Iron Rose Sister Ministries

Written by Melanie Curtis, IRSM office assistant in Searcy, AR

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9)

Lately I have been able to spend time with my 91-year-old neighbor. She is originally from Austria, and was a teenager during World War II. She was quite cheerful and thankful for the visit! She reminded me that a little thankfulness can go a long way. When I told her that I work for two different ministries, she was so excited and passionate talking about God. I realize there are a lot of stresses and negative occurrences in the world lately, but I do thank God that I live in America, where I can talk about Him freely without fear of imprisonment or governmental punishment. How can you be thankful each day when you look at the positive things around you? Here are some examples from my own life:

1. I get up in the morning. I have warm water for a shower. We have indoor plumbing. I have a toothbrush and toothpaste, and I’ve been taught how to use them! (This is a simple blessing many Americans take for granted.)
2. I have a comfortable car to drive to work.
3. I have a comfortable home to live and work in, with technology to spare (although too much technology can often distract us from our blessings).
4. I open the fridge or cabinet and see plenty of food.
5. I have enough to share. (When you share, you feel even more grateful!)
6. When I pick up my father for church every Sunday, I am grateful to even get to worship God with other Christians, even if we do have to social distance and wear masks.
7. I am thankful for my friends’ babies, as they start new chapters in their lives. New life is a beautiful gift! I am grateful that God entrusts us to turn our children into His disciples.
8. I am surrounded by loved ones, like friends and family. Enjoy the time you have with your loved ones. My friend Stacey Rodenbeck recently said, “Don’t try to cram a lifetime of work into one day because you’ve heard about someone else’s tragedy and you’re afraid. Just keep living.”
9. I am thankful that forgiveness comes through Christ. I have a friend who spends so much time worrying and feeling guilty about the past or the present or the future, and it robs her of her joy. 1 John 4:18-19 says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.” This love is what saves us. We receive forgiveness through Christ by believing in Him (John 3:16), repenting of our sins and being baptized for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38), and obeying everything He has commanded (Matthew 28:19-20).

Let’s feel gratitude and let go of the past (Philippians 3:13), asking for God’s help because it’s too hard for us to do it on our own. Focus on God’s love for you, His sacrifice of His Son to cleanse you of your sins, and the eternal life that He grants through His blood. Then your gratitude will be manifest in kindness to those around you.

Written by Wendy Neill, Advancement Coordinator for Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas 

A 1984 Fabergé shampoo commercial had Heather Locklear say, “I told two friends, and they told two friends, and so on, and so on.” This company understood the power of multiplying relationships. They sought to leverage those relationships to tap into the cheapest and most efficient type of advertising, word-of-mouth advertising, to spread their message.

At Iron Rose Sister Ministries we often refer to, and pray for, “partners in the gospel” (Phil. 1:5). When we find a partner in the gospel, we too leverage this power of multiplying relationships to spread our message: the good news of Jesus Christ.

The book of Acts tells the story of many partners in the gospel. Let’s follow and learn from a few of these relationships.

Barnabas and Paul –Your partner in the gospel can serve as “iron sharpening iron” (Prov. 27:17), helping you grow in your faith. After Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), the disciples didn’t know whether to trust him. Barnabas was the one willing to take Paul as his partner in the gospel. He trusted him, helped him mature in his new faith, and presented him to the apostles (Acts 9:27). Later in Acts 11, Barnabas needed help with the growing number of believers in Antioch.

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch. (Acts 11:25-26 NIV)

In Acts 13, the Holy Spirit Himself called Barnabas and Paul to go on Paul’s first missionary journey. Untold numbers of people heard the good news of Christ because of this relationship.

Paul, Aquila, and Priscilla – Your partner in the gospel may start out as a friend with whom you have something in common. On Paul’s second missionary journey, he went to Corinth (Acts 18) and met a Jew named Aquila and his wife Priscilla. They quickly became friends because they were all tentmakers. He even stayed with them and worked on tents. Soon, this couple became Paul’s partners in the gospel and travelled with him to Ephesus.

