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Theme: You're Invited

Apr 152012

Imagine it: The most breath taking wedding you have ever been to. The invitations with gold leaf lettering, mailed long ago; the most fragrant flowers, arranged with care; the bride, breathtaking in a dress made just for her, the groom dashing in his tux; vows recited full of love and hope for what is to come; the reception with sweet music chosen just for this occasion, the guests seated with care at tables elegantly adorned with the finest linen and delicate dinnerware. The food expertly prepared. Can you imagine it? In all our imagination we cannot do justice to the wedding feast of the Lamb the Lord has planned for us!

The Lord has given us an invitation to go on a journey with Him, the journey of a life time, the adventure of, well, an eternity! Before extending that invitation to us He made preparations for us. He created us. He prepared a way for us through His precious son Jesus! From the tree of life in the garden to eternity through the cross, He has made preparations for us. The work did not began or end with the invitation.
What do you do when you receive an invitation to a wedding? You RSVP! God has given us an invitation for relationship with Him, all we have to do is accept it. Once you send back that wedding RSVP you know there will be a place for you at that wedding. Once you accept the invitation God has given us through Christ, there is a room in heaven with your name on it.

With much anticipation you attend the big event. The day of the wedding is here. You do some preparations yourself. You dress yourself accordingly and you show up! Invitations are sent out with the expectation that people will come, and people come with the expectation that when they arrive there the bride and groom will be. God has not offered us an empty invitation. He is here! He is waiting expectantly for our arrival. He wants to be in relationship with us NOW.
Through theme God is preparing a year of events for us to attend that will help us grow closer to Him. We attend bible study to grow in His word, we worship and fellowship together to come together and give Him glory! Special events are offered in retreats, conferences and training that help us to go further and deeper in our daily lives and relationship with Him. The wedding is not the end of the journey, it’s the beginning.

How are you responding to the Lord’s invitation?

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Y Theme

Who are we

Apr 132012

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Stirring Our Heart Through Themes

Resources, Who are we

Mar 312012

Why Theme? It’s a heart thing!

Does that sound familiar? We know that Your Kingdom Come is part of the Lord’s Prayer; it also happens to be this year’s theme for PWOCI. Where did it come from? Why do we have a theme?

The ministry of PWOC looks to the bible for guidance. Psalm 45:1 (NIV) states “My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.” This is where we get the idea to have a theme to guide us through each ministry year. It brings a focus to seeking God.

Through theme, the Lord will stir our hearts. Developing our theme with scripture, song, visual art and other resources allow us to take the journey the Lord has for us at this point in time. The use of theme gives us a platform to spring off of, to do life as it happens, and to grow where we are planted. We are stirred to action, our hearts our captured by the Lord, and we walk it out in love and faith. Each group will walk out the same theme as the Lord leads them. Walking out the theme and the lessons God can show us through the use of theme may look different across our local PWOC’s, but it will be the same theme!

What does it mean to have a stirred heart? Stir can be defined as to cause movement; to bring into notice or debate; to rouse to activity; to be active or busy. Are you able to be stirred? Remember that through theme God can call us to action. Having a stirred heart is not passive! How amazing that we serve a faithful, present God who meets us where we are, when we are.

Unity to let the World Know, Prepare for the Bridegroom, At the Redeemers Feet, Arise for the Lord Extends His Scepter, Shine in the Light of His Glory, Your Kingdom Come.

We have a rich history when it comes to our noble themes! As I think back over the last 5 themes my heart is stirred with memories of prayer, growth, fellowship, and more! Each of those theme’s represent a time in my life where God was using PWOC to teach me something new. Maybe the first time I served on a board, or the first deployment our family went through. For you maybe one theme reminds you of the first year you attended PWOC (maybe that’s this year, maybe that’s next week), or your first tour overseas. How has God used theme in your life? God is able to stir our hearts; are you willing?

Theme Logistic’s Team

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What If All We Have Is Bread?

