Together Issue #4 – November/December 2024

Studying Together: A Harvest of One

Lydia, Europe’s First Christian Convert

When we think of the word and concept of Harvest, as it relates to agriculture, we often think of the taking in of large amounts of crops. On the other hand, we may even think of a “poor harvest” as a harvest that drought or flood adversely affected. Oxford’s Language Dictionary most simply defines Harvest as “the season’s yield or crop.”

In Acts chapter 16, we read of Paul and Silas’ missionary journeys. They were led of the Spirit to go to Macedonia. There in eastern Macedonia, in Philippi, they encountered a group of worshipping women who met on a riverbank. Some Jews and some converts to the Jewish faith, these women gathered for prayer and religious ritual.

As Paul and Silas spoke, God opened the heart of one woman named Lydia (Acts 16:14). She took to heart what was spoken and was baptized. Not Lydia only, but her act of obedience resulted in her whole household being baptized.

It is interesting to note that Lydia was a saleswoman by trade. She was a seller of purple. On the day that she heard the Gospel, the seller became the buyer as she bought in to Its Truth.  She may have been just one tiny crop that was yielded on that day, but a harvest of one resulted in a household being converted.

The church at Philippi, to whom Paul would later write, most likely was the believers that gathered in the home of Lydia. Europe’s first convert was one woman – numerically, a small harvest. However, that one woman was the door to a house, and eventually an entire continent of which we are part!

Let us not be disheartened by a harvest of one. That one might just end up being a seller of more than “purple”. 

Who might be the Lydia in your life?  How can your home be used for the harvest?

Harmony Pace, Euro Ladies Ministries Director

Chatting Together: Tia McBride

My name is Tia McBride. I am 29 years old, wife to Michael, and mother to Silas (almost 3) and Adelina (1). I am a graduate of Urshan College (now Urshan University) and am a General Licensed Minister with the UPCI. We are privileged to live in the beautiful nation of Moldova. I am currently studying Romanian, and my husband is studying Russian. We are striving to learn the languages so we can effectively minister in this nation. We are pioneering the work here.

How long have you been leading Ladies ministries?

To be honest, this is the first year of our first four-year term. I am very new at “leading” ladies ministry as there isn’t a church here.

What scripture would best describe your Ladies ministries?

Zechariah 4:10 is the first verse that comes to mind:  “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand.”

What has been your greatest challenge in Ladies Ministries?

I think our current challenge is finding ladies I can communicate with! I have met some sweet ladies since arriving in Moldova but I am unable to effectively communicate with them.

What has been your greatest victory in Ladies Ministries?

I think the greatest victory currently is that I am beginning to develop friendships with women that I interact with. It may not seem like much but I thank God that He is helping make friends even when I am unable to communicate. Truly love, smiles, and warmth transcend mere words.

What tip would you have for motivating ladies to be a part of Ladies Ministries?

Coming from someone who is very isolated, I would remind ladies we need each other. God created us to be relational beings. We need human interaction and community. What better place to get uplifted, encouraged, and bring friends to feel the love of Jesus than a group of like-minded, spirit-filled women you can laugh with, cry with, rejoice with, and pray with?

What have you tried that works best?

A smile. When starting out the best thing you can do is show yourself friendly, get out there and make friends. (Of course praying all the while).

What have you tried that did not work at all?

Forcing it. Not every person will accept what you have even if you know it will be good for them. Let time and God do His work.

Do you have a specific resource you would like to share?

This is not an official resource, but I would say that today my best resource are the Apostolic women of Europe. Missionary or not. Europe has some incredible women who have been serving God in this part of the world longer than I. I dare not think I have all the answers and I love to ask questions of those who have already been laboring before me.

Has your Ladies Ministries done any community outreach? Tell us about it.

Not yet.

What advice or encouragement would you give to someone who is just starting out?

