A FRESH START
Brookings, Oregon—Consulting Coordinator Gale Lakey believed God was calling her to begin holding Stonecroft Bible Studies in prisons throughout Oregon and California. Although it required her to step out of her comfort zone, she was obedient. Now, in one prison where she is holding Bible studies, twelve women have already made decisions for Jesus Christ! Three women have rededicated their lives to Him as well.
A friend of Gale’s guides Stonecroft Bible Studies at a prison for men in California. “A number of men have come to know Jesus through studies he has guided,” said Gale. “Many of the inmates are asking him when the next one is! Some men have changed so much they have been transferred to prisons with a lower grade of security because of good behavior.”
Because of generous donors, Stonecroft is able to supply these studies at no cost to people who cannot afford them. Stonecroft provides hundreds of free Bible studies each year to pregnancy centers, nursing homes, battered women’s shelters, rehabilitation centers, homeless shelters, detention centers, jails, and prisons.
“These prisoners are so grateful for their fresh start,” said Gale. “Their transformation is a miracle right before our eyes!”
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AN ANSWERED PRAYER
Medical Lake, Washington—Have you ever felt discouraged in ministry? Inez Shaw can relate. Although she had been guiding a Stonecroft Bible Study at a drug and alcohol rehab center for women, she wondered if she was wasting her time and effort. The women didn’t seem to take the study seriously—not arriving until the study was halfway over or leaving before it was done. On the way to the study one Friday evening, Inez asked God to show her if she was to continue.
That evening, a young woman with a baby and a preschooler was sitting in the room where the study was held. When she asked Inez what was going on, Inez introduced herself and told her about the study. “Oh,” the young woman responded. “I don’t go to church. When I heard them announce Bible study, I told myself I just don’t need it.” But the preschool girl asked the young woman if they could stay for “church” and Inez told her she was welcome to stay and listen. So the woman stayed and took a New Testament. Although she did not participate in the discussion, she followed along as verses were read.
During the study, one of the women asked a question about sin. Inez explained that we are all born with sin, but that Jesus, God’s Son, came to earth, died on the cross, and rose again to redeem us from our sin. At that point, the young woman took the children and left the room. When she returned, she asked if she could speak to Inez after the study.
When she and Inez were alone, the young woman asked, “You know when you talked about us all having sin and that Jesus came to free us from that sin? Well, I left and called my dad and asked him if what you said was correct. He said it was.” This dad and mom had been praying that their daughter would give her life to Jesus. The young woman continued, “You know what? I prayed the prayer of salvation with my dad.”
She went on to explain how rotten her life had been and how she had taken advantage of her parents many times. Then she said, “I want to change my life, and I want someone I can count on.” Inez told her, “You now have Someone you can lean on and count on, if you truly give your life over to Him. Jesus will be there for you whenever you call on Him.” Inez gave her a New Testament and promised to give her materials on prayer.
“Can you believe how God works?” Inez concluded. “I had prayed that night asking God to show me if He wanted me to continue the study. He had this young woman in the room when I walked in. He had a four-year-old with her who wanted to stay. She stayed and a woman in the study asked just the right question. She prayed a prayer of salvation. Wow, God! You sure answered my prayer!”
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LEARNING FAITH
Christmas Valley, Oregon—Pat Abernathy and Sandi Ausland, both Stonecroft Development Leaders in Oregon, traveled late last month to two remote towns—one in Oregon and one in Idaho—to present Stonecroft on the Road events.
When they arrived in Christmas Valley, Oregon, there were no reservations except for the local women who planned the event and special guests. But when the event began, 44 women had arrived. This was the fourth Stonecroft on the Road event in the county. The women in the community sponsored the event, so it was offered free of charge.
By the end of the night, three women made decisions to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior.
“Women come from all over the county,” Pat said. “It was a thrill to stand and watch their excitement in just spending time with each other.”
Then it was on to St. Maries, Idaho, where Pat and Sandi were met with the news that there were no reservations made by any women not part of the planning team. But, learning faith from their experience in Christmas Valley, they waited patiently. By the time the outreach event began, 45 women had arrived. They enjoyed the program titled “Extreme Makeover” and Sandi told how Jesus had transformed her life. At least one women responded by beginning her relationship with Jesus that night.
