TWO WORLDS BRIEFLY COLLIDE

It was a lovely setting for a very unlovely topic. The dark evil world of Human Trafficking and the beautiful peaceful world of a planned golfing club community met head-on Wednesday April 20, 2011.

The members of the "Ridge Readers" book club of the Forest Ridge neighborhood in Broken Arrow, OK organized the event.  They invited Stonecroft Ministries PressPause Chair Sharon Braner and  PressPause Financial Coordinator Laura Francis to the Players Grill for the presentation.  Eighteen mothers and grandmothers from the area attended. Thirteen of those women had never attended a Stonecroft event before that day.

Laura provided technical support for the Power Point presentation as Sharon explained the world of Human Trafficking.  A  Q&A time followed the pictures, stories and statistics.   Hand-outs included tips to recognize this modern day slavery, ideas for how to protect teens and children and a take home quiz for teen-age girls. 

Jesus was presented as the only way to freedom from the slavery of sin and the only One that can change hearts. Nine copies of the Gospel of John were picked up at the close of the meeting. 

The ladies shared stories and plans to take the message of help and hope back to their families, churches and sphere of influence.

PARADISE BAPTIST CHURCH HOLDS HUMAN TRAFFICKING MEETING

 

Stonecroft speaker Sharon Braner and Laura Francis presented the horror of Human Trafficking via Power Point presentation to the monthly meeting of the ladies of Paradise Baptist Church of North Tulsa,OK  Saturday March 26, 2011. ( Husbands Tony Francis and Dennis Braner provided the technical  support.) Paradise Women's Ministry President Laverne Lawson graciously invited us and  hosted the event.
  Approximately 25 women participated and vowed to search for ways to alleviate the suffering caused by this billion dollar "business"  that is sweeping our land.   After a time of Q & A,  18 copies of the gospel of John were distributed.   Friendships were formed and ideas of working together on future events were discussed. We sang, we prayed and we agreed that we are "bound together in love," and  the love Jesus offers is the message we must take to a hurting world.  We exchanged contact information for follow-up and future endeavors.  Interacting with the ladies of "Paradise" was the blessing of the day!

PressPause P.S.46.10 Goes to TOWN VILLAGE



Robyn Thompson, Activities Director
& Stonecroft Speaker Sharon Braner


Michelle Miller, Chair of Stonecroft Tulsa #1 Women's Connection invited PressPause to Town Village, a local Retirement Community located in Tulsa, OK.   Michelle has served as a friend and counselor  there for the past eight years and is presently leading a Bible Study with the support of the Activities Director.   The gathering was scheduled for Monday afternoon, January 17, 2011.

The meeting room was filled with residents, friends, and staff of this delightful Community. Several residents arrived in their electric scooters.  Thirty-four folks attended with twenty-nine counted as participating in their first ever Stonecroft Outreach Meeting.  Sharon Braner, chair of PressPause and Stonecroft speaker helped each guest realize their present attitude by identifying anger, joy, generosity, fear,  loneliness, etc,  through the concept of a signature song.  She offered suggestions with famous and funny song titles from Country Music Best's Outrageous Tunes. She told her own life's story of overcoming self-centeredness and self-pity through the gospel of Jesus Christ. HE changed her life's song from "Gloom, Despair and Agony are Me" to  "Great is They Faithfulness."

After much laughter and a few silent tears many found themselves acknowledging their need of a "new attitude" which can only be accomplished through a new life of forgiveness and joy.

Nine copies of the gospel of John were picked up at the end of the meeting.  One "young at heart" gentleman was seen riding his scooter home to his apartment while singing in a loud voice "When the Saints Go Marching In." Another  elderly guest proclaimed that her new song for the day would be "Thanks for the Memory."

 After hugs and a promise to return the volunteers of PressPause agreed that they were the ones that had been blessed by spending time with these beautiful folks.

PressPause p.s.46.10 at The Refinery

This past weekend Tulsa OK PressPause p.s.46.10 branched out with a new venue, new audience and new Stonecroft speaker.  Saturday night Jan. 15, 2011,"The Refinery" of Tulsa  opened their doors for PressPause.  The Refinery is the "happening place"  for clothing for the under 30 crowd with a Christian Bookstore nook in the back of the store.

