Go to the middle of nowhere and then go a little further.” That’s how my husband explains where I grew up. It was a beautiful 24-acre summer camp in the heartland of Iowa. Our campground was surrounded by corn and bean fields and our handful of neighbors were spread out around a 4-mile square. 

My parents instilled in me the need to care for those neighbors. We’d check in on them often, help them weed their gardens, pick up their groceries in town when needed, and we’d pray for them. We never missed a chance to sing Christmas carols around the holidays, leaving them a plate of homemade Christmas goodies. On a humorous note, I was in Kindergarten before I learned that all kids don’t sing songs about Jesus when they trick or treat! 

I remember my dad saying, “We may be the only people sharing Jesus with them. I’m going fishing. Wanna come?” We’d head to the pond, drown a few worms, and then drop off our catch to the surrounding houses. We’d stop at each house, give them a fish or two and ask how we could pray for them. I guess that’s taking being fishers of people to a new level! 

When I heard our Stonecroft leaders explain the new strategic plan, I instantly thought of my dad! Reaching his zip code and also the next is the beat of his heart. I inherited that from him! 

In many ways, its hard to imagine a greater call or invitation.  Jesus walks the path around the Sea of Galilee and calls out, “Come follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people.”  As we pray and pursue our vision of seeing every woman reconciled to God, we cannot help but pick up our nets and poles, bait our hooks, and cast our lines wherever we go.  We are trusting God to use us and our stories so that we can see the lost come home. 

It’s a God-sized mission, isn’t it? 

Your zip code may look like where I grew up—farms, fields, and small towns. Or maybe your zip code is in suburbia. Maybe your neighborhood is full of dorm rooms and sorority houses! Whatever your zip code looks like, ask God how you can be a light for Him where you live? 

My current neighborhood looks very different than my childhood one. I live in a subdivision in Colorado Springs. The world has come to my street and it’s a small picture of what heaven will be like! My neighbors are from Korea, India, Cambodia, and Germany. As you can imagine, we have the most delicious neighborhood potlucks! 

As we launch this Stonecroft initiative, I’ve been contemplating that day when Jesus saw Simon and Andrew casting a net into the lake. He said, “Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of people.” At once, they left everything and walked with Him. 

Simon and Andrew were fishermen by trade. I’m sure they knew the best time to fish, what part of the lake to target, and they had the equipment they needed. They weren’t floundering around (pun intended) without a strategy. They were experts at their craft. 

Stonecroft gives us the training and equipment to successfully throw our nets into the lake. We learn how to pray evangelistically, listen effectively, ask compelling questions, share the Gospel, and follow-up with our new sisters.  

God uses us to penetrate the darkness with the Gospel. He equips us for our fishing expeditions. Jesus’ message to Simon and Andrew was follow Me, learn about Me, know and understand My mission and My message. Only then will you become fishers of men. 

I’m going fishing! Wanna come?