Christine took a trip to Japan with a group through the CLB. Listen to Christine talk about what they were up to there. She talks about some cultural experiences on this trip, as well as how Japan influenced her love of making pottery when she was younger. 

They visited many CLB Churches. Christine shares what is encouraging and what is hard. She also shares what the common thread is among the churches that are thriving in Japan. No matter how difficult the soil, God is at work all around us! 

As a reminder, we still have our Autumn Blessing Campaign running. You can find it here: https://www.wmclb.org/fall-giving-opportunity.html

To see what else is coming up through the CLB, check it out here: https://clba.org

Josiah took his youth group from Bethel(Fergus Falls) this past summer on a short-term mission to do ministry in partnership with Rock of Ages in Seattle.

Hear how the youth team served the city alongside the church. Josiah and Paul talk about homeless ministry and how the Union Gospel Mission tackles that. It is a complicated issue. The Union Gospel Mission is doing a wonderful job of loving this community well and giving them the hope of the gospel.  

Josiah and Paul share the impact this trip had on the kids, leaders, and church. As well as takeaways and where to look for ways to bring the hope of the gospel to people, whatever your context is. 

Please reach out if you are interested in being a part of a mission like this! I will put you in contact with Paul and Josiah! 

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or also find us here:https://clbforge.org/podcasts

Rock of Ages Church: https://therocklbc.org

Union Gospel Mission Seattle: https://www.ugm.org/?utm_medium=search&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=google-branded-ad&utm_content=google-branded&source=L24ZZAC01Z

Women’s Ministry website: wmclb.org

In this special episode, Heather interviews Karen about her big life change that happened this past summer.

Karen and Daniel moved with their boys from Bergenfield, NJ, to Everett, WA, where Daniel took a new call as Pastor to Hope Church at Silverlake.

Karen talks about their epic road trip, leaving a church they have loved for a new call to a new church on the other side of the country.

We talk about the struggle of processing when you are called, and how to say goodbye well. God is at work in it all.

Karen and Heather interview Luke Kjolhaug about his book, Sinner Saint.

Luke talks about the struggle that we have within ourselves as we are fully saved through faith in Christ, and yet our struggle with sin is still so strong.

Luke shares what made him decide to write the book. They talk about why the struggle of being a sinner saint is so relatable.

This is also the book the WMCLB cohorts are using this fall. So check it out! I hope you all leave this episode feeling encouraged in your walk with Christ.

Karen and Heather talk to Stephanie from Mt. Bethel Church about women’s ministries at her church and how it has developed over the years. Like many of our churches, women’s ministries has thrived and then slowed, which has started the conversation of “what does it look like to make it healthy again. What do our women need?”

Stephanie shares her journey of the joys and struggles of getting things going with the women again. They have events about once a month. They love to have a woman speak about what God is doing in her life. This group is still in the beginning phases of getting this going. Stephanie shares that it’s not always easy to work with others, but God is faithful, and he has continued to work through conflict for his glory. 

We also talk about Thrivent Financial and the opportunity to get a gift card through them for special events hosted by the Church. 

Mt. Bethel Church: https://www.mountbethelchurch.org/adults

Thrivent: https://www.thrivent.com/giving-back

WMCLB Website: wmclb.org

Karen and Heather talk with Rachel and Taylor from Bethany in East Hartland, CT, about the playgroup they run at their church. Rachel shares how it got started and why it has continued to grow. 

It is not only connecting women at the church but also connecting women in the community. They keep it simple which has made it easy to hand off to the next leader so as life changes it just keeps running. They also continue to keep on the look out for women they can invite, inside and outside the church. 

Ministry doesn’t have to be complicated; sometimes simplicity is just what is needed! 

Women’s Ministries Website: wmclb.org 

Find our Podcast @ https://clbforge.org/podcasts

Karen and Heather talk to Carissa Stauss and Kaylie Risbrudt about where they serve at their church, Triumph. They share what led them into the ministries they are doing now. God’s leading comes in so many different ways. 

We talk about hiking and God’s creation, and dream about a women’s ministry trip where we meet together to hike! 

Kaylie serves as the leader of the women’s ministries of their church, and Carissa serves as the coordinator of the everyday functioning in the church with all the different ministries. She says she ‘connects people.’

You can check out their church website here:  https://www.triumphlbc.org/

Women’s Ministries Website: wmclb.org

Karen and Heather talk to Cindy and Kristen about women gathering in their church in Bethesda. 

We talk about what women’s ministries has looked like through the years at their church and what led them to get involved. They have different monthly events. The ladies share with us what makes their year of events function so well and not be overwhelming. 

You can check out their church website here: https://c3ec.org/womens-ministry

Women’s Ministries Website: wmclb.org

Karen and Heather talk to Joanna about her life and the different ways ministry has taken place for her and her family.

She shares about the school "Lighthouse" that she and her husband run in Brazil. We talk about how it started and where that journey has taken them. With God at work, he often gives us big dreams and then breathes life into them. That was certainly the case for Joanna and the school.

We talk about how ministry and how it is not compartmentalized, God is at work in all aspects of our lives. We talk about our family in ministry and God caring for the needs that arise.

Joanna's husband is currently a student at Lutheran Brethren Seminary and she is working at Hillcrest in Fergus Falls. They continue to oversee the school in Brazil.

Lighthouse School: http://www.lighthousebilingue.com.br

Hillcrest Academy : https://www.ffhillcrest.org/

WMCLB Website: https://www.wmclb.org/

Karen and Heather talk with Greg and Janet about their start in ministry. It is often not what we were anticipating and can come as quite a surprise as God brings things together. This was the case for the Andersons. Greg and Janet share openly about the joys and struggles of entering into camp ministry at Inspiration Point. 

We talk about some of the different ways God calls and how he humbles us at times. We talk about what they love doing in camp ministry and what can be a challenge. They share about the importance of the local church in the lives of the campers and what an impact both make in tandem. 

They also share a few amazing stories of God at work in hard situations. 

Find out more information about Inspiration Point here: https://ipoint.org/

WMCLB Website: https://www.wmclb.org