In This Issue
Precious Commodity
It's All About the Product
Featured Article

How do you see your ministry? Is it something you value? Do you cherish the lives of those you encounter as a rare and precious commodity? 
SMM is planning a 100-year anniversary celebration during Momentum 2013. "Daughters of the King: Ambassadors for Life" will be a two-hour event for women and girls during the youth conference. Continue to check:
for updates.
Rooting girls in Christ 

Greetings! 

Sometimes it is hard to see the lives of the children we are working with as a precious commodity from the Lord. But we can't afford to overlook how precious the hearts and lives of children are to God.

It's All About The Product

I hated fundraisers as a child. I did not like asking people to invest their hard-earned money in meaningless objects. After several attempts at fundraising, I vowed never to participate again.

 

I now find myself in a position where I am raising support to do ministry. This has been a struggle because of my vow. I finally realized that the real issue was the product. In school, I did not believe in the product I was selling. The cheaply made trinkets were not worth my loved ones' hard- earned money. 

 

I can raise funds for Girl's ministry, however, because it is a product I believe in. The lives and hearts of young girls are a valuable commodity. Asking people to invest their money, time and prayers into this ministry is giving them a chance to be a part of something big God is doing. God cares for the hurting hearts of girls, and the ministry He has called me to is no small thing.

SMM Past and Present

SMM has been a national organization for almost 100 years. Recently I had the privilege of sorting through archives kept by this ministry. As I went through pictures, files, and newsletters, I found a rich history that was amazing to read about. Though I grew up in SMM and a Grace Brethren Church, I was unaware of the success that SMM has been. Many of the needs we see today, the need for God's truth in the lives of Girls, the need for a place to be loved and to belong, are the very same needs that have been addressed for the past 100 years in SMM. The history of SMM investing in the lives and hearts of girls as no small thing. 

  

New Little Sisters curriculum

The curriculum on CD for grades 1 and 3 will be available August 8. Grade 1 focuses on "Our Great Big God." Grade 3 explores "Jesus and His Time on Earth." The curriculum can also be used easily for second-grade girls. The curriculum for Grade 2 is being finalized. Please stay tuned for more details on when it will be released, or watch our website.

Too Small to Ignore

In his book Too Small to Ignore, Dr. Wess Stafford weaves stories of his childhood in a remote African village, his experiences as a father, and CEO of Compassion International together into a tale that is both heartwarming and challenging. Wess talks of recognizing the value of children in the world and church today. He challenges those of us with a purely Western mentality to think outside the box. Children should not merely be placated, entertained and taught  Bible stories. They should be invested in. A true investment in their lives involves an intentional encounter with them by entering their world and allowing them valued places in our world. This book is a great read for any children's worker, youth pastor, pastor, parent or Christian in general. It is a call to see the lives of children as no small thing.

Impacting the lives of children is no small thing.
 
Sincerely,

 

Nicole Miller
Girls Ministries Coordinator
Women of Grace USA