07 Jan Christmas: A Spa for Women at a Shelter

Jim Pryor, pastor of Richfield Road UB (Flint, Mich.), sent the following about Christmas activities at his church.
This Christmas our women’s ministry team really thought out of the box. They planned an outreach event focusing on one of the women’s shelters in the community. This shelter is for recovering addicts and abused women. These women stuggle with identity and issues of self-worth.
Our women’s ministry set up a spa day for 25 women. The women were treated and pampered for four hours with massages, hair styling, make-up, manicures, and pedicures. They were also treated to a meal at the church and door prizes, and sent home with gift baskets full of items these ladies could use.
It’s funny–we were told by the director that the ladies didn’t want to come to the church because of perception issues on both sides. But by the end of our time together you saw how powerfully the love of God breaks down barriers and builds the bonds of relationships. These women, who didn’t want to be touched or to touch, were crying, hugging, laughing, not wanting to leave. In fact, this coming Sunday we expect a number of them to come worship with us.
I am so proud of the team here at Richfield Road Church and their willingness to reach out and minister to these women who have such needs in their lives. What a way to minister in our community during the greatest time of outreach that the world has ever known. It made the days of Christmas a little brighter and a little lighter, and many here were touched in ways like never before. We thank God for allowing us to play a part in HIs plans for our community.