MYSTERY DINNER
Tulsa, Oklahoma—Guests were met with a crime scene right out of a popular television show: a bedroom closet, messed up clothes strewn about, a gun, and the body all cordoned off with crime tape.
Guests of the Stonecroft Couples of Tulsa gathered around and read the few clues present. The conversations buzzed with theories.
The outreach dinner honored local law enforcement officers and their spouses. Following dinner, Judge Ken Johnson, from Indianapolis, Indiana, told of how God’s grace saved his soul and his marriage.
“Our eyes teared from laughter, and our hearts softened as his life story mirrored some of those in attendance,” said Sara Stophel, National Stonecroft Couples Director.
In the end, the crime was solved and couples of all ages had shared in fun, prizes, and fellowship. But most importantly, eight people were changed forever as they gave their lives Jesus Christ. Twenty others indicated interest in Bible studies or in learning more about God.
“What a precious gift Stonecroft is,” Sara said. “An evangelism tool that reaches to the ends of the earth!”
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CHRISTMAS IN THE VALLEY
Christmas Valley, Oregon—It felt like Christmas last Tuesday evening at the Christmas Valley Stonecroft on the Road event. The theme for the event was an “Extreme Home Makeover” with Stonecroft Development Leader Pat Abernathy and a local woman presenting the ins and outs of faux painting. Stonecroft Development Leader Sandi Ausland shared how having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ has given her purpose and changed her life from the inside out. Two women and a 12-year-old girl made decisions for Christ that evening.
Anna Tracy, Chair of the Prineville Oregon Women’s Connection, and her friend Dixie Gilmore attended the event intending only to lend a helping hand. However, God had other ideas! They also received the names of three women to contact from the Prineville area. They are excited about following up with these women and encouraging them to be involved in Stonecroft Ministries.
“The next morning, we met a woman in a local restaurant who was not able to make it to the event,” Anna recalls. “She wants us to be sure and contact her when we do another Stonecroft on the Road in her area. Who knows how many seeds were planted from that conversation! The blessings from our Father are too great to count!”
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KEEPERS OF THE LIGHT
Grand Rapids, Michigan—Isaiah 42:16 says that God will “turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth.” In the lives of many people today, God is doing that through the outreaches of Stonecroft Ministries. And He is using Meryl Bishop, Stonecroft’s National Prayer Director, to remind people that they are a light in the darkness.
Linda Wood, a Stonecroft Prayer Consultant in Grand Rapids, told about a recent Keeping Watch event conducted by Meryl. She said it was a beautiful time with lots of encouragement for everyone who attended.
One of the tools Meryl uses for a Keeping Watch is a video about lighthouse keepers. “The lessons learned from the lighthouse illustration will help us be more effective in reaching others for Christ,” shared Linda. “Meryl related ways for us to step out of our comfort zone to keep our lives bright and shining for others to see Jesus.
“She taught us through many of her own life experiences, and we discussed ideas and vision [about the prayer ministry]. We were made aware of our need to be ready for the storms of life that lie ahead.”
Linda related that it meant a lot to them to have Meryl visit their area. “It’s just great to know someone cares,” she said.
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REACHING OUT IN FRANCE
Lyon, France— As a former staff member of Campus Crusade in France, American Dorothy Johnson and many others are striving to make Jesus famous in France. They “desire to reach the heart of [the French] woman right where she is.”
Dorothy has served as the Chair for the Lyon Christian Women’s Club. While French Stonecroft outreach groups face unique challenges and are not as numerous as in the past, Dorothy is confident that God is at work in this country where few are knowledgeable about Christianity and most have never seriously looked at what the Bible says about Jesus.
Stonecroft Bible Studies are still taking place in this spiritually dry country. Dorothy is encouraged as people continue to come to know Jesus Christ personally through the Bible studies and looks forward to what lies ahead.
“I’m impressed by the healthy direction Stonecroft has now taken—I just can’t help but get excited,” Dorothy states. “I definitely sense Stonecroft’s new emphasis on training, developing relationships, and reaching out in a relevant way.”
