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Sharing news and light with friends of GEMS
GEMS Girls’ Clubs EXECUTIVE BOARD
Director’s Letter I’m eager to introduce you to our newest staff person, Renee Bacon. She joins us as Director of Urban Ministries. Renee has been out visiting a variety of clubs. She’s learning a lot and getting a good feel for how differently our clubs operate. Many clubs are very strong and have counselors trained and equipped to teach girls. There’s excitement at club and relationships are growing. But sadly, some clubs seem to be lacking—lacking in enthusiasm and organization, lacking in unity among counselors, and lacking an emphasis on teaching God’s Word. Why is there such a difference? In many cases the spotlight falls on the leadership of the club. As with any organization or business, there is a direct correlation between success and strong leadership. Inspired women who love God and have leadership gifts are needed for ministry. Age is not a qualifier or disqualifier in GEMS. Women of all ages serve successfully. Knowledge of the GEMS ministry and materials is not a qualifier or disqualifier. But having a passion to see girls come to Christ and not live another day outside of the knowledge of His love for them is essential. That passion is in the heart of every great counselor.
Shirley Batts – Portage, Michigan
One way we’ve seen passion ignited and grow in women is from attending the training event GEMS hosts each summer. It’s like no other event, really. It starts and ends and is filled every day with heartopening worship. Worship at conference is a taste of Heaven as we are ushered into the throne room of God. Our mass meeting and sectional speakers teach, engage, and show us how to grow in our own walk with God and how to mentor well. And the fellowship and learning that takes place one-on-one with other counselors is amazing. It is the sisterhood at its best. I know of no other conference that is as successful at equipping women to be leaders as the GEMS Counselors’ Leadership Conference. This summer the Conference is scheduled for July 12-15 at Wheaton College in Chicago, Illinois. We will have women attending from all across the US and Canada. If your church has a club that is struggling and needs help, then by all means send women to Conference to be trained. It will change things dramatically for your counselors, girls, and, in a real sense, it will change your whole church.
Jan Boone, Executive Director
Cheryl Boer – Eden Prairie, Minnesota Cori Dykhouse – Port Lambton, Ontario Lia Leenstra – Byron Center, Michigan Debra Liccar – Crete, Illinois Henrietta Reinders – Rockwood, Ontario Amy VandenBerg – Grand Rapids, Michigan Irene Vanderlaan – Indianapolis, Indiana Mary Jo Vis – Riverside, California Cindy Visser – Zeeland, Michigan
GEMS Girls’ Clubs STAFF Director of Urban Ministries – Renee Bacon Executive Director – Jan Boone Training Manager – Lenae Bulthuis Customer Relations Specialist – Michele DeHaan Managing Editor – Kelli Ponstein Conference Coordinator – Alecia VanHulzen Publications & Web Coordinator – Amy White Executive Secretary – Gert Wolfert Graphic & Web Designer – Nicole Zaagman
Urban Outreach
Get Connected! Camp
snapshot!
meet our missionaries!
As a ministry, GEMS constantly pursues diverse ways to bring the hope of the Gospel to girls across North America. We truly desire to see girls everywhere acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with their God.
“It changed my life!”
A look at club life
Twenty-year-old Jill Deurloo has been involved in GEMS since she was eight. She attended Get Connected! Camp, GEMS biennial summer camp for early teen girls, in 2005 and 2007 before serving as a counselor in 2009 and helping launch the very first Get Connected! Camp in Zambia. “Camp is amazing,” Jill said. “If you want to grow in your faith, or are just not really sure what God has planned for you in life, camp is the place to be. It changed my life!”
Inspired by a recent issue of SHINE brightly Magazine, girls from Gaylord Friendship Church in Gaylord, Michigan went on a photo scavenger hunt— searching for items that reminded them of Christ’s birth.
The Esther School is set to open in the fall of 2012. This summer, two families— the DeKams and the Roelofs—will be moving to Chongwe, Zambia and will serve as the very first administrators of the school. Visit the GEMS website (www. gemsgc.org) to learn more about the administrators and to find links to their blogs.
