2015 Revive Our Hearts Spring Newsletter

Spring 2015 Newsletter

THE MOVEMENT

T

he older I get, the faster time seems to go. There are moments when I wish things would stand still around me—prolonging the warmth of summer,

special times with dear friends, or simply relaxing at home.

But that’s not reality. And God has not called me—or this ministry—to stand still or look back on past achievements. He has called us to move forward, to sound the call for revival and biblical womanhood to women everywhere. And I am thrilled that God is working in hearts and lives as this movement accelerates and spreads across the globe.

In fact, a few months ago the first international True Woman Conference was held in the Dominican Republic. Mujer Verdadera ’15 brought together 2,300 women from twenty-three different countries hungry for the Word. God did a deep work in so many lives through this event, and we look forward to seeing its full fruits revealed in heaven.

I’m also thankful for a team of women who have committed to go out and spread the message. God continues to add to the number of our Revive Our Hearts Ambassadors who have a heart to equip other women with the gospel, just like Retha de Villiers, whose story we’ve featured in this issue.

Not only is God moving through our own outreaches, He has also given us the privilege of coming alongside organizations like Compassionate Hope. Through their ministry to “the least of these” (Matt. 25:40), they are sharing the love of Christ in significant ways. I hope you’ll be encouraged and inspired by this story.

Through all of this, and more, God is calling women around the world to freedom, fullness, and fruitfulness in Christ. We’re so thankful He lets Revive Our Hearts be a part of this work—and we’re grateful for the crucial role you play in helping us do that.

Praising Him with you,

Vision, Bringing Home the Message Catching the

by Leanna Shepard

T

wo women watched their dream unfold as they

• Our prayer was that the message would spread further into

T rue W oman

Latin America and around the world . . . God answered by

in their home country !

drawing women from twenty-three countries (as far away as

hosted the very first international

Conference, Mujer Verdadera ’15, F or L aura G onzalez bring the

and

True Woman

P atricia S aladin ,

message to the

the desire to

Germany), and instilling in the hearts of two ambassadors

Dominican Republic

from Mexico the burning desire to take the message of biblical

has been six years in the making, and this past

February that

vision finally became a reality.

womanhood back to their community—and even possibly host a Mujer Verdadera Conference in 2017.

The auditorium was abuzz with anticipation as nearly 2,300

• We yearned for God to hijack the program and make His pres-

women, hungry for the Word of God, poured in. The opening ses-

ence manifest . . . He far exceeded our expectations! Lives were

sion was like a foretaste of heaven—believers of different nations

changed as women heard (many for the very first time) about

and tongues together in unity, with flags waving high and voices

God’s perfect plan to make His daughters free, full, and fruitful

lifted in joyful praise to the Savior of the world. The long-awaited

in Christ.

conference was truly a powerful weekend!

HOW GOD WORKED It was our prayer that God would move in a mighty way, and He proved faithful by answering several specific requests:

HEARTS TOUCHED . . . LIVES CHANGED We love it when women come away refreshed and rejuvenated after a weekend in the Word, and we praise God when we see His Spirit at work rescuing souls from bondage and sin:

• We asked God to provide for the needs of women traveling

“I was confronted, my heart was broken, chains came

from around the world . . . For one pastor’s wife and her daugh-

off, and fears began to disappear. I am weeping,

ters from Ecuador, His provision came through a full year of

knowing the Lord has done this for me. You are real

selling cake and tortillas in order to purchase plane tickets.

women who reflect the glory of the Lord.”

2 ReviveOurHearts.com

“Thanks to our God for orchestrating my attending this conference. It made my life do a 180. Although I was broken in my sin, I have a grateful heart because I am a sinner redeemed and cleansed.”

“I feel in my soul like a weight has been lifted. I’m sure that my soul has been healed and is free from anger and rage. Praise God for His work done in my soul.”

“Each word confronted me and made me realize how hypocritical and selfish I am, and I want to change. I don’t want to be the same—I want to become a true woman. And I don’t just want it for the thrill of the moment, but for my whole life.”

THE STORY DOESN’T END HERE God used the dream of two Dominican women to magnify His name to thousands more through the growing ministry of Aviva Nuestros Corazones. Imagine what He will do through you when you say, “Yes, Lord” to Him?

For MV15 conference messages, video report, slideshow, and more, visit

ReviveOurHearts.com/mv15 3

Taking the Baton of True Womanhood to . . .

South Africa!

by Mindy Kroesche

R

etha de

Villiers

Hearts Ambassadors . . .

outside the in

Revive Our

Six weeks before she left for the conference, Retha felt an ur-

and the only one from

gency to practice speaking English. She started reading out loud and

is one of our newest

United States! She and her husband, Jannie, live

South Africa.

praying and journaling in English.