We need each other. Don’t try and do this alone. Reach out when you need help or guidance. We can do this together, even miles away. And don’t forget that unless by a miracle, it won’t happen overnight. It’s going to take planning, work, maybe some tears and disappointment mingled in, adjusting, and planning some more. But if you labor and sow in prayer, fruit WILL come. In the beginning stages, comparison to more developed works is poison to the heart. Rejoice with others even if their harvest is bigger, better, and faster growing.

Debra Summers, Euro Ladies Ministries Secretary

Leading Together: Harvest Time

Autumn is an important time of the year for farming. The seed was cast in the spring, and now harvest time has begun. The farmers go out into their fields and gather as much of their crop as they are able. This period is full of long days, hard work, and rewarding moments as they see the fruit of their labor. It is not only harvest time in the physical sense, but also in the spiritual sense. Hungry souls walk past us daily, searching for the Kingdom of God. In John 4:35, Jesus told His disciples, “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” In the Kingdom of God, each day is ripe for a harvest of souls!

Our Ladies’ Ministries are full of evangelistic potential. Each woman has a powerful story of how they found Christ; each has a talent or a gift given by God for the growth of His Kingdom. We are constantly surrounded by broken and hurting people. How can we work together to reach them with the gospel? What type of community outreach can be done in our cities? How can we minister to those in need, such as the homeless, addicted, and abused? What municipal or charity pathways are available in our regions? How do we pray for our cities? Do we walk the streets together, praying for the souls that we pass? While on the earth, Jesus sought out the publicans and the sinners, sitting with and teaching them. We should follow our Savior’s example and go out in search of the lost.

There are some who would not first come to a church service but would gladly come to a small meeting in a home. Ladies’ Ministry provides an impacting, low-threshold path for souls to find their way into the church. As leaders, we should prayerfully think “outside of the box” to create opportunities for our ladies to participate in evangelistic ministry. When we work together, we can reach more souls with the precious gospel of Jesus Christ. The fields are white and souls are ripe for Pentecost. We are the laborers sent by the Lord of the Harvest; our time is now!

How can your ladies ministry reach your community? Think “outside the box” – with Christ, anything is possible!

Candace Lindholm

Meeting Together

Depending on where you live, fall can be one of the most beautiful seasons of the year.  I was born and raised in New Brunswick, Canada and the God-given show of fall colors still awes me to this day. 

However, as beautiful as fall is at the beginning of the season, it is also the season where things die.  Flowers no longer bloom, trees lose their leaves, and grass changes from a beautiful green to a dingy brown (John 12:24-26.)  But before everything dies off, a harvest of fruits, vegetables, and grains is the natural result of the planting, watering, and weeding that took place during the spring and summer seasons. 

Just as God created the natural change of seasons, we also go through seasonal life changes  (Ecclesiastes 3:1, Daniel 2:20-21.)  When we get to the fall season, whether it be in life in general, or in a situation in particular, what we harvest will be totally dependent on what we have sown previously.

Here are some ideas for a “Fall Harvest” ladies meeting:

Color Scheme: Fall colors such as deep reds, oranges, and golds.

Decorations: Fall colored leaves, pumpkins, small bales of hay, seed packets and small gardening tools, fall flowers such as chrysanthemums.

Getting to know each other: As the ladies arrive, you could give each one the following list of questions for her to answer.  At a given point during the meeting, ask the questions and allow the ladies to give their individual answers.  This is a great opportunity to learn more about the ladies in the group.  (Add your own questions – these are just to spark your imagination.)

• • What is your favorite fall tradition?
  • What is your favorite fall food?
  • Share a favorite fall memory from your childhood.
  • What is your favorite fall color?
  • Which do you prefer: a cool fall hike or sitting by a bonfire.
  • Do you have a favorite fall Scripture?
  • What do you love most about fall?
  • What do you love least about fall?

