Pictured here are members of the local Christian women’s group that meets monthly. In front are Marian Aranyos, Gail Wood, Nancy Schuyler, and Dorothy Geer. In back are Vi Birchard, Gwen and husband Tim Griffins, Sandra Hanson, Nancy Evertsen and Debbi Sprague.

With nearly 60 million people living in rural areas in North America, partnerships with Village Missions helps churches in these areas not just survive, but thrive.

Village Missions Country Partners has a club locally known as Warren-Jamestown Christian Women that will hold its 50th anniversary luncheon meeting on Tuesday, April 14 at 11:30 a.m. at Pra Fellowship Church in Russell. This milestone demonstrates the decades of prayer and perseverance. The passion for the Gospel to reach the heart of rural America is evident and celebrated.

The Mission of this Christian organization (open to both men and women) is to equip and encourage men and women to impact their communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Its goal is to train pastors and missionaries to serve rural areas of the country by staffing churches in danger of closing due to pastor shortage or to set up new churches in sparsely populated regions of the United States.

The local chapter of the organization began its inaugural meeting in April of 1976. Christian Women is a non-denominational group associated with Village Missions based in Dallas, Oregon with five regional districts across the United States.

Monthly luncheons feature Christian music by guest musicians and singers, prayer, fellowship and a spiritual guest speaker giving testimony of his/her life on how Christ has impacted his/her personal journey after family hardship, health setbacks, loss, grief, accidents, or other significant life challenges. Literature and a monthly newsletter is provided by Village Missions to share with guests what is happening in the field, including examples of thriving churches impacted by this ministry.

The luncheon fee is $7 and a portion of each guest’s donation is sent to Village Missions monthly. Every other month, a $1 brown bag activity is included to exchange a fun or practical item with those donations benefitting Village Missions ministries.

There are nine members of the board along with other volunteers who set up, serve, and clean up every month. There are no dues nor membership to attend these luncheons. The nine committee and Board members include Nancy Schuyler, Chairwoman; Dorothy Geer, Sandra Hansen, Debi Sprague, Debbie Foster, Treasurer; Sue Fox, Vi Birchard, and Nancy Evertsen, along with helper Jeremy Earnheardt, sound technician; and Marian Aranyos, Corresponding Secretary.

The group has met every second Tuesday of the month since 1976 in Warren. Since 2021, the group has met at Praise Fellowship Church in Russell, PA accommodating their western New York attendees. The name of the group officially changed to Warren-Jamestown Christian Women, Village Missions Country Partners in November 2021.

This 50th anniversary occasion is a reminder to the group’s accomplishments from the past as well as the opportunities that lie ahead while they continue to share God’s love.

In a letter of congratulations from Tim Griffiths, Director of Stewardship expressed, “Your love for missionaries — shown through your consistent prayers and generous financial support — has made an eternal difference in communities that are often overlooked and underserved. For half a century, you have stood in the gap, lifting up pastors and churches in small towns and open-country places where the need is great, and the workers are few. Through your encouragement, leadership, and tireless commitment, you have become a beacon of Christ’s hope and a blessing to the Village Missions family.”

The upcoming 50th anniversary luncheon will feature a special catered meal from Garden Grub, music by Jeremy Earnhardt of Warren, and the spiritual speaker will be Pastor J. Maier from the Warren’s First Church of the Nazarene. Laura Whitten of Warren will speak on her mother Helen’s various Board positions held for more than 35 years, in addition to Historian, all of which demonstrate her loving, dedication serving God through the organization.

For reservations or more information on this Christian organization call Chair, Nancy Schuyler at (716) 397-3674 or (716) 294-3071