Women’s Ministry Moment

"Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory,
because of your love and faithfulness." Psalm 115:1 (NIV)

For 107 years, God has demonstrated His love and His faithfulness here on the grounds of America's KESWICK. A few months ago, Bill Welte was sharing with our staff some of the blessings the ministry was experiencing. It was a reminder to us that God continues to change hearts and transform lives through this ministry and appears to plan to continue to do so. In 1999, the administration of America's KESWICK, trusting God's leading for a ministry to the wives of the men in the Colony of Mercy, began Women of Character.

Since that time, we have been privileged to minister to about 50 women each year. In 2001, we spread our wings to reach into our surrounding community by starting a women's support group on Monday nights called Higher Ground. Later that same year, a men's Overcomer's group, known as New Creations, was also offered. In 2003, we further expanded our ministry to Colony families with the implementation of On the Same Page. This ministry purposes to exchange information between husband and wife regarding what they are learning in their respective programs. At the same time, we birthed an outreach to children of the men in the Colony lovingly called Colony Kids of Promise.

A few years ago, God impressed upon Bill Welte's heart the vision for a Bible Institute. The purpose of what has been named, KESWICK Institute of Biblical Studies, "is to provide men and women from all walks of life the ability to further their studies of God's Word so that they will be able to live victoriously in a challenging world." That vision became a reality in October 2004.

Several months ago, I was speaking to a woman who was desperately seeking help for her daughter. She was asking for recommendations as to where she could find good Biblical counseling. This is an ongoing problem. Who do we recommend? The few Biblical counselors I know are either unable to take new clients or are financially out-of-reach for a lot of people. After having to turn this poor, hurting woman away, I e-mailed Bill with a suggestion that the leadership consider starting a Biblical counseling center. Bill said he would put it on his wish list.

Months passed. As Bill tells the story, he was cutting grass one day - which he hates to do because he has too much time to think. He was having a brainstorming session with God. According to Merriam-Webster, a brainstorm can be "1. a violent transient fit of insanity 2. a sudden bright idea or 3. a harebrained idea." I believe what Bill experienced that day was - a sudden bright idea. Bill sensed God laying out in his thinking, a plan not just for a center where Biblical counsel can be obtained but also, linked to that, the potential for a Women's Residential Program.

At the writing of this article, we are in the early stages of investigation, conceptualization and prayer. Will you join us in praying that God would be glorified in us and through us as we pursue what we believe to be His leading in the development of this sorely needed ministry to our community.

Diane Hunt is the Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries. Overseeing our multifacted ministries to addicted men, women and their children.

She is a graduate of Biblical Seminary and received her Doctorate in Biblical Counseling. She is married to John Hunt, and has a daughter Kate, son, Jake and two granddaughters. 

To schedule Diane to speak at your ministry event, contact Ruth Schmidt @ rschmidt@americaskeswick.org or call 800-453-7942 ext. 22.