Aquila, Priscilla, and Apollos – Partners in the gospel can also be mentoring relationships. While Paul continued his missionary journey, Aquila and Priscilla remained in Ephesus. A Jew named Apollos came to town. He had great enthusiasm as he taught about Jesus but didn’t quite have the whole story. “When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately” (Acts 18:26). Notice that Aquila and Priscilla were also partners in the gospel as a married couple and worked together to mentor Apollos. The next verse shows us the power of that multiplying relationship: “When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed” (Acts 18:27).

We have followed the multiplying impact of Barnabas to Paul to Aquila & Priscilla to Apollos. The Holy Spirit used these relationships and many others to spread the good news of Jesus Christ like wildfire. I encourage you to scan Acts 13-28 for other partners in the gospel that Paul found on his missionary journeys. It is a long list of people! Then look at Romans 16 to see how many partners he listed living in Rome, including Aquila and Priscilla, “my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them” (Rom. 16:3-4). We don’t know the story of how they risked their lives, but those are loyal partners in the gospel!

Who are your partners in the gospel?Is there someone with a shared interest you could spend more time with? Is there someone who needs mentoring? Is there someone you could ask to mentor you in how to share your faith? It doesn’t matter if you are single like Paul or married like Aquila and Priscilla. You can ask God to send you more partners in the gospel, so the world may know the saving grace of Jesus.

Written by Rachel Baker, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Searcy, AR

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.” (1 Corinthians 12:4)

As a teacher, it's important to know what my areas of expertise are. For example, I love teaching reading and writing, but science and history aren't my best subjects. I struggle to connect with teenagers, but I could spend all day in a preschool classroom.

This was a great strength when my kids were little and learning to read! The problem is, kids don't stay young forever. Eventually they learn to read and write, and then they realize there are other subjects out there to learn and explore.

But here's the good news: I'm not the only teacher in my children's lives! There are so many other people who have strengths, skills, and passions who are willing to fill those gaps. I don't have to know how to do everything. The best way I can serve is by sticking to my strengths.

The same is true for us as sisters in the body of Christ. While I might not be the first woman you would call to cook a meal for someone in need, I will happily volunteer my time in the nursery or with planning women's activities. You don't want me to decorate any events, but I could lead the songs or say a prayer.

In this season of thanksgiving, I am especially grateful to be part of a body that is filled with so many different strengths, skills, and talents. What part do you contribute to the Whole? How can you encourage your sisters to do their part, as well?

Written by Sabrina Nino de Campos, Iron Rose Sister Ministries Volunteer

My grandmother was a great seamstress. When I was a child I watched her for hours and hours while she worked in front of the television. When she passed away, my mother took as a souvenir some things that she had worked on. One of those souvenirs, my favorite one, was a quilt made with many, many patchwork pieces put together. It wasn't cold enough where we lived for me to fall asleep with something like that, but I liked it anyway. Besides being very colorful with its different little pieces, it brought me feelings of peace and memories of my grandmother.

Looking at the Bible, we can see how God loves to bring together people who are so different and special to share His plan, to be part of the great story He was preparing for us. Men, women, and even animals and nature.

And even after He has fulfilled His plan of love through the sacrifice of Jesus, God continues to bring different people together for the glory of His kingdom.

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” (1 John 4:10-12)

If we look around us, at our brothers and sisters, we see how different we are, each one of us a special piece made by God. He, in His great plan, in His great love, not only gave Christ to us for the forgiveness of our sins, but also gifted us companions that we have in faith. We are one big patchwork quilt. Each one connected, forming part of the great family that God has given us.

By fulfilling our individual purpose, we also fulfill a purpose as a whole. John says that if we love one another, not only does God abide in us, but His love is manifest among us fully and completely. God had a purpose with the church, the brotherhood that He gives us is a piece of His full and complete love for us. We not only thank Him for loving us, but also for giving us a constant reminder of His love for us. Like a patchwork quilt, we can cover ourselves and be protected, and feel loved and cared for, because we know that the love of each different patch comes from the same Source, which is our Savior and beloved Lord.

Written by Kara Benson, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Little Rock, AR

Paul wrote, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory” (Rom. 8:17). As part of God’s family, we have the privilege of being fellow heirs with Christ, as well as the calling to share in Christ’s sufferings. The author of Hebrews wrote that Jesus learned obedience and was perfected through suffering (Heb. 5:8). In a similar way, enduring hardship as discipline refines us (Heb. 12:6-11).

