We sat down with Eliza Cortés Bast, Stonecroft’s CEO, and Elaine Watkins, President and COO, to discuss the vision, mission, structure, values, and future of the ministry. Since stepping into leadership, they have worked to strengthen Stonecroft’s processes and outreach while looking ahead to where God is leading.

The Mission and Vision of Stonecroft

The bold vision of Stonecroft is to see every woman reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. The mission of Stonecroft is to mobilize a movement of Christian women to pray and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For over 86 years, we help women grow in faith and connect with others, particularly those who may not yet know God.

Stonecroft seeks to meet women where they are, sharing personal faith stories and creating a supportive, transformative community. “We envision women praying, gathering for Outreach groups, or for Bible Study everywhere, in every zip code and in 60 countries,” says Eliza. “Many women have come from traditions where their voices were limited, but Stonecroft provides a space for women to grow as leaders, cultivating an environment where their leadership and voice are encouraged.”

Elaine adds, “We think God has given us a bold and audacious goal, but we have a bold and audacious God who is going to equip us in unique ways and connect us with people who have the same vision – to see every woman reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.”

Who does Stonecroft serve?

At the heart of Stonecroft is the “Stonecroft woman”—a passionate individual driven by a deep desire to share the love of Jesus Christ. These women embody the organization’s core values:

• Lead with Love
• Radical Generosity
• Relentless Pursuit of Mission
• Reliant and Resourceful
• Revolutionary Results
• Redemptive Community

These values help form a supportive network that extends across generations of women leaders, encouraging one another while growing in their faith and capacity to share the Gospel.

Elaine shares her excitement about the women yet to be reached, expressing gratitude for the faithfulness of those who have helped pave the way. She encourages anyone uncertain about their role to reach out, assuring them that Stonecroft welcomes new participants in its mission.

What makes Stonecroft unique?

“What makes Stonecroft unique is its focus on empowering women leaders within a redemptive community, rooted in the spirit of Acts 2,” said Eliza. “Just as the early church built a community of believers who shared life, resources, and a mission to spread the Gospel, Stonecroft fosters a similar environment where women support each other, share stories, and work together in faith.” This strong sense of community, combined with the organization’s focus on evangelism through leadership development, is what makes Stonecroft an enduring force in ministry.

“Our work,” Eliza continues, “even with our outreach events, has always been based upon the simple premise of opening a table and being able to ask somebody to share their story, and to be able to lean in and ask questions that allow people to explore their own faith journey, and their own doubt.”

How is Stonecroft structured?

Stonecroft is structured as a 501(c)3 organization, which means the IRS recognizes us as a nonprofit. Because we are a nonprofit organization, we have certain laws that we have to abide by.

As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Stonecroft is required to be governed by a single National Board that ensures financial integrity through adherence to both IRS and Evangelical Council of Financial Accountability (ECFA) standards. This level of accountability builds trust and ensures resources are stewarded wisely. We voluntarily and purposely adhere to their guidelines to be able to help people understand that we take the responsibility of being able to steward resources that God gives us seriously.

This matters to each Outreach group because each of the groups is able to use our identifying number assigned by the IRS. This is called our EIN. When you open your group account, this allows you to be able to raise funds for Stonecroft ministries within your group.

Stonecroft’s staff operates in five key areas:

• Outreach: Equips and trains groups and leaders with resources to have an impact in their area.
• Operations: Manages finances, technology, and organizational support.
• Marketing: Communicates the impact of Stonecroft’s mission and provides engagement opportunities to help you connect more deeply.
• Fundraising: Connects donors with the ministry to sustain and expand outreach by telling stories of God’s faithfulness and goodness.
• Administration: Handles board communication, Human Resources, project management, and reporting.

Together, we are here to mobilize a movement alongside you, our faithful volunteers!

How is Stonecroft funded and what does the funding do?

Stonecroft is funded through the generosity of people who truly believe in our mission. It could be individuals, churches or even foundations. They are people who want to see women impacted by God’s love. It’s really a faithful giver who has experienced the ministry, who feels called to support us, and who wants to help us grow.

These contributions enable national staff to provide leadership, training, and community support. Funding also sustains resources like digital and print resources for leaders, Bible studies, tools to help you share your story, prayer calls, and group resources.

“It is humbling to see how God provides through those who share our heart for reaching women everywhere,” says Eliza. Right now there are more women who are open to engaging with Jesus and knowing who He is more than ever, and we feel that we are uniquely equipped to be able to empower them.

The Future of Stonecroft

Stonecroft is evolving while staying rooted in its core mission. While the ways of engaging with women may change, the essence of Stonecroft’s mission—to pray and proclaim the Gospel—will remain unchanged.

Eliza commented that while there may be changes to formats or outreach strategies, the focus on God’s mission and the shared faith of those involved will always remain at the core. Eliza reflects on the importance of remaining adaptable, as Stonecroft’s mission has always been about flexibility and responding to God’s call. She encourages women who may be wondering about the future of their local groups to trust in God’s plan, to pray for guidance, and to remain open to new opportunities. Whether it’s reimagining outreach to retirement homes or pivoting to a different style of gathering, the goal is to hold fast to the essentials of the faith while remaining responsive to how God is leading.

Elaine adds, “We will adapt to meet women where they are, whether through traditional gatherings, digital connections, or new outreach locations like retirement communities.”

Both leaders emphasize the importance of prayer and trust in God’s guidance. They encourage women to explore new opportunities, join relational evangelism efforts, and remain open to God’s direction.

“The best years are still ahead,” Eliza affirms. “There is always room for more women to be part of this mission, whether as seasoned leaders or new participants. Stonecroft is a place where women can grow, serve, and share God’s love with the world.”