Bits & Pieces, Who are we

Mar 282012

As our installations (and therefore most of our PWOCs) are facing budget cuts, we all find ourselves in the position of re-evaluating the things we do in the name of ministry. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Let’s bear in mind:

1. It’s all about the Kingdom. In the story of Gideon (find it in Judges chapters 6-8), God takes an army that was already woefully inadequate and reduces it to one that is laughable. He then sends this little group of 300 men armed with trumpets, torches and empty pitchers against the enemies of Israel, who were “lying in the valley as numerous as locusts,” (Judges 7:12). You’ll forgive me for saying that this sounds like a bad plan.

It’s helpful to know the back story here: God had called the Hebrew people into a covenant with Himself for a specific purpose. Through them, He was going to reveal His nature and teach the world what sin and righteousness were. Through them, He was going to bring forth His Son, Jesus, to redeem mankind from the curse of sin. And through Jesus and those He would redeem, God was going to establish His Kingdom. This ragtag little army was really just a tool in God’s hand to accomplish His purposes. All it took was a little obedience on Gideon’s part. God did the rest.

Maybe your PWOC’s resources seemed inadequate to start with and now you’re down to the ridiculous as you look across the vast needs of your installation. God’s plan might not look anything like you’d expect, but if you have no other goal than to expand His Kingdom by leading women to Christ (PWOC Aim #1) and then equipping them to do the work of the Kingdom (PWOC Aims #2-4), the King Himself will provide, current budget situation notwithstanding.

2. It’s all about Jesus. In John 6, Jesus feeds a huge crowd (incidentally, with absurdly insufficient resources again). The next day, the crowd comes looking for Him on the other side of the sea. He tells them that their focus is off; they’re just looking for more food. He then tells them that what they really need is right in front of them: Jesus, the Bread of God, who “gives life to the world” (John 6:33). Just a few verses later, though, He says some things that apparently don’t go down too well and most of the crowd walks away. Jesus doesn’t try to coax them back. Those who want Jesus stay. Those who were really looking for something else go elsewhere to find it, and He lets them go.

As we’re re-evaluating our PWOC budgets, we might find that we have to make some tough choices. We might have to do away with some “loaves and fishes” aspects of ministry that have kept women coming back. What if all we had to offer them was Jesus? What if they came to our meetings and found not a single loaf or fish, but they did find women who were in love with Jesus, hungry for His Word and His presence, laying down their lives so that His kingdom might come? What if we couldn’t offer them anything but the one Bread that could satisfy their deepest hunger? Food for thought.

Nancy Wheatley

Southeast Region Titus 2

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Meet Tracie Warren, New Vice President of Leadership Development

Who are we

Dec 152010

Wow! I am so grateful for the amazing privilege of serving in the ministry of PWOCI for the 2010-2012 term. The Lord has been casting vision and laying ideas on my heart for several months now, and I am excited to see where this journey with Him will lead. Having just had the wonderful opportunity to serve on the previous PWOCI Leadership Development Team, one thing I know is that it definitely won’t be dull. During that term of service, the Lord certainly took us on a W.I.L.D. ride, and I have the distinct feeling that the ride isn’t over yet. I can almost hear the rollercoaster click, click, click, as we begin this new adventure with Him.

I attended my first PWOC Bible study at Mountain Home AFB, ID in 2002. As a young Christian, it was there that I began to grasp what it truly means to walk with Christ. My life was radically, and forever, changed. The effects of that change cascaded into my family, and impacted the lives of my husband and sons. Speaking of my husband and sons…I have been blessed with a wonderful family. I am married to my best friend and the love of my life, Shane. We have two amazing sons, Brandon (14 yrs) and Matthew (10 yrs). Our family loves the outdoors and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. Our most recent favorite activity is hiking in the beautiful areas of Colorado. In addition to spending time with my family, I have a passion for God’s Word and I love teaching.

Leadership development is a key activity for PWOC. With the nature of our ministry in the military there is a steady state of transition, and raising up leaders becomes necessary for consistency at our local installations. We need leaders – for today and tomorrow. Consequently, we need to develop strategies to consistently and effectively equip and encourage those leaders. My heart’s desire is to ensure we provide training and resources that will continue to equip women, in both hearts and hands, for their service in leadership. Will you join me in praying that God will give us His strategy for the future of this leadership training within PWOCI?

