SOUTH AFRICA AUDIO JOURNAL, MAY 23
CAPTURING THE MOMENT ON THE COAST
Port Shepstone, South Africa—Recently, 20 area women gathered at the Shepstone Country Club for an international Capture the Moment, an event prepared by the traveling encouragement team from Stonecroft Headquarters.
The South Coast of South Africa has been compared to the lushness of Hawaii. A major industry here is the cultivation of sugar cane. The Indian Ocean, with its warm currents, lands crashing waves on its coast.
The Capture the Moment event was held at the Shepstone Country Club, which is lined with trophy cases that are dominated by a large stone fireplace. The club is similar to ones in the States except, in addition to golf and tennis, Shepstone offers cricket, bowls (lawn bowling), and squash, as well.
Lawn bowling is a popular sport in South Africa.
It is in this setting that the local Christian Women’s Club holds its outreach ministry and conducts a strong Bible study program.
Capture the Moment is a training event that teaches and encourages women about outreach, prayer, Stonecroft programs, and new ideas. At these southern Africa events, the team presents aspects of the ministry:
Meryl Bishop, the National Prayer Consultant and a native of South Africa, holds an opening devotion and emcees the event.
Vera Velk, a volunteer leader who serves as a speaker consultant and on the Stonecroft Board, gives a history of Stonecroft Ministries.
Geneva Vollrath, the Chief Executive Officer of Stonecroft Ministries, speaks of the present state of the ministry and new ideas, such as shared interest groups.
Mary Adams, a retired Stonecroft National Representative, talks about the effectiveness of Stonecroft Bible Studies and Christmas Gatherings.
Jenel Moline, a traveling trainer and special events specialist, introduces Stonecroft on the Road.
Jenel Moline leads specialized training in Stonecroft on the Road.
After the large group training, attendees are split into groups of specified interest, such as serving on the Planning Team, guiding Bible studies, or speaking for Stonecroft. Then, each group receives customized training. Staying true to South African tradition, the Capture event is punctuated by two tea breaks and lunch. To conclude the event, the group is brought together for a teamwork exercise. Positive evaluations by the attendees indicated that they were returning home with new energy and ideas for outreach.
Leaders join together in a team-building exercise.
A team of four Stonecroft Ministries staffers, CEO Geneva Vollrath, and board member Vera Velk are spending the month of May in South Africa and Zimbabwe to encourage and equip Stonecroft volunteers there. Read reports from the team on Stonecroft LIVE from May 11 to June 6. Previous reports may be found in the archive at right.
SOUTH AFRICA AUDIO JOURNAL, MAY 22
EXTREME MAKEOVER—FROM THE INSIDE OUT
Bryan/College Station, Texas—Seeking to bless women in their city, the local After 5 held a special outreach meeting for those living in a women’s shelter as well as at-risk teens. “The women of the After 5 really saw God at work as 63 attended our ‘Extreme Makeover’ event,” said Regional Representative Margaret Johnson. “The 40 first-time guests enjoyed the outreach more than I can tell you and funds were given to cover the cost of all their meals.”
A fun, party atmosphere set the stage and carried over into the special feature—an over-the-top skit with hilarious makeup application that provoked much laughter. Though it was a tough act to follow, speaker Penny McCulloch soon had the women hanging on her every word as she told how God had worked in her life. She could relate easily to the women in the audience because she had suffered many of the same things they were experiencing. She was interrupted by spontaneous applause as she told how God had brought healing and hope. At the conclusion, ten women indicated they prayed to receive Christ.
The women who attended all expressed their desire for more events like this—especially the fun, games, gifts, music, and love. The After 5 Planning Team was enthusiastic too and is now considering how and when they might hold their next “out-of-the-box” event.
AROUND THE KITCHEN TABLE
Rocky Mount, North Carolina—When “Cassie” attended a Christian Women’s Club in Rocky Mount and became a Christian, she was invited and agreed to join Stonecroft’s Friendship Bible Coffee study Life’s New Beginning.
This was Cassie’s first time to study the Bible, so everything was brand new to her. “It was exciting for us to see her hunger for God’s Word and hear all the questions that she had,” said Area Representative Karen Watkins. “She soaked up everything like a sponge. The Bible was made understandable to her and she was overwhelmed by it.”
