Studying Together: The Biggest Little Lunch
The Gospel of John gives us a glimpse into what the feeding of the 5,000 by Jesus looked like. We see many people in the narrative of John chapter six. We see a multitude numbering in the thousands. We see Jesus and His twelve disciples. Not least of all, we read of a boy who had a lunch, a lunch that would feed more than 5,000 people!
However, there is one person we do not see in this snapshot of Scripture. There is no mention of the mother of the boy with the lunch. Her presence within the story is there, nonetheless. While we read no names or lineage, we do read of the fruits of a mother’s influence: an influence that is multiplied by thousands.
No doubt, this boy’s mother did not wake up thinking she needed to prepare a lunch for 5,000. She was, however, intentional on sending her boy out of the house with something that would nourish him. In doing so, she put something in his hand that the Master could bless that would in turn feed the masses.
While it can make us anxious to send our children into the world, knowing that there will be attempts by the world to “feed” them, we can be confident that placed in the hand of the Master, what we have diligently prepared at home WILL sustain them. The beautiful thing is that it will not only nourish them but be used to nourish those around them! Every day, you’re sending your children out with the biggest, little lunch!
Maybe you are not a mother, or your children are grown – who can you invest in? What can you do? We can all be like this unseen mother and be diligent to do what we can and trust God to use it to work His wonders!
Harmony Pace, Euro Ladies Ministries Director
Chatting Together: Carla Calhoun
My name is Carla Calhoun, and I have been married to Allan Calhoun for 34 years. I am from Canada and we have been missionaries in The Netherlands for almost 7 years. We have 2 beautiful daughters and wonderful sons-in-law, 4 grandbabies and another one on the way.
How long have you been leading Ladies ministries?
I have been leading the national Ladies Ministry in the Netherlands for 5 years and in our local church for 6 1/2 years.
What scripture would best describe your Ladies ministries?
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” ~ Hebrews 10:24-25
What has been your greatest challenge in Ladies Ministries?
I think our greatest challenge was during Covid. We could not meet together in person, but we did meet on zoom and that worked great.
What has been your greatest victory in Ladies Ministries?
The greatest victory is seeing the unity and love when these precious ladies come together, whether it be nationally or locally. We are blessed with some wonderful ladies.
What tip would you have for motivating ladies to be a part of Ladies Ministries?
My greatest tip for Ladies Ministry would be to offer good communication and love. I also have a WhatsApp ladies group called L.I.F.T (Ladies in Fellowship Together) that we use to encourage each other, give prayer requests, and sometimes just have fun. It’s good to stay connected throughout the week and not just on church days.
What have you tried that works best?
Locally, the WhatsApp group, monthly prayer meetings, and a bi-monthly meeting works best. Nationally, we have an event once a year. We also have a WhatsApp group for the national ladies ministry team that we use to encourage each other, pray for each other, as well as for planning events.
What have you tried that did not work at all?
If there was one thing I could say that has not worked for us, it would be secret sisters. It starts out great but by the end, there are only a few ladies actually participating.
Do you have a specific resource you would like to share?
I really enjoy the Facebook group page called “Just Between Us.” I have got many ideas and answers on this group. Also talking to our ladies ministry leaders has been very helpful.
Has your Ladies Ministries done any community outreach? Tell us about it.
Although we have not yet gone out as a ladies group to the community, we have visitors at almost every event/meeting.
What advice or encouragement would you give to someone who is just starting out?
Just starting out, I would say you must get to know your ladies. Get to know their schedules with jobs, kids, husbands, etc., and what works best for them. Make ladies meetings exciting and always be in prayer for what God wants to do through you. Unity and communication, as I said before, are so important. Let them know you love them and help them discover their God-given talents and giftings. Simply encourage them in their daily walk with God.
Debra Summers, Euro Ladies Ministries Secretary
Leading Together: What’s Your Vision?
“Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.” Joel A Barker
As leaders, it is essential that we have a vision for our ministries. Indeed, Proverbs 29:18 tells us, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” Vision is integral for growth. If we have no goal to attain, then our attempts at anything are a waste of time and will surely fail. God Himself is a visionary; His word was written to guide us out of darkness and into His marvelous light. It is only natural that those who follow Him should be full of vision as well.
