I have been praying for God's will in a ministry opportunity at my church. We have certain activities for women, but we don't have a Women's Ministry per say. Yesterday, I met with our Sr. Pastor and our Director of Christian Education. We prayed and discussed this area of growth for our church ladies as well as those in the community without a church home. I have been praying about this for months--even before She Speaks! And God...in His perfect timing, showed up at our meeting as well! Y'all, it was so much fun! It was all I could do to sit still and not use my hands to "talk" as I shared the research, the emails, the phone calls, and the prayers that have been going on for months. I was just so excited! When we take a BIG God out of the "box" and truly trust and obey Him, He can open so many doors for ministry that we've never even thought of! Woohoo!!!
Here's where I need y'all to come in!!! Bless your sweet little hearts! We have a handful of women with young children that need childcare. These girlfriends want a morning Bible study. You can see where I'm going with this!! All of our nursery workers are in school during that time. I am going to place an invitation in the church bulletin to see if any older women or some who would like a little extra Starbucks money would be willing to step out in faith for 6 weeks! One day a week for 1.5 hours! Not too much to ask...I hope! Yolanda's post today is right on target for me! It's on taking your requests to God in prayer. If we don't ask Him, we don't receive. I want to invite you to join with me for the next couple of weeks to pray that if it's His will, He will provide nursery workers for a morning Bible study. Would you mind doing that for me? I would so, so appreciate it, girlfriends! Y'all are awesome. I will keep you posted on what happens--promise!
Thanks so much!! Y'all are wonderful.
Ask, and you will receive. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened for you. Everyone who asks will receive. Everyone who searches will find. And the door will be opened for everyone who knocks. Matthew 7:7-8
Blessings,
Susan
13 comments:
Joining you in prayer! I just know God has big plans here! Great job following what he called you to do.
I came over from Chatty Kelly's blog your "runner mom" caught my attention as I am a running mom want to be. I'm a work in progress and love to keep at it!
Chatty Kelly started a bible study similar to what you are discribing years ago first in her home then as it grew in church. I will keep praying that God will provide the nursery workers. I feel confident He will as moms striving to learn more about Him-truly a great thing!
Your boys sound so sweet! I know they probably have their moments but there is just something about mothers and sons! I enjoyed visiting your blog!
to answer your questions- we are in Va near Richmond- my husband's family has a cabin in Montreat so we visit yearly. Wow, a race there, quite strenuous with all of the hills!
I wondered if you were from the Greenville area. My brother and his family lived there for several years. (he and his wife both went to Clemson)Now they are in Georgia but have a lake house at Lake Hartwell so we can sometimes match up vacation times. We are enjoying the Olympics as well. My youngest watches and says, I can do that! I love that some of the women are close to my age and some older and they are doing so well. It is an inspiration!
You really do talk like that!! :)
I will pray for you and with you. (It is on my blog, too.) I hope you know I am always here for advice, help, support or just an ear (in fact, I have two...that makes me a goooooooooooooood listener!!).
Love ya. I'm so proud of you for taking this step...you have no idea how many lives God is going to reach through your little heart and hands!
You got it Girlfriend, covering this in prayer!
By the way, the Matthew scripture...awesome! ASK, Ask, Seek and Knock.
A friend showed me that about two years ago, and it blew me away. God's Word is just full of NUGGETS.
Love to you,
Yolanda
PS: I want to thank the Lord for what He revealed to you yesterday, through Higher Grounds. THANK YA LORD!!!
Hey there,
One week down....five days to go. I'm starting to miss my man pretty badly. But other than my meltdown with Garrett last nite over his lazy, unmotivated self....I'm doing well.
I am so excited about the women's ministry opportunities that are opening up for you my friend! We don't have a women's ministry at my church. We do a ladies tea once a year and that's pretty much it. As much as I see the need for one, I don't feel the Lord telling me to head it up. I can't add one more thing to my life...especially not something that big! I'd be glad to serve on some kind of women's ministry team though...I need to start praying for God to raise up a leader..someone like you...for our ladies. Love you and praying for God to blow your socks off!!
I see "Patterson5" already mentioned my bible study. I've lead it for 9 years! I started in my home with 4 ladies. We've grown to 20 ladies and now meet at church to accomodate all the kids, and we have a paid childcare worker.
The friendships built from this study group are some of my best. You will be blessed as much as you bless!
So exciting to see God working in your life!
God led me to start a Bible study here 5 years ago upon our arrival. We meet on Tuesday nights and will be starting our 11th study together in a couple of weeks. We have two paid youth who watch the kids.
I'll be praying the same for you. I know that there are women in your area who will appreciate your heart and who might also want to earn a few extra dollars. Maybe there is $ in the church budget to fund it.
You have my prayer support.
peace~elaine
Great post Susan! And spot on for me in my situation with my job. I just need to ask. It's awesome when God answers prayers and things come together. I will also pray that God will provide the nursery workers.
Thanks for the ride last night. even with the rain I had a great time!!
Praying and knowing God has the plan.
How exciting to see God working in some HUGE ways!!
You got it my friend!
I will pray and God will answer! Not because I prayed but because He can't wait to give us what we ask Him for! Especially when it is unselfish and will serve His kingdom. I am praying He will not only give you childcare but will grow your ministry far beyond what you can imagine today!
Pamela
Bless you Susan...
You will not believe how God will bless you through your willingness to have a ladies Bible study.
About one year ago, God put this desire in my heart too. I am now a part of a faithful group of 4 that come together on Tuesday nights to study His Word... AND GUESS WHAT??? The Pink Shoe Lady is going to join us on the new one starting in about 1 1/2 weeks. We have been emailing back and forth... and she said that she would love to join us. We haven't even been able to meet yet.
God has done such a work in this little group. One received Christ as her Savior in January... and another one is actually reading her Bible for the first time in her life... and another one is growing in her spiritual life by leaps and bounds... and the other one, ME, is so humbled that God has allowed me to watch Him at work... I can hardly stand it. I love these ladies so much!!
I will be praying for you... and these ladies. Just think... while God was working in your heart to possibly lead a study... He worked in their heart a desire to study His Word. What an awesome God we serve.
Lynn
Our church has paid nursery workers too during our Tuesday morning Women's Bible study. We actually had to advertise outside the church, but we still have Christian women who run an excellent program. We have several paid staff on Tuesdays as we have about 160 women who come each week. We offer care up to 5 year olds - complete with programs for the children, so it's more than just childcare. I know it's our excellent childcare program that brings so many women from other churches to join us each week.
As we have about 15 study groups running at the same time, each week one group rotates into the children's program to help provide extra eyes and hands. Each group gets 3 scheduled trips into the nursery each year, but when it's our turn we are just there to help entertain - the paid staff do all the "dirty work" eg. diaper changes (hahaha).
Praying the Lord will direct in this very important area. I can hear your excitement as I read this post and I'm enthused with you. God will provide.
Love & prayers,
Joy
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