In His final moments before going to the cross, Jesus prayed that His people, the Christian church, would be unified in a way that would show the world the love of God. These women in Iowa set an example! Several different churches were represented in the leadership team: “Collective Women of Sioux County.”
The team set out to deliver an experience that would ignite passion for a more vibrant relationship with God in their surrounding community. More than 100 women showed up and experienced beautiful unity in the church! God was glorified and the love of Christ simply poured through the room all weekend long. See more by clicking here.
Do you think your community could benefit from some cross-church, cross-denomination time together? Read John 17 this week and hear the longing in your Savior’s voice for a people that would be united with Him, the Father, and (I believe) with each other:
“I do not ask on behalf of these alone [the apostles], but for those also who believe in Me through their word [that’s you and me!]: that they may all be one, even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. . . . that they may be perfected in unity so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You loved Me” (John 17:20-23 NASB).
Whenever I read this part of the Holy Conversation, I hear Jesus praying that we believers would be united with Him and the Father, but I also hear a request for unity among believers so that the world will know that God loves them. My heart aches for all the lines that have been drawn between people who all believe in Jesus!
These amazing women in Sioux County, Iowa, banded together to do something about it. They wanted their community to become more passionate about their relationship with Jesus and each other. So . . . they worked and prayed together.
The Collective Women of Sioux County set an example I’ll never forget. They served in joy and friendship, just chasing after Jesus, and wanting God to be glorified. Doing it together. Differences set aside. Allowing the Holy Spirit to be the guiding force and the glue. They saturated every step and detail in prayer.
It was awe-inspiring ~ an experience to behold and treasure.
What a privilege it was to be part of something so powerful. It was also fun, silly, and filled with laughter!
What could you do in your community to bring God’s church together?
Who could you work with to show the love of God to others?
What can you do to unify believers in your neighborhood?
I was inspired by these women and hope to model their joy for putting their hands to work for the Kingdom of God!
Let’s go church! Who’s with us?
Hi Kim. Your life and words were inspiring. I wrote most of the scriptures you brought to life in a journal and read them daily.