On Sunday, August 25, Brenda Fassnacht, our Women’s Ministry Director shared that she will be resigning her position in order to respond to God’s call in other directions. Brenda has faithfully led our Women’s Ministry for four years and her leadership and wisdom have contributed greatly to Riverside. Her remarks during the Sunday worship services are below.
Good morning! And…
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he know what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.”
These verses from the 2nd chapter of Daniel have been on my mind lately. I first became acquainted with them as I was doing a bible study on the book of Daniel 6 ½ years ago here at Riverside. Since then, I have been fortunate to be able to study the Bible with women who have greatly influenced my life. I have been mentored by older women – women who have raised their children or are still raising them, I have been challenged by women seeking to know God deeply, I have experienced examples of godly wives and attitudes and been given the privilege of leading a few of those studies myself.
Four years ago, I was called to minister to the women of Riverside. God has been so faithful during these years. He has given me strength when I had none. He has provided help and encouragement. God has taken care of details great and small better than I could have ever asked or imagined.
And now, He is calling me in a new direction. I have to admit, I don’t yet know what he has planned for my life past September, but I can tell you what I do know.
1. I will be stepping down as director of Women’s Ministry for Riverside this fall.
2. My family and I plan to continue being an active part in this church and look forward to many more bible studies, vacation bible schools and service weeks to come.
3. I know that taking the “director of women’s ministry” off the end of my name doesn’t remove my call to ministry. All Christians are called to ministry, we’re just not always called to serve on a church staff.
NO MATTER WHERE GOD PUTS US, HE EXPECTS YOU AND ME TO SPREAD THE GOOD NEWS THAT IS CHRIST.
4. I know how important women’s ministry is because my life has been shaped by the Titus 2 women around me. Can I refresh your memory on that one? Titus 2:3-5 says…
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.
Thank you to all of the women who have shared their lives with me. From Christmas Brunches to Fall Retreats (wink), God has blessed me with the opportunity to minister alongside you. I’d like to leave you with one last verse. This is the one God has been whispering to me this summer.
Isaiah 43:19
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.
Daniel was right. God changes seasons and I’m so glad to be a part of it. Thank you!
Brenda Fassnacht – Riverside Women’s Ministry Director