“Then one day, the Lord told me He wanted me to share a mes-

For almost as long as she can remember, Retha has had a heart

sage at the True Woman Conference. I thought I was crazy, but the

for teaching women the truths of God’s Word. When she was preg-

thought didn’t leave. When I received an email asking if I would

nant with her first child, she left her career and immediately started

consider being interviewed by the Revive Our Hearts audio/video

a women’s Bible study in her home. Although the group has changed

team, I started crying. I wasn’t crazy after all! In my broken English,

since then, twenty-five years later it still exists. Retha said Nancy’s

I had the opportunity to be obedient.”

studies such as Seeking Him and radio programs on the Song of Songs have been helpful as the women “gather around the Word.”

And a few months before True Woman ’14, Retha sensed the Lord impressing on her that she must bring the baton back to South

Although Retha has been active in ministry, she hasn’t always

Africa. “I didn’t understand it then, but during the conference, I be-

received a lot of support—which has left her feeling lonely. But she

came very emotional when Angela Temples talked about the Revive

describes some of those “desert times” as the most valuable seasons

Our Hearts’ Ambassador program. All the puzzle pieces of the last

in her walk with the Lord, as He’s taught her about humility, holi-

seven years of my life suddenly started to make a picture.

ness, surrender, and waiting upon Him.

“I think in a way I was an ‘ambassador’ years ago, from the

Two years ago, when her last child was ready to graduate, her

first day I read Nancy’s book Brokenness. The message of Revive

husband wanted to give her a special gift in gratitude for giving up

Our Hearts, of surrender and holiness, is what I teach wherever I

her career to raise their three children. He suggested she attend

get an opportunity. The message of the True Woman Movement is

a spiritual conference anywhere in the world. “I looked at many

everything I believe, teach, and stand for. I have a passion to serve

options,” Retha said, “but when I saw the advertisement for True

women’s ministry leaders and am excited about being an ambas-

Woman ’14, I knew it was the one!”

sador. I know the Lord has called me to serve women, and I stand in awe of His timing and involvement in my life.”

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15 Reasons You Should Attend

September 25–26 in Indianapolis . . .

WHAT IS AN ROH AMBASSADOR? • A woman who shares our passion for revival and biblical womanhood.

• A servant with a heart to encourage and equip other women’s ministry leaders.

• A leader whose mission field begins with her own community.

These women would love to connect with you, lift up your arms, and help you face the daily grind of ministry! Visit ReviveOurHearts.com/Leaders to see if one of our ambassadors lives near you.

1

Meet ministry leaders who have already grappled with some of the issues you’re facing.

2

Learn how to better study and teach God’s Word from talented Bible teachers Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Jen Wilkin.

3

Remember why you got into ministry in the first place.

4

Worship with Lauren Chandler and hundreds of other women who have a heart for the Lord.

5

Invest in other women’s ministry leaders by sharing your experiences with them.

6

Recapture the sense of wonder that God works through broken people.

7

Breathe. You don’t have to be on stage or be in charge.

8

Be energized for the next season of ministry.

9

Seek God without being distracted by the dailyness of ministry.

10

Get practical help in becoming a more effective leader.

11

Know you’re not alone in ministry.

12

Be encouraged to serve the Lord and His people.

13

See how your local women’s group can be part of a worldwide True Woman Movement.

14

Discover resources that will give practical help to the women you serve.

15

Be reminded of the important role women’s ministry leaders play at such a time as this.

But don’t wait too long! Space is limited and will sell out quickly. (Plus, if you register by June 30, you’ll save $30.)

Register Today!

Revive15.com

Spring 2015 5

A

s ’ n e m o W t Secre

T

in

N

R

etreat

orthern

d n a l i ha

by Paula Hendricks, with Al and Susan Henson

Knowing they are not alone in their persecution has greatly encouraged and strengthened these precious suffering saints to press forward with the proclamation of the gospel.

Y

ou ’ ve read about the upcoming

Revive ’15 Conference

this fall and the first international

ference in the

Dominican Republic

there ’ s a smaller conference

True Woman Con-

this past

February,

R evive O ur H earts

but

helped

make possible that slipped quietly past a few months ago .

Today I want to tell you about it.

S

ince 2007, Revive Our Hearts has supported Compassionate Hope, a ministry that offers love, care, and support to

persecuted believers in undisclosed regions of Southeast Asia.

Together we have strengthened and cared for the widows and families of martyrs, the imprisoned, the exiled, and the rejected.

Knowing they are not alone in their persecution has greatly encouraged and strengthened these precious suffering saints to press forward with the proclamation of the gospel.

And so when Compassionate Hope approached us about underwriting* the very first women’s conference in this dark region, we joyfully said yes.

The conference was held this past October in Northern Thailand. Each of the eighty attendees—some from as far as sixteen

6 ReviveOurHearts.com

hours away—was prayerfully chosen and invited because of their significant gospel impact in their particular region. Many were widows of martyrs. Some had languished in prison; others’ husbands were in prison. They had been exiled from homes and villages and paid a great price to follow Jesus.