Much Love to All,

Tracie Warren, 2^nd VP Leadership Development

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Meet Jennifer Cook our New PWOCI 3VP

Who are we

Dec 102010

Jennifer Cook

PWOC International 3VP Communications Coordinator

What an amazing privilege to step into the position of 3VP Communications Coordinator for the upcoming 2010-2012 term. This has been an unbelievable few weeks of the Lord casting vision in my heart and stirring an even stronger passion for the communications of PWOC.

I have been attending PWOC since my husband, Eddie, returned to active duty as an Army Chaplain in 2002. We have been married for 11 years and have one son, Edward, who is seven years old. I enjoy homeschooling our son, and we love to travel. I enjoy many area of the arts and have worked in the design field for over 20 years, always being amazed at the opportunities the Lord has place before me to do His work for the Kingdom. I have consistently asked the Lord to use me in His work, realizing that I am fully dependent on His equipping in this process.

As we still face deployments, moves and stressful times in our military, PWOC continues to be a refuge for ladies to grow in their walks with Christ, develop close friendships, and lead others to accept and serve our Lord and Savior. This new mantle to lead the Communications Team is a humbling mantle to have placed upon me. My deepest desire is to see effective communications throughout PWOC, from the local level on up to the resources provided through International. I feel the Lord calling us to make an imprint in areas of media we have not yet gone to and to refine the areas we are already making our mark upon. The Lord is calling us to new levels of communicating His love and the Gospel message through PWOC. He has an amazing plan for the message of Christ to be delivered on our military installations. I ask that you join with me and the Communications Team in praying for our hearts, hands and giftings to be fully surrendered and fully used for His glory and the advancement of His Kingdom.

“O taste and see that the Lord is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:8

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Our New President

President's Pen, Who are we

Dec 082010

Hello Friends!

I am so thankful to God for the opportunity to serve together with you in the ministry of PWOC International. I’m also very thankful for the loving service and amazing foundation laid by our previous presidents over the past 50 plus years. The Lord has been taking us on an incredible adventure together, revealing His treasures and His wisdom to us along the way. And He has so much more in store for us! So let’s get started by way of introductions.

My husband, Rod, and I have been married for 23 years and we’re still falling in love with each other again and again. Rod is a dynamic Army chaplain and teacher, a pilot and certified flight instructor; he enjoys encouraging and developing leaders. I’m a homeschooling mom of our five awesome kids (ages 15-21). I love to run, sing, and play guitar in my free time. My heart’s desire is to see women live in a deep, vibrant, love relationship with God and then serve out of the overflow of that relationship. Our family shares a strong passion for worship, prayer, and genuine relationships with God and people.

Now, about that adventure I mentioned….For the past few years, PWOC has been rediscovering our identity as the Bride of Christ. We’ve been learning to sit at our Redeemer’s feet, to gaze upon His beauty, to receive His overwhelming love for us. We’ve been learning to accept His favor and to rise and walk in it. It’s been a time of listening to the love song that God sings over us (see Zephaniah 3:17) and returning to our first love (see Revelation 2:4-5). We’ve responded by singing the love song back to Him. It’s now time for that love song to become the basis of our battle cry.

In the movie The Last of the Mohicans, there’s a love song (it’s called “The Kiss” for those of you who are going to look it up on You Tube) that has the same theme as the battle song (“Promontory”), during which the enemy is overtaken and destroyed. Just like the song in the movie, the love song God has been singing over His bride is now carrying the overtones of a battle rhythm. With our awakened love for God and with full confidence that comes from His favor and grace, PWOC International will rise up and advance the Kingdom by declaring God’s message of love. His love song is our battle cry!

So let’s sing His love to those who need it most. Will you pray with me for God to show us His strategy for touching the world with His love?

