Held in Washington Court House, Ohio, July 7-8.
See the brochure for details!
Joana Stratton lives in Hobe Sound, Florida with her ministry minded husband, Jonathan. First and foremost, she is a follower of God. Joana is thankful for the opportunity to be a teacher of small and large humans over the past 21 years. Joana enjoys reading, baking, and decorating. She misses the cool, spring mornings in Illinois that are perfect for hunting morel mushrooms. You can see her flying to and from her college classroom on her little aqua golf cart with “It’s all good” on the back. Joana is a person whose life has been changed by the power of God.
We are happy to share that the Rob and Stephanie Ryan family will be providing special music at our annual WOW Gatlinburg gathering!
Rob and Stephanie have been married since 1996 and have five children. Rob is a music teacher and serves as the Minister of Music at Christian Nation Church in Pleasant Plains, Ohio. Stephanie is a homemaker and assists Rob with piano accompaniment at church and school. The family enjoys singing and making music together as schedules allow.
Plan now to attend this special event on Wednesday, April 12 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center!
WOW: Thank you for taking time for us today,
Sarah! Let’s begin with how you met your husband.
Sarah: I met Travis when I was a teenager and his uncle came to pastor the church I attended. Travis’s family attended a different church, but they would often come and visit our services. A friendship developed between us during that time, and we eventually began dating. As time went by, we became best friends and fell in love. We married in the Fall of 2004, after I had graduated from high school. We have now been married for 17 years.
WOW: Do you have any advice for young ladies who may be waiting to see if marriage is part of their future?
Sarah: My advice for young, single women is that it is always worth waiting for the man God has for you! Choose wisely and don’t settle for less than God’s best. He has a special purpose for your life, and it’s important to learn to be content while waiting for the right one to share your life with!
WOW: Tell us a little bit about your beautiful family.
Sarah: God has blessed Travis and me with 5 wonderful children: Jaelynn, Remington, Haddasah, Weston, and Colton. (Their ages range from 8-15.) They bring us a lot of joy and keep things lively and busy around our home! Some of the things we enjoy doing together are bike rides, hiking, playing games, singing together, and listening to Adventures in Odyssey. We also enjoy the planting & harvest seasons on the farm, where we all get to take part in one way or another.
WOW: You are a busy and blessed momma! I’m guessing you don’t have a lot of spare time, but is there a hobby you enjoy?
Sarah: One thing I enjoy is gardening, and a lot of the time, we work together as a family on that, too.
WOW: I’m sure you are heavily involved in your local church. Share with us about a ministry you participate in regularly.
Sarah: I am currently involved in the children’s ministry of our church where Travis and I teach together in the children’s services. It is rewarding to share about God and His love for the children, and to watch them learn and grow in their faith, as well.
WOW: Tell us about a Scripture or promise from God’s Word that has been important to you.
Sarah: One of the Scriptures that has been meaningful to me is Proverbs 3:5 & 6. “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” If I try to rely on my own strength and wisdom, things definitely won’t turn out the way they should…but by truly relying on the leadership of the Lord and acknowledging Him in every area of my life, I can trust Him to lead and guide me as I do my best to live for Him and teach my children more about Him.
Thank you, Mrs. Sarah Hatfield, for taking time to share with our readers! Your life is an inspiration to us, and we are excited to see how God continues to use you in His kingdom!
-WOW
Women of Worth was honored to interview Sis. Ann French of Hobe Sound, Florida. Sis. French will be speaking at our WOW gathering in Gatlinburg on April 6th. We trust you will enjoy this glimpse into the life and ministry of this gracious woman of God.
WOW: Thank you for taking time to be with us and answer a few questions. Let’s begin with where you grew up and when you came to know Christ.
Sis French: I grew up in Easley, South Carolina and came to know the Lord my early teens. I always had a heart for Jesus and a desire to do the right thing.
WOW: Would you tell us how you met your husband and when you were married?
Sis. French: We were both active in the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Because he was eight years older than I, we didn’t get acquainted until I was in my late teens and in college. He had a BA Ministerial Degree plus a graduate degree from Asbury Seminary and was pastoring a church in S.C. He was elected youth president of the SC conference and I was elected secretary. We were often together for business reasons since we served on the youth committee. That was our first formal introduction. I was in a serious relationship with another young Christian man, but God had different plans. Eventually, we became good friends and then starting dating. When I graduated from college we married, pastored four years, and then moved to Hobe Sound in 1969.
