Women’s Ministries Follow the Leader
MARTHA MCKENZIE WM President
M
any years - decades - ago, Ann Brice told me Camp Joy needed
a Bible teacher, and if I was going to be at Bonclarken, I needed to teach Bible. That was the start of wonderful friendships, lots of Bible study preparations, and having my kindergartner, daughter Kathryn, want to “help.” She actually was a wonderful helper, and the campers loved her. Dressing up and portray- ing all kinds of Bible characters - some four-legged - was right up her alley. As the years wore on, both of our children were counselors. Later, my husband was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia, so we were very restricted travel-wise. Now grown and married, Kathryn jumped right in to take “my” Bible class, plus she brought her husband along to serve as camp doctor. Now
her daughters help in Kathryn’s Bible class. It seems like a case of “Follow the Leader.” Growing up, I spent many of my summers in Clinton, South Carolina, with my grandparents. My grandmother would take me with her to the children’s cottage at Thornwell Orphanage, to read to the children. Could this have been a seed planted to guide me toward becoming a kindergarten teacher? I’m sure I said or sang “Follow the Leader” many times over those years! Grandmother made puppets and gave shows to those at Whitten Vil- I married a true leader, quiet and gentle in nature. Our household
through the years was blessed by his choices and Christian example. When our son was faced with what to do, I could honestly say, “Just do what Daddy would do.” “Follow the Leader.” Ginger Davis and Lee Campbell were presidents of the Women’s Minis- tries, good friends, able leaders, and members of our church. I have wished more than once they were still here to guide me. I look back at so many past presidents, and admire the leadership they provided. My grandmother and I read the Bible together every morning, and my grandfather explained to me the contentment you have when you tithe. I think of how kind my father was, and wonder if that is why I always taught my kindergartners Ephesians 4:32. My mother taught me good man- ners, and about right and wrong. Both have helped and led me rightly in many situations. Whether we realize it or not, at times in our lives we are all followers and leaders. We have a guide for both occasions. We must be thoughtful about whom we follow, why we follow, and how we lead. “I will never leave you Promised Land. (Deuteronomy 31:6). This comforting promise was repeat- ed in the New Testament. Listen to the Holy Spirit, and He will make you an able follower and leader.
Knowing, loving, serving, Jesus ARPWM January/February 2024 19
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