• Devotional ideas:
  • Transformation. In the Fall, everything looks different than it did in the Spring and Summer.  It’s as if the earth is going through a transformation.  Here are some Scriptures ideas to get your started on this devotional:  Romans 12:2, 2 Corinthians 3:18, Ephesians 4:22-24, Colossians 3:9-12.
  • Harvest.
    • A Plentiful Harvest – 2 Corinthians 9:6, 10, Psalm 107:37-38.
    • Sharing the Harvest – Deuteronomy 24:19, Leviticus 19:9; 23:22.
    • Celebrating the Harvest – Exodus 23:16, Isaiah 9:3.
    • The Assurance of a Harvest – Genesis 8:22, Jeremiah 5:24.
    • Laborers for the Harvest – Matthew 9:37-38.
  • Sowing and Reaping. Matthew 13:24, Galatians 6:7-9, Proverbs 11:18; 22:8, 2 Corinthians 9:6, Job 4:8, Psalm 126:5, Hosea 10:12-13.

Enjoy!  And please share your stories and pictures with us if you use any of our themes in your Ladies Ministry Group.

 Crystal Wallace

Teaching Together

“That the Aged Women May Teach”

  “But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.  The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed”. Titus 2:1-5

At the beginning of this year, Sis. Yamile Martinez (wife of the president of the UPCI in Spain) gathered the wives of the National Board of Spain for the purpose of providing teachings for all minister’s wives, which eventually lead to 3 virtual meetings nationwide. Her idea was to focus on 3 groups divided by years of experience in ministry.  Below is the teaching given to women with 10 or more years of ministry alongside their husbands, focusing on the words that Paul said to his son in the Lord in Titus 2:1-5, “Let the aged women teach the younger women,” which should really apply to any leader or woman filled with the Holy Ghost.  We have been called to teach those who come after us. Whether we are new to leadership or have 10 or more years in it, we should be stable women of God, confident in who we are and what our purpose and role is – not weak, fragile, or needy.  Regardless of natural age, even a young woman can be an “Elder” or “Aged” in the faith to teach others in the work of the Lord.

1. Who is the “Aged” woman?

• • According to the Merriam-Webster official dictionary, “aged” means of an advanced age, or having obtained a specific age.  In other words – someone who has lived more years, who has more experience.   Synonyms include adult, mature, or grown-up.
  • The word used in the Spanish bible here is “anciana”, which means literally old woman. However, the etymology of this word is very interesting:  the word we use today in Spanish is derived from the old French “antes,” which is derived from the Latin “ante.” All of these together indicate – someone who has come before…. Someone who has been down this road before…. Someone who has lived this before….
  • This is us my sisters, whether in ministry or as ladies’ leaders, whether we have 1 year of experience or 40 years…
  • God has placed us where we are because we have been here before those who are coming after us. We should already have some experiences to share to help those who come after us, regardless of natural age.

2. What must we teach?

• • The Truth! The precious word of God!
  • How to live like Christ
  • How to be saved
  • How to be an example to our families
  • How to reach other women
  • How to live holy in this sinful world
  • How to raise children “in the fear and admonition of the Lord”
  • How to love and respect your husbands, how to love your children
  • The possibilities are endless – and all necessary and important!

3. How much should we teach?

• • Repeatedly – Over and over – until they catch it! We cannot leave it to chance or luck, and we must not be weary in well doing.
  • How many times do our children fall while learning to walk or crawl? Do we abandon them just because they didn’t get it right the first time?  Of course not!  We’d like to rush in every time and help, protect them (obviously we will keep them safe from harm)… but it’s in the falling and getting back up that their little limbs get stronger, more coordinated.
  • I have watched this again very closely these days as my grandson has learned to crawl… he is clumsy, his arms and legs sometimes don’t coordinate, they don’t do what he wants and sometimes it is easier for him to just roll over onto his back and suck on his pacifier. However, there is something programmed into his DNA that says – I have to move!! If I am going to fulfill all that God has planned for me – I have to get up and try again.
  • We mustn’t forget how much energy it takes for a baby to learn to roll over, to crawl, and then to walk. They use every ounce of energy at each new stage.  We don’t despair of them, we understand that they WILL roll over, that they WILL crawl and then walk.
  • It is the same with those we are teaching – we must have a lot of patience and love, and always be ready to give them encouragement and a hand up, so they try again.