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GOING THE DISTANCE
Monte Vista/Alamosa, Colorado—District Consulting Coordinator Pat Rowe and Stonecroft Regional Administrator Linda Roush spare no cost or time when equipping leaders.
At the beginning of November, Pat and Linda drove seven hours to the Monte Vista/Alamosa area in order to train, encourage, and motivate the local Stonecroft leaders. Fourteen women attended a “tool time” training session for the Planning and Leadership Teams.
The women also reviewed recent updates from Stonecroft Ministries. All fourteen women responded with enthusiasm and appreciation for what has been done and what will be done in the future.
Pat states, “I want to help these women as much as possible.” Because of this meeting, Pat is now working directly with eight Coordinators in the area.
Pray that she will be able to effectively equip and encourage these women to share the love the Jesus Christ.
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Happy Thanksgiving from the Stonecroft staff. Stonecroft Live! will return with daily stories about what God is doing through Stonecroft Ministries on Monday, November 27.
FROM KANSAS CITY TO KATHMANDU
Kathmandu, Nepal—To introduce the Gospel to the children in his newly established orphanage, Pastor Tej Bahadur Rokka uses the Stonecroft Bible Study Who is Jesus?
A native of this Himalayan country, Pastor Tej, his wife, and two volunteers
care for 35 children in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.
“We are teaching them in English,” Pastor Tej said during his recent visit to Stonecroft Headquarters in Kansas City, MO. “For the adults, we use a translator. We need to have these materials translated into Nepalese.”
Pastor Tej now serves as a Stonecroft Bible Studies Coordinator. He has used training videos to appoint two Guides. One helps him in the orphanage; another guides a group of women in weekly Bible study.
Pastor Tej, born into a Hindu family, was raised in an orphanage operated by a Christian man. Like many of the boys at the orphanage, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and now pastors a church. He started the church 10 years ago with four people, but has baptized more than 200 people since.
“The recent changes in our government seem to point toward more open doors to share the Gospel,” he said. “Please pray for peace in Nepal and continued growth of the church.”
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GOING FOR THE GOAL
Thousand Oaks, California—Statistics tell us that 87% of Americans have no goals. A mere 10% have goals that they think about. Only 3% have goals written down. But that 3% who have written goals accomplish 50 to 100 times more than the 10% who only think about their goals.
It’s good to have goals. It’s better to write them down. But it’s best to pray about them! That’s what Jan Patrizio, Regional Representative, and other Stonecroft leaders in the Thousand Oaks area have discovered.
Three years ago, attendance at their Women’s Connection was running about 50. After attending a Stonecroft leadership conference, the Leadership Team women decided to trust God and set a goal for attendance. The Prayer Coordinator suggested that they pray for 150 women. “That seemed like an awfully big number,” Jan said, “but that’s what we decided to ask God for.”
The Regional Representative, Area Representative, and Leadership Team begin meeting for prayer every week, spending a couple of hours with God. Those times of prayer have continued for the past three years—and God is answering. “Just last month, we had 120 in attendance at our outreach meeting,” Jan reported. “As we are getting united in purpose, God is honoring the desire of our hearts. Now we see that number that looked so big really is possible.”
The group also has ten active Stonecroft Bible Studies in their area. “Younger women are getting very excited about the studies and they tell their friends!” Jan said. “Our goal as an area is to get enough Bible studies going that we have a foundation for a couples’ group. We are really focusing on getting back to our roots and the heartbeat of [Stonecroft Ministries founder] Helen Duff Baugh: a desire to impact women with the knowledge of Jesus Christ.”
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KNOWING GOD IN NEVADA
Carson City, Nevada—Consulting Coordinator Laurie Oswald is excited about seeing growth in the lives of men and women as they study God’s Word through Stonecroft Bible Studies.
Currently, Laurie is guiding a one-on-one study in Reno with a new believer, hoping to disciple this new Christian into a closer walk with the Lord. The Planning Team of the Carson City Nevada Capitol Women’s Connection is currently studying Knowing God’s Will together.
