Co-Workers in God’s Service

Co-Workers in God’s Service

The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service(1 Corinthians 3:8,9, emphasis mine.)

A bold statement.

God is so amazing to allow us to be co-workers with Him. Years ago at a family function, I made this bold statement: “With my music ministry, I want to help the homeless.” It was an altruistic statement made by a wide-eyed, young woman who wanted to help the hurting.

Years later, God called four women, including me, to start a new women’s ministry. It became Revive and Restore Ministries, Inc. (R&R) and we just celebrated our tenth anniversary. Our mission is “to come alongside women equipping and encouraging them to embrace their unique design and grow into their God-given purpose.” In the spring of 2015, a small group from R&R hosted our “Be Restored” Bible Study at Shepherd Community Center with some moms. One of those moms told me about Pastor John Blatzheim and his ministry to the women at Wheeler Mission’s Center for Women & Children (CWC). In the fall of 2016, R&R planned a one-day conference that was held at John Knox Presbyterian Church. I was tasked with promoting the event.

More than we ever imagined.

I called Pastor John and asked if I could come to his Thursday night ministry time at the CWC to invite the women to our conference. Eight women from the CWC attended the conference and experienced spiritual breakthrough. Our team knew we needed to follow up with these ladies, so I suggested coming on Thursday evenings, opposite Pastor John’s study, to do our 7-session “Be Restored” study. Pastor John and Wheeler Mission personnel approved us coming. We planned to do seven lessons and nothing more. Now, over two and a half years later, we have taught the Restore Study a few times and filled in with other related materials every other week. It is evident that God had a much bigger plan for our little team than we had ever imagined! I even get to use my singing gift to worship God along with the ladies at the Center.

Serving together.

As I look back, I see the intertwining of different ministries: Wheeler Mission, Shepherd Community Center, Revive and Restore Ministries, John Knox Presbyterian Church, and Pastor John. Some plant and some water, and some get the privilege of harvesting the fruit! Through each phase, we have collectively been called to be “co-workers in God’s service.” Personally, I like the sound of that! Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

This piece was authored by Cynthia McCall, a volunteer at Wheeler’s Center for Women & Children.