CLOSE TO HOME
Lancaster, Pennsylvania—After several years of Stonecroft Bible Study ministry in their Bent Creek neighborhood in Lancaster, the Coordinators decided to reach out to surrounding communities. On doors in the areas they want to reach, they attach "door handles" that invite the recipients to coffee and Bible study in a neighbor's home.
“What a thrill there is whenever a recipient phones!” says Marilyn Sherick, Consulting Coordinator. The Coordinators have heard comments such as, “Thanks for all your efforts in starting a Bible study in our neighborhood!” and “It took courage on your part and I want you to know, I personally appreciate it.” One women said there were three Bible studies at her church, but it was a 20-minute drive for her to attend. She loved the concept of walking to a neighbor's house and getting to meet new neighbors.
Seventy-eight invitations have now been distributed. Marilyn asks for prayer that God will guide and clearly direct the Coordinators as they strive to do His will in this new endeavor.MULTIPLYING MINISTRY
Bradford, Pennsylvania—Last year, Pastor Ed Hillard encouraged his church to reach out more. He suggested they use Stonecroft Bible Studies as one way to do so. Several study groups formed, and to date, the groups have completed a total of 13 studies.
Through the studies, the church has reached into three neighboring communities and they hope to connect with a fourth community this fall. Ed’s wife, Susan, commented on the spiritual growth that has resulted. She related the story of one young man who had recently become a Christian and began attending the study for discipleship. His family has started coming to church and he will soon be baptized.
It’s evident that the groups have enjoyed meeting together and have appreciated the studies. More studies have already been ordered for at least four of the study groups that are continuing. “It has been a wonderful outreach,” says Susan.
STEP UP, STEP OUT
Ogallala, Nebraska—“We prayed about every detail—and God worked wonders!” That was LaRita VanBoskirk’s assessment of the Stonecroft training event held Saturday, August 25.
Thirty-nine women gathered at Huberta Adams’ lakefront home for a day of connecting with God and each other and being equipped and encouraged in their ministry. Eight Nebraska groups and one Wyoming group were represented. Some of the women traveled over 200 miles to take part in the event.
The day began with a Call to Prayer. “That set the tone,” LaRita explained. “We gave honor and glory to God and turned the day over to Him. We wanted it to glorify Him in every way.” General sessions included information on Stonecroft Bible Studies, speakers, and strengthening the Planning Team. Break-out sessions passed along specific training for the various roles represented.
Connecting with other Stonecroft leaders was encouraging to many. This was facilitated by a mug exchange. Each woman brought a mug. Those sharing the same position traded mugs and then had 10 minutes to share contact information—name, address, phone, e-mail—with each other so they can keep in touch with prayer needs and praise reports. They were also asked to pray for the other person each time they used their mug. “The ladies really liked that,” LaRita said.
The theme for the day was “Step Up, Step Out”—and that seemed to be lived out as the women headed for home. “The women were excited and very positive about the day,” La Rita concluded. “Many commented about having a better understanding of our purpose and were ready to go back to their groups and get busy for the Lord. They appreciated getting together to get pumped up and revived. They also went home with new ideas about securing new Planning Team members and developing a strong team. It was a glorious day in every way!”
STONECROFT BIBLE STUDIES - "THE BEST BIBLE STUDIES I HAVE EVER DONE"
Willow, Alaska—In looking through the Stonecroft Live! correspondence, we came across this report. Though it’s several months old, we thought it worth sharing with our readers. It was sent in by Stonecroft volunteer leader extraordinaire Anita Bacon.
“Dave and I both love the Stonecroft Bible Studies and have used nine of them in our church.
“At Easter, a young woman came up to me and said, ‘Remember when we did that study in Romans when I was in high school? Well, I am still using that little Bible study book to tell my chemistry professors about God. That was the best study of the book of Romans I have ever done. In fact those Bible studies you used, (what do you call them?) were the best Bible studies I have ever done. Every church should have them.’