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HEART TO HEART
Colorado Springs, Colorado—Although the Colorado Springs Couples Club meets only twice a year, they made the most of their fall event with a “Heart to Heart” theme. Of the 88 people in attendance, 25 were first-timers.
Heartwarming music was presented by the Luke-Ham-Sandwich Family Band. The Lukasiewicz family (whose funny nickname is easier to pronounce) has eight children, ages 5-17, who play the fiddle. Since 2003, they have traveled across the U.S. and Mexico and last year, they won the “Battle of the Bluegrass Bands” competition. Their lively playing and singing set a great tone for the evening.
Chuck and Sara Stophel, National Directors for Stonecroft Couples, were the speakers for the evening. Both could speak to physical and spiritual heart issues, since Sara underwent open-heart surgery at the age of seven and Chuck has received a heart transplant. Their humor, joy, and clear presentation of what God has done in their lives touched many hearts.
Three men asked Chuck for booklets that present the plan of salvation and one man stated he had prayed to receive Christ. Five couples expressed interest in Stonecroft Bible Studies and two volunteered to help on the Steering Committee.
“We appreciated the lightheartedness and clear scriptural presentation,” one attending couple commented. “It was an evening of wholesome fun!”
The group is looking forward to their next event to be held in the spring—a rodeo-themed dinner that will be held at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. Professional bull rider Terry Holland will be the speaker.
Find out more about Stonecroft Couples.
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MOM TIME
Kailua, Hawaii—To serve and support the moms in this eastern Oahu community, the Kailua Community Church launched Mom Time. Once a week moms are invited to aerobics, Bible study, and prayer.
Today, the group meets for their fourth session. After an hour of exercise, the women have a time of cool-down, then gather together for Examine the Evidence, a Stonecroft Bible Study.
“The Stonecroft material is so good for us,” said Becky Schultz, the Guide of the study. “These women don’t have a lot of time in their lives and it gets right to the heart of it. And for us who guide, it is so easy to follow and it doesn’t require us to be biblical scholars.”
Following the study, the women pray together.
The group offers free child care—and with one mom arriving with six children, two arriving with four each, plus the other moms and kids, it’s quite a challenge. (“Pray for us,” said Becky.)
Since beginning the ministry last month, the group has grown every week. Last Tuesday, 12 women participated and today they expect even more.
As the group grows, Becky is encouraging the women to begin to invite their neighbors and friends. Nearby is a Marine Corps and Navy base. “There are a lot of young families there. The wives on the base can be very lonely and at a crossroads in their lives. It’s a real opportunity for us to be here.”
Becky, married to a career Navy man herself, knows that her time on Oahu could be short, is working to train additional Guides.
LEARNING MORE
Springview, Nebraska—Deep in the heart of ranch country, God is busy at work using Stonecroft Bible Studies Coordinator Cristy Ludemann to reach her community for Jesus Christ.
While Springview’s population is slightly over 200, there are many who do not know Christ personally. Recently in a study of Where is the Holy Spirit? Cristy had the opportunity to lead a woman to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
In the same study, a woman new to Bible study is bubbling over with excitement as she learns more about the Holy Spirit and how He relates to our lives personally. She has never studied so much scripture about the Holy Spirit and is motivated to delve into another Stonecroft Bible Study as soon as she can.
Cristy states that their times together studying the Bible is “a wonderful time in the Lord.”
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LIFE CHANGED THROUGH STONECROFT
Fountain Hills, Arizona—Ask Michele Hasley what Stonecroft means to her and you’ll be greatly inspired. Although Michele found out about Stonecroft a couple years ago, she just got more involved in the last several months.
Taking part in Stonecroft activities “has taken me to a deeper and more intimate level with the Lord,” says Michele. “I was raised in the church, but this has brought me back to the Lord.”
“I first attended the fall auction last year. After that, I attended a Prayer Connection, and then a Stonecroft Bible Study,” Michele explains. She now helps the Fountain Hills-Rio Verde Women’s Connection with their publicity and a variety of other projects.
Michele especially loves the Bible studies, and can’t say enough about them. “The group of women who participate nurture each other through different challenges,” she says. “Stonecroft has brought so many wonderful women into my life!”