Recently, God has blessed the ministry with a new staff member who will be focusing on integrating GEMS curriculum into urban and low-income settings. GEMS Partners & Friends, I am incredibly humbled for the opportunity God has afforded me to serve GEMS Girls’ Clubs as the Director of Urban Ministries. I take pleasure to be involved in any ministry that is driven by the Spirit, rooted in the Word, motivated by love, passionate about people, fosters creativity, expects excellence, offers opportunities, innovative programs and intentional services that minister to the whole individual and results in healthier and healed lives and communities while advancing the Kingdom of God. What compels me in ministry is the opportunity to humbly serve God, live more Christ-like, and maximize my gifts and talents to impact, inspire, and encourage others—particularly those residing in disadvantaged urban environments. I delight in seeing people come to Christ, grow in Him, recognize their true identity, and use their God -given abilities to fulfill their life purpose. Recently, I was looking at some startling statistics relating to girls that deeply concerned me. Research indicates that: • Girls are more sexually active earlier in age than ever before • Girls are reaching puberty earlier • Girls are engaging in sex prior to marriage at increasing rates • Officials have seen an alarming rise in the arrest rates of teenage girls • Over 2 million girls, aged 5 to 15, are taken into the sex trafficking trade every year • One out of 25 adolescents, ages 12-17 are on antidepressants • More girls are struggling with self-image and feel devalued • Around the world, there are: o 80 million pregnancies o 20 million abortions o 500,000 maternal deaths o 333 million new sexually transmitted diseases each year Not to mention the many other negative influences that girls have to battle. These influences lead to suicide or suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, low self-esteem, increased self–harm, disrespect for themselves and others, and so many other life-altering behaviors. These factors are all the more increased in minority and underprivileged communities. It’s a John 4:35 reminder to open my eyes and see that the fields are indeed ripe for harvest. I know that we can’t afford to sit idle and watch our girls continue to spiral out of control as the enemy wreaks havoc on them. My hope is to see God use GEMS to do a miraculous turnaround in their lives. I am confident He can because of the work He has and continues to do in me. In Christian camaraderie, I solicit your prayers and thank you in advance for your support. Sharing the Joy,
Renee Bacon If you would like to find out more information about how you can help GEMS reach more urban girls, please contact Renee at 616.241.5616 ext. 3033 or by email at renee@gemsgc.org.
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That phrase, “It changed my life!” is one we commonly hear from girls who have attended camp. When they get away from the noise and chaos of their everyday routines, girls have the ability to be honest, to be real—and to connect with their adoring Father who shows them a better way to live. Get Connected! Camp will be held August 6-12 at Cran-Hill Ranch in Rodney, Michigan. Each year, we have girls who would like to attend camp but who are financially unable. You can help! See the back page of Connection Point for more information on our GEMS Open, our only fundraiser for the overall ministry, and one that specifically helps underwrite camp. You can also make donations directly to camp and help support girls who may otherwise not be able to attend.
leading well GEMS Annual Counselors’ Leadership Conference Relationships drive change; the people we’re around influence who we become. And that’s why GEMS is all about relationships! Our primary goal is to help girls cultivate a deep, meaningful relationship with Jesus. A large part of how that is accomplished in club is through the relationships girls cultivate with their counselors or leaders. We believe that when women are intentionally pouring into the lives of girls, good things happen. But for that process to work effectively, the women need to be full, too! That’s why training events are so important. At the GEMS Annual Counselors’ Leadership Conference, women learn valuable tips for mentoring girls and are instructed on using various curriculums in club. In addition there is ample time for worship, workshops for personal enrichment, and plenty of opportunities for reflection and spiritual growth. If you haven’t already, please encourage the counselors from your church to register for the Conference July 12-15 at Wheaton College in Chicago, Illinois! By supporting leadership training for the women in your local GEMS Club, you are helping invest in the lives of your girls!
In addition, Jean Selles, an early learning and preschool teacher from Manhattan, Montana, will be the very first teacher at The Esther School. Jean is excited to partner with a Zambian teacher to welcome the very first class this fall!
Focusing on what it means to live with integrity, this issue of SHINE also encouraged girls to think upside down and challenge the cultural idea of acquiring more stuff. Girls were shown the benefits of thinking broadly about the world and the ways God has blessed them.
