As I take my final remaining class in my doctoral studies at Liberty University and step into a new season of tutoring students there, I find myself in a moment of transition before beginning dissertation work. In the middle of all of that, what feels most like a gift is this—being invited into a circle of women right here in Lubbock. And what a gift! Also, we recently joined First Baptist Lubbock and have found fellowship in a Sunday School Class; Wednesday Prime Timers Choir,lunch, & Bible study; and Sunday Morning Choir! God is good! Bernie and I are joyful and blessed!
We were never meant to walk this journey of faith alone. God created us for fellowship, for encouragement, and for shared purpose. So to sit at a table surrounded by women who love the Lord and desire to share Him with others feels like a true blessing. And I can already tell—I am going to love being part of this group. It truly was a privilege to sit at a Stonecroft planning table—right beside Joyful Gwen (and if you know her, you know that name fits). There was laughter, purpose, and something deeper stirring underneath it all—the unmistakable sense that God is moving through women who are simply willing to say yes. I didn’t just leave encouraged; I left curious.
So I did what I tend to do. I came straight home, opened my laptop, poured myself a cup of coffee, and started digging. Tomorrow I’ll step into their Evangelism Bootcamp, and soon after that I’ll be teaching the “I Believe” Bible study. One of the sweet gifts of this journey is that I won’t be stepping into it alone. Sherry, who serves so faithfully in the prayer ministry of our local Stonecroft group, will get off work at five and come over to my home. Together, we’ll settle into the podcast room from 6:00 to 7:30 as we watch the Bootcamp, asking the Lord not only to prepare us for the work ahead, but to fill this home with His peace and presence. My prayer is that even in that quiet evening, He will meet us, steady us, and gently bless Sherry with peace after her workday.
I don’t walk into things casually anymore. I walk in prayerfully, thoughtfully, and grounded in Scripture, so I needed to understand clearly: who is Stonecroft, really?
A Movement, Not Just a Ministry
What I discovered is that Stonecroft is not just a program or a Bible study—it truly is a movement. For over 85 years, God has used this ministry to reach women in quiet but powerful ways, not through grand platforms but through tables, conversations, and relationships.
Hundreds of thousands of women have been equipped to share Jesus right where they are, and each year more than 1,700 women make decisions to follow Christ. Those are simply the numbers we know. That’s the beauty of how the Kingdom often works—not loudly or visibly to the world, but steadily and deeply fruitful in the lives of people.
What Anchors Stonecroft Ministries
As I read through their core values, I realized I wasn’t just learning about an organization; I was recognizing alignment with what God has already placed on my heart.
Stonecroft is Christ-centered, keeping Jesus at the center of everything. Their commitment to biblical authority reflects a deep trust that the Word of God is not just informative but transformative through the work of the Holy Spirit. Their emphasis on prayer reminds me that nothing of eternal value happens apart from dependence on God. Their call to evangelism is joyful and intentional, not forced but obedient to Christ’s command to share the Gospel. Their relational focus reflects how ministry truly grows—through grace-filled connection—and their commitment to integrity ensures that everything they do reflects the character of Christ.
Reading this, I found myself quietly saying, “Yes, Lord.” This is the kind of ministry that doesn’t just gather women; it equips them to go.
From Sitting to Sharing
Stonecroft gently bridges a gap, giving women opportunities to serve. They don’t simply teach women the Gospel; they train women to share it. They create spaces where women can invite friends who may have never opened a Bible before, making the message of Jesus accessible and welcoming. It is simple, relational, and intentional, and it reflects the very heart of the Gospel itself.
Around Tables… Just Like the Beginning
What moved me deeply is how Stonecroft began—not in a building or a pulpit, but around a table. A small group gathered with a simple question about how to get to heaven, and that conversation sparked something that multiplied.
From that one moment, prayer groups grew, communities formed, and lives were changed. It feels familiar because it mirrors the way Jesus ministered. So much of His work happened in homes, at tables, and in personal conversation. That same pattern is still alive today.
Rooted in Scripture: This Is Not New
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… Every day they continued to meet together… They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” — Acts 2:42, 46
As I sat and reflected, I realized something both comforting and powerful—what Stonecroft is doing is not new. It is deeply biblical. The early church met in homes, around tables, sharing meals, opening Scripture, and praying together. Their faith was not distant or formal; it was woven into everyday life and relationships.
This same pattern stretches even further back. In Deuteronomy 6:6–7, God’s people are instructed to talk about His Word in the rhythms of daily living—while sitting at home, walking along the road, lying down, and rising up. Faith was never meant to stay inside a structured setting. It was meant to be lived out and shared naturally in the spaces of everyday life. That is exactly what I see in the heart of Stonecroft—women inviting other women into conversations where the Word of God becomes real and personal.
Called to Go: The Heart of Evangelism
Jesus gives us a clear and compelling call in Matthew 28:19–20 to “go and make disciples.” Not just to learn, but to go. Not just to receive, but to share. Stonecroft lives in that calling, equipping women to confidently and lovingly share the Gospel, trusting the Holy Spirit to do the transforming work in hearts.
Paul reinforces this in 2 Timothy 2:2, where he speaks of entrusting the truth to faithful people who will then teach others. This is discipleship that multiplies. It is truth passed from life to life, generation to generation. That is exactly what happens when women gather in small groups, study Scripture together, and begin to grow—not just for themselves, but for the sake of others.
Ministry Through Relationship: The Example of Jesus
Additionally, Stonecroft’s relational nature reflects the ministry of Jesus Himself. He often taught in small settings, through conversation, through questions, and around shared meals. He met people right where they were, and through relationships, He gently led them to the truth.
In the same way, when women open their homes, set a table, and create a welcoming space, something powerful happens. Walls come down, hearts open, and the Gospel is no longer distant—it becomes personal. This kind of ministry reminds me that God does not require a stage; He asks for willingness. He does not require perfection; He calls for obedience.
A Quiet Prayer Before Tomorrow
As I closed my laptop tonight, I felt a deep sense of gratitude. I am grateful that God is still calling women, still using ordinary conversations for eternal purposes, and still inviting us to be part of what He is doing.
My prayer tonight is simple. Lord, keep me grounded in Your Word, dependent in prayer, and bold in love. Let every conversation point back to You, and let every woman who walks through my door feel seen, known, and invited into Your grace. Amen.
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