CABLE
SUMMER 2014
the Counselors’ Newsletter
President’s LETTER Dear friends,
Most people know the Christmas story from Luke 2. Many have heard it so many times they can almost quote it word for word. I’ve heard it countless times, but this morning there were three words that caught my attention: after seeing him. The shepherds had just experienced something amazing. An angel appeared to them in the middle of the night to give them a message. The Bible says that the angel radiated God’s glory. One angel would have been amazing enough, but, after the message was delivered, the angel was joined by a vast host of others. The experience of meeting an angel in the middle of the night would be enough for me to want to tell others about it, but the shepherds were more intrigued by the message. They wanted to see Jesus. Then, after seeing him, they went and told everyone in the village about Him. They saw Jesus, even as a baby, and the first thing they wanted to do was to tell everyone they knew about Him.
INSIDE:
Bring the Message!
2015 BOARD NOMINEES | 2
That’s our theme this year. It’s also what we are called to do. Have we seen Jesus? Do we take time each day to just be with him? When we make time with Him a priority, He changes us, and as we are changed we naturally want to share with others.
LEADERSHIP TRAINING | 5 A GLOBAL STORY | 7
GEMS Annual Leadership Conference will be here soon! I am looking forward to seeing all of you who will be attending. There are also opportunities this fall in each of your areas to receive ideas on how to share the message and to experience the encouragement and support of other counselors. Areas host a local workshop that you are encouraged to attend. You will be trained on how to present the theme to the girls in your clubs, and you will also receive ideas on how to be more effective in your role as counselors. Check the website to find a training near you. Like the shepherds, when we see Jesus, let’s look for opportunities to share his love with people we come in contact with. Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8). Blessings to you,
Mary Jo Vis GEMS Executive Board President
GEMS EXECUTIVE BOARD Shirley Batts – Portage, Michigan Cheryl Boer – Gilbert, Arizona Linda Hermen – Beecher, Illinois Judy Kapteyn – Sarnia, Ontario Mary Klingenberg – Mount Hope, Ontario Debra Liccar – Crete, Illinois Pat Scott – Jacksonville, Florida Amy VandenBerg – Grand Rapids, Michigan Mary Jo Vis – Riverside, California
Debbie Liccar
Andrea Mulder
Pat Scott
Cindy Visser
2015 BOARD NOMINEES
Cindy Visser – Zeeland, Michigan
GEMS STAFF Director of International Ministries - Jan Boone Training Manager - Lenae Bulthuis Office Manager - Michele DeHaan Managing Editor - Kelli Gilmore Graphic & Web Designer - Lisa Hunter Customer Relations - Hannah Noorman Conference Coordinator - Alecia VanHulzen Senior Editor - Amy White To honor God by being responsible stewards of His creation, Cable is printed on post-consumer recycled paper and uses vegetable-based inks.
Canada Post Publication Sales Agreement #41124116, return undeliverable copies to Cable c/o GEMS Girls’ Clubs, PO Box 39, Norwich, ON N0J1P0
2 | Cable
If you would prefer to receive an electronic copy of Cable, send a note to cable@gemsgc.org to be added to our email list.
The women who serve on the GEMS Executive Board help lead the overall ministry. Each year, counselors elect new GEB members to help shape the future of GEMS. There are two openings on the board for 2015. Every club will receive a ballot (mailed to Club Coordinators in August), and should cast a vote for two of the nominees. Please read the following qualifications and, as a club, prayerfully consider your choices. Debbie Liccar attends Crete Reformed Church in Illinois where she has served as the Club Coordinator for the past 18 years and as a member of the GEB for the past three. Why do you want to serve on the GEB? God has laid a passion on my heart for young girls across the world…I want to answer God’s call in letting girls all around the world share in the understanding that God the Father has a plan and a purpose for them through His Son, Jesus Christ. Andrea Mulder attends Woodstock Maranatha Christian Reformed Church in Norwich, Ontario and has served as both a counselor and Club Coordinator for the past 13 years. Why do you want to serve on the GEB? The GEMS ministry is near and dear to my heart. Whether it is keeping up-to-date with the developments of The Esther School, GEMS in Zambia, connecting with former GEMS girls through Facebook, Instagram, and email, or visiting our local club on a craft night, GEMS is part of me. Serving on the Executive Board would be Godhonoring, enabling me to be a member of a dynamic group of women striving to bring girls everywhere into a living relationship with our Savior.