“I told her that churches were welcome to use them. She is getting her Masters Degree in chemistry. I asked her if she would be willing to guide a Stonecroft Bible Study and she replied, ‘I would love to—especially with my university professors and fellow grad students.’
“Praise the Lord for His Word changing the life of this young woman for eternity!”
Thank you, Anita. And thank you to all the Stonecroft volunteer leaders who are guiding Stonecroft Bible Studies and encouraging and training others to do the same in their communities!
OPEN DOORS
Breezy Point, Minnesota—A patron of a Christian bookstore was recently referred to Stonecroft Bible Studies Coordinator Annette Zach regarding Bible study materials for her daughter, Sally*, who lives in Breezy Point.
Annette contacted Sally and has sent her a Guide application. Sally hopes to start a study with three of her friends.
Annette is also starting the Stonecroft Bible Study Connecting With God: A Guide to Prayer with Sally’s mother and others from the Christian bookstore.
Pray that God will continue to open doors as Annette strives to make Jesus famous in Minnesota.
*Name has been changed.
SURVIVOR: SAN DIEGO
San Diego, California—With a take-off on the television show Survivor, the first San Diego Couples outreach event debuted on August 11. “It was a blast,” wrote Monique Bottger, who is serving with her husband as the Chair Couple. She went on to say that the theme provided much fun—each table was designated as a “tribe” and the ensuing competitions were especially enjoyed by the men.
With the first event just past, thoughts have already turned to future outreaches. Those who attended the August event have been invited to a barbecue at the Bottger home in September. And people are already considering who they can invite to the next outreach event, which will likely honor law enforcement personnel.
“Thanks so much for praying for us and the event!” said Monique. “Many thanked us for a great ‘date night’ and said that they hadn't laughed this much for a long time.”
MULTIPLICATION
Kenya, East Africa—When the Spriegal family sold everything they had and moved to Kenya, they knew God was opening ministry opportunities there. As a medical doctor, John knew he would have the opportunity to meet physical needs. What the Spriegals didn’t suspect was how God was going to give them a multiplying ministry through Stonecroft Bible Studies.
Linda Spriegal loves Stonecroft studies because they are easy to translate and give good explanations about Jesus’ love for us. She started her first study with the two women who work at their home. Then the gardener asked if he could join in. That was two years ago.
Today, they have 47 Bible studies going. They give a Bible to the women after they can recite 16 Bible verses. To date, they have given away 1,150 Bibles!
Please pray for Linda and John Spriegal as they continue to follow God’s leading in meeting the medical, housing, and spiritual needs of women in Kenya.
BEHIND EVERY GREAT WOMAN
Powell Butte, Oregon—Pat Abernathy is a dynamic Stonecroft leader, with seemingly boundless energy and creativity. Her heart’s desire is for people to come to know Jesus Christ personally and she devotes herself to that mission tirelessly. But Pat would be the first to tell you that one of the key ingredients to being able to fulfill that mission is the loving support and encouragement of her husband, Ed.
Pat serves as a Regional Representative for five Stonecroft groups in central Oregon. Recently, she and Ed had a thank you party and potluck dinner for the leaders in her area and their husbands. Twenty-five came from the Oregon high desert areas of Madras, Redmond, Bend, Prineville, and LaPine.
“It was a thank you/appreciation time for the men,” Pat said. “I always tell the women that I love and appreciate them—and they tell each other—but I wanted to tell the men how both Stonecroft and I appreciate them. I explain the partnership Ed and I have in life and in ministry, and then I prayed a blessing on them. It was a precious time. The men were blessed and the whole group bonded!”
With Pat, we say a great big “thank you” to all the Stonecroft husbands who lovingly and prayerfully support their wives in ministry!
GOSPEL ADVANCING IN INDIA
Kerala, India—Pastor Joe Varghese is no stranger to Stonecroft Ministries.
His father was a pastor who took Stonecroft Bible Studies and Outreach ideas from Missouri to the southern points of his native country.