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OPEN DOORS (CREW PART 2)
Charlotte, North Carolina—The Christian Real Estate Women of Greater Charlotte (CREW), a group of women who are reaching people for Christ in the workplace, started out as a small prayer group. Soon, they began to hold Stonecroft Bible Studies in their offices.
Several months after they held their first Stonecroft Bible Study, God prompted them to begin hosting luncheons to reach other real estate offices in their community.
The first luncheon was a huge success. Several different real estate companies were represented. From that luncheon, six Stonecroft Bible Studies began over the next few years.
Five annual CREW luncheons have been held so far. Each year the numbers grow and more women are starting Stonecroft Bible Studies in their offices. Women from a nearby county are now asking how they can begin Bible studies.
In the last six years, six real estate offices have been involved with CREW and 38 Stonecroft Bible Studies have been held.
“I never dreamed this could happen”, said Stonecroft District Consulting Coordinator Joyce Chadwick. “I could never have done it. It is all God’s work.”
God had amazing plans for this small group of women who faithfully prayed and trusted Him. They are asking God for even greater things in the near future!
If you are passionate about reaching your workplace for Christ, pray and ask God for direction. “If there are other offices throughout the nation interested in starting an event, God will open every door for you, too,” said CREW’s co-founder Carol Kamm.
Learn more about Stonecroft Bible Studies on our Resources section.
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CREW (PART 1 OF 2)
Charlotte, North Carolina—“God does work in mysterious ways when we step out of our comfort zones,” said Carol Kamm, Charlotte real estate agent and co-founder of the Christian Real Estate Women of Greater Charlotte (CREW). “I can testify to God’s work.”
In 1999, Carol and two of her co-workers at a real estate office decided to meet weekly for prayer. They began praying for their families, health, and finances. Eventually, they believed God wanted them to branch out to pray for their co-workers and for opportunities to share their faith in Jesus Christ.
One morning, one of the women in the group shared that she was struggling financially. It had been a slow month in sales and she could barely pay her bills. The group asked God for a miracle. Later that day, God provided an unexpected referral check! God not only answered their prayer—He answered it that day.
Soon after that, a co-worker asked, “Why don’t we start a Bible study in our office? I could really use it.” The group was thrilled about the idea, but the task seemed intimidating. How would they begin? What Bible study would work for such a diverse office? Would anyone come? Would their manager even allow it?
After much prayer, the group heard about Stonecroft Bible Studies. They contacted their area representative for training.
The office manager was fine with the group holding a Stonecroft Bible Study for the office, but she recommended that they invite people personally, rather than with flyers. The personal attention worked! More than 15 people came to the first Bible Study. Several of the attendees had not been in church in years. The group eagerly dove into God’s Word.
Since that first Stonecroft Bible Study almost 7 years ago, the group has completed 10 studies. The women have developed a relationship with one another, and with their Savior, Jesus Christ.
Part 2 of CREW, reporting on how God is expanding CREW, will be posted Thursday.
Learn more about Stonecroft Bible Studies on our Resources section.
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BEAUTIFUL VIEW
Buena Vista, Colorado—Stonecroft Ministries is committed to training and equipping its volunteer leadership. In the shadows of Mt. Princeton recently, a full-day event drew about 50 women together for conversation, idea-sharing, and training.
Stonecroft leaders met, including Coordinators, Guides, Hostesses, and anyone else who was interested, to discuss ways to draw younger women into Stonecroft Bible Studies.
MeLissa Houdmann, a Bible Studies Coordinator, offered introductory training for Christmas Gatherings, which are Stonecroft holiday outreach events. Last year, women who attended a Christmas Gathering in the area began a Stonecroft Bible Study. Because of their interest, the group is ready to launch a second Bible Study.
“We also discussed the new brochures that are available, holding get acquainted parties, and how to handle different situations in a study group,” MeLissa said.
The afternoon brought together planning teams from the area. Dialog focused on integrating Stonecroft Bible Studies into outreach groups and inviting more women to outreach eventsshare your story here!