Pat Scott attends Baymeadows Community Church in Jacksonville, Florida and has been involved in GEMS for the past 37 years. She has served as a counselor at every level of GEMS as well as a Club Coordinator, Leadership Trainer, and member of the GEB. Why do you want to serve on the GEB? I feel God is calling me to this position; I am excited to see what He has planned. I also want to serve because I love the GEMS ministry and am very passionate about every aspect of it—from reaching out to girls everywhere and working to bring them into a personal relationship with Jesus, to building relationships with counselors all over the world, to seeing God’s work in Zambia and The Esther School. Cindy Visser attends South Olive CRC in Zeeland, Michigan. For the past 24 years Cindy has served GEMS as a Club Coordinator, counselor, Local Conference Committee member, Leadership Trainer, and member of various committees and boards. Why do you want to serve on the GEB? I just love GEMS, and to me it is really awesome that God called us to go global. I love the Titus 2 part of the ministry—that it enables counselors to meet girls where they are. The material is all so relevant, and I’d like to help encourage people and promote and grow the training opportunities to encourage women to be the best leaders they can be.
Taking A BREAK You mentor girls. Through GEMS, you create a space for them to be real and figure out what life is all about. You help them discover their unique design so they can fully live life in a relationship with their Savior—serving God out of a deep love for who He is and who He created them to be. That’s a big task, but it’s a fulfilling one, too. And the thing is, as a mentor—as a role model to the girls in your club—you don’t really get a break. Club may be done for the season, but your GEMS are still watching. They’re still longing for your approval and in need of your affirmation and support. Even the ones who act too cool or turn up their noses at your attempts are checking out of the corner of their eyes to make sure you’re still cheering them on.
So are you still modeling well? Are you reaching out and connecting with them from time to time to remind them that they matter? Are you continuing to foster these ever-important relationships even when you’re not meeting every week? It doesn’t have to be a huge time commitment. Even the smallest gesture will let your girls know how much you care. Here are a few ideas for engaging with your GEMS over the summer: Shoot them a text. Chances are some of your older GEMS have phones or devices that allow them to message. Encouraging them could be as simple as saying, “Hope you’re having a great day!” Create an email chain. Start an ongoing email with your small group and encourage them to respond once a week
and let everyone know what they’re up to. You could have them add in prayer requests, too. Send them a postcard. Everyone still loves getting mail, right? Take a minute to jot a quick note and drop it in your mailbox. You’ll brighten your girls’ days. Find them at church. For those girls who attend your church, seek them out on Sunday even if it’s just for a quick hello. For those who don’t, offer to pick them up or arrange a ride for them. Host a mid-summer gathering. Maybe meet for ice cream, have a bonfire, or just get together and hang out with your small group. Being able to connect with you face-to-face even once will likely brighten their summer!
START COLLECTING COINS! SHINE brightly is gearing up for our 2014/15 season and we want to clue you in on a detail that may interest your club! The GEMS staff is crazy about SHINE because we believe when young girls are equipped, motivated, and passionately engaged in living out their faith in Jesus they have the potential to be world changers—and SHINE helps them realize that! So, as always, in the coming season we are challenging our readers and giving them opportunities to make a difference.
It’s a simple way for the girls in your club to get involved. But, that means we need you to invest, too. Decorate jars
We’ll be collecting coins from September until May and will be running updates in each SHINE brightly Magazine. So start collecting now to help bring music to the lives of The Esther School students! All change collected, or a check for their value, can be sent to: Esther School Dime Drive 1333 Alger St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507 We’d love for you to submit your collections monthly so we can update our readers on their progress in the magazine!
Summer 2014 | 3
This fall we are launching a Dime Drive that will engage their hearts and give them an opportunity to serve others. By collecting dimes (or coins of any kind), girls can help advance the music program at The Esther School. With the money raised through this project The Esther School will receive instruments, books, and other tools students will use in the new music program.
or containers with your girls, encourage them in their collecting, and help them count their funds. With you cheering them on, we know this challenge will have a big impact.
Sharing IDEAS
4 | Cable
In her first year as the Club Coordinator of her GEMS Club, Amber Jensema wasn’t quite sure what to expect. “I was a little afraid at first about what was going to happen,” she said, “but everything has turned out great!”
but also handing out prayer cards and responding to prayer requests the girls submitted.
