First person: CWJC leaders gather to ‘Pass It On’

Karen Jordan
Special to ABN 

“It only takes a spark to get a fire going.” 

This phrase from the song “Pass It On” by Kurt Kaiser echoed through my mind as I attended a retreat for the Christian Women’s Job Corps (CWJC) site coordinators at Oaks Manor Conference and Retreat Center in Van Buren.

Women circle for prayer during CWJC retreat.Debbie Moore, Arkansas Baptist State Convention missions support team member, invited CWJC site coordinators from Arkansas and Oklahoma to come together for a weekend of retreat and storytelling.   

While the women shared their stories, something amazing happened. As the embers of enthusiasm from each community united in purpose, prayer and praise, they grew into a raging fire of hope and excitement.

CWJC’s purpose is to reach out to women who not only need jobs, but also need a Savior to guide them.

Pam Stevenson, CWJC site coordinator in Northwest Arkansas, expressed her appreciation, saying, “You don’t just want to help me get a job. You want to help me get a life!”

Leaders joined together in prayer at the retreat to intercede on behalf of the women they serve. Their prayers focused on their purpose – sharing the love of Christ in their local mission fields. 

While CWJC provides services to women in many areas across our nation, more sites are needed. Prayer for this need reverberated throughout the weekend.

To observe this kind of networking within my own denomination brings hope to my heart. What would happen if other ministries and causes united in purpose, prayer and praise to spread the love of Christ to their communities? We would hear shouting from the mountaintops as God moved heaven and earth by the power of His Spirit. 

For more information about CWJC and Christian Men’s Job Corps (CMJC), contact Debbie Moore at dmoore@absc.org, or visit www.wmu.com and click on “ministries.”

Karen Jordan is a writer who lives in Hot Springs Village.