RSVP Ministries celebrates success and charts path ahead
Linda Sprunt
Special to Spur Ottawa
RSVP Ministries, Canada’s only national evangelistic ministry for women, is marking their 50th anniversary with a series of dessert galas in seven cities across Canada. The “Celebrate the Light” gala takes place in Ottawa on May 10, at Tudor Hall.
In addition to celebrating a half-century of evangelism, and 1000s of decisions to follow Jesus, the ministry, formerly known as Stonecroft Canada, plans to use the event to announce some strategic changes they have made.
“We believe God is directing us to take some bold steps forward in order to be relevant to the women of today,” explains Shirley Richardson, an RSVP regional representative. “We have developed film and media resources that can be used by churches and small groups.”
Many North American Christians find it difficult to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with their neighbours, despite the clarity of the Great Commission mandate. RSVP Ministries helps women overcome obstacles to reaching out by inspiring them to grow in their faith and helping them find ways to invest in others. Ultimately, they want to help women “RSVP to God” by accepting Jesus Christ.
“We want to equip women to share their faith in creative ways,” Richardson says. As an example, she suggests “establishing a regular place of belonging in local communities, where those invited can find a Christian faith-discussion in an environment where no prior faith background is necessary to fit in”.
Barbara Bedley, who oversees four RSVP groups, says the ministry’s model is very effective.
“I became involved with Stonecroft Canada in 1983 because it ministers to women where they are,” she explains. “It ministers to women who are seeking a relationship with God, even if they may not know it yet.”
Although the ministry specifically targets women, the upcoming gala is open to everyone. The program includes live worship, a video presentation, and a special message from Donna Lamothe, Executive Director of RSVP.
“RSVP is such a worthy ministry,” Bedley says. “To see women come to faith in Christ is such a joy. This is the only national ministry of its type, in Canada, that ministers to women, inviting them into a relationship with Christ. I just feel it is so important.”
For more information, visit www.rsvpministries.com.
Similar Articles
Global prayer movement inspires unity
Ottawa believers joined tens of thousands across the world on Pentecost Sunday to celebrate the Global Day of Prayer—an event that set the record for the largest prayer rally in human history […]
New support group to address invisible pain of infertility
Ottawa is getting a new ministry, a support group for couples struggling with infertility. It’s a challenge affecting around one in six Canadian couples, but infertility is a topic rarely raised in the Church. “I think every time I have heard someone talk about infertility it has always ended with, ‘and then God blessed us with children […]
Human pesticide? RuCrazy!
Campaign Life Coalition (CLC) is releasing a series of short videos to raise awareness about RU-486, a harmful abortion drug recently made available in Canadian pharmacies. “Each video is making an argument against RU-486 and why it’s bad, but feeding that in […]
Challenged into freedom
Teen Challenge Canada is opening an addictions treatment centre in the Ottawa Valley, and even before launching the centre is already bearing fruit. “I joined the choir and we took a trip to the Ottawa Valley to raise awareness for this new centre. While on that trip, I came to know the Lord.” […]
Finishing strong
Christians rightly put great emphasis on Christmas, but a growing community of Ottawa churches join together to praise God as the new year begins. Far more than another New Year’s Eve party, they see the Cross-over Prayer Vigil as an important witness to the city. “This is […]
Reviving Counsell
John Counsell is back on the air. Counsell’s show “Late Night Counsell” airs live, exclusively online, weeknights from 9 until 11 p.m. “What? You thought I was just going to ride off into the sunset and […]