“I can’t wait to see what done so that I can maybe
At their first meeting last fall 24 girls showed up, ready and eager to connect with the seven counselors at Gibbsville Reformed Church in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. “I thought that was good,” Amber recalled, “but I really wanted to have 35 girls. That was the goal I set in my mind and wanted to accomplish by the end of the year.”
Mystery Dinner—Girls had to construct their meals by picking items from a list of words that made no sense. “There were three courses, and after each course everything was removed from the tables,” Amber explained. “We enjoyed Jell-O with whip cream, spaghetti with sauce, garlic bread, a cookie, and a bar. They also had to order silverware. You can imagine how messy this got when girls would only get sauce, whip cream, and a cookie! It was a blast to watch, to say the least.”
By the end of the season, 37 girls were registered for their club that spans grades 1-5, and the oldest girls were asking to come back next year. Why? In addition to the relationship building and mentoring going on, Amber was intentional about finding ways to engage girls and get them involved in the community. Here are a few of the ideas that kept girls wanting more:
Pinewood Derby—For the first time, girls were able to build cars (many with the help of dads) and race them. “We handed out awards to the three fastest cars, the top three best of class, and the three most creative,” Amber said. Then, at their combined awards night, the GEMS were able to race the boys in the Cadet program.
Prayers 4 You—A group of older women from the church attended meetings once a month—serving snacks to the girls
In addition to these fun nights, girls had a chance to give back to their community throughout the season by caroling
other ideas groups have introduce them next year.”
at Christmas and playing BINGO with residents at a local nursing home. As she anticipates Conference this summer, Amber is looking forward to networking and connecting with other women. “I can’t wait to see what other ideas groups have done so that I can maybe introduce them next year,” she said. Collaboration is a huge part of GEMS Leadership Training. Gathering with other leaders who share your passion for mentoring girls not only inspires you for your year, but it also equips you with ideas and resources to keep your club exciting and fresh for your GEMS!
GEMS LEADERSHIP TRAINING
Invest GEMS IN YOURSELF LEADERSHIP Did you know that GEMS has a leaders’ blog filled with inspiration and ideas? Did you know there is a monthly post on how SPRING SEMINAR to incorporate SHINE brightly Magazine into your small group in fun ways?
you’ve been to a local TRAININGIfworkshop in the past,
Did you know you can send your GEMS to a video blog where they can interact with other girls from around North America between meetings? Did you know you can follow GEMS on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest to get all kinds of ideas for making the most of your time in club? These are all amazing resources for expanding your knowledge and equipping you for your role as a mentor. But we also invite you to step away from your computer, tablet, or smart phone. We invite you to enter a community of women who are passionate about mentoring girls. We invite you to refuse to enter this GEMS season feeling overwhelmed or alone. We invite you to be encouraged and renewed by attending one of our Leadership Training events. GEMS is all about girls, but as a ministry one of the primary ways we invest in them is by investing in you. So come worship together. Come learn together. Come share ideas, talk through frustrations, and
you’re going to love the new format this season! We have built in very intentional share time where you’ll have ample opportunity to talk to other women about their experience in club and find out what’s working for them!
discover new tools for your work with the precious girls in your life.
CLUB NEWS CLUB COORDINATORS Be sure to inform the Service Center if someone new will be taking over for you this fall. We will need the name and contact information of the new Club Coordinator to ensure she gets all the information she needs for the upcoming season. And, don’t forget to update your counselor lists as soon as possible! You can do both these things quickly and easily online. Also, in August you’ll receive a mailing with your dues form (dues need to be submitted to the Service Center by November 15 of each year) and a board ballot (votes should be cast by September 30).
GEMS counselors are invaluable. As you live out Titus 2, we want to pour into you so you are ready to pour into the girls in your club. We know you’re busy, but we’re confident you won’t regret joining us at one of our training opportunities. Check the GEMS website to see when a workshop will be happening in your area, and you can expect to receive more details from a local leader if you haven’t already!
SUMMER OF BADGES Don’t forget to check out the GEMS Leaders’ Blog for fun badge ideas to challenge and inspire your small group—even if you’re not meeting during the summer months!
