Megan Mathews, SC Women’s Ministry Leader
May 7, 2013
“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:3-6)
I am so blessed and humbled to serve as the Women’s Ministry Leader in South Central for such an amazing group of women, now 50+ strong! In the first 18 weeks of this year we have had 15 incredible women added to the family! ”The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord”(Acts 11:21). The sacrifice and growth of the Core Ministry Leaders is inspiring!
Leading the way for us as she shepherds our region supporting her husband Nick, is Denise Bordieri. She continues to teach and train us to love one another, always looking for ways to strengthen the women, bringing out the best in them. Their theme scripture this year is 1 Timothy 4:6-16. The Bordieri’s lead our monthly Marriage Devotionals and the fruit is evident as our Marrieds Ministry has doubled since the beginning of the year. Denise has become a very dear friend and partner in the gospel and I thank God for not only her heart of shepherding but her friendship, daily encouragement and support to me personally.
As the Bordieri’s help support the Boea’s in leading the Marrieds Ministry, Pat and Pam have also devoted themselves not only in leading the marrieds but also making our Kids Kingdom an awesome experience for our children and raising up new teachers every rotation. Very special to me are the single moms in our region. I was converted back in Florida as a single mom and understand the daily challenges they go through. We currently have 7 sold out, faithful single moms. Pam along side of her husband lead our monthly Single Parenting Devotionals which have given our women hope and also invaluable teaching from God’s Word which encourages their souls.
In our Singles Ministry we are led by not just one but two incredible women, Jeraldine Luque and Melissa Podczerviensky, as our Singles Ministry is the largest. I am extremely encouraged by them both being interns for the church and attending the ICCM. We are all excited for Jeraldine as she plans her wedding with Cory for July 28th. Melissa has been a breath of fresh air to me as she is not only a good friend but has moved into my apartment and is now my roommate! I am excited that we have not only added younger women but also some mature single professional women to the ministry as there is a need for them to help us build depth and character within the ministry.
In our Campus Ministry Sparkle Boea has been leading the women powerfully as it has more than doubled since the beginning of the year! I appreciate Sparkle’s heart of humility and imitation. She now has several d-groups as she is pouring herself out to raise up leaders, and all as she is working full-time! Patrick and Sparkle have been a blessing to the SC Region, thank you Chicago!
Our mighty teen women are led by our sacrificial sister Heydi Rodriguez alongside her boyfriend Raymond. They both drive all over South Central picking the teens up for Bible studies, devo’s and church making it possible for these teens to be devoted to the Kingdom. I am inspired by the hearts of our young women as they proclaim Jesus as Lord day in and day out, at home, at school, everywhere they go, everyday! They are amazing imitators of Heydi in their zeal as she imitates Christ (1 Corinthians11:1)They are the future leaders of our church! One of our teens, Kianna Tago, has been bouncing off the walls since she has been accepted to go to IGNITE this summer. I am so proud of her and all our teens!
In our Latin Ministry we have an amazing servant Wendy Lopez that leads along her boyfriend Hector. Wendy’s love for her women is evident as they created unity and worked together to raise their Special Missions. Four of her women are ‘mature’ retired, not working and have already raised their missions by selling food. Their example is inspirational and convicting.
God has amazingly blessed each of our ministries this year, so far with 2 teens, 4 campus, 5 singles, 4 marrieds, one of them being a Latina! These seven amazing core ministry leaders that I get to work alongside of have proven themselves faithful (1 Corinthians 4:1-2) and become very dear friends to me as well as partners in the gospel. Please pray for us as we have several at the edge of the waters of baptism and a couple close to restoration.
We are all thankful for the brothers that lead the way for us, not just in words but in action as God has blessed the men with many additions as well, most recently this past Saturday with Jack’s baptism. And we are all inspired by Cory’s weekly preaching and the call to live the life God has called us to live! To God be the Glory!
Megan feels the love and support of the Core Ministry Leaders as they sit faithfully by her side! From bottom left going clockwise: Jeraldine and Melissa with the Singles, Megan, Heydi leading the Teens, Pam doubling upwith Marrieds/Kids Kingdom, Sparkle with Campus, Denise Shepherding the flock and Leading the Marrieds, and Wendy with the lovely Latins!