Outreach with a Feminine Touch
Women's midweek groups, traditionally for fellowship, are in some places developing evangelistic thrusts as well. Two examples from the Northwest:
At Christian Life Assembly in Langley, British Columbia, "Women Alive" is a two-hour program on Thursday mornings.
• The first hour is strictly an exercise class, led by a trained fitness instructor.
• The second hour offers 12-week electives on a wide range of topics: dieting, Bible book studies, "The Creative Woman," "The Mid-Life Crisis," "How to Really Love Your Child," "Learning to Talk with God."
When Marilyn Lebeck, the senior pastor's wife, began the program four years ago, 40 women attended. Last year, Women Alive averaged 140, many of them from outside the congregation. A young mother named Elsie Sharp is typical: "I was invited by a friend," she says. "I'd only gone to Sunday school briefly as a child and hadn't been in church since. But here they explained the basics of Christianity, and after a few weeks, I accepted Christ into my life at home in my bedroom." She's now a regular attender of Christian Life Assembly.
Name tags are used by everyone to encourage friendships. Nursery and toddler care is provided each week. Textbooks are sold for some of the courses, which run in three terms: September to early December, January to March, and mid-April to June.
The teachers, all women of the church, use the first-hour exercise time to meet for prayer, problem solving, and planning. "This program has developed leadership among our women and provided many ministry opportunities," says David Lim, associate pastor. "The low-key, esteem-building approach has won a good number of families to the Lord and the church."
Thursdays are also outreach days in Tacoma, Washington, when First ...
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