Summer 2014 | 5
BRING THE MESSAGE THROUGH YOUR CLUB! It’s summer. Maybe your GEMS Club doesn’t start back up until fall. Maybe badges, Bible lessons, and fun nights are the furthest thing from your mind. Maybe you haven’t thought about the new theme—Bring the Message! or how you’re going to talk to your girls about sharing the gospel this coming season.
Knowing that the GEMS and their families would be in attendance, everyone at St. Paul’s was reminded of the importance of being welcoming to guests. They even started an outlook team to identify and engage with visitors and newcomers.
But even if it hasn’t crossed your mind once, here’s a bit of encouragement for you: by being involved in GEMS you’re already well on your way to spreading the good news of Jesus.
In preparation for GEMS Sunday, counselors promoted the day to the girls and their families—inviting them to stay for the potluck following the service.
“What a beautiful thing! It was a cup overflowing!”
Gay Stronks, Club Coordinator at Chatham St Paul’s Congregational Church, in Chatham, Ontario shared how GEMS Sunday made an impact on her congregation and her community.
“We began our GEMS club in September with about 35 girls,” she explained. “By Christmas, we were up to 65! Only 14 of those girls attend St. Paul’s or another church on a regular basis.” Gay met with her pastor in January, and he informed her that GEMS Sunday regularly had the biggest attendance of any service throughout the year—even beating out the Christmas and Easter crowds. “He caught the vision and totally understood the evangelical impact GEMS Sunday could have,” Gay said.
“Forty of the 65 girls came to GEMS Sunday,” Gay reported. “The church was packed! So many of the girls’ families were there! And for the potluck lunch? We used every dinner plate in the church and had to supplement with salad plates—a new record at St. Paul’s. Every chair and table was used and filled. Better than that, St. Paul’s members and families were sitting with GEMS families.” The following Sunday, three of the families returned for a series leading up to Easter. “What a beautiful thing! It was a cup overflowing!” Gay said. As you start to plan your year, think about the things you already do—things like GEMS Sunday—and know that being intentional with these events is an amazing way to Bring the Message.
GEMS INTERNATIONAL In Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting the trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:19 (ESV)
FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS
THE ESTHER SCHOOL
THE ESTHER SCHOOL Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise! Psalm 100:4a
6 | Cable
Instant smiles! That’s what happens when you mention the words student sponsor around the campus of The Esther School. They so appreciate what they have and know that it is because of their student sponsor that they are able to attend school. If you’d like the deeply rewarding experience of knowing you are making it possible for a child to go to school, please become a student sponsor for
one of the incoming preschoolers. You certainly won’t regret it! Email: michele@ gemsgc.org and ask her to put you on the list to become a student sponsor. Email soon! Staffing needs at The Esther School: 1. Fall of 2014 – 1st Grade teacher 2. Fall of 2015 – 3rd Grade teacher 3. Fall of 2015 – Experienced school administrator/family If you or someone you know might be interested in learning more about any of these positions, please contact: jan@ gemsgc.org for details.
We’ve made it even easier for you to help reach more girls with God’s love and grow clubs around the world. The GEMS International website has been redesigned and is ready for you to pass along to friends and acquaintances around the world. We’ve tried to make it simple and easy for you to direct people to look at the site and they will see how very easy it is to start a club. Simply go to gemsgcinternational.org.
SISTER CLUBS We are in need of new sister clubs for the coming season! If you’ve ever desired to connect with and help one of our Zambian clubs or a club in another country, please make the commitment to serve as a Sister Club. Check out the GEMS website for more info or contact the Sister Club Coordinator, Kathy Brace, kathy@gemsgc.org.
“We are able to mentor our girls and bring them up in the fear of the Lord first of all and then help them bring out their different potentials as we see them in the eyes of Christ.”
A Global STORY After starting a school in Machakos, Kenya, Zipporah Wairimu still wanted to do more for the students she loved and served. After finding out about GEMS, she came to a training event in Zambia where she spent a few days learning about the international curriculum and discovering what this ministry is all about. When she returned home, she started a club at her school and soon after noticed a transformation happening in her girls. “We are able to mentor our girls and bring them up in the fear of the Lord first of all and then help them bring out their different potentials as we see them in the eyes of Christ,” she said. And while some of the parents were not initially excited about GEMS, the changes they saw in their daughters helped convince them. “[Parents] are now coming with reports saying their girls are very disciplined, their girls are very focused, and their girls are excited and wanting to do more than they’ve ever done.”
