Because You Prayed!

Because you prayed, ladies from all over the country gathered at my home church on Friday and Saturday, March 3-4, for the Anchored Conference with Cyndee Ownby, founder of Women's Ministry Toolbox.

Because you prayed, souls came from seventeen different states, including SC, GA, PA, MD, MI, IN, MS, NC, MO, GA, TN, FL, WA, TX, AL, NJ, and Washington, DC. They arrived safely, attended the conference, and soaked in the goodness of the Lord.

Because you prayed, leaders listened to three key messages on being anchored in their faith and ministry. Ladies were touched and encouraged as we looked at the passage of James 1:1-8. We reminded each other to stay firm in our personal faith. We challenged one another to stay anchored to God and his word. Because you prayed, leaders from fifty-four churches learned how to do ministry and left better equipped to share with others.

Because you prayed, we were led to the throne in worship with Jennifer Karlewicz and Patcrica Farmatino. Over a hundred women's voices lifted the Lord's name in sweet harmony.

Because you prayed, ladies were encouraged through brainstorming, friendship building, fellowship, and table discussions. There was great conversation as women listened and shared personal losses cupped with great victories.

Because you prayed, God used four informational workshops to encourage and train leaders to influence their circle! As a result, they can implement this material in their hometowns.

Because you prayed, Anchored was a raving success!

I want to say thank you. Truly, thank you.

Your prayers blessed others. Ladies were given the steps to stay the course in ministry. Others took home a plan to start a ministry in their local church.

I am grateful, and I am thankful for you. I am grateful that ladies nationwide were touched by the weekend. I am thankful ladies want to serve the Lord and other ladies and now have the tools to do so. I am praising Him for his love. I am grateful we can share the gospel of John 3:16 in our neighborhoods and across the nation.

If you are reading this today and are in ministry, here is an excellent resource. If you are one whom women's ministry or a faithful mentor has blessed, pause to thank the Lord for her. Then, perhaps, drop her a text or a card to thank her.

Thank you, Friends! Thank you for being on this journey with me. You bless me. Thank you for your prayers.

"James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion; Greetings. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways."

James 1:1-8 (ESV)