Love and blessing,

Beth Mills\o/

PWOC International President

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Central Region Update

regional review, Testimonies, Who are we

Aug 172010

Submitted by Kristin Hathaway, Central Region President

Remember your leaders who first taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and trust the Lord as they do. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:7-8 (NLT)

When I interviewed for the position of Central Region president, I was asked who I could point to as a model of a good regional president. It was a question I had not anticipated, but I immediately thought of Ronda Sturgill, who was the West Region Coordinator several years ago. I wanted to emulate her because she was like Paul. Paul wrote lots of letters encouraging and instructing leaders in Christian living. Ronda made it a priority to contact the west region local leaders each month with a note of encouragement.

As a regional president, I have made a commitment to be intentional about communicating with the leaders in my region who serve at the local level. Intentional communication means providing timely information, as well as making myself available to answer questions or provide tools and training.

For those of you who serve locally on a board or a ministry team, or for those of you who are feeling God’s call to get more involved, remember that there are resources available to you. Your regional boards are in place to help you be successful as you minister to women on the local level.

Jesus Christ is the message we preach and it is our number one aim to lead women into a relationship with Him. Regional and International board members want women to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. As we discover new ways to reach women with the message of Jesus, the bottom line is the same: Jesus is the answer! The ways we communicate his message may look different through the years, but Jesus stays the same.

I am so thankful for leaders like Ronda and Paul that I can emulate as I minister to the women in my region. I pray my light will shine brightly so that women will glorify my Father in Heaven!

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PWOC Europe Update

Local Limelight, News & Announcements, Who are we

Aug 122010

By Christine Young, Europe Region President

It’s that time of year when summer is coming to a close. Soon the kids will go back to school and PWOC will kick into high gear as our new theme begins to blossom uniquely in over 150 chapters worldwide. Europe is one of the eight regions in PWOC International with 34 chapters: 21 Army, 10 Air Force and 3 Navy.

Our region is unusual in that it has 8 Areas and two major conferences each year. In the spring we’ll have WILD and in the fall we have Worship & Study with about 400 women attending.

One thing we are observing across our region is that women are responding to God in obedience and doing things differently than what has “always been done” in the past. There is a level of freedom and permission that is evident and it’s exciting to see women respond to God and try new things.

One example at the regional level is that we are having 6 speakers at Worship & Study this November, rather than one…and we didn’t change our budget. We found speakers who are a part of PWOC and our military community. These women understand who we are and what the needs of our women are as battle weariness and deployments continue. So, we’re stepping out in faith and trying something new with great excitement as we look forward to seeing all that God will do in the lives of women who attend.

I love Hebrews 11:1 that reads “now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” Later in that chapter in verse 8 we see that “by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out not knowing where he was going.” My prayer for each woman in PWOC is that she has an intimate relationship with Christ and that she hears and obeys His voice. Sometimes that means we have to act on what He asks us to do when we have no clue where we are going or what His purpose is. Faith may require that we step out “blind” with boldness and in obedience. May we all be found faith full.

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What Region Am I In?

News & Announcements, Who are we

Jul 152010

Did you know that PWOCI is divided into regions? Yes, folks we are. How else would we be able to reach so many women all over the world? Did you or are you PCSing and wonder where you will fit into PWOC at your next location?

Our regions include:

Alaska Region: Alaska
Asian Region: Korea, Japan
Pacific Region: Hawaii, Guam
West Region: Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada, Washington
Central Region: Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin
Northeast Region: Delaware, Maine, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia
Southeast Region: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
Europe Region: Belgium, England, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Turkey

On our PWOC website there is an installation locator. On this page, you can find up to date information on the PWOC chapter nearest to you. This amazing feature allows you to find out the meeting day, time, and location. You may also click on the installation name to make contact with them by email.

We all know how difficult it can be when you move. This resource will help you know where to find your new PWOC home as soon as you get there, if not before!

So ladies, if you are going to PCS this summer, check it out!!!

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Older Entries

PWOC International Blog

Theme: You're Invited

Y Theme

Stirring Our Heart Through Themes

What If All We Have Is Bread?

Meet Tracie Warren, New Vice President of Leadership Development

Meet Jennifer Cook our New PWOCI 3VP

Our New President

Central Region Update

PWOC Europe Update

What Region Am I In?

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