“We have 173 Christian women’s fellowships in our part of India,” Pastor Joe told the Stonecroft staff during his recent visit to Kansas City. “There are more than 100 groups involved in Bible Study and we’ve distributed 20,000 Stonecroft Life Publication booklets in the last two years.”
Pastor Joe, his wife Monica, and two children, Joshua, 10, and JoAnne, 13, are part of a church which has a hospital visitation ministry and has started a Christian school.
“Ask those in Stonecroft to pray for open doors to share the Gospel,” Pastor Joe said.
COWBOY UP
Takamatsu, Japan—In the town of Takamatsu on the island of Shikoku, a ladies outreach luncheon was held last month at the York Restaurant. The theme was “cowboy night” with cowboy hats and red bandanas galore.
Stella Cox—long-time Stonecroft volunteer and TEAM missionary—planned the event and even made the food that was served to all 30 attendees. Stella’s husband, Ralph, shared a short Gospel message after a Christian film, “God of Creation,” was shown. They were entertained with western music by Mike Gray, another TEAM missionary, and Yoshii Nakamamura, a local businessman.
“We expect to see fruit from this,” commented Stella. Pray that God would use this outreach event to bring more to Himself according to His plan.
FASHIONED BY GOD
Oklahoma and Kansas—Martha Fellure is a fashion designer who often speaks for Stonecroft outreach groups. Many times, she will also provide the clothes so the group can have a fashion show for their feature presentation. One stipulation she has is that the groups use this as an outreach by finding women to model who would not normally come to the events.
On a recent speaking trip in Oklahoma and Kansas, Martha found that she would not be presenting the special feature at three of the groups. In her prayer time, she prayed that those who did present the features at those events would be people who needed to hear the Gospel.
One of the groups did have a fashion show with clothes provided by a local business. Three young women who modeled prayed to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior at that event, as did another woman presenting the feature at a second group. At the third, the feature presenter, a business owner, was so impressed by Martha’s testimony that she went back to her store and shared as much of it as she could with her employees.
As Martha points out, if she had provided the feature, those women may not have attended the groups. God knew exactly who needed to be there and how to get them there—a design only He could have fashioned.
WILDLY SUCCESSFUL
New York—Peg Buehlman found herself having to adjust her thinking. She and her husband were preparing to go on a speaking circuit of five Stonecroft outreach groups, all of which had invited children to their events. At first Peg wondered how it would work with the kids there. Then it struck her—she was looking at it as a challenge, when she really should be giving credit to the groups for trying to reach new people. By getting kids there, the groups were also reaching their mothers.
Peg shared that the events were well planned and fun. One group, playing off the “Tips for Nature with Children” feature and Peg’s talk titled “Wilderness Training,” invited guests to a “Walk on the Wild Side” luncheon. Another group asked Girl Scouts from a variety of generations to provide the music. Yet another brought the kids up front to participate with the musician, a yodeling guitarist.
“All the groups did such a good job of getting out of the box,” related Peg. “It was really great to see them being willing to go the extra mile.”
SWEAT EQUITY
Kansas City, Missouri—Temperatures in Kansas City hovered in the high 90s Saturday with a heat index well over 100 degrees. But that didn’t stop about 13 Stonecroft staff and volunteers from joining in a local Women’s Build for Habitat for Humanity.
Besides the sweltering temperatures, Saturday’s building project was notable for another reason. Missouri Governor Matt Blunt and his wife Melanie visited the site and even joined the women in putting up vinyl siding. The visit was part of a nationwide effort by first ladies to help promote Habitat’s Women’s Build program across the nation.
Habitat requires potential housing owners to put in 350 hours of “sweat equity” into their home. Saturday’s workers had the opportunity to meet Cynthia, who will be living in the home with her two grandchildren. She expressed her thanks to all those who were working so hard on her behalf.
“Despite the heat, it was a great day,” said staffer Susan Collard. “It was so fun to meet and work together with women from all across the metro area. Who knew that sweating together could be such a bonding experience? We were a great team and, even though we were learning as we went, we actually got a lot accomplished. I also thoroughly enjoyed meeting Cynthia and her two sweet grandkids. We teased her that we were putting our ‘sweat equity’ into her house too. What a blessing to know that soon they will have a safe, comfortable place to live—and to know that I had a small part in that. I can’t wait to do this again!”