A local Christian band warmed hearts as the young people and a few parents arrived for the "no entry fee" gathering.

Andy Braner, author, international speaker and President of Camp Kivu of Durango, CO was the Stonecroft approved speaker for the evening.

The teenage audience consisted  of 6 girls, 9 guys, a few parents, the band,  and store employees, a total of 22 first time guests at this  Stonecroft Outreach Meeting.  Andy spoke of the state of the teenage nation and answered questions about issues teenagers face today as all enjoyed free coffee and soft drinks. The gospel was presented and following the event 10 young people joined Andy at a local coffee shop for an extended Q & A session.   It was a warm spot on a cold night to pause and consider the person of Jesus Christ.

PressPause p.s.46.10 CAROL ANDERSON AT THE LITTLE LIGHTHOUSE

Carol Anderson, Stonecroft speaker, had their attention.  Thirty moms, grandmas, siblings, volunteers and DADS attended the PressPause meeting held at the Little Lighthouse in Tulsa, OK.  December 7, 2010. The school exists to help handicapped children ages birth through six years of age.  The children attend tuition free. Their teachers, professional therapists, and volunteers celebrate every tiny miracle as little bodies grow and cope with challenges others cannot know or explain.

 Carol's son attended the school and it was there that Carol discovered the Light of the World when her boy's teacher introduced her to Jesus Christ. She shared her story of how disappointment turned to gratitude as she learned to love her son and he loved her in return.  She read scripture and clearly presented the gospel to the attentive audience.

For just an hour the dining room of the school was alive with chatter, laughter and good food.  Encouragement flowed and the Little Lighthouse Founder and CEO Marcia Mitchell was thrilled that "seeds" were planted in the hearts of parents who hunger for hope.

PressPause volunteers baked casseroles & brownies, served the beautifully decorated tables and washed dishes, giving the family members an opportunity to STOP for just an hour of their busy lives to consider the Person of Jesus Christ.

After enjoying the free luncheon guests picked up eight copies of the gospel of John and eight copies of Stonecroft's publication "A New Beginning" as they returned to face the rest of their day. PressPause p.s.46.10 is reaching into the community and lovin' every minute of it!

Pam Whitley, Sharon Braner, Elizabeth (mom of two children that attend the school) Patty Clay, Susan Hendrex,  & Laura Francis

CATHERINE ZOLLER

Ten professional movers-n-shakers gathered in my living room  November 6, 2010 to hear about the plans and purposes of  Tulsa OK PressPause to take Stonecroft speakers into the market place where people are already gathered.  New-to-Stonecroft friend, Sharita Bent, organized the day and amazed us with her lovely soprano voice.

Catherine Zollar shared the story of her rebellious young life and the redemption God gave her in the person of Jesus Christ and now her new career as author and public speaker.  Her motto, "Make 'em laugh, make 'em cry, make 'em think and change their lives" was on display!  She presented the plan of salvation desperately needed by ALL people as we laughed, cried and rejoiced with her. 

The Rhyme and Reason Series  is the name of the children's book series Catherine is developing.  She has written and published two works, Genesis and Matthew.   Her rhyming couplets and Mr. Sketches fabulous illustrations tell the tale of beginnings.  The  juvenile nonfiction stories of Genesis and Matthew come alive as they are read aloud to children and adults alike.  Her goal is for her books to be the impetus of getting THE BOOK into the hands of everyone who reads them. She has  presented other manuscripts to her publisher and ideas of more to come. Catherine can be contacted at http://www.therhymeandreasonseries.com/

                      "The hope in her heart is to show everyone....That reading God's Word can be lots of fun."

Ten women are now dreaming of places where people are already gathered that could also be encouraged by a Stonecroft speaker such as Catherine Zoller.

Road Trip to Topeka, Kansas

On October 8, 2010 I had the wonderful privilege of explaining PressPause p.s.46.10 to a lovely group of women in Topeka, KN.
That group is very involved in Stonecroft Ministries and  joyfully serving the Lord in their positions there.  They were very encouraging and excited to hear that new ideas and methods of ministry are possible. PressPause values their prayers and their friendship.