I speak for Stonecroft ministries. The outreach groups you might know as Christian Women’s Clubs. The emphasis has always been to provide a non-threatening atmosphere where you can invite a friend and be sure they will hear the gospel in its entirety. Along with a delicious meal and a special feature; the event concludes promptly in an hour and a half. Even working women have found time to attend these luncheons. Special features can be anything from a fashion show to a first aid demo to a flower arranging demo. Last week I saw a gift wrapping feature and came away with tons of new and inexpensive ideas. The name for our groups has changed to Women’s Connection, but the message has remained the same. We’ve added topical and interactive talks which are very appealing to younger women and slowly the word is getting out. Most clubs offer free child care as well.
Often when I look out at the faces in my audiences I see mostly senior citizens. I understand that; they are the ones with the time. I never let that bother me. Because if I know one thing, it’s this. It doesn’t matter if you’ve gone to church all of your life, if you’re involved in a Bible study, if you’ve lived a good and decent life and everything seems to be going very well. There is always one woman, maybe more, who has never understood that she must individually receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
I have spoken at five events in the last week or so. I talked about a woman who thinks she has it all together, but deep inside she’s missing something. She’s searched for peace, for happiness, for fulfillment, for meaning in life and she’s come up empty because she’s looked in all of the wrong places. Church attendance won’t do it, reading the Bible won’t do it, making a meal for your neighbor won’t do it, nor will giving to charity. Then I tell them what will do it. After each event I stand at the door and greet ladies as they leave. Here is what happened at four of the events:
In Chino Hills a woman, who was a hostess at our table, has been attending these luncheons for years and she regularly attends church. She told me emphatically, “I am that woman you talked about!”
In Visalia a woman told me, “You had me all the way. I loved your talk and it’s helped me see where I need to change.”
In Temecula there were about 120 women gathered for a Christmas Tea. A young woman had invited her mother. Her mother used to go to church, but something happened and she hasn’t stepped inside of a church for over twenty years. For some reason she came to this luncheon with her daughter. I was told later, “Something significant happened at our table. She was really moved like never before.”
In Oakhurst a woman came to me with tears in her eyes. She said, “I wish my son could have heard your message. He’s nineteen, into drugs and alcohol and he says he’s too far gone. It’s too late!” I gave her a CD of my message and I’m praying for this young man.
There’s something else that I know. God promises that His word will not return void. When it is proclaimed I know hearts and minds and lives change. You can count on it.
If you're reading this and you feel like you could be that woman, please contact me. I would love to hear from you. I promise a quick reply.
judyscharf@verizon.net