Trials are constructive because they strengthen our faith. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

Trials are beneficial because they help us to comfort others. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God” (2 Cor. 1:3-4).

Trials are blessings because they can reveal areas in which we need to grow. When we are tested, we might realize that we are not quite as patient as previously thought. Hardship can humble us and make us recognize our need for Christ. When pushed to our limit, God may be teaching us that we need to grow in gentleness and self-control.

“God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Heb. 12:10b-11). God is a Good Father, and He disciplines those whom He loves (Prov. 3:12).

Trials are opportunities to glorify God. Because of an illness, Paul was able to preach the gospel to the Galatians (Gal 4:13). Jesus taught that a man was born blind “so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (John 9:3). Although Paul suffered with a thorn in his flesh, he praised our Savior: “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:9b-10).

Being part of God’s family means being refined through fires. We may not understand why we face specific trials in this life, but we can trust that God causes all things to work for good for those who love Him (Rom 8:28). We can also trust that Jesus has overcome the world (John 16: 33). May God be glorified in the midst of our trials.

I am thankful to be a part of God’s family. I am thankful to be part of this refining process. And I am thankful that the Lord’s mercies are new every morning (Lam. 3:22-23).

“You mean you would take time every week to meet with me and study the Bible? Are you sure that isn’t going to be a burden? I just have so many questions,” Fernanda timidly asked Michelle the first time they sat down to chat over coffee. Michelle’s grin turned into a full-toothed smile as she responded, “There is nothing I would rather do than take the time to study the Bible with you! And, you know Mackenzie who first introduced us when you came to my house for an arepa night? She interned with me this past summer and I would love for the three of us to sit down and study together. I’m sure we can find a time that works for all three of us.” Fernanda continued to shake her head in disbelief that there were people willing to take the time to answer her questions about God, baptism, and the Bible.

Fast forward through weeks of Bible studies with Mackenzie and Michelle alternating the teaching. “Fer” took notes, came with questions about the verses we were to study next, and her passion to learn more continued to grow. Her hunger for God’s Word did not stop with her baptism on February 14, 2018. Valentine’s Day was a perfect day to declare the true meaning of love. By pronouncing her love and commitment to God through uniting herself with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, her demonstration of love for God on that day became infectious to others.

One month later, Fernanda’s friend María, who was there as a witness to Fer’s baptism, was baptized. Michelle, Fer, María, Mackenzie, and others continued to study the Bible and develop deeper mentoring relationships.

Fernanda graduated and returned to Nicaragua. While she and Michelle continued to stay in touch, the communication was sporadic, but no less deep in Biblical discussion. In October 2020, Michelle received the following WhatsApp message from Fer…

Hello Ms. Michelle!
I have faith that you’re seeing how great God is always.
I am writing to you because I was reflecting on my Christian path and the day of my baptism came to my mind, and I went to watch the video. Guess what? I saw you as that first person who came to hug me after I gave myself to God.
And I thought... wooooow. God used you to instruct me in the faith, to walk His beautiful way, to not give up on me and spend your time reading His good news, to answer many questions I had had for years, to encourage me to make the best decision of my entire life. I remember I told you I wanted to get to a point where I felt like I knew enough to get baptized, and then how the Spirit put that feeling of “it’s time” on me. You never said, “Wait more.” Instead, you rejoiced the night before my baptism. February 14, 2018. A date to never forget.
I love you!!!

Michelle’s tearful and grateful response invited Fer to find a time to catch up via video chat. After filling each other in on life, Fernanda’s passion for learning more about the truths from God’s Word became evident. She was reading a “Christian” book and was unsure how to discern whether or not there was truth in what they were proclaiming. Michelle thanked her again for asking the right questions and, instead of answering her questions, Michelle equipped Fernanda with the tools to answer them for herself from 1 John 4, Matthew 7, and several other passages. Fer took notes and immediately applied the verses to her initial question. The best part was when she shared that she can’t wait to share these tools and these truths with her family and with others.

Two by two by two. 2 Timothy 2:2. Teaching to teach. From interns to baby Christians, growing in their passion and knowledge to be shared with others, we rejoice in the way God has used these Iron Rose Sisters to expand the kingdom, beyond borders.