“...there is more unity, there’s more love and the teachers feel they are part of this club, and they are also growing spiritually.”
Zipporah quickly realized the outreach potential of GEMS and felt led to minister to the teachers in her school who were
not Christians. “Through that I’ve seen tremendous growth even for those who didn’t have a relationship with Christ,” she said. “So it works well for us because it has become a tool of evangelism even for those who do not know the Lord.” It’s not all easy, though—and Zipporah understands what it takes to have meaningful mentoring relationships. “To be an effective counselor you must have passion,” she said. “Passion that comes from the inside—where you do this not because it’s a duty but you feel the product will be something you will be proud about. So for me and for my counselors that was a beginning point: that we went to the girls with a lot of passion because these children are in our hands and we are responsible for what we produce. I do believe for any counselor to be able to come every week and be excited about what they are doing they must be very passionate about it. And for us it’s working well.” GEMS is excited that more and more stories like Zipporah’s are being told around the world as we continue to follow God’s lead and help girls everywhere meet their Savior.
Summer 2014 | 7
But like clubs in the United States and Canada, the club in Kenya is not just about the girls. The counselors—who all teach together at the school—are learning and growing as well. “I’m really delighted to
say that since we began the GEMS Club the teachers are no longer competitors; they are partners,” Zipporah reported cheerfully. “They have become a team. They feel that everybody has a part to contribute in the mentoring of the girls. So one of the best things that has happened to us at school, even outside the GEMS Club, is that there is more unity, there’s more love and the teachers feel they are part of this club, and they are also growing spiritually.”
Dynamic Youth Ministries P.O. Box 39 Norwich, ON N0J 1P0
Thanks AGAIN! As GEMS continues to challenge young girls to live passionate lives that embody justice, mercy, and humility—we continue to rely on willing contributors to the ministry! GEMS would like to extend a special thanks to the sponsors and golfers who made the 18th Annual GEMS Open possible. Despite the rain, we managed to have a great day! Thanks again to these businesses and individuals: EVENT SPONSORS
De Jong Enterprises, Inc. R&M Construction Michael J. Liccar & Company Caveman Pallets, LLC Sovereign Order of Saint John Mall City Containers Richard and Judy Eppinga John and Linda VanSingel Myles and Glennys Kuperus Cheryl Boer Dan and Pat Scott Jeff and Mary Klingenberg Eudell and Mary Jo Vis
CART SPONSORS
Stroo Funeral Home, Inc. Dale and Jan Boone
Leon and Louise Koops Visser Farms
HOLE SPONSORS
FRSTeam by Paris Cleaners L&M Costa, Inc. Hendriksma Farms Deppe Mold and Tooling Foster Swift Collins and Smith Witte Travel Best Way Disposal Fair Oaks Dairy ShipPac Stroo Funeral Home, Inc.
TEE SPONSORS
Woodwork Specialties Co. Dykhouse Construction, Inc.
Naber Taxidermy Gerald VanWieren, MD Treystar Janie’s Cookie Co. VanDenBerge Pest Control VanDam and Krusinga Contractors, Inc. Red Arrow Dairy Continental Linen Bryan and Madina Scott Gwen Wyman Shannon Scott David and Shirley Batts Havit Supplies, Inc.
CONTRIBUTORS
Liz Yadon Tim and Denise Seise Iris Burton Mike and Viola Roman Sherolde Denmark
Gerrit and Cori Dykhouse Andrea Jefferson Jacki Carneal Tim and Deborah Sparks Bob Flak Michael and Debbie Liccar Harold and Cynthia Redeker Ken Schenk Joanie Smids Bill and Marguerite Schenk GVL Excavating Field’s Fabrics Holwerda-Snoap Sporting Goods Celebration Cinema Rivertown Kregel Publishing House Graphics Unlimited Custom Printers Ludwicks Bakery
Top Distributing Wise Photography John Ball Zoo Pioneer Construction Veenbaas Construction On The Border Calvin College Tee-2-Green Detroit Red Wings All Star Printing Cindy’s Hair Care Lewis Paper Maple Hill Golf Course Pilgrim’s Run Golf Club Gleneagle Golf Club Moors Golf Club Ironwood Golf Course Crestview Golf Club Diamond Springs Golf Club Bay Meadows Family Golf Rita Girl’s