SoCal Girls Ministries Blog

As the weather gets warmer and school begins to slow down, it can only mean on thing, summer (and summer camp). We want to introduce you to this year’s camp speakers... 

Mary Mahon

Mary Kathleen Mahon has joyfully served as an AGWM missionary with ChildHope (formerly Latin America ChildCare) for  more than 25 years. Focusing on the transforming power of the Gospel, she has developed a girls’ empowerment club, Chicas de Promesa, to help adolescent at-risk girls overcome the obstacles they face. Currently she is developing a parallel ministry for boys who live in the same communities of social vulnerability. The Chicos Project is raising up champions for change who will change their communities for Christ. Mary holds a Ph.D. in Intercultural Education and lives in Costa Rica where she uses her gift of teaching to empower Costa Ricans - teachers and students alike – to fulfill God’s purpose in their lives.

Jessica Cebrowski

This month we are highlighting YOU - our faithful Girls Ministries leaders! Thank you for all you do to grow God's Kingdom. It is because of you that hundreds of kids are reached each week with the love of God. Thank you to all our leaders who came out to our RISE event in Rialto, San Diego, and Wasco. Our prayer is that you feel inspired, empowered and most of all loved. We had such a joyous time connecting with you. We are here to serve you. 

Yee Haw! SoCal Girls Ministries took to the hills of San Jacinto and enjoyed a powerful Teen Girls Retreat! Thank you to Katelyn Curren for sharing that we are Under Construction and that God is not finished with us yet! Don't forget...things take TIME.

T - Thoughts

I - Infilling Rest

M - Maturity

E - Encouragement

A big shout out to Calicinto Ranch for your hospitality. Between the delicious food, horseback riding, archery, leather making, and pie making we sure felt loved!

For this Ministry Spotlight, we’d like to introduce you to a lady who has grown up with Missionettes and has contributed to our Girls Ministries program, Katelyn Curran.

“Will I remember what to say?” I thought to myself as I tightly clutched the microphone in my hand, tremoring slightly.  I wasn't sure if my voice would shake as well. But in a few moments, I would find out and so would the entire audience. As I opened my mouth to say the first two lines of the poem I had written entitled “Jesus is My Best Friend,” I was shocked when my voice came out strong, confident, and clear. The nervousness I previously felt melted away. I stopped actually thinking; the words just flowed out and I could feel the warmth of God's presence. His peace confirming I was where I belonged.

I was in Middle School and saying my very first recitation at Celebration of Arts for National Girls Ministries (aka Missionettes). This was just one of the many times NGM offered me a chance to use my voice for God.  It was through this competition and at NGM camps that I realized how much I enjoyed communicating God's Word and speaking about His love to others.

Little did I know how God would use the seed of confidence planted that day.

Little did I know that years later I would end up winning a National Gold Medal in Speech and Debate when I competed in college.

Little did I know that years later God would call me at an NGM summer camp to be a "voice for the voiceless" and use me to speak to churches across L.A., mobilizing them to fight against trafficking and end modern-day slavery.

Little did I know that he would use the ministry experience I gained through NGM to encourage hundreds of thousands of church leaders across the globe as a marketing manager and product developer at a Christian publishing company.

Little did I know he would open up opportunities for me to preach and teach not only at my church, but at retreats, camps, and conferences.

Little did I know, but God knew. Over and over again God used NGM to prepare me for the purpose He had planned for me.

NGM prepared me for a future I did not see yet. I was in Missionettes since Kindergarten and finished the entire program. It was through the weekly meetings and group projects that God developed my character and grew my relationships with Him.

I was “Under Construction” and I didn't even know it! I didn't see how God, our Grand Architect, was using NGM like a scaffolding while He was crafting me.

Unlike other programs, NGM gave me a platform to grow. NGM leaders didn't see my age or my gender as a hindrance, but as a value. NGM is all about women discipling other women to rise up and become leaders for Christ. Nothing could ever replace the role NGM has had in my life.

A letter from our new Southern California Girls Ministries Team Leader, Pastor Beth Console...

I want to introduce myself. My name is Beth Console. I have served on the Girls Ministries Committee for over seven years. I was also a Children’s Pastor with in the Southern California Network. I recently completed my Masters in Elementary Education and work as a substitute teacher in the San Diego Unified School District.

During my years of ministry I have had the honor and privilege of working with great leaders. I have stood on the shoulders of some incredible men and women of God. It is because of their investment in me, that I have continued in ministry. I have a desire to reach the lost and for them to experience the love of Jesus. I am passionate about honoring and equipping leaders so that they can pour into others. And I want my life to be a reflection of Jesus.

In the story where Jesus takes a little boys lunch of fishes and loaves and multiplies it to feed the thousands of people, I feel like all I have to offer is not much in the work of the Lord, but he can take me and use me for His kingdom building. What I love about God is that He begins with the natural and He fulfills the supernatural.

