Traveling to Arkansas and ministering at John 3:17 Ministry for the past three years has been a highlight of my year. It is truly an honor and privilege to minister at this faith-based recovery program that is helping women not only get sober but get fully free in Christ Jesus!
God is doing a great work in and through this ministry that is saving lives and drawing women to walk victoriously through His saving grace. I get very emotional when sharing about my experiences at John 3:17. This year was even more emotional. I wept as we entered the room where the first session for the residents would be held. I believe that God continues to remind me of my past struggles with alcohol, not to condemn me or shame me, but to show me what happens when we fully surrender to Him. He has laid on me a heavy burden to testify of His goodness and His power to heal us from the deepest, darkest pain and trauma. He not only has the power to set us free from that which bound us for years and sometimes decades, but He releases us from all the guilt and shame that came with it. He frees us from being haunted by all that we have done in the past so that we can declare, “Look what God has done! If He did it for me, He will do it for you!” He brings beauty out of the ash heap not so we can say, “Look at me” but we can say “Look at my awesome God!”
This year, the team of six women was led by Ashley Nelson. There was a knitting together of this team, the unity, messages and prayer that only God could design. This year was the first year that we set up a prayer room for the ladies to utilize throughout the day. Our team took turns praying individually with the women that came to the prayer room. Many times, a line formed as the women patiently waited their turn to pray with one of us. The needs were great, God’s love was greater. He is absolutely moving in the hearts of these women!
Our theme for the weekend was “Stand Firm.” The first thing that comes to mind when I hear, “stand firm” is “let nothing move you” (1 Corinthians 15:58). The Lord has highlighted this verse to me several times over the course of this year. However, when I began to pray about what He would have me share with the residents at John 3:17, He made it clear that my message would be about training. Therefore, my message was centered around Philippians chapter 3, verses 1 through 14. The Lord made it apparent to me that once the women leave the safety of John 3:17 and enter back into this world full of chaos and temptation, they will need to train in holiness and righteousness. Surrendering their lives to Christ and getting free from addiction is just the beginning. They will need to train by seeking God daily and studying His Word to stand firm in a world that rejects holiness and righteousness.
Many testimonies were shared throughout the messages we delivered. I believe this is a vital part of connecting with the residents and staff. They need to understand that they are not alone in their struggles to overcome addiction, trauma, anxiety, depression, despair, and codependency. Hearing our testimonies gives them hope. They were very engaged in all our messages, gave standing ovations and even asked questions. It was beautiful to see their desire for healing, deliverance, and freedom. God is so amazing! We came expectant for Him to move mightily. However, we never truly know what He’s going to do until we experience it and it’s always far greater than anything I could ask, think or imagine.
I left with a new friend to write to this year and many whom I will continue to pray for fervently. I will always support and pray for the success of John 3:17 Ministry. I know that the work may be difficult at times, but the reward is great! God is faithful and His hand is on this ministry as they honor and glorify Him in all that they do. May we all remember Apostle Paul’s encouragement and take it to heart:
(1 Corinthians 15:58 NIV) Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