Four years ago, Dennis Nerstad started a study group in the Lake Tahoe area of Verdi, Nevada, with men who prayed to receive Jesus Christ at an outreach group guest night. Today this group has grown to a study of 11-15 men. Dennis, who is now a Stonecroft Bible Studies Coordinator, would like to see couples’ studies flourish in the area too.
Seeing God at work in lives encourages Laurie to seek opportunities to to meet new people. “I want to rub shoulders with individuals to invite them to studies,” she says.
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"SHEAR" JOY
Fayetteville, North Carolina—It all started with a prayer said on the way to a hair appointment. Lynne O’Quinn, suddenly overcome with a burden for the women at the hair salon, prayed, “Lord, if You’ll send me the women, I’ll teach them Your Word.” She especially asked God to help her reach those who were lonely, needy, depressed, and abused.
When Lynne walked in the door, the salon owner came running up to her. She told Lynne that she had a great idea—she wanted to open up part of her salon for a Bible study! She asked Lynne if she would help. “Women want me to make them beautiful,” the salon owner said. “But many times the smile doesn’t reach their eyes. They need to be beautiful inside, too.”
Of course, Lynne readily agreed to the idea. A group of women, ranging in age from their early twenties to their seventies, now meet every Tuesday evening. They have already finished the Stonecroft Bible Study Who is Jesus? and have started What is God Like?
Many of the women in the study have experienced deep pain in their lives. “God has brought every kind of woman I asked for,” Lynne remarks. Yet despite their hurt—and perhaps because of it—a special bond has formed between them. And it all started with a prayer said on the way to a hair appointment!
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LITTLE SWITZERLAND, GREAT GOD
Decorah, Iowa—This small northeastern Iowa community, in the heart of Little Switzerland country, experienced the work of a great God at the latest Stonecroft Couples outreach.
The Planning Team received just 38 reservations for the November 4 event. Chuck Stophel, who serves with his wife Sara as National Directors of Stonecroft Couples, made his way through the vast cornfields and pastures to serve as the guest speaker.
The group, led by Chaircouple Stan and Elaine Fuchs, met in a local church fellowship hall. After a feature presentation by the local owners of Basketcases, Chuck spoke about the heart transplant he has experienced physically and spiritually.
This small gathering, which showed a surprising diversity of ages and backgrounds, was very responsive to the gospel presentation. Ten people indicated in writing they accepted Jesus Christ as their eternal Savior that night.
“Though I was skeptical of the potential results, Decorah proved to be a wonderful model of how to bring the lost to an event and allow Christ to touch their hearts,” Chuck said. “These folks are doing it right!”
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SMALL BUT MIGHTY
Yucaipa, California—Stonecroft Life Publications booklets are small in size, but they contain the mighty power of the Word of God. Recently, David wrote about how God used Stonecroft Life Publication booklets while he was visiting 6,000 miles from home.
Three years ago, David made a hurried trip to England to see his father one last time. He had the opportunity to pray the sinner’s prayer with his father, who died just six hours later. “Through this circumstance and the subsequent funeral, I had a wonderful opportunity to witness to Jenny, the funeral director, of God’s love for us and the promises of heaven as revealed in the Bible,” David wrote. “At the reception following the funeral, I asked Jenny if I could give her a little booklet talking about what we had discussed. She said yes, so I gave her one of Stonecroft’s booklets. She left to return to work and phoned me less than one hour later. Jenny had called to tell me that she had gone back to her office, sat down and read the booklet, prayed the prayer of salvation, signed her name and dated it! Then she asked me for another booklet for her mother! God is so good.”
In October, David returned to England again to celebrate his mother’s 90th birthday. He took several booklets along to give to family and friends. “I was given the opportunity to speak one-on-one with several family members and gave out five booklets,” he recalls. “I also gave two more to Jenny, the funeral director, for her husband and a friend. My niece was also very open to what I had to share. I gave her a booklet after our discussion and asked her to e-mail me after reading it.”
