September 30, 2002
Texas women offer spiritual support
___By John Hall
___Texas Baptist Communications
___ROCHESTER, N.Y.--An Impact team from Texas Woman's Missionary Union cured spiritually weary ministers in Rochester with a steady diet of encouragement on a recent mission trip.
___Four women ministered Sept. 2-8 in Rochester, which one member described as battle ridden.
___"What I found was a group of brothers and sisters anemic for the encouragement and support of their brothers and sisters," said Norvi Mayfield of Eastside Baptist Church in Gonzales. "They desperately needed to be loved and encouraged in the name of Jesus. The pressures of the evil presence in the land had greatly oppressed them. What a land of spiritual warfare. One can get exhausted, wounded and sore from being the heated center of the battle. These great soldiers and saints desperately need our time to care for their wounds with a powerful dosage of encouragement."
___The women spent much of their time praying for ministers and aiding them in their work. The team performed computer work for the ministers and helped organize church paperwork.
___Along with their work for the pastors, the women practiced door-to-door evangelism in the ethnically diverse area. The team sold discounted school supplies to neighborhood children in an effort to help the churches connect with their communities. The women also introduced churches to the Children in Action program, and Mayfield testified during worship services.
___The Texans saw quick results from their efforts as the ministers and community became excited because of their presence. The community united spiritually to unearth the hope the team believed was just under the surface, said Nelda Taylor-Thiede of First Baptist Church in Gonzales.
___The trip, which was delayed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks last year, is part of a partnership between Texas WMU and Rochester Baptist Association. All team members reported the trip was a success and looked forward to returning.
___"I received showers of blessings," said Sherry Eason of Fellowship Baptist Church in Longview. "It's always exciting to see the Lord working."
The Baptist Standard
News of religion, faith, missions, Bible study and Christian ministry among Texas Baptist churches, in the BGCT, the Southern Baptist Convention ( SBC ) and around the world.
Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!/ Signup for FirstLook