As a ministry, we are growing. More quickly than I can describe and more expansively than I can handle... but I wouldn’t want to contain or stunt that growth!
Children face growing pains as their muscles catch up with their extending bones. And in a similar fashion, rose bushes go through a season of pruning, especially after looking sparse, in order to facilitate greater growth and beauty. Pruning can be a painful time, but it is a blessed time of greater and deeper growth. We are grateful for the “good problem” of growing pains!
Iron Rose Sister Ministries (IRSM) is at a critical juncture. IRSM has begun to get stretched too thin and our rose bush is looking sparse, or less healthy for our long-term growth in answering God’s call. Next year will be IRSM’s five-year anniversary. Praise God! And we are currently reaching and equipping thousands of women across the Americas each year through our small group Bible study materials, speaking engagements, and other resources. However, in order to maintain and expand the vision God has given us to equip women to connect to God and one another more deeply, in English and Spanish, across the Americas, we will be pruning in a few areas, thus facilitating greater long-term growth in our principal areas of equipping. As we navigate this time of pruning and growth, bringing on others as co-laborers in that vision, please join us in prayer that God will raise up the right workers, wisdom in a clear direction, and the funds to make it possible.
Here are some of the changes you will see as we transition into 2018:
• Once a week Blog posts in English (versus daily Monday-Friday)
• At least for a time, we will no longer be recording spots in Spanish for the radio program La Voz Alegre, through World Christian Broadcasting.
• Michelle will reduce the number of speaking engagements/trips to approximately one per month (some international trips will be two weeks in a given month, which includes two locations, but this is still an overall reduction in travel).
And some of the next areas of growth and expansion for 2018:
• In addition to the small group Bible study materials and other online resources (audio and video), more of the programs available through IRSM will be made available for replication and use in more churches, women’s groups, and ministries.
o Bilingual women’s ministry resources, ideas and samples
o Small group training
• Increase of intern opportunities.
• Greater equipping of IRSM Representatives and Points of Contact in strategic cities, states, and countries across the Americas
Please help us spread the word about all God is doing in and through us, as a ministry. We are grateful for your prayers, your financial support, and for your involvement in equipping women to connect to God and one another more deeply.
Thank you!
M.