After his return to the States, David received this wonderful e-mail from his niece. “I have read your little booklet several times and must say, what a lot of questions answered in such a tiny book!” she told him. “It is so easy to read and understand and I felt it was kind of like a ‘first step’ to Jesus book. I have signed and dated it and now keep it in my handbag. If I feel a bit confused, as I have only really just started going to church, I read it again! It's quite exciting really as I feel like a different person and think more about my actions and words, I feel like I am just starting a very exciting trail.”
David concluded with these words of encouragement, “I just wanted to share this with you and let you know that your work and resources are seeing fruit produced around the world!”
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CANADA CELEBRATES
Toronto, Ontario—Praise God that Stonecroft Canada celebrated its 40th anniversary last month! To mark the occasion, more than 285 women attended a high tea at the historic Old Mill Inn in Toronto.
Gladys Harding, who served as the Canadian National Chairman for more than 30 years, spoke about God’s faithfulness through the years. Geneva Vollrath, Stonecroft Ministries CEO, joined the celebration and offered her congratulations.
The Executive Director of Stonecroft Canada, Lorraine Myrholm, closed the event by handing each woman a tea bag. She challenged the crowd to invite their neighbors who did not know Christ over for tea, and wait and see what God would do.
The first two Canadian outreach groups were started simultaneously in Toronto in 1966. From there, they spread rapidly throughout Canada, and are still growing today. Currently, there are 145 outreach groups in Canada, as well as many Stonecroft Bible Studies.
Stonecroft Canada plans to share the hope of Jesus Christ with even more women in the future. “The ministry wants to make Stonecroft as relevant for the women in the emerging generations as it has been for women during the last 40 years,” commented Lorraine.
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CHRISTMAS IN OCTOBER
Aberdeen, Washington—On October 15, Christmas morning dawned in the home of Brenda Peterson, Chair of the Aberdeen-Hoquiam Washington Christian Women’s Club. Christmas decorations were hung with care in hopes that women would be inspired there.
Why had Christmas arrived so early? Brenda and her friend, Mary Jo, were holding a mock Christmas Gathering to introduce other women to this unique evangelistic outreach. A Christmas Gathering is held in a home and features delicious treats and an opportunity for guests to get to know each other and share their family’s Christmas traditions. Then a guest speaker shares a brief inspirational talk which presents the Gospel. At the event, guests are also invited to participate in Stonecroft Bible Studies.
Impact ‘06 ignited Brenda’s desire to reach her neighbors with the love and grace of Jesus Christ. After praying for a contact person in the Ocean Shores area, Brenda soon met Mary Jo, a go-getter who shared her desire to reach others for Christ. Brenda and Mary Jo put their heads together and soon organized this mock Christmas Gathering.*
Brenda designed and handmade each invitation that was delivered to 45 women from the surrounding towns, including Brenda’s own neighbors. Twenty-six women attended, with six indicating a desire to become Stonecroft Bible Study Guides. The time spent together not only presented the concept and effectiveness of Christmas Gatherings, but also was used as a training time.
Brenda and Mary Jo are each planning to have a Christmas Gathering this year. Brenda will invite her neighbors, while Mary Jo will have a gathering in a nursing home in Ocean Shore.
Brenda excitedly explains, “Stonecroft has opened the door with more opportunities to reach the women in our area.”
* A Christmas Gatherings Manual is available to purchase through the Stonecroft Resource Center. For more information, please contact Stonecroft Ministries at (800) 525-8627.
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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS
Wallace, Nebraska—Excitement crackles over the phone as Evelyn McGregor, a Stonecroft Regional Representative, talks about the Wallace Christian Women’s Club 25th anniversary celebration. It’s amazing to think about—this tiny town of a little more than 300 people supporting a Christian Women’s Club for 25 years!
The energy-packed evening saw an attendance of 118 people, 50 of whom were first-time guests. This was largely due to the participation of local students in both the feature and the music. For the feature—a fashion show—young women from the high school modeled the creations of Martha Fellure, a clothing designer. The high school choir provided the musical entertainment for the evening. Evelyn was thrilled that the local newspaper wrote an article about the event and a nearby television station sent a crew so that the event could be mentioned in the news that night.