Karen believes that just as important as the Bible teaching is the fact that the Bible studies are held in places where women feel comfortable and accepted. In fact, Cassie loved meeting around the kitchen table so much that she soon asked if she could host a study at her own house, which she has since done.
Around the world, Stonecroft Stonecroft Bible Studies are allowing men and women like Cassie the opportunity to come around a kitchen table to learn more about God and His Word.
PUTTING FEET TO FAITH
Kansas City, Missouri—The community outreach department at Stonecroft Ministries International Headquarters recently hosted a fundraiser to support the work of the New Orleans Mission.
As part of the effort to be more visible in the community and to establish relationships with our neighbors, staffers Cyndi Curren and Marshelle Lyons organized a 3K and 5K walk event called “Heartland for the Southland.” Nineteen staffers, plus neighbors and members of nearby Grace Point Baptist Church, participated. Donations and sponsorships were secured from friends, neighbors, and businesses. Union Bank supplied custom designed shirts. “This is the first of what we hope will be many fundraising walks in the neighborhood,” Cyndi said. “It’s a great outreach opportunity and helped Stonecroft’s visibility in the area.”
More than $1,000 was raised and sent to the New Orleans Mission. Ron Gonzales, director of the mission, said construction on a new womens’ shelter had begun this year, but was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. The mission continues to minister to homeless evacuees and to relief workers in the area. “When the big guys are gone, we will still be here,” Ron said.
HAPPY THANKSGIVING FROM STONECROFT MINISTRIES!
SOUTHWEST-FLAVORED COUPLES CONNECTION
Phoenix, Arizona—Not all the snowbirds have returned to the area, but the Greater Phoenix, Arizona Stonecroft Couples’ Connection drew 270 to its Fall Roundup Luncheon Sunday. The group, chaired by Marcia and Tom Franklin, sent out more than 500 invitations and advertised in 11 newspapers and a local radio station.
Security was tight at the Officers Club on the Luke Air Force Base northwest of Phoenix, but the outreach group welcomed 49 first timers. Door prizes were awarded, tenor Micky McGee sang, then former bull-riding champion Terry Holland spoke about his relationship with Jesus Christ. When Terry invited those in attendance to begin a relationship with Jesus, 13 people prayed with him.
“We will follow up with each of them with a phone call, a letter, and an invitation to join a Bible study,” said Ray Schmidt, who serves on the steering committee with his wife, Lori, and 28 others.
The group holds outreach events at least twice a year and always meets for prayer on the Monday prior to the event.
PLANTING SEEDS IN AMERICA
Armenia—For more than a decade, Roger Benton, a Californian, has helped Armenians expand and strengthen their agriculture as they transition to a free-market economy. He taught Armenians how to successfully grow crops while he established an organization that helps people get good seed. But when Roger and his wife, Mary, moved to Armenia in 2003, they began planting seeds of another kind. Mary became a Friendship Bible Coffee Coordinator and started many Bible studies and trained Guides. She and Roger also oversaw the translation of three Stonecroft Stonecroft Bible Studies into the Armenian language—Examine the Evidence, Life’s New Beginning, and Mark.
Though the Bentons now reside in California, their hearts have been captured by the people of Armenia and they make frequent trips there. On a visit in October, they trained 17 more Guides for Stonecroft Bible Studies and they are excited about what God will do as the studies continue to multiply. And God has given Mary a dream to start the country’s first outreach group.
MY TWO WORLDS
Lincoln, Nebraska—Do you know what the Pakistan flag looks like? Do you know what its colors represent? The flag has a green background with a white vertical stripe down the left side. Inside the green lie a white crescent and star. According to Sylvana Airan, a Pakistani native who now lives in Nebraska, the green represents the Islamic faith while the white stripe represents any other religious minorities living in Pakistan.
Sylvana shared this and other facts about Pakistan as she recently presented the feature and spoke for four outreach groups in the Lincoln area. Her talk, titled “My Two Worlds,” educates people about life in Pakistan and what it’s like for a Christian to live there.
Despite bad weather on one of the days, over 100 women came to hear Sylvana speak that morning. The other three groups also had good numbers, including one that had about 20 first-time guests.
