I have been a part of our wonderful for church for 3 years in June.

My husband, 4 sons and I moved from Bristol, England where we spent 4 years as Pastors with the Bristol Vineyard.

One of the things I personally became involved in was the huge population of very young single mom’s. A few of us teamed up with a support group in one of the local neighborhoods and we would go and give the young “mums” a day where they were pampered.

A day they could receive and refuel.

A day that the Lord could, without any hidden agenda, touch them in a very real way.

These women only needed an affirming word and not to feel judged. We wanted them to be proud of their decision to have gone through with their pregnancy when so much of the world tells them otherwise.

The woman in charge of the support center was completely shocked that we didn’t charge them for this service, and when I explained we wanted to bless them, she was silent and bewildered. It was a wonderful success and we went back a few months later to do another one.I know that God left a fingerprint on all those young moms and I personally feel blessed through that experience.

When I first arrived in Arizona, I was approached by Alecia Manes who had been successfully running an outreach for the VCNP called Single Mom’s Spa Day. Small world, and wonderful timing I thought! We had lunch together and I learned about this now 14 year ministry that she and a handful of other faithful women had started with 10 moms… I was so excited to hear how God’s hand was obviously in this and was delighted when she asked me to join the team. Like the outreach in Bristol, there was no charge for this day. The entire core team were excited about the idea of reaching out to women not just in the church but outside as well.To really focus on becoming an outreach, much in the same way the compassion ministry works. To reach women who were in the sex industry, victims of spousal abuse, recovering from drug and alcohol addition, HIV and AIDS positive mom’s and teen moms. We asked the Lord to bring half of the women from outside of the church, and in 2009 that is exactly what happened! He did it!!

We had 250 women come, and 125 of them were from outside the church!!! I had never witnessed anything like it.

Women were crying with gratefulness at being given a day where they are simply loved on. No hidden agenda, no surprise attacks or “Accept Jesus or else!” moments. Simply stepping out of the way, and allowing the Holy Spirit to minister with our actions and words of affirmation. Being an ear for them to be heard, and offering prayer if the Holy Spirit suggests it.I love that our church is willing to get messy and love those people that some may be afraid to love. I love that we invite everyone to come as they are, and yet be challenged to allow God to make you into more than you will ever expect to be.

Transforming ordinary people into extraordinary followers of Christ.

It is overwhelming to lock hands with our fellow sisters before the day starts and see the over 100 women serving together.

Striving to be 1 Corinthians 13 and allow God to use us to love on His people.

We get to do it again on May 21st and we cannot wait to see what God has in store this year!!!

Thank you VCNP for allowing me to be a part of such a wonderful family.

Blessings,

Rebecca Turrigiano

When my third child was born, my oldest was three.  And they were all active boys!

 My husband and I were outnumbered and my life was completely up-ended.  For the next three years, I couldn’t even go shopping at Target by myself with the kids.  While one raced down the aisle, the toddler climbed out of the cart – all while the baby, who disliked being confined from the moment of his birth, screamed!  I was a mess!  I felt like climbing over the cart and racing down the aisle screaming myself.

 In those difficult three years, I kept trying to regain my old life.  An organizer and leader by nature, I’d volunteer to oversee something at church and then make my kids and me miserable trying to get it done.   My heart is heavy when I remember the times I dragged my three little boys to one event or another, only to leave angry and in tears because they couldn’t sit still.

 Instead of accepting my life as it was, I plowed ahead, wanting to serve God and certain He was pleased with my sacrifices.  The problem was that my innocent children made the real sacrifice by enduring my non-stop lifestyle.  I wish with all my heart that someone had taken me out to coffee and helped me get some perspective.  I was too blind to see.

 What I know now is that sometimes God calls us to a new mission field that on the surface looks like we’ve been called out of the “game.”  But nothing could be further from the truth!  For those three years (and truthfully beyond that) I was afraid to stop pursuing my goals in case an opportunity might pass me by.  What happened was the opportunity to minister more deeply to my children passed me by.

 First Peter 3:8 says, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends:  With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day”  (NIV).  Although this verse is speaking about the Lord’s return, I believe it can be applied to any time of “waiting.”  God doesn’t see time as we do.  Three years seems like an eternity, when it’s really just a breath in time.  The first part of verse 9 offers hope to those who think opportunities are passing them by and God has forgotten them:  “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.”

 I wish someone had told me that God would not forget me.  In fact, God had hand- picked me to be the mother of Joshua, Dylan and Robbie (and now our daughters – Cathrine and Ruth).   I have been called to raise these children.  I was, and still am,  right where He wants me. 

 Even though my days felt like years back then, they really were just a blink.  Funny how the rear view mirror gives you such a broad perspective.

In His Love,

Glynnis

This past weekend Brian taught about our gifting and serving in the church. I’d like to look at that a little more. A number of years ago when I did a study on Spiritual Gifts I was and still am in awe of the way God designed the church. His plan is for each one of us to play a part in the church by using our gifting, skills and abilities. I also learned He created us each different; not everyone is going to have a heart of compassion or have the patience to run the video during service or have the skills to play for worship. But no job in a church is unimportant in the building of God’s Kingdom. Brian mentioned this in his sermon when he talked about not ever wanting hear anyone say they just… volunteer or clean toys, etc. I so agree, all service within the church is so important! When God showed this to me I was running the slides that go on the video screens and I realized that if I goof up majorly it would really distract from people’s experience in Worship and take the focus of God.

I love Paul’s analogy with the parts of the body in I Corinthians 12:12-30. Like in I Corinthians 12:17 Paul writes, “If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?” Can you picture it the whole body being one big eye or ear? Wow, that would be really scary. Just as scary as everyone trying to make free coffee at one time and no one greeting or everyone cleaning the bathrooms and no one working with the children.

When I first realized God gifted each one of us for a path of His choosing I was so relieved. I didn’t have to beat myself up because my Christian walk didn’t look like someone else’s. Don’t get me wrong there are a number of things all Christians are called to do or strive toward in ever increasing measure. But there are areas of gifting, service and passion that are unique as each one of us, and God will reveal this to us as we try out different areas of service and look for guidance from classes like the SHAPE class.

As you can see in my bio, I oversee the Women’s Conference each year, lead a Care Group, and help in the Finance Ministry. I’d love to hear how you serve in the church?

Thank you for serving,

Susan