I am here to serve you and provide resources so that you can be successful in your church. I am thankful to the great team of leaders that Tere Goblirsch has established as the Girls Ministries Advisory Committee. We are praying for you, your church and ministry.

Blessings, Beth Console

We have an upcoming training opportunity. We want to support your church's training needs. Training is $40 a person and includes the training book, lunch and snacks. Trainings will be held from 9am to 4pm. Please RSVP to the contact provided to help with our  planning.

The following training is available for ALL churches to attend:

August 30, 2014

9:00am - 4:00pm

  Lancaster First Assembly of God

44514 20th Street West

Lancaster, CA 93534

  RSVP or Questions?

Lauren Moulton

661-618-5293

[email protected]

Theme: Exploration China

When: Friday, September 19-Saturday, September 20

Time: Registration begins at 5:30 pm and Saturday 9:00 am pick up

Where: Living Word Assembly

Address: 11887 Telephone Ave. Chino, CA 91710

Ages: Rainbows-Girls Only (Rainbows and Daisies must have a mom with them and are able to leave at 10 p.m., but are welcome to spend the night with their mom)

Cost: $10   What to Bring:

PJs

Sleeping Bag

Pillow

Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush, etc)

Change of clothes

Bible

Coins for Kids offering

Our Teen Girls Retreat 2014 was held in Ontario and was the perfect weekend getaway for just us girls (and women).

On Friday night, Pastor Beth Console taught on Speech. She asked the teen girls to try to place tooth paste back in its container. Very difficult. It was a reminder that when our words come out it's hard to take them back. Then of course, we concluded the evening with game night! So many games, laughter, snacks, and fun were had. 

We started Saturday morning off right with praise and worship. Then we also heard from Pastor Beth and participated in group talk and activities. We had a scavenger hunt through Ontario Mills mall - which was competitive and of course, even more fun. Just imagine, all of us girls running around a mall...

Thank you to all of the leaders, sponsors, and parents who helped make our Teen Girls Retreat 2014 a success!

You can view more photos in the Teen Girls Retreat 2014 album on our SoCal Girls Ministries Facebook page.

We are now in preparation for our Girls Ministries Summer Camps 2014.  We are returning to Pine Summit in Big Bear and God has provided an additional camp venue for our churches in the northern part of our Network.  We will be visiting Quaker Meadows Christian Camp in the Sequoia National Forest.  We have been praying and preparing for an amazing time at all of our camps.  Our Camp Speakers will be addressing Proverbs 2:1-4 NLT, "My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands.  Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.  Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding.  Search for them as you would for hidden treasures."  Therefore our them is Hidden Treasures.

Our Chapel, worship and praise services will continue to be engaging so that our girls have an opportunity to respond and meet Jesus; recommit their lives; seek the Lord; and learn to have a relationship with Christ that will grow over the years. Therefore, the girls will meet a loving and merciful God that they can go to in times of trouble and joy.

Our activities have been designed to encourage the girls to participate in developing their talents to be used for his honor and glory. Their participation in Talent will enrich their churches as the girls learn to serve God in their local church ministries.  The outdoor activities will be challenging, fun and will provide an opportunity for fellowship and mentoring. We are committed to lavish the girls with the love of Christ as we pursue her heart... her world... and His purpose.

We hope to see you all there.  Please take the time to download your camp packet below.  It will provide you all the details you need to help make your camp experience an incredible one.

For 2014, Southern California Girls Ministries will host three different camps in two different locations. This year's camp theme is Hidden Treasures. 

Watch this promo video to hear from previous camp-goers and reasons why you should go to camp! A special thank you to Hope Thompson and Amanda Worthington for their work on this video. 

Teen Girls Retreat is this upcoming weekend! We are so excited to meet with you once again.

Have questions? Contact Amanda or Emily. We will have the mostly lovely girls getaway with a mall scavenger hunt, worship, friendship and raffles. 

In just 13 days in the 2013 Teen Girls Retreat! Can you believe it? We sure can. This year's retreat will be different from those in the past, rather than a full weekend, we're making it a full day event in two different locations. First off, here are the details:

Date: March 16th 

Time: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Locations: Lancaster First Assembly & Crosslight Family Ministries

Retreat Fee: $30

This year's theme is, Lost & Found, it is a study on evangelism. Session titles include Lost & Found, What's at Stake?, Evangelism, Overcoming Fear, and My Testimony. We're going to laugh, sing, and dance... but we're also going to pray, worship, and study. In the process, we promise you'll experience God in an amazing way if your heart is ready to encounter Him. 

There will be a ton of fun activities, great food, awesome speakers, and memories with old and new friends! Will you be there?