“Her presentation is so interesting,” said Stonecroft Regional Administrator Jerilyn Delzell. “It seemed that God anointed her as she spoke.” From Pakistan to the United States, God has called Sylvana to tell His message of salvation with those who need to hear. And Sylvana is being faithful to His call.
IN THIS TOGETHER
Stonecroft Live received this e-mail recently from a volunteer in Michigan regarding the assistance and guidance Stonecroft Ministries National Representative Paula Markas has offered the past several months. We offer it here as an example of the wonderful partnership between the 80 or so staff members and the 40,000 volunteers of Stonecroft Ministries.
North Oakland, Michigan—“I am so thankful that Stonecroft saw fit to send a National Representative our way. Paula Markas has been a huge shot in the arm to our group. We have had many changes recently and she has caused more ladies to view them as new opportunities full of potential. Her enthusiasm is contagious and her ideas are fresh. She has been an inspiration to us. Many of us are wearing several hats and have had difficulty enlisting additional women on the Planning Team. Paula is willing to go wherever is needed, see whoever needs to be contacted, and get us on track.
We are in a new location, with a new name. Paula has brought new women to our group and we are getting them plugged in. She has a knack to see where each woman can fit and the insight to approach them.
With warm regards,
Dianna Tracy
Chair
North Oakland, Michigan Women’s Connection
EAT AND MEET
Jackson, Missouri—Every Wednesday evening, twenty-six sixth-through- ninth graders attend the “Eat and Meet” program at a local church. At 5:15 pm, a fellowship meal is provided and is followed by small group Stonecroft Friendship Bible Coffee studies until 7:30 pm.
The sixth and seventh graders, who are team-guided by Jolie McCallister and Donna Brown, are currently studying Where is the Holy Spirit?. The eighth and ninth graders—team-guided by Debra Bradshaw and Sandy Hastings—are now studying Examine the Evidence.
Jolie first started using Stonecroft Bible Studies with the sixth and seventh graders at her church a couple of years ago as a result of a discipleship study in which they are encouraged to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She had a middle-school-age daughter and wanted to start her Bible study habit early.
When the original sixth and seventh grade students graduated to eighth and ninth grades, they were disappointed at being “ineligible” for the study groups using Stonecroft Friendship Bible Coffee studies. Enough kids were interested in continuing with the studies that Jolie had to recruit Debra and Sandy to guide additional studies with the eighth and ninth grade students.
RUNNING FROM GOD
Shelby Township, Michigan—Michael Harris ran from God, but God was there when he stopped running. Thursday, Michael told his story at the Stony Creek After 5 in Shelby Township, Michigan.
The event drew 94 women and 43 men. More than seventy percent were first-timers to a Stonecroft event. “This was just so thrilling,” said Bev Tunks, the Stonecroft Development Leaders in the area. “We’ve got a lot to really be praising the Lord for.”
Eleven people said they prayed with Michael when he gave an invitation to accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. One couple asked to be included in the next Friendship Bible Coffee.
The Stony Creek After 5 is a new outreach group which holds events every other month. However, Prayer Connections are held twice every month.
AWESOME AUTUMN ADVENTURE
Indiana—Stonecroft volunteer leaders in Indiana recently had the opportunity to come together for a leadership training event. To make it possible for more leaders to attend, the same program was followed on both Friday and Saturday.
The theme—Awesome Autumn Adventure—was cleverly incorporated into all parts of the program, from the “Leaf through a Good Book” book promotion to a prayer time titled “Fall on Your Knees.” Other highlights included hearing from Stonecroft CEO Geneva Vollrath and meeting the two Village Missions couples who minister in Indiana.
Volunteers serving as Representatives had a special training time, which Stonecroft National Representative Suzanne Weibel described as a time for them to share, laugh, and pray together. “It’s important for them to know they’re not out there on their own,” she said.
Between the two days, about 120 men and women came for the training. They went away knowing more about Stonecroft, their fellow volunteers, and their place in the ministry.
WASHINGTON MAKEOVER
Vancouver, Washington—Transitioning into society can be challenging after time spent living on the streets, in jail, or addicted to drugs or alcohol. The YWCA in Vancouver provides housing for people with these backgrounds. These women often need a jumpstart to begin living life normally again, but improving someone’s outlook on life includes outward and inward beauty.
