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Pearls of Wisdom from Women of Faith An Interview with Linda Lanferman & Rachel Mowrey
JUBILEE CHURCH
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ST. LOUIS, MO Newfrontiers is a worldwide family of churches together on a mission
After a recent Women's Gathering in St. Louis, we interviewed Linda Lanferman and Rachel Mowrey. Linda is married to John Lanferman who leads the Newfrontiers USA apostolic team. She and her husband have been involved in church planting and leadership throughout their marriage, spanning over forty years. Rachel is married to Bryan Mowrey who leads Jubilee Church in the City of St. Louis. Rachel began a career a decade ago as a graphic designer, but now spends her days at home with two children and another on the way.
How do you find balance in your life with Christ? Linda:
Rachel:
I practice the presence of God. During the day you can't always stop to pray, but if you are aware that God never leaves you or forsakes you, then you’re consciously aware of His presence. When I can’t go to sleep at night I remind myself that He never slumbers. I view this time as a date with Him and an opportunity to be in His presence. God always invites us to draw near to Him, and in turn He says that He will draw near to us (James 4:7-10). Being a mother of young children with a baby on the way, it feels as though everything I have is required of me. It is important for me to stay grounded in God's grace by committing each day to Him. I find everyday is more fruitful when I begin by asking Him for fresh mercy (Lamentations 3:22-23) to treat my children in a way that honors Him and to selflessly serve my husband. It is helpful to begin the day in the Word, though it is not a discipline I’ve perfected. Each day requires flexibility. I pray throughout the day as thoughts cross my mind, rather than banking on having a block of uninterrupted time with Him.
How is your faith in Christ applied to your day-to-day living? Linda:
Rachel:
I pray in the Spirit often. The Spirit knows what I need and He intercedes for me according to the Father's will. This builds faith that God is at work in and through me to accomplish His purpose. I find that Christ continues to mold and shape me by using my husband, my children and other relationships to reveal things in me that need to be changed. I discover more and more things about my character and motives that need to be submitted to His authority. Being a parent and a wife has shown me how desperate I am for His guidance and Spirit to lead me! He’s shown that what He calls me to, He will enable me to accomplish (Philippians 4:13).
Knowing that Jesus said “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He’s already gone before me, won the battles and carried my burdens.
Rachel:
A N E W F R O N T I E R S U S A P U B L I C AT I O N
During tough times it can be a temptation for me to pull away from others and tackle issues on my own. Leaning on those I trust and love makes pressing through much easier. Above all, drawing near to God in prayer is a necessity! He faithfully gives me a word of encouragement, reveals what new thing He is working in me amidst the difficulties or showers me with His presence and love, dissolving any anxiety.
IN THIS ISSUE Newfrontiers USA churches, church plants and pioneering efforts are currently working in 15 states.
What is one thing you’ve learned from discipling other women? Linda:
Rachel:
When someone is looking to me it causes me to grow in my relationship with God, knowing I have nothing to give them unless He gives me something. He knows exactly what they need, and I have confidence that He loves them and desires to fill those needs. I've learned that it doesn’t have to be as difficult as it sounds and that it is less intimidating if I focus on friendship first. I’m encouraged by the things God may be doing in their lives and I benefit by being around younger women. It’s truly a two way street! I've also learned that God comes through to give me insight and wisdom where I may feel inadequate.
What is one of the biggest challenges in our culture today for women? Linda:
The greatest challenge for women is getting caught up in what the world offers to the point that it crowds out our relationship with God. With every blessing comes a challenge, as we are often tempted to replace God with the blessing itself. We begin to worship the creation rather than the Creator. Women have a deep craving for connection and intimacy. God has called us to love Him with all our heart. When I give Him first priority in my life, all other things are rightfully aligned and my needs are filled by Him.
Rachel:
Trouble comes to every life; how we handle it is the challenge. A favorite saying of mine is “Experiences will change you, but it’s
One of the biggest challenges for women today is one that has been a struggle since the fall… submission. I see women feeling they have to fight for themselves because they’ve been wounded or neglected in some way by men. This actually causes hurt and bitterness rather than accomplishing the selfprotection women think it will bring. I think every woman struggles to make herself vulnerable, whether to a husband or male leaders. One thing I know is true: allowing Jesus to be our advocate and champion fulfills all of our desires and needs, and heals what may be broken. He will never let us down, cast us aside or treat us harshly. He is the perfect Father and Husband!