Jean Selles
If you know a girl aged 7-14, consider gifting her a subscription to one of our magazines—the Bible lessons, inspiring stories, interviews, articles, and activities spur girls on to become activists for Christ!
the esther school
DeKam Family
Roelofs Family
I said, “Yes!”
What did you learn through the process?
Someday, Rachael Kepley wants to visit Chongwe, Zambia to see The Esther School. But, for now, she is content finding ways to meet her goal of buying 200 bricks to help build the school. Rachael’s latest endeavor involved holding a garage sale in her community where she was able to raise $725 and purchase 80 bricks. Here’s what she had to say about the experience:
How did it go? What would you say to other people thinking about trying to get involved with The Esther School?
What prompted you to have a garage sale for The Esther School? While laying in bed one night I recognized that God was impressing on me His heart for The Esther School. It was then I just knew I was supposed to do a garage sale to raise money for more bricks. So I said, “Yes!”
What did you do to prepare?
I started by going through all of my drawers and took all of my clothes that were too small and all of my old toys that nobody plays with. My mom and aunt went through all their stuff and my grandparents’ stuff and put it all in my basement. I designated areas where certain things would go—like books in one section and clothes in another, and so on. Soon, my friends were bringing things, and I had a basement full of things to sell. Then my mom and I took tables and set up the garage and started pricing stuff. GEMS let us borrow really cool signage to help me tell my story.
The thing I learned the most is that when God puts something on our hearts, He will provide for it: stuff came, people came, help came. It was definitely worth it! I experienced God’s amazing power in a way I hadn’t before.
It was a huge success! People bought stuff and made donations. A lot of bricks worth! I loved seeing how stuff I didn’t want anymore became something I really value—bricks for the school!
I would encourage others who want to raise money to just ask God what He wants them to do—then listen and do it! My goal is to buy 200 bricks. I have about 120 more to go. I’m listening to God for more ideas and am already planning another sale. I’ve been asking people for donations and sharing this amazing story of God’s work with as many people as I can.
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GEMS GIRLS’ CLUBS GOLF CLASSIC REGISTRATION FORM
GEMS 16th Annual Golf Open If you ever see GEMS from a local club around your church or community, you have some idea of the impact this ministry has on the lives of women and girls. But now multiply that. Multiply that and spread it out—spread it to other states, other provinces, and other countries around the world. GEMS desperately seeks to see girls everywhere in a living, dynamic relationship with their Creator.
(or register online at www.gemsgc.org)
Name Address Telephone Email
Other Golfers in my Foursome
Join us in furthering that mission on May 18th at Diamond Springs Golf Course in Hamilton, Michigan. For the 16th year running, GEMS is hosting a day of golf for friends of the ministry. The Golf Open is the only fundraiser held by the overall GEMS organization, and the money raised supports the ministry while helping underwrite Get Connected! Camp (see page 2 for more information).
Name
Golf—no matter where you live!
Telephone
But, even if you’re not in the area, you can help support GEMS through this annual event. Consider donating a prize, sponsoring a tee or a hole, or—if you’re far away and still want to play— choosing our Golf-at-a-Distance option. Your foursome can golf at a course of your choice and we’ll recognize you at our local event and send you a complimentary goodie bag! Everyone is encouraged to find a way to get involved with this important fundraiser!
Address Telephone Email Name Address Email Name Address Telephone Email
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES mEVENT SPONSOR - $1,000 mLUNCH SPONSOR - $750 mCART SPONSOR - $500 mHOLE SPONSOR - $250 mTEE SPONSOR - $125 mCONTRIBUTOR - (In-kind or monetary) Sponsor Name Company Name Address Telephone Email Amount Enclosed
INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION GOLF AND LUNCH = $135
x $135 =
GOLF AT A DISTANCE
x $95 =
c I will be unable to golf with you this year but I would like to make a donation or in-kind contribution of .
Make checks payable to: GEMS Girls’ Clubs PO Box 7259 • Grand Rapids, MI • 49510
Phone 616-241-5616, ext 3032 • Fax 616-241-5558
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