Friendship Bible Coffee Coordinator Nadene Maier decided to take action. She and many others set up an “extreme makeover” day. After each woman received a free haircut and style from a local beauty school, makeup consultants gave free makeovers. Local restaurants even donated food, and a nearby church enthusiastically donated its facility for the 18 children of participants to watch Veggie Tales.
Women from the Vancouver WA Women’s Connection offered spiritual support to women who were facing court and custody hearings. Hearts were softened as many of the women prayed together.
All in all, about 70 women from the YWCA participated with several requesting Stonecroft Bible Studies.
Return to Stonecroft Live!
Posted on the morning of Thursday, November 10, 2005IN EVERY LOCATION
Georgetown, Texas—When their current meeting room was unavailable due to renovation, the Planning Team for the Women’s Connection here began praying about a new location. They found another meeting place downtown, but they still had concerns. Would people be willing to drive from the outskirts of town to attend?
The team decided they would continue and stepped out in faith to trust that God would provide a full house for their meeting—and He did! “There were plenty of first-timers attending,” explained Regional Representative Dorothy Jones, “including many women who work in the downtown area who were unable to attend in the past. It was such a great reminder of God’s faithfulness to answer prayer and the fact that His presence is in every location—no matter where it is!”
Return to Stonecroft Live!
Posted on the morning of Wednesday, November 9, 2005THE MULTIPLICATION OF ONE
McCook, Nebraska—Stonecroft Ministries is a far-reaching, world-wide organization, but it would not be able to function without the devoted individuals who make up the extensive volunteer base. One of those individuals is Dollie Stone, a woman who is excited about the ministry and what it offers.
Currently, Dollie is the Reservations Coordinator for the McCook Christian Women’s Club. However, she’ll admit that she more enjoyed her previous “job” of Prayer Coordinator. Dollie says she was sad when her time as Prayer Coordinator was complete and that “it helped me grow immensely in my walk with the Lord.” She also likes using Outpouring, the prayer tool sent out by Stonecroft that helps people pray for the ministry.
Dollie is also the Guide for a Stonecroft Bible study. The group, which has 15 women attending, is using the Stonecroft Friendship Bible Coffee Genesis. Dollie says she is interested in starting a second study, and would like to invite men to be involved in it.
If you were to focus in on any community where Stonecroft currently has some type of outreach, in each one you would be sure to discover devoted men and women like Dollie. They are how this ministry continues and how communities around the world are being impacted for Jesus Christ.
Return to Stonecroft Live!
Posted on the morning of Tuesday, November 8, 2005THE FOUNDATINO OF MY FAITH
Sylvania, Ohio—“I heard it all: ‘It’s too early.’ ‘It’s too late.’ ‘I don’t have time.’ It wasn’t that my friends didn’t want to study the Bible--it’s just that it was difficult to coordinate our schedules.”
When Elizabeth Aouad discovered Friendship Bible Studies, she initially thought they’d be good for someone else, but not her.
“At first, I asked myself why I would use Stonecroft Bible studies because they go back to square one. But I’ve learned that anytime you are in God’s Word, it is good for you,” Elizabeth said. “And then I caught onto the concept that the message of salvation is in every one of the studies.”
Elizabeth began inviting her friends to a study, but met with difficulty in finding a time that would work for everyone. Then, when she suggested a lunch time Bible study, everyone agreed to try. Some of the women involved had never studied the Bible. That was two years ago and even now, every Wednesday, the group of four to six women meet to eat, pray, and study the Bible together.
“For me, Stonecroft’s Bible studies are always good to remind me of the foundation of my faith and encourage me to keep serving Christ and help me see how God’s Word continues to transform peoples’ lives.”Return to Stonecroft Live!
Posted on the morning of Monday, November 7, 2005QUILT SHOP
Cedar Hill, Texas—Each Monday is special for the twelve women here as they study a Friendship Bible Coffee. One woman is a breast cancer survivor. Another is a divorcée; another, a nontraditional medical student with Multiple Sclerosis. The list goes on—each with her own unique story to tell.