GUATEMALA PART 5
Cantel, Guatemala—The stories come spilling out.
About a specific, God-given mission.
About a love for God’s Word.
About God’s work.
Stonecroft Headquarters staffers Marilyn Hughes and Linda Parmer recently made a two-week trip to Guatemala and they are full of stories about how God is using Stonecroft resources and programs to impact communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
One day, in the mountain town of Cantel, Linda and Marilyn met with elementary school children at the Colegio Mark School. The founder of the school has a vision to prepare these Christian students to share their faith with Muslims throughout the world.
Linda and Marilyn spent several days at Colegio Mark School. They shared Jesus as Shepherd to the 5th and 6th graders and taught songs in English one morning.
That same afternoon they met with two ninth-grade classes to go through the first lesson of Stonecroft Bible Study Who is Jesus?
“What a thrill to have 30 children lined up and down long tables with their Bibles and study books as we got started,” Linda wrote. “The teacher now has a plan to make each class into four smaller groups with a student guiding each group.”
“It was humbling to have a student in each class stand and thank us for being there and helping them know Jesus better. They were so glad we came. They thanked us for the books and Bibles and asked us to come back. We closed by taking their prayer requests and hugs as they left.”
MOM TIME
Kailua, Hawaii—In the spring of 2006, Church Coordinator Becky Schultz began a Stonecroft Bible Study through her church with young moms. They began with 7 women. A year later, the group boasted about 30 young moms—with many children in the nursery.
Though they stopped meeting during the summer months, the women have begged Becky to start back up as soon as possible.
There have been at least 8 decisions for Christ and many recommitments. “It was my greatest joy to watch these girls not only come to know and love Christ more deeply and richly, but to bond and love each other fully,” Becky expresses.
As a result of the initial Bible study with these young moms, Becky is launching a new ministry—MOM Time—through her church on September 14.
TRANSPLANTED FOR GROWTH
Hampton, New Hampshire—At the beginning of this year, the Seacoast Women’s Connection had to move the location of their outreach events. The place that seemed the best option to them was a conference center, relates Chair Dolores Cassidy, but they were worried about the cost. Even though it was a lovely place and the food was excellent, they would have to raise their ticket prices. They took a step of faith, booking the conference center for future meetings.
As it turned out, the conference center has been well-received and nobody has complained about the price increase. Dolores said an added benefit was that the conference center accommodates bigger groups. At the previous location, 50 people made it very crowded.
The group definitely has a desire to grow. They always provide a nursery, knowing that it may be the only way some moms would be able to attend. The Planning Team is also trying to find features that will be of interest to non-Christians, because, as Dolores says, “Our goal is still to reach the unreached!”
GUATEMALA - PART 4
Guatemala City, Guatemala—As they travel this country, Stonecroft staffers are taking every opportunity to speak about what God is doing through Stonecroft outreach efforts, Bible studies, and resources.
This week, Linda and Marilyn met with pastors and ministry leaders at the large and influential Union Church in the capital city.
“We met with them after church on Sunday for lunch to talk about the Bible Studies,” Linda wrote from Guatemala.
The Christian Education director at Union Church, Doug Johnson, and his wife Sarah (photo above) are involved in a children’s home where Doug is a contractor for buildings. In addition to using Stonecroft Bible Studies for the church, Sarah is interested in using them to teach the children about the Bible.
Some of the church leaders there have said they have never thought of evangelism and Bible study as the same, Linda wrote in her report. When she and Marilyn explain Stonecroft Bible Studies, they stress their use as a way to introduce Jesus Christ, God’s Son, as Savior and Lord. Often, they start with the study, Who is Jesus?
Marilyn and Linda, who traveled to Guatemala with a short term missions team from Kansas City’s Colonial Presbyterian Church, have seen God open doors for them to show others how to share the Gospel. Read more in Tuesday’s Stonecroft Live!