Martha Fellure was also the speaker for the evening. As she spoke, she clearly explained to the audience how they could have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The biggest highlight, of course, was that eleven people decided to accept that invitation!
Evelyn explains that it hasn’t always been easy to keep the Christian Women’s Club going over all these years. However, God has been faithful to help them through the hard times. It’s our sincere hope that the Wallace group continues on, reaching that community with the Gospel of Jesus Christ until it’s time to celebrate another 25 years!
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A NEW ENTHUSIASM
Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin—Over 100 women gathered this past weekend in Wisconsin Rapids for an inspiring time of worship, prayer, training, and brainstorming. Many of the comments from this Capture the Moment event focused on a fresh passion for sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The women were asked, “What will you be taking home as a result of being here?”
Here are a few of their answers:
- “A new enthusiasm and energy to reach others for Christ”
- “I’ve been encouraged, motivated, and inspired to keep on keeping on reaching those who need Jesus”
- “More urgency to reach the lost”
- “A fire in my bones”
- “A desire to reach more for the Lord…especially young moms”
- “Motivation to spread the Word”
- “A stronger desire to...see souls saved”
- “Excitement about…showing more love and understanding because that will draw more people to Christ”
- “To be more fervent about witnessing”
- “Renewed excitement and the message that the lost are the ones that Jesus misses the most”
- These women have experienced the hope and peace that Jesus Christ offers, and they are ready to share it with the world. If you would like to learn more about how He can transform your life, visit "A New Beginning!"
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A GRAND FINALE
Whispering Pines, North Carolina—Last weekend, the final 2006 Capture the Moment events were held in North Carolina and Wisconsin. With 16 events in a 10-week time span, it has been a grueling schedule for those on the traveling Capture teams. But, these team members have also been rejoicing in what they have seen God do.
This fall, the Special Events Department chose 2 Chronicles 29:36 as their theme verse for the Capture events: “. . . All the people were very happy because of what God had accomplished so quickly” (TLB). “Even though each event was only 24 hours long, God has really done some fantastic things,” commented Bev Anderson, Special Events Manager.
Bev had the privilege of helping lead the Capture event in Whispering Pines. With 152 women in attendance, the excitement level was high.
Once again, the living results of changed lives touched the hearts of those present. Lisa shared her story of living in deep depression. But, a persistent friend kept inviting her to attend a Stonecroft Bible Study. Today, Lisa is the Vice Chair of an outreach group, sharing the hope of Jesus with others.
The corporate and individual times of prayer were also deeply meaningful. Before praying for those who needed salvation, the group was brought to tears by a visual representation of the state of those without Jesus—blind, deaf, shackled, and shrouded in death.
This event had been covered and surrounded by prayer for many months. God answered those prayers abundantly. At the conclusion, Stonecroft Regional Administrator Joyce Wagstaff stated, “I feel like fires have been ignited across the state.”share your story here!
SERVING THOSE WHO PROTECT AND SERVE
Randburg, South Africa—Police officers routinely are called upon to comfort and offer solace to victims of crime.
When a member of the Randburg Lunch Hour invited law enforcement officers to lunch recently, nine policewomen accepted. As speaker Denise Rogers shared her personal story, she told about her parents being murdered just two years earlier. Denise also spoke about the change that Jesus Christ has made in her life and explained God’s offer of salvation. She then presented each woman there an opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as Savior.
Five of the officers gave their lives to Christ that day and several expressed interest in joining a prayer group. When Jill Last, the Prayer Coordinator, and Denise visited the local police station to begin the prayer group, a dozen policewomen were waiting. Three of those officers were led to Christ during the prayer meeting. They have continued to met regularly
Around the world, wherever Stonecroft volunteers are organizing outreach events, holding prayer meetings, and telling the Good News of Jesus Christ, the lives of those around them are challenged and changed forever.
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PASSING THE BATON
Denver, Colorado —Impact Colorado ’06, an annual 24-hour event, was held in Denver on October 27-28. This year the focus was on mentoring and the importance of passing the baton of leadership. The group of about 80 women benefited greatly by the material presented.