Back in January, these 12 dynamically different women didn’t even know each other until they read a flyer announcing the start of a Bible study at a recently opened quilt shop and decided to check it out. Former Stonecroft outreach group Chair, Suzie Harris, had recently opened the shop with her husband Don. The group began studying the Friendship Bible Coffee titled Philippians—Share My Joy in Christ only 14 days after the quilt shop opened.
Now the group is studying James—The Christian Faith. God is knitting this group together as they make new discoveries with each lesson.Return to Stonecroft Live!
Posted on the morning of Friday, November 4, 2005ON FIRE FOR FBC'S
Alaska—Interest in Friendship Bible Coffee studies and Christmas Gatherings is sizzling as Stonecroft Regional Administrator Anita Bacon and Consulting Coordinator Doylanne Wade travel the state to present these outreach opportunities. In the past week, they received an enthusiastic response from 70 women attending a MOPs (Mother of Preschoolers) group. In the next week, they plan to visit a crisis pregnancy center to present the Bible studies, as well as contact MOPs groups and other pregnancy centers in Anchorage.
Indeed, Bible studies seem to be popping up all over in the forty-ninth state. A newly appointed Consulting Coordinator presented Stonecroft Bible Studies to 180 pastors and their families in October. Three immediately signed up to guide and host studies in their villages. Every Stonecroft outreach group in Alaska has at least two Bible studies going and four of them have more.
“We are praising the Lord for getting so many Guides and Hosts going,” Anita commented. “We are presenting Christmas Gatherings to all of Stonecroft’s Alaskan leaders and training them for this unique holiday outreach,” said Anita. “So far, three churches, both Planning Teams for our Fairbanks groups, and five individuals are planning to hold these gatherings. Our prayer is for 100!” Friendship Bible studies to be used as follow-up for these events are being planned for January.
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Posted on the morning of Thursday, November 2, 2005CHANGE IS A COMIN'
Clinton, North Carolina—In the town of Clinton, excitement is brewing. A group of energetic young women is geared up to host a Stonecroft on the Road* event there in January.
The opportunity to bring Stonecroft on the Road to Clinton started with Stonecroft Bible Studies—Stonecroft’s Bible study program. There are currently two Bible studies being held each week in the city and, between the two, there are 15-18 women who attend. Eager for ways to reach out to their friends and neighbors, the women were introduced to the idea of Stonecroft on the Road in October.
As the women were told about the outreach event, “they were literally leaning forward across the table,” said Paula Byrd, a Friendship Bible Coffee Consulting Coordinator. They immediately grasped the idea and started making plans. If all goes well at the event in January, there’s a good possibility that an ongoing outreach group will be established in Clinton.
Paula explained that this area “had been dead for a long, dry spell.” It looks like things are changing as God is working through these young women to bring His living water to those thirsting for it.
*A Stonecroft on the Road event is a special outreach held in an area that doesn’t currently have an established outreach group.Return to Stonecroft Live!
Posted on the morning of Wednesday, November 1, 2005EXTROARDINARY LIFE
Adams, New York—Fawn Sunderland prayed for a Bible study to start in Adams, her hometown. Soon after Sherrie Estal, a Stonecroft volunteer from Iowa, moved to Adams, Fawn’s prayers were answered. And so were the prayers of several others in this upstate New York town.
One woman, a pastor’s wife, was praying for an opportunity to meet her neighbors without being pushy. Her neighbor was invited to the Adams Bible study, and she invited the pastor’s wife. One woman was looking for a child or two for her son to play with. She was invited to the Bible study, and it included at least two other children in childcare. Another woman was searching for answers to some of the bigger questions in life. She attended the Friendship Bible Coffee, then a Women’s Connection luncheon. She heard the message of Jesus Christ, repented, and accepted Jesus as her Savior.
Fawn is the Friendship Bible Coffee Coordinator Designated for Followup for the Watertown Women’s Connection and a Stonecroft speaker.
The Bible study she guides includes 12 women and meets today.
“Ladies,” Fawn wrote. “I encourage you. If there is someone that you know who doesn’t know Christ . . . please invite her to lunch, or coffee, or for a walk. She will come, and her life will be different—it will be changed! You will forge new friendships. I am no one special—I have no overwhelming talent or good looks. I’m just an ordinary lady, and God is showing me an extraordinary life! It’s so wonderful to see God work and know that He is using me in ordinary ways.”
