Women's Ministry Changes the World Through Crafts
ORLANDO — Hot glue guns, faux-silk flowers, painted magnets that say "I can do all things through Christ!" — these astonishingly effective tools and skill-building exercises have helped New Life Center's women's group launch dozens of women into world-changing evangelism.
"Who knew that crafts were such a potent training ground for the gospel?" says Debby Wentworth, the group's chipper leader, as she finishes painting an irresistibly cute wooden angel. She's joined in the fellowship hall by 120 women, all chatting and doing decoupage. They create darling flower bouquets, seasonal wall-hangings and cozy centerpieces — all for the cause of Christ.
As a result of intense craft training, the group has become an engine of world transformation, sending dozens of women into the mission field.
"My years spent doing crafts prepared me well for the incredible complexities and challenges of running an orphanage in rural Malaysia," says Tamara Gooden, who speaks three Asian languages and is now an unofficial liaison between her village and the central Malaysian government. "I recall the papier-mâché butterflies we made with Bible verses on the wings, the cutting, the pasting — all skills that directly pertain to my current work increasing crop yields and distributing basic medicines for the people here so they don't succumb to famine or disease."
Other women testify that their extensive training in crafts has equipped them to lead large overseas crusades, start multi-national food ministries and raise millions for relief efforts.
"Crafts is such an under-valued skill-builder," says Debby. "And when crafts are done right — take toll paining or bead stringing, for example — women sense the strong presence of God and break down under conviction, right here in the women's ministries wing."
(OK, I've pinched this from "Lark News". I'll confess I'm a bit "craft-challenged", and have more interest in women's leadership stuff. Of course, craft groups can be a fabulous form of outreach, and good creative therapy for some... but I have to smirk a little at this gentle poke at those who take craft rather too seriously!)
"Who knew that crafts were such a potent training ground for the gospel?" says Debby Wentworth, the group's chipper leader, as she finishes painting an irresistibly cute wooden angel. She's joined in the fellowship hall by 120 women, all chatting and doing decoupage. They create darling flower bouquets, seasonal wall-hangings and cozy centerpieces — all for the cause of Christ.
As a result of intense craft training, the group has become an engine of world transformation, sending dozens of women into the mission field.
"My years spent doing crafts prepared me well for the incredible complexities and challenges of running an orphanage in rural Malaysia," says Tamara Gooden, who speaks three Asian languages and is now an unofficial liaison between her village and the central Malaysian government. "I recall the papier-mâché butterflies we made with Bible verses on the wings, the cutting, the pasting — all skills that directly pertain to my current work increasing crop yields and distributing basic medicines for the people here so they don't succumb to famine or disease."
Other women testify that their extensive training in crafts has equipped them to lead large overseas crusades, start multi-national food ministries and raise millions for relief efforts.
"Crafts is such an under-valued skill-builder," says Debby. "And when crafts are done right — take toll paining or bead stringing, for example — women sense the strong presence of God and break down under conviction, right here in the women's ministries wing."
(OK, I've pinched this from "Lark News". I'll confess I'm a bit "craft-challenged", and have more interest in women's leadership stuff. Of course, craft groups can be a fabulous form of outreach, and good creative therapy for some... but I have to smirk a little at this gentle poke at those who take craft rather too seriously!)
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