PERFECT TIMING
San Diego, California—Roy and Monique Bottger have had an long-standing interest in being involved in Stonecroft Couples. This summer, God’s timing has been very evident as all the pieces have come together for a new group in San Diego. Their first event will be held this Saturday, August 11.
When Chuck Stophel, Stonecroft Couples Director, came to the area in May, about 20 people attended an introductory meeting. At that meeting, plans were set in motion for an August outreach event—and Roy and Monique were the first on board. The group has been rolling ever since with the Bottgers serving as Chair Couple.
“More than 600 people have been invited to this event and the local churches have been very supportive,” Monique said. “We want our group to be multigenerational, so we are offering childcare. The event we’ve planned is fun and very interactive. In between events, we will have affinity groups in place—one for golfers and golfers’ ‘widows,’ one regarding finances, as well as Stonecroft Bible Studies. We’ve been working with Field Director Kathryn Homer, who is the queen of innovation, so we are leaps ahead in innovative ideas as we start this group.”
“For Roy and me personally, the timing of this has been perfect,” Monique continued. “After we said yes to serving as Chair Couple, both Roy and I were offered our dream jobs. We have been self-employed and in a job search for the past year. That was such a blessing and confirmation from the Lord that we are in the right place at the right time.”
Please pray with Roy, Monique, and their Planning Team for this exciting outreach opportunity and be watching for a LIVE report on what God did through it!
QUATEMALA PART 3
Cantel, Guatemala—It happened so quickly there was no time to react.
Two cars collided and people were injured. One was dead—and Saul Chozom knew he was responsible.
Saul is serving as an interpreter for Stonecroft staffers Marilyn Hughes and Linda Parmer as they introduce Stonecroft Bible Studies and outreach to people in Guatemala. This is his story.
In the early years, life was good for Saul. He was the youngest child in his family and, in his words, had everything done for him. He was spoiled.
In high school, though, Saul began to encounter conflicts with others; he started drinking alcohol and taking drugs. He chose to join the military but, toward the end of his stint, he and friends stole a car.
They were driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs when the car accident happened.
Saul was sent to jail.
One day, faced with his weaknesses and his inability to find joy, he dropped his head and began to cry. He couldn’t stop. It went on for five minutes, then 20, then an hour. He was alone and couldn’t stop crying. It was then, after two hours, he heard a voice. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
The next day, a local pastor visited the church and Saul heard about love Jesus Christ had for him.
Months later, out of jail, Saul wandered into a church and was surprised to find that same pastor. The pastor shared with him from the Bible and Saul prayed to receive Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord.
Everything changed. His relationships with his friends, his parents, his brothers and sisters; the way he thought about life and his heart.
Saul enrolled in a Bible school. Soon he was telling others about Jesus Christ regularly. He has become an evangelist.
Now, Saul plans to leave Guatemala and go to Mexico as a missionary.
“Pray for Saul,” writes Linda from Guatemala. “Pray that God will work things out so he can go to Mexico this month.”
CELEBRATE FREEDOM
Raleigh, North Carolina—The Planning Team of the Raleigh Christian Women’s Club stepped out in faith as they planned their “Celebrate Freedom” luncheon last month.
While July is usually their slowest month, all 34 first-timers were admitted free of charge with a total of 71 in attendance. Their meeting included a patriotic concert, and there is the possibility to start two new Stonecroft Bible Studies.
Thirty women want to return and bring friends to future events. A woman dining at the North Carolina University Club, where the group meets, even asked how she could be part of such an exciting group of women.
Chair Karen Lanouette exclaimed, “Wow! God does over and above what we expect.”GUATEMALA - PART 2
Cantel, Guatemala—Our team in Guatemala presented Stonecroft Bible Studies Tuesday and has one word for Stonecroft Live! readers:
Quetzeltenango.
Go ahead and try and say that fast three times!