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your response that will shape you.” When I have been hurt or am afraid I pray, “God, help me to see things or people the way You see them, to love them the way You would have me to and to feel as You would have me feel.” It works! He answers that prayer!
What helps you overcome the tough times? Linda:
to establish the kingdom of God by restoring the Church, making disciples,
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Soundbite from John Lanferman
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Team Leader >> Newfrontiers USA
Pearls of Wisdom from Women of Faith
TRANSFORMED FOR MISSION
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Linda Lanferman >> Rachel Mowrey
One of the significant, missional characteristics of the church in Acts is that the gospel was so tangible to them that they fully lived out its reality. What motivated the early Church to love people so radically, give money and property so joyfully, and journey to the ends of the earth to share the gospel? It was their awareness of God’s presence and purpose! This reality was more substantial to them than anything else. Their motivations and material possessions were entirely reoriented as they viewed everything as being designed for the purpose of serving God’s glory.
However, God’s immediate response is grace! The moment Isaiah confesses, an angel wipes away his sin, guilt and shame. His confession of guilt does not become a reason for God to destroy him, but rather an occasion for God’s grace and pardon! Immediately Isaiah is faced with the high privilege of partnership with God Himself and His mission. “I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’” (Isaiah 6:8). Isaiah’s self-image is deconstructed, while his view of God is completely reconstructed on the spot. Isaiah realizes that he is THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN far more sinful than he’d previously thought; but SAYING “I BELIEVE IN GOD” even so, that God loves him and fully accepts him!
Isaiah’s encounter with God (Isaiah 6:1-8) helpfully illustrates the effect of the greater reality we discover when we encounter God. God’s reality breaks into Isaiah’s life and everything is rearranged—his view of himself, his view of history and his priorities. When God comes into a person’s life, such an encounter changes everything! Isaiah enters the temple and immediately has a vision of the Lord high and lifted up. He sees God’s glory radiating from His throne; he hears angels shouting out “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is filled with His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3). The foundations shake and the temple fills with smoke. The word glory literally translated means weight. It has to do with what is permanent vs. what is temporary. In other words, it’s the weightiness of God Himself as compared to all other things. God alone is permanent, and His glory is weightier than anything else. When God came down on Mt. Sinai, the mountain trembled violently. When God appeared to the praying church in Acts, the place was shaken. God’s glory is the greater reality; and when it’s revealed, things are radically transformed.
(ACKNOWLEDGING HIS EXISTENCE), AND HAVING A LIVING REALITY OF WHO HE IS. MANY SEEM TO MOVE GOD AROUND TO FIT THEIR LIFESTYLE, MAKING GOD LIGHTWEIGHT RATHER THAN THE WEIGHTY GOD HE TRULY IS—THE GOD WHOSE REAL PRESENCE ALTERS ONE’S LIFE COMPLETELY.
There is a difference between saying “I believe in God” (acknowledging His existence), and having a living reality of who He is. Many seem to move God around to fit their lifestyle, making God lightweight rather than the weighty God He truly is—the God whose real presence alters one’s life completely. Isaiah’s encounter with God’s glory creates great trauma as he realizes just how holy God is and just how unclean he is. Isaiah’s previous concept of God is replaced as he beholds God in reality. God’s holiness becomes an immense, weighty threat, and Isaiah finds himself undone, unraveled… disintegrated.
Having met the real God, Isaiah now gains courage and humility. Before he lived by the standards of his own performance; yet in God’s holy presence, Isaiah is confronted with the impossibility of living up to God’s perfect standard. He discovers that his approval before God is secured not by his own works, but by God’s grace alone. In reality, nothing has changed. The difference is that an encounter with God completely deconstructs one’s self, and reconstructs one’s lifestyle and priorities in relation to a genuine awareness of His presence and purpose.
Like Isaiah, Christ-followers still declare “Here am I! Send me!” This is what sets us apart from other people. The people of God have encountered a greater reality—a weightier God—and have been caught up together to fully worship Him and actively partner with Him on His glorious mission!
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