LIFETIME COMMITMENT
Summerville, Pennsylvania—Village Missionaries Larry and Donna Dahlborg are firm believers in using Stonecroft Bible Studies as evangelistic tools.
Scott* and Brenda* had lived together for one year, had a son together, and wanted to get married. They asked Larry to perform their marriage ceremony. Larry consented on one condition—that he and Donna go through the Stonecroft Bible study of Christ in the Home with the couple.
During Lesson 3, they read together the Would You Believe It? booklet. Brenda prayed that night to receive Christ. Scott had accepted Christ in childhood and wholeheartedly recommitted his life to Christ.
Afterwards Brenda said, “I feel like a new person!”
Larry said, “You are!”
*Names have been changed.
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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.
The Stonecroft Heart Award Honoree for November is Lois Nyhuis, a long-time
Stonecroft volunteer from Wisconsin. In the words of one nominee, “Lois
has been doing this unannounced, unheralded work of the Lord for well
over 35 years.” Lois is currently a Regional Representative.
As with all of the Heart Award honorees, those who nominated Lois could not say enough. One mentioned a number of ways that Lois serves: finding people to fill empty Planning Team positions, supplying gifts for door prizes and first-time guests at outreach meetings, always looking for ways to witness, speaking words of encouragement, and hosting speakers in her home.
Another friend said that her outreach group would not be in existence without Lois’s heartwarming dedication to the Lord. She went on to say, “Lois is NEVER too busy to lend a helping hand. She opens her home to all at a moment’s notice and travels extensively speaking for Stonecroft. I have never heard her say an unkind word about anyone.
“I came to know Jesus as my personal friend and Savior all because Lois cared enough to go out of her way for a stranger. She invited me to a Stonecroft dinner over 12 years ago and I was saved. I am a dear friend and sister in Christ only through Lois’s ‘outreach to the unreached within reach.’ ”
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REMEMBERING LUCILLE SOLLENBERGER
On Thursday, October 5, at the age of 91, Lucille Sollenberger went to be with the Lord she loved and served so faithfully. She has been a beloved part of the Stonecroft Ministries family since 1956.
SMALL WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY
Roseburg, Oregon—One of the best things about Capture the Moment events is connecting with others and hearing how God is working! At the latest Capture, held last weekend in Roseburg, Stonecroft Prayer Development Coordinator Sandy Warnock had the privilege of chatting with Virginia Elliott, the Chair of the Clatskanie Women’s Connection. Virginia shared an inspiring story that Sandy will never forget.
Virginia’s husband’s uncle, Harley, had been a fisherman since he was young. Fishing and drinking were his whole life. His heart grew hard over the years, and he wanted nothing to do with God.
After Harley’s wife passed away, he was diagnosed with diabetes. With her not there to help him monitor his health, his blood sugar levels skyrocketed. Eventually, his kidneys were severely damaged. Harley found himself in such poor health that he had to be moved into a care center. He was forced to go on dialysis. After he was hospitalized from a fall, he refused to go back to the care center. Virginia finally convinced him to move in with her. As long as he underwent dialysis, he was fine, but he decided to quit. “It’s better to die than to live like this,” Harley said.
Around this time, Virginia decided to attend Stonecroft’s Impact ’06 event in Kansas City, Missouri. “They had a time where we wrote the names of our unsaved loved ones on a banner on the wall,” said Virginia. “I wrote Harley’s name up there, and our whole table prayed for him. We knew he didn’t have long.”
After Impact, Virginia’s brother-in-law picked her up from the airport, and the first thing she heard was, “Uncle Harley got saved while you were gone!”
Their pastor had visited Harley and explained that if he accepted Jesus as his Savior, he could spend eternity in heaven with God. The pastor asked Harley if he wanted to pray. Harley said yes and invited Jesus into his life.
A couple of days later, their pastor came back to check on Harley, but his mind was completely gone. A week later, Harley passed away.
“This made me realize how important prayer really is,” said Virginia. “Our prayers are so powerful. I know that is why Harley accepted Jesus. We had such a small window of opportunity.”