WOW: What advice would you give to a single woman who is waiting on God’s direction?
Sis. French: First and foremost, allow God to lead and confirm your choice and relationship. Seek good advice and counsel from mature Christians you know. Young love sometimes acts out of emotions and not with good common sense. We tend to overlook traits that may be a problem later on. People can change, but we can’t count on that in every situation.
WOW: Tell us about your children and grandchildren. Share with us some of the values that guided you in parenting.
Sis. French: I have two daughters, one son, and six grandchildren ages 14 to 25. We always lived in a glass house with high expectations because of my husband’s leadership roles. We had to do what was best for each of our children regardless of what “everyone” else thought or said. The main objective was to guard their hearts from bitterness and dislike for ministry. And we also tried to win the hearts of their friends so we could manage their influence over our children. Always be available to listen to your children. You have one opportunity to mold them and if you fail to communicate the proper values, you may not have another one.
WOW: Did you have any ministry or professional roles outside the home during your earlier adult years?
Sis French: My first and foremost responsibility was to complement my husband in each of his roles and be a helpmeet. That varied and increased as the years progressed. When he began to lose his hearing, I had a big responsibility to become his “interpreter” in every capacity he served. I did lots of entertaining with young people, camp visitors and evangelists, missionaries coming and going and early morning Bible studies with the college young people struggling through a variety of issues. But, in addition to that, I did serve in several capacities at the college and church. I taught music courses in the college and worked with the academy music program, accompanied college quartets and choirs. I served as college Admissions Director for several years, then registrar.
WOW: How long were you married, and do you have any marriage advice?
Sis. French: I was 2 ½ months short of 50 years of marriage when my husband was suddenly taken to heaven. Advice – open communication is crucial. Misunderstandings happen too often, and they can grow into difficult problems. Always do what is in the best interest of your mate, regardless of whether you like it or not. Pray together, laugh together and cry together. The children and I will forever be grateful that after he passed away we had a clean slate with
• No unresolved conflicts
• No unsaid apologies
• No unforgiveness
WOW: When did your husband pass away, and how has that changed your ministry role?
Sis. French: My husband died November 2014. It drastically changed my role in everything. We were inseparable partners and then I had to figure out who I was without him and what my new role was. I am still figuring that out but opportunities present themselves often. I am working with Grief Share sessions for those who have lost a loved one. I also try to reach out to widows to encourage them and help them in whatever area they may need. It is surprising how many widows are somewhat helpless because their husbands did everything—finances, domestic decisions, driving and taking care of the car, even putting gas in it, etc. I work with them one on one, to help them navigate through all the things they are now responsible to do. I am a part of two groups that socialize often. It is a good venue to share our struggles without our husbands.
WOW: You’re still quite busy in ministry it seems! Do you mind to share your current positions with our readers?
Sis. French: I am half time as the college online registrar and halftime as assistant to Joe Taylor with Gospel Publishing Mission. I currently serve on the Hobe Sound Bible Church board and am the Sunday morning pianist.
WOW: I’d love to hear a Scripture verse that is special to you.
Sis. French: Proverbs 3:6: “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.”
Thank you, Sis. French, for your willingness to take a few moments to allow us to become acquainted with you. Your passion for God and dedication to ministry are examples for us to follow. -WOW
On the weekend of September 15-17, 170 ladies gathered in Berlin, Ohio, for the annual Northeast Ohio Women of Worth Retreat. (and if you're a local, its pronounced "Burlin" not like the city in Germany)
The ladies, from teens to terrific eighties, enjoyed the lovely Berlin Resort with decorations in the conference room done by Lynn Weitbrecht and her team, complete with registration gifts for everyone and lots of giveaways in every session. Retreat director and National Women of Worth Director Lorena Glick led the retreat with class and warmth. Food and accommodations were capably managed by Missy Miller and her helpers, including her daughter, Jazzy. The presentations on Moments in Time presented by Mrs. Sheila Wolf and her daughter, Sarah Fry, were packed with good information and inspiration. And the Amish setting was welcoming as always, glorified by autumn produce and featuring the usual savory cooking. Lots of laughter and late-night talks and excited shopping took place on Saturday before the evening concert with the Isbell family. And then on Sunday, a service with the Lord's presence near and a wonderful ending with prayer and singing.
