina-Jo Childress, a Friendship Bible Coffee Coordinator and Guide, recently shared exciting news with us. In Sanford last year, five Bible studies were completed with approximately 55 people involved. "Some attendees were not church-goers, others grew in their Bible knowledge, some found new revelations about God in the Bible, and all lives were changed in some way," wrote Jo.
"One of these Bible studies was with women who attend the Moms on the Run outreach group. One young mother commented, 'I loved talking about Jesus.' Another told of God providing strength when her baby died.
"As a Guide, I have witnessed the truth that God's Word is living and speaks to us in ways that we need individually. At the completion of each study, the participants asked for more. Two additional study groups will begin this month. God is working in magnificent ways in our community. I'm excited about what will take place in 2006 through Stonecroft Bible Studies!"
GETTING REAL
San Jose, California-Women in real estate were targeted recently at the San Jose California Women's Connection. The Planning Team put together a fashion show in hopes of drawing new women from the area.
Chair Teresa Sharp states that with 47 in attendance, 19 were first-timers. Eleven women indicated that they trusted Christ as their Savior and Lord.
God is blessing this outreach group not only with decisions for Christ, but also with interest in Stonecroft Friendship Bible Coffee studies and offers to help.
A GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN
Grand Rapids, Michigan-A Prayer Connection in central Michigan gave women a glimpse of heaven recently.
Diana Huizinga, Area Representative for the Grand Rapids and Georgetown, Michigan, Women's Connections, writes that an international blend of 21 women gathered at the home of Louise Cerling, who has served in various positions on the local Planning Team. Louise hosted an English Tea/Cookie Exchange for the women, which included guests from Africa, the Philippines, Russia, and the United States.
Kristi VanderWoude, Prayer Coordinator, led the group in a "sweet time of prayer," then sang "O Holy Night."
"It was a joy to hear prayer lifted up in several different accents. Surely it was a glimpse of heaven," Diana wrote.
Prayer Connections are held by the local outreach groups in reliance on God for His power and blessing upon each outreach event.