Stonecroft staffers Linda Parmer and Marilyn Hughes learned this word this week. Quetzeltenango is the second largest city in Guatemala (Guatemala City is largest) and a key pastor of a large church there attended Tuesday’s presentation and lesson one (in English and Spanish) of Who Is Jesus?
“We will meet with two classes of 9th graders to present Quien es Jesus? and guide them through Lesson One later this week. Our translator has already been trained as a Guide!” writes Marilyn. “There will be a total of 66 students trained. Teachers will continue to see that student Guides are trained and the study is completed after we leave.
“Our prayer is that these students will all be able to complete the other two studies in the series (What is God Like? and Where is the Holy Spirit?) before they graduate in October.”
Students at Colegio Mark school welcomed Linda, Marilyn, and others from Kansas City’s Colonial Presbyterian Church earlier this week by lining up outside to greet and shake hands with each of them. Marilyn and Linda are thinking ahead.
“We will leave enough materials so that eventually the 9th graders can train the 7th and 8th graders as Guides,” Marilyn wrote. “We are seeing God do so many neat things—we can hardly think of them all. What great kids, what an awesome process we are in, and what an incredibly AWESOME GOD we have!”
SPLISH SPLASH SPA
Kansas City, Missouri—With the summer coming to an end, the Stonecroft interns had one last project to complete before they depart from the Stonecroft campus and embark on their senior year of college. The three put together their very first outreach event, which was held on July 29.
Rightly named “Splish Splash Spa, the afternoon event included manicures, pedicures, hand massages and shoulder massages. While guests enjoyed the ambiance of a spa type atmosphere, Homer’s Coffee Shop top ten performer Ronni Ward performed a few of her own tunes, along with girl power songs, such as Aretha Franklin’s “Natural Woman.” The women bopped their heads and sang along.
Intern Elizabeth Tracy spoke about making a splash and compared her life to the Disney fairytale, The Little Mermaid. About 40 women and girls of all ages were in attendance. For many, this was their first Stonecroft Ministries event.
Working together to prepare an outreach meeting in an unfamiliar city and in a short amount of time was challenging, but the interns persevered and saw God put things in place. The end results were worth it.
"Splish Splash Spa was amazing,” commented Alli Sanders, intern. “I had a great time, enjoying the upbeat, happy atmosphere, as well getting to hear an amazing speaker.”
FIND A STONECROFT GROUP IN YOUR AREA
CONNECTING IN NEBRASKA
Ainsworth, Nebraska—In the Sand Hills of north central Nebraska, the towns are small and miles apart. But women there are making connections with God, each other, and their communities through Stonecroft Ministries.
The Ainsworth After 5 is one of those connecting places. Although named for the largest community in the area, this group rotates its location to the various small towns in the area. One month, it meets in Ainsworth, the next in Bassett, and so on. When Stonecroft staffer Bette Fauquet visited in July, the group was having its monthly meeting in the tiny town of Springview, a place with a population of less than 500.
Although this rotating meeting location can be challenging at times, it does have benefits. “We have the opportunity to reach a new group of women every month,” says Vice Chair Ann Shaw. “I thoroughly enjoyed being with these women,” Bette added. “The group was lively and fun, they had a good representation of women of all ages, and there were about 15 first-timers attending. One woman also made a commitment to Jesus Christ that evening.”
Living in a remote area strengthens that need for connection with other women. “Most of the women here are married to ranchers or farmers and we work side-by-side with our husbands,” Ann explains. “We need the encouragement of being together with other women. I live in Bassett, where it’s a three-hour drive to the nearest Walmart. Going 30 or more miles to attend the After 5 is no big deal and definitely worth it.”
For Ann, who has been involved in Stonecroft Ministries for 10 years, it has been exciting to see the growth of outreach in her area. “Our Chair, Carolyn Clark, is so creative and comes up with fun ideas for meetings that the women enjoy. We have first-timers at every meeting—and we usually have decisions for Christ too. The local Stonecroft Bible Studies Coordinators have done a tremendous job of getting studies started in the area. It’s exciting to see what God is doing.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT STONECROFT BIBLE STUDIES
