(my first Bible study of the year--that's me, way over to the left, top with dark top standing above the crowd.)
What might you imagine, in the power of the Holy Spirit, God might us you to change your part of the world for eternity?
God is so good and He creates grace when we ask Him to work. Eight years ago, I was feeling lonely and unsupported in my stage of life. I knew that fellowship was what I needed, but I didn't know of a group or Bible study with like-minded friends.
So, as I had learned many other times, I knew that if I wanted a group, I would have to start it.
And so, once a month, on the first Tuesday of the month, I put out an announcement to all the people I knew from various activities and invited moms in for a Bible study, snacks and friendship.
The first year or so, it grew to become a roomful. We started at 6:30 and feasted on shared snacks and talked and talked. Then introductions to find out where everyone came from. A Bible study, prayer and more talking. Sometimes I would go upstairs to bed at 11:00 and said goodnight and still mamas would stay and talk.
Eventually, we ran out of room in my living room, dining room, entrance hall where we put women looking over into the living room, and finally people started sitting on the balcony seats going up my stairway to the bedrooms.
These were the greatest women in my life. So fun, so sweet. I loved having them in my home.
But then, last year, we had about 70-90 coming at a time. That creates lots of cars. The police came to my door and said, "If there are this many cars again, we will have to fine you $1000.
So, we approached our church and said, "Could we begin a mom's Bible study at church by inviting my home Bible study and then seeing if anyone else is interested?"
Last week, we held our first meeting and had 260 women show up! We make circle of chairs and place moms at tables, so everyone can have a small group of women to meet and talk.
You never know what God might do if you take initiative, step out in faith and see how He may use you to change your world. Everyone needs a support group. How about this fall?
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So much fun being with many of you last night at the webinar. Thanks for coming.
CLAY AND I STARTED A FAITH MINISTRY 19 YEARS AGO. WE HAVE SEEN IT GROW FROM A TINY MINISTRY WITH 12 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE AT OUR FIRST CONFERENCE, TO A GROWING MINISTRY WITH 12 BOOKS IN PRINT, IN 7 LANGUAGES, OVER 32,000 WOMEN WHO HAVE ATTENDED OUR MOM'S CONFERENCES, AND A SMALL GROUPS WORLD WIDE.
OUR MINISTRY IS STILL DEPENDENT ON LIKE-MINDED FRIENDS WHO HELP US FUND MISSION TRIPS, HELP TO KEEP US PUBLISHING AND GROWING IN OUTREACH ALL OVER THE WORLD.
THOUGH I DON'T MENTION OUR MINISTRY OFTEN ON MY BLOG, I WOULD BEG YOUR GRACE TO LET SOME OF YOU WHO HAVE ASKED HOW YOU MIGHT BECOME INVOLVED IN OUR MINISTRY.
EACH YEAR AT THIS TIME, OUR MINISTRY GOES THROUGH A DIP IN FINANCES AND WE HAVE A HARD TIME PAYING OUR STAFF, AS IN THE SUMMERS, SUPPORT DROPS OFF.
WE COULD NOT HAVE MADE IT THESE YEARS WITHOUT THE HELP OF SO MANY OF YOU WHO HAVE GIVEN GENEROUSLY AND KEPT WHOLE HEART MINISTRIES AND MOM HEART MINISTRIES GROWING.
IF YOU WOULD BE INTERESTED IN BECOMING ONE OF OUR REGULAR SUPPORTERS, OR JUST HELPING US THROUGH WITH A ONE TIME CONTRIBUTION, WE WOULD BE MOST GRATEFUL.
If you can help Whole Heart Ministries financially, you can donate online at WholeHeart.org, send a donation via PayPal to admin@wholeheart.org, send a check, or call our office at 888-488-4466. All gifts to Whole Heart Ministries are tax-deductible and will be acknowledged with a receipt. Thank you for your partnership! Knowing that so many share our heart for Christian parents and godly homes keeps us pressing onward. Grace and peace to you and your family.
THANKS FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL LETTERS, EMAILS, PRAYERS, ENCOURAGEMENT AND THE MANY WAYS YOU HAVE KEPT US GONG ALL THESE YEARS. PLEASE PRAY FOR US TO CONTINUE FOLLOWING GOD. BLESSINGS TO YOU ALL!
(If you would like to hear more about our ministry, please send a letter to admin@wholeheart.org and you can receive a letter about our many projects and goals for the year. Thanks for your interest. We are so very grateful for all our friends who shoulder this ministry with us.)