For several weeks, I’ve been talking about how Women of the Way got its name, the very first Women of the Way, and a very inspirational Lincoln County woman who showed us what it means to be a passionate, devoted follower of Christ.
Now, let’s hear from you!
Who are the modern day women that set the example of being passionate and devoted in our time?
Ann Hatcher– Ann Hatcher serves as associate pastor of the Fayetteville First United Methodist Church. She was one of the first to say, “YES” to trying this idea of Women of the Way back in 2012. Here’s what a friend had to say about Ann: “She simply oozes with the Lord of Jesus. After time with her I leave refreshed, encouraged, feeling like I belong and have a place.”
Tina Hudson– This wonderful lady serves as the founder and operator of Hands of Mercy, a local food pantry for those in need. I love what was said about her as a Women of the Way: “Compassion flows from her like a river. She brings great strength and stability to those around her and lets His love flow through her!”
Trish Pierson– Trish serves as the pastor’s wife at Stewart’s Chapel out in Vanntown. She spoke at WoW 2017. Here’s what her friend had to say, “Trish loves Jesus. When she talks about him her face lights up. She is encouraging, loves her husband and her family. She works hard at church, and when there is something that needs to be done, she serves. She teaches women and comes along side of us in pray.”
Elizabeth Chaplin– This young Lincoln County native shared with us back at WoW 2017 about her preparations to do mission work in New Zealand. She is doing amazing thing leading young women to Christ and in ministry!
Here is what she says:
I’m having to really reflect on God’s sovereignty in my life and remember truth. I had no clue what I was getting myself into the last two times I went to New Zealand, yet, because all good things come from the God of infinite resources, I was able to do my job and love and point students to Christ. I’ve never been ready. I’ll never be ready. I simply have to be willing to step into what God is calling me to do and trust that He will use me to carry out His plan. Even the best preparations and degrees and courses and book knowledge and experience will fall flat if I am not walking in what God has prepared for me. It’s really comforting and freeing to realize that we are not Christ (John 3:28), and that apart from Him, we are nothing (John 15:5).
A Special E. B.- If you attend the WoW sessions for 2018, you’ll remember a young woman who shared with us her preparations for heading to the mission field in an undisclosed location. She couldn’t tell us much about where she was going and what she was doing with the International Teams organization. She is also a native Lincoln County *triplet* who inspired that even a small town girl can do big things for God!
She said,
Thank you for the opportunity to share just a glimpse of the vision for serving refugee women during WoW 2018. The gifts were a huge blessing and the encouragement from the ladies meant so much to me. I look forward to sharing more of God’s work among courageous women!
All of these women in their own unique way show us what it means to be passionate, devoted followers of Christ. There are so many more too. If I included all the women I knew just in Lincoln County alone, I could write a book about the amazing work God is doing through each of you!
It’s awesome to see how good God is through the beautiful hearts of women like these and so many more!
We’ve been inspired by remembering the first Women of the Way and how they were used to usher in the Kingdom of God. Could it be that those of us in this day and age are called to complete God’s work in His Kingdom? Are we the women who’s passion and devotion will be instrumental in bringing many around the world to Christ in these final days?
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2
Keep being passionate and devoted. Keep oozing Jesus. Don’t stop pouring love out on the people around you. Go into all the world and spread the Gospel. Be brave and fearless. Bring Christ into every situation He leads you.
Be Women of the Way!
~Amy