The time was described as “holy,” filled with fellowship, prayer, worship, biblical teaching, brokenness, and refreshing times in God’s presence.

They also spent two hours each afternoon making jewelry and other crafts, painting their nails, and cutting their hair. The women marveled at having time to enjoy being a woman, as they’re always taking care of their families and church families. What a treat to pamper them!

The men joined right in, joyfully cooking every meal for four days and taking care of all the transportation. “For years we’ve trained our men but neglected our women,” they said. “However, because of this gracious gift, this gives us the opportunity to see our women blessed by God.” Those who attended from the United States were astonished at the depth of these women’s joy, surrender, sincerity of faith, fervent prayer, eternal focus, and hunger for spiritual things. There was no self-pity or complaining; the women came with grateful, joy-filled hearts to fervently seek the Lord.

We ended the conference with a “Yes, Lord” time of surrender.

The women cracked their beautifully designed clay pots, symbolizing their trust of God for every part of their lives.

Many were going back into difficult situations, so we sent them out under a “rear guard” prayer covering. It’s hard to describe what God did during that time.

We cautioned the women about taking their True Woman bags across the border with what was written on them, but they replied, “God will make them invisible to those who would cause harm. We will trust God with this special gift.”

What a blessing to partner with Compassionate Hope (and you!) to pour into the suffering and weary saints of this undisclosed region. I say “you,” because a portion of every gift you give to Revive Our Hearts goes to “mercy ministries” like Compassionate Hope. So thank you for blessing not only these women, but Christ Himself: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matt. 25:40).

*The money Revive Our Hearts gave for this conference covered transportation, visas to cross the border, three meals plus two snacks each day, lodging for fifty women and several drivers, extra supplies, plus a special gift.

To hear more about this conference as well as other stories from Compassionate Hope, listen to the Revive Our Hearts broadcast May 20 at ReviveOurHearts.com/Radio.

7

are you a denyer or a relyer?

In his second epistle to Timothy, Paul described certain people as self-absorbed, money-hungry, self-promoting, arrogant, profane, coarse, contemptuous, unbending, slandering, abusive, undisciplined, lustful, and wild. They lacked self-control. They did all the right religious stuff, like going to church and Bible studies. But they showed no evidence of spiritual progress or growth.

They were enslaved to bad habits. They weren’t any different from the previous year or the year before that. If anything, things had gotten worse. Over time, their lives had become increasingly chaotic and unkempt.

These people claimed to have a relationship with Christ, but their lives demonstrated that they had no such thing. They had the outward trappings of godliness, but no real spiritual life. Their

by Mary A. Kassian and Nancy Leigh DeMoss

I

problem was that they denied the power of God, the only source of true life and godliness.

f you believe in

Christ

Jesus,

A woman who denies the power of God may appear to be godly. the very same power that raised

from the dead is at work in

that for a moment. hend, isn’t it?

Do

you believe it?

YOU! Just

It’s

ponder

hard to compre-

But the Bible says it’s so.

She may request prayer at her weekly small group for her temper or the challenge of loving her difficult husband or her struggle with an unhealthy habit. Perhaps she laments her lack of willpower or selfdiscipline. But deep down, she doesn’t truly think that God’s power

Paul prayed that we might understand the immeasurable greatness of God’s power toward us who believe (Eph. 1:18–19). He wanted us to realize that this power is not only vast, but that it is also accessible. It is at work IN us.

is adequate for her particular need. In her battle against the flesh, flesh always seems to win.

Every true child of God has at his disposal all the power he or she needs to please God. Denying the power of God is the opposite

If we’re followers of Christ we already have all the power we

of having faith in the power of God. When it comes to self-control,

need. We have the power to make right choices. We have the power

you can either DENY or RELY. You can deny that you have enough

to say “yes” to what’s right and “no” to what’s wrong. We have the

power, or you can rely on His power that is always enough.

power to resist temptation. We have the power to exercise selfdiscipline and self-control. Because we have God’s Spirit, we have EVERYTHING we need to succeed at life and godliness. We don’t need to beg God for more willpower. The power we need is already at our disposal.

Adapted from True Woman 201: Interior Design. Visit TrueWoman201.com for videos and much, much more.

Will you prayerfully give to support Revive Our Hearts?

Help women around the world thrive in Christ through life-changing resources like The Incomparable Christ, True Woman 201, and the Mujer Verdadera conference. Use the reply card enclosed or go to ReviveOurHearts.com.

TM

Revive Our Hearts is an outreach of Life Action Ministries PO Box 2000 • Niles, MI 49120 • ReviveOurHearts.com • 800.569.5959

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, Copyright © 2001, Crossway Bibles, esv.org.

The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Photographers: Chiree Bollinger, Benjamin Hannah