Acts 9:36-42 tells the story of Dorcas, or Tabitha. Dorcas was a disciple in the city of Joppa who ministered to widows by making clothes for them. When Dorcas died, Peter was quickly summoned from the neighboring city of Lydda. When he entered Dorcas’ room, he found that all the widows in this important port city were there. Not 10 or 15, but every single one! Dorcas was just one woman but she ministered to every widow in Joppa. Praise God that He raised her from the dead so that she could continue her vital work! This is what is possible when we are full of vision. Imagine the effort that went into her ministry: making clothes, seeking out widows, adding new ones to her list, praying and crying with them, and so much more. She was just one woman! What can God do through you? What can God do through your ladies? What talents and gifts can He use for His glory? That same potential which was within Dorcas also rests in all of us; God wants to use all of us to change our world!
Let’s not focus only on the current circumstances, but rather look beyond to what could be! Our Regional Director’s vision for growth in Europe creates a powerful foundation for us to build on, whether we are involved in local or national ministry. I pray that we would all be full of vision like Dorcas. She did her best with what she had, and through her efforts, God changed many lives. How can Jesus use you and your ladies to reach this world? The Lord’s power and wisdom is unmatched; therefore, the possibilities are endless! I encourage you to seek His vision for your ministry and live in it. If we do so, then God will work through us to touch many lives for His glory.
You have the potential to change your world. Look beyond what is and towards what could be; the future is full of possibility and God desires to use you to impact it!
Candace Lindholm
Meeting Together
Before discussing a theme for your next ladies meeting, let’s take a few minutes to discuss some goals you might want to consider for your ladies’ ministry.
- To provide a beautiful, fun, relaxing, safe atmosphere for ladies to gather. Their time together will be short; therefore, we should strive for quality. A large budget is not needed to create a welcoming space where sisters can fellowship together and momentarily forget about the list of duties awaiting them at home. This should be a refreshing experience for the physical body, as well as the mind and emotions.
- To create an atmosphere where the ladies will feel the love of God through you as the leader, as well as other sisters in the church. This should be a refreshing experience for the spiritual being.
- To present the Word of God in a meaningful and practical way which will encourage the ladies to apply the Word to their own lives.
- To discover the gifts and talents of the ladies in your group who can also become servants in this ministry. Do you have women who love to cook or bake, or who are artistic? How about someone who loves to open her home to guests? You can use these ladies and their talents to help you in your Ladies Ministries. This gets them involved and it lightens the load that you are carrying. The goal should always be to teach disciples and then send them to do what they’ve been taught.
It is time for our children to return to the classroom, so why not use this as a meeting theme?
Theme Title Suggestions and Key Verses:
- Back to School – 2 Timothy 2:15
- Back to the Word – 2 Timothy 2:15; Joshua 1:8
- Back in the Classroom – 2 Timothy 2:15
- A Wise Woman – Proverbs 31:26; Titus 2:3-5; Psalm 11:10
- Sitting at His Feet – Luke 10:38-42
- Passing the Test – 2 Timothy 4:7-8; James 1:12; 1 Peter 1:7; Psalm 66:10
- Making the Grade – 2 Timothy 4:7-8; James 1:12; Matthew 16:27; Revelation 22:12
Color Scheme:
Any color scheme could work but when I think of “back to school,” a big yellow school bus always comes to mind. Perhaps your theme colors could be yellow and white. Or, you could choose the colors of one of your local schools.
Decorations:
If you have the space, consider setting your meeting space up like a school classroom. You could make a bulletin board that highlights your chosen theme, have stacks of Bibles on a desk, as well as baskets of pens, pencils, crayons, erasers, etc. Even a basket of apples for the teacher would be appropriate.
You might consider asking each lady to bring some new school supplies that could be donated to children who are unable to buy their own.
Activities:
- Ask each lady to talk about her favorite teacher and why she chose that particular person.
- What was her favorite subject to study, and why?
- What is the greatest lesson she ever learned?
- What is the worst lesson she ever learned?
- Ask each lady to bring in one of her school yearbooks or pictures to share with the others.
Take-Home Gift Ideas:
Depending on your budget, you may choose to send each lady home with a small reminder of the meeting’s theme. Some suggestions are:
- Small notebook and pen.
- Small agenda.
- Bookmark.
- An apple.
Have fun…and please send us stories and testimonies of what’s happening in your ladies meetings to [email protected]! We would love to see and share what you are doing in your local Ladies Ministry.
Crystal Wallace
“She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time. I tell you the truth, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be remembered and discussed.” Mark 14:8-9 (NLT)