Stonecroft Bible Studies Coordinator MeLissa Houdmann presented three sessions on the importance of mentoring and how to minister to unreached and younger women. In addition, workshops provided training and encouragement for specific leadership positions.
Other Stonecroft leaders from the state of Colorado shared from their hearts, including Stonecroft Regional Administrator Jan Fugler, who related how God worked through her recent bout with cancer.
An auction was held that not only assisted in defraying the expenses of the event, but also added fun and excitement their time together. The group was entertained by local singing sensation Sandra Thiessen.
The event was a success all around. MeLissa explains, “I trust that the ladies who attended the event were inspired to impact those around them. We have the tools that we need—Stonecroft has given us amazing resources designed for us to come alongside another woman and impact her for Jesus Christ!"
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STONECROFT HEART AWARD HONOREE
Kansas City, Missouri —Prior to IMPACT ’06 (April 24-26), the Stonecroft Ministries board and staff asked volunteers to send in nominations for a “Stonecroft Heart Award” recipient—someone who exemplifies the heart of Stonecroft. Because so many good nominations were received, it was decided that in addition to the Heart Award recipient, there would be twelve other honorees. Every month, we feature one of these honorees on Stonecroft Live.
This month it is our privilege to honor Audrey Liudahl, a long-time Stonecroft volunteer in Bismarck, North Dakota. Audrey has served as a Stonecroft Bible Study Guide, a Chair, Area Representative, and a speaker.
A friend who nominated Audrey listed numerous ways that Audrey has served God through Stonecroft Ministries, her church, and community activities. Her friend also said this, “In knowing Audrey, I have found her to have the qualities which make her a good leader, faithful to the Lord, and faithful to the work God has called her to do.”
Although Audrey could not attend the IMPACT ’06 event, she sent a letter stating her appreciation for being chosen as an honoree. In it, she wrote, “When my husband died 30 years ago, I asked God, ‘What are You going to do with me?’ His answer was, ‘I want you to be who you are with those around you and represent Me.’ When God opened the doors through Stonecroft Ministries, it was exciting and challenging. I am grateful to God for Stonecroft Ministries and the opportunities given me to do the things I really enjoy. Thank you for the recognition. It’s good sometimes to stop and realize that what we do is important.”
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SISTERS IN CHRIST
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania—“Every adjective I’ve ever heard about a Capture the Moment turned out to be true,” commented Stonecroft Regional Representative Pat Dunbar about the recent event held in Pittsburgh. “It was a positive, uplifting, and informative experience. It was also good for us to catch Stonecroft’s vision.”
The highlight for Pat was hearing the testimonies of women whose lives have been transformed by God through Stonecroft. “I loved hearing how they have found fulfillment through Jesus, and how Stonecroft gives them the opportunity to serve the Lord,” said Pat.
Pat was thrilled that one of the women giving her testimony was a long-time friend. “She had been watching my family for 20 years,” said Pat. “She once asked what I did that caused my children to turn out so well. I prayed with her and invited her to numerous Stonecroft outreach events and Christmas Gatherings. I followed up by giving her Stonecroft Life Publications, which share the message of salvation. Finally, she accepted Jesus as her Savior on her own, using a Life Publications booklet. It took a combination of Stonecroft tools. Now, she is up there giving her testimony to encourage others. After she shared her testimony, we were able to tell her to look out at the 115 women who were there and say, ‘These are all your new sisters in Christ!’”
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LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER
Richmond, Virginia—One of the wonderful benefits of attending a Capture the Moment event is the opportunity to learn from others who are serving in ministry and facing the same challenges and struggles. Hearing their wisdom and insight can be invaluable.
That was part of the take-home value of the Richmond event for LuAnn Davis, who has been serving as a Stonecroft Regional Administrator for just one year. “I’m new in this role,” LuAnn said, “so I’m definitely in the learning mode. I was really encouraged to hear the vision and leadership of another Regional Administrator, Elsie Melton. Elsie shared many examples of facing situations that seemed impossible. In each one, her response was ‘Let’s ask God what He wants.’ When we approach God in that way, He not only shows us what He wants us to do, but He opens doors and answers in abundance. That was such an encouragement to me—to be unwavering in trust and commitment.”
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