Because Virginia seized that small window of opportunity, Harley was impacted for eternity. He accepted the greatest gift anyone can imagine—salvation through Jesus Christ.
Learn more about how Jesus can transform your life.
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GETTING THE WORD OUT
Mechanicsburg, Virginia—In an area bursting at the seams with new subdivisions, District Consulting Coordinator Claire McBride and her team have found an effective way of getting the word out about Stonecroft Bible Studies. “Marilee Donahue has a flier delivery business,” Claire explains. “Businesses pay her to place fliers in the newspaper holders throughout the subdivisions. She also is in charge of the newsletter for our subdivision.”
For the past seven years, Claire and her team have held a get acquainted gathering in the fall to help promote Bible studies. This year, 3,400 fliers about the event were distributed throughout all the area subdivisions and an announcement was placed in the subdivision newsletter. The event included a feature on organizing your home by Stonecroft Speaker (and professional organizer) Cathy Jenkins. Then, Claire talked about organizing your life and how God’s Word helps you to prioritize.
Thirty-five women attended and most signed up for studies. Others who were not able to attend called Claire to sign up as well. About half the women at the gathering had recently moved into the area and were looking for ways to connect with other women. “They began making friends right away,” Claire said. “A whole group who had met each other for the first time just seemed to click. Now, they all want to be in a study together.” Several new studies had been preplanned going into the event and two additional ones are being started in response to the needs of those attending.
Claire was so amazed at how God put the whole event together and even provided babysitting. “It was awesome,” she commented.
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WONDERFUL SPIRIT
Galveston, Texas—Strategic planning, serious prayer time, and teamwork marked the Capture the Moment this past weekend in Galveston, but Stonecroft Bible Study Supervisor Marilyn Hughes described the 24-hour training event in two words: Wonderful spirit.
Encapsulated in those two words, she describes the goodness of God and the fellowship of the 80 women who attended the event.
“These women came to Galveston with expectations,” Marilyn said. “They were excited.”
Stonecroft is in the midst of a series of 17 Capture the Moment events. Three take place this week in Texas. On Friday and Saturday, a Stonecroft staff team held a Capture in Galveston; today, they complete one in San Antonio; Friday, they lead one in Dallas.
The women at the Galveston event, most of whom serve in volunteer leadership in Texas and Louisiana, supplied the Capture team with a long list of praise items, completed teambuilding exercises, and set goals.
“We talked about each team’s strengths and weaknesses, then did some strategic planning,” Marilyn said. “Outreach teams set goals like becoming more ethnically diverse, inviting more friends to outreach events, starting more Bible studies, and recruiting and training younger women for leadership roles.”
One participant was drawn to the training event as a direct result of Stonecroft’s new Church Coordinator position. She didn’t know anything about Stonecroft—but after hearing about how Stonecroft Bible Studies can expand the outreach of her church, decided to attend.
“We are energized,” said Marilyn of the training team which is traveling the Lone Star State.
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PROMPTED BY GOD
Hinsdale, Illinois—Meryl Bishop, Stonecroft’s National Prayer Consultant, is in awe at the way God is working. On her recent travels in Illinois, she has been speaking at various outreach groups and conducting prayer events. While she spoke at the Hinsdale Christian Women’s Club, seven women prayed to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior!
One attendee had seen the meeting advertised in the newspaper, but the phone number was not listed. She researched it, found out the details, and came. She enjoyed it so much, she is planning to return—and bring a group with her next time.
As Meryl was leaving the meeting with a friend, they decided to stop at an area mall. They went into an art gallery to browse. A saleswoman greeted them and spent a few minutes explaining the art. Before leaving, Meryl felt prompted by God to hand her a Stonecroft Life Publication—small booklets that present the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As the saleswoman received it, she exclaimed, “Last night I rededicated my life to the Lord. I am a born again Christian and this is confirmation for me. Someone brought you here to give this to me.”
Meryl told her about Stonecroft, and the woman is excited about attending the next local outreach event. She also said that she would invite friends!
Meryl would appreciate your prayers, as she speaks and conducts meetings throughout Michigan and Florida during the next two months. Please pray for good health and protection as she travels.
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