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Evangelism with a feminine touch

The members of the Christian Women's Club of New Port Richey focus on celebrating their Christian lives and reaching out to nonbelievers.

By MICHELLE JONES
Published September 2, 2006

NEW PORT RICHEY - Nine women met Monday and prayed for their country, each other and the unchurched in their community.

On Sept. 11, these same women and many more will meet from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch, a fashion show and a word of encouragement.

They are part of New Port Richey's Christian Women's Club, which is affiliated with Stonecroft Ministries, a nondenominational, nonprofit organization for women that focuses on evangelism. It is based in Kansas City, Mo.

Women's groups under the Stonecroft umbrella meet monthly in various cities in the United States and some foreign countries. They celebrate their Christian lives and reach out to nonbelievers.

"Any opportunity to talk about Christ is good," said Blanche Putnam, chairwoman of the local group.

The women meet at Spartan Manor, 6121 Massachusetts Ave. The luncheon cost is $13.50, which includes tip. Nursery services are available upon request.

"The Spartan Manor is such a lovely place, with linen and good food," Putnam said. "They treat the women nice and the waitresses are wonderful and so accommodating."

This month, Beall's Department Store will provide clothes for the fashion show and Marilyn Vaughn's topic will be "Life is a Merry-Go-Round Looking for a Brass Ring."

Club members will model the fashions.

"We usually have someone play the piano or we have CDs to start with while the women arrive," Putnam said. "And the presentation can be a Realtor, a massage therapist or a deputy talking about safety." The speakers usually share testimonies about their Christian walk.

"We always give an invitation to accept Christ," Putnam said.

Ever since Stonecroft Ministries began nearly 70 years ago, evangelism has been the passion and heartbeat of the ministry, according to its mission statement. The statement reads: "When you reach a woman for Christ, you touch everyone in her community - her husband, children, friends, neighbors and co-workers."

The ministry provides a variety of programs and resources designed to connect women to God, each other and their communities.

Putnam said there are several denominations represented in the local club.

Sandy Barrantes has attended the meetings for six years.

"I love it," she said. "I've been coming ever since I moved to New Port Richey."

During the prayer meetings, members pray specifically to reach nonbelievers. On Monday, they also prayed for protection from Tropical Storm Ernesto.

Club member Lucile Elmore comes to the meeting from Hudson. "I love the interaction with the ladies," she said. "It is a great opportunity to meet other Christian ladies."

The ministry's Web site, www.stonecroft.org, uses the Scripture from Jeremiah 31:3 that says God loves people with an "everlasting love."

The ministry also encourages women to begin life again if they are discouraged and ready to give up.

"No matter what has happened, no matter what you've done, no matter how you've lived your life, God is personally interested in you and He cares what happens to you," the Web site says.

[Last modified September 2, 2006, 06:40:59]