4. How should we teach it?

• • By personal example. There is no book or teaching stronger than one’s own life!  You cannot teach what you are not or what you do not do…. Your greatest epistle will be your own life as Paul said to the Corinthians – known and read by all men.
    • Example in worship. The church watches you, follows you
    • Example in personal prayer/devotional
    • Example in faith…. do you really believe this message? Or are you faking it? If you really don’t see the need or don’t obey – it will come out!
    • Example in faithfulness/attendance
    • Example in your personal/family life. What you are really like at home will come out!!! For better and for worse
    • Example in Inner Holiness….
    • Example in Outer Holiness…. This is where we fail many times, sisters…. We want to be loved, accepted, young, trendy, or super “cool.” We want to please and pamper our children, making allowances for them, allowing little things in them that we don’t allow in others…. This is a recipe for disaster – you are not helping anyone this way!
    • Example in our conduct…. Your actions speak louder than your words!!
      • How is your conduct? How are you “walking”  – “worthy of the calling with which you were called” – or not?  Ephesians 4:1
      • Have you made the word of God of none effect with your mouth, or with your actions?? Jesus taught the Pharisees in Mark 7:13 that they were nullifying or invalidating the word of God by the things they were doing. “Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye”  What are you doing?
    • Verse 3 says “Let the older women likewise be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not enslaved to much wine, teachers of what is good.”
      • Are you reverent, or rebellious? Is there a lack of reverence in you? Are you teaching reverence by your example – or the opposite? Have you lost the fear of God?
      • Are you a Slanderer? One who slanders (defames or smears) one who makes false accusations maliciously to cause harm.  Synonyms are impostor, forger, slanderer, liar, deceitful, mendacious, gossiper… It is being a liar, or saying things – even if they are true – but in a way that causes harm…. May God help us!
    • Not enslaved to much wine… Shocking that I would even have to mention this, given that the Holy Ghost delivers from all addictions.  However, in today’s world – We should not depend on legal or illegal substances in order to face life daily…  You need Jesus!!  Let Jesus cleanse you and free you from all these things!
    • Or you are already a Teacher of what is good…. You have already obtained your Master’s Degree in doing things well, in spreading good, peace, kindness, patience, longsuffering to your students/followers. I commend you! Teach!  Keep Teaching!
  • By our actual Teachings:
    • Sermons, lessons, book clubs, Bible studies, ladies classes, young ladies classes, devotions, ladies services, small groups, cell groups, interest groups – the possibilities are endless!
    • What are you feeding your sheep – those that are following you?
      • The true and pure word of God? (in any of the above formats)
        • 1st Corinthians 2:4 “my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power”
        • 2nd 4:2. Paul instructs Timothy to “Preach (TEACH!) the Word! be instant in season, out of season (when it is convenient, when it is not!”  Another interesting version is the ERV – “Tell everyone God’s message. Be ready at all times to do whatever is needed. Tell people what they need to do, tell them when they are doing wrong, and encourage them. Do this with great patience and careful teaching”.
      • Or your own personal gripes and complaints…. Personal feelings… disagreements with others…. Murmurings… gossips… slanders….
    • If you provoke or cause even one of God’s little sheep to be lost – may God help you!!!

5. If you are not teaching them – who is?

• • Who has their ear, their interest – Who is providing good food?? Someone who is preaching an enticing message, or the truth?  IS IT YOU?
  • Who is whispering in their ear?
  • Where are they getting their food, their strength, their encouragement – from you? Or someone else?   WHY?
  • Hungry sheep need to eat! They will find food somewhere! Make sure YOU are providing healthy, abundant sustenance for the sheep God has entrusted YOU with!

My dear sisters, companions of the faith – The Aged/Elders of the Faith – We need you! Your nation needs you! It is time for the true army of God to rise up and stand in the gap for all our nations. We are in the home stretch of this race – the baton is in your hands now! Teach the younger so that they can also teach others.”Let the Aged Women Teach!”

Kay Burgess

“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)