Make plans now to attend in 2022! Watch this site or follow us on Facebook for more information.
Cherie Spangler was born Cherie Hallenbeck in New York State. She has two older brothers and a younger sister. As a young girl, she enjoyed the outdoors and could often be found horseback riding, swimming, bike riding, hiking or playing ball. After graduating high school, Cherie attended Penn View Bible Institute where she traveled in public relations with a music group. During her college years, she also served as secretary to the President for a time. While there, she also met her future husband, Brian Spangler.
After marrying and leaving Bible College, the Spanglers entered ministry life, pastoring for 27 years and doing evangelistic work about 6 years. God blessed the Spangler home with three children whom Cherie says are “the greatest in the world” along with the “best daughters-in-law and son-in-law.” When they started looking for life partners, they didn’t waste time; all three of them married within eighteen months of each other! (We need to ask her to share stories about wedding stress!) And now, happily, all of them live close and attend and work in the same church as their parents. What a blessing. A highlight of their family life was the trip to Israel where Brother Spangler was privileged to baptize all his children in the Jordan River.
Cherie has traveled extensively with her husband, having visited most of the 50 states and several foreign countries. She shared that one of her pet peeves is observing a driver on a cell phone who then creeps over in the opposite lane (probably something she sees a lot in her travels). They like to go camping with their family, and she loves holidays when everyone can be together. If she has some time to relax, she likes to read, do Bible studies and write Christmas programs! A favorite quiet day would find her sitting by the ocean or a stream, journaling or reading a good book.
We are looking forward to what she will share with us next Wednesday morning. Will you join us in prayer for her and for the Women of Worth team as they prepare? And will you pray for your sisters in Christ with whom you will gather?
Let’s be the family of God.
Let’s gather with full hearts and smiles and expectation.
See you soon!
Christian comedienne Patsy Clairmont used to say "Normal is only a setting on the dryer."
It seems she was right.
All of us who were old enough to catalog 2020 in our memory banks long for what we used to call "normal." But it appears that we will only find it in the laundry settings.
2021 began with a chaotic national inauguration and continued with apocalyptic snowstorms for parts of the country. States struggled to dish out COVID-19 vaccines and shoppers continued to haggle with their masks while e-learning days and Zoom meetings rerouted the family week. It is an era about which we will tell your grandchildren - "I lived through the coronavirus pandemic!"
As winter begins to wane in tiny ways and we dare to look at spring styles and long for tulips and green shoots in the flower bed, we also start to hope for just a little bit of normalcy in our daily lives again.
We want to be able to go to church with all the people who used to attend before sickness changed things. We want to experience unity in our family and friend relationships and not worry about the issues that those in politics keep saying are dividing us. We want to focus on little things like new recipes and summer shoes and when to have a yard sale. We want our aging relatives to be free to enjoy life again. We want the threats in our lives to vanish. We don't want a new normal; we want the old one.
Maybe it will help us if we keep Patsy's words as a mantra. "Normal" only controls us if we let it. No one knows what God will allow to shape the spring and summer of 2021, but attitude will help us manage it.
Philippians 4:7 tells us that "the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
A woman who has keeping peace in her heart and mind can truck through both normal and abnormal because she knows the One who sees the end from the beginning. And it is His intention to bring us out into a good place. That's the best possible normal ahead of us!
There has been a necessary change of location and venue, but with flexibility and a willingness to try something new, we can have a great meeting!
We are looking forward to seeing your lovely faces this year, April 13-15, 2021, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee!
Watch this video clip for information that you need to know! 2021 IHC Announcement
So many people think the rise of women and the evisceration of our culture are somehow coincidental. But it’s been calculated and deliberate . . . it is the result of hate - hating God, hating life, hating society, hating men, hating babies, hating our families, hating our white male Founders, hating happiness, hating heterosexuality, hating western civilization.
She judged while sitting under a palm tree - a setting rabbinic tradition maintains that validated her fairness, openness, and refusal to show partiality . . . The Bible records no dissent or rebellion against her leadership. Leadership resides not in gender but in character and gifting. The Israelites recognized her abilities and prospered under her tenure.
(How’s that for empowerment, girls?)