{"id":4746,"date":"2019-05-17T11:19:40","date_gmt":"2019-05-17T16:19:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/?p=4746"},"modified":"2019-05-29T16:17:11","modified_gmt":"2019-05-29T21:17:11","slug":"power-in-power-chicks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/2019\/05\/17\/power-in-power-chicks\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8220;Power&#8221; in Power Chicks"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>In my more than fifty years of local ministry to girls, Power Chicks is THE event that really puts POWER in action in the girls. I saw this at the very first Power Chicks in 2007 when I took a group of girls from Holly Hill Church to Ridgecrest near Asheville, NC.<\/p>\n<p>Even though we had no idea what to expect from such a gathering, there was great anticipation even in the planning stages as we collected donations and raised funds to support our trip. When we left Holly Hill Church in Vanceboro, NC, that July morning, the excitement really began to grow as the girls enjoyed time together traveling on the church van. Upon arrival at Ridgecrest, we were all impressed with the site. The beautiful campus, the various buildings, and most of all the huge cross on top of the mountain.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/05\/Powerchick1-232.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4855 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/05\/Powerchick1-232-650x530.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"325\" height=\"265\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Every minute of every day was packed with excitement\u2013 group sessions, outside activities, games, and room devotions before bedtime. The personal time we, as sponsors, were privileged to spend with our girls was invaluable as they began to bear their souls with us in a much deeper way. We had girls sharing their hearts about broken families and other relationships, girls who were asking questions about sexual topics, and girls from unchurched families who were concerned about unsaved loved ones. The family environment in which we found ourselves brought us all closer together, and a bond of trust was developed that continued with that group until they went away for college. Most of them still remain friends.<\/p>\n<p>The girls were thrilled to meet other IPHC girls from all over the United States and have the opportunity to get to know them as they participated together in classes and sports activities. The morning devotions and large group activities were fun and learning experiences for the girls. The class sessions were age-appropriate and spiritually-oriented. Meal times together led to constant chatter and more bonding. Afternoons were filled with everything from crafts to target shooting.<\/p>\n<p>However, the highlight of each day\u2019s schedule was the night service. An ALL GIRL BAND played the music while an ALL GIRL TEAM led the singing. The auditorium echoed the voices of the hundreds of girls who sang praises. A powerful GIRL\/WOMAN preacher gave the message each night. The presence of the Holy Spirit was powerful in every service. Our girls left each night with red eyes and full hearts from spending time in the altars praying.<\/p>\n<p>As we started back home, the first topic of discussion was, \u201cWhy do we have to wait four years to do this again?\u201d Needless to say, for the next four years POWER CHICKS came up quite often.<br \/>\nIn 2011, we took some of the same girls and some new ones back to Ridgecrest. Now some were familiar with the campus and schedules and served as the \u201cbig sisters\u201d of the group. We found the same atmosphere of camaraderie and enjoyed meeting even more new friends. Classes and activities were fun, but it was at this event that I really observed how life-changing the experience of Power Chicks could be.<\/p>\n<p>One girl in our group was experiencing an especially hard time in her life. Her parents were in the midst of a separation, and she was hurting so deeply. I witnessed her in the altar praying\u2013 pouring her heart out to God. Most of our girls and sponsors gathered around her to help her intercede. She was a young teen, but her cries and prayers were those of mature agony. She lingered for quite some time as her prayer warriors continued to fight this battle with her. I saw breakthrough as her countenance changed from despair to shining peace. She arose from that place of prayer victorious over the circumstances of life.<\/p>\n<p>She came back to Holly Hill as one of the strongest young Christian girls I have ever known. She was a brilliant student and a participant in all the youth activities. Her hunger for God was evident in everything she did. Her parents did divorce, and her mother later married a fine Christian man. However, not too long after their marriage, he was accidentally killed in a gun accident. This young high-school girl again experienced another heart rendering blow, but her faith was strong. She relied on the Lord to get her through that awful time and was a true source of strength to her mother.<\/p>\n<p>She is currently pursuing a nursing degree and very active in a church in her college town. She is a living testimony to the POWER in Power Chicks. I was unable to attend the 2015 event, so I was eager to hear from our girls when they returned. I asked my granddaughter what she liked best about Power Chicks. She said it was the testimony of Mrs. Beulah Sturkie.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/05\/Beulah-Linda-April-23-2017.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-4854 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/05\/Beulah-Linda-April-23-2017-650x530.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"322\" height=\"263\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>My dear friend, Beulah, shared how God had delivered her from the streets as a motherless child into the home of a minister and wife who later adopted her. Her powerful story touched the hearts of our girls in a meaningful way. I don\u2019t know what the 2019 Power Chicks has in store, but I know that your girls need to be there. God will be present in a special way to touch and change lives. There is POWER in POWER CHICKS!<\/p>\n<p><em>Linda Thomas is a lifetime member of the Holly Hill PH Church where she has held many varied positions over the years. Among other current jobs, she serves as the coordinator of Girls\u2019 Ministries. Linda has served in many distinguished positions in the IPHC including the Discipleship Ministries Council, the first woman to serve on the North Carolina Conference Board (now serving her fourth term), and as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Emmanuel College for eight years. She also served for 16 years on the North Carolina Conference Women\u2019s Ministries board, including two terms as the director. Her service to community and state organizations is equally impressive. Linda is the wife of former State Senator Joe Thomas. They are parents of four children and have ten grandchildren. She enjoys time with her family and friends, church involvement, community activities, playing piano, reading\/journaling, and relaxing with her crossword puzzles.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"excerpt","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":4747,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,27],"tags":[251,409,1086,252,956,1085,1045],"class_list":{"0":"post-4746","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-general","8":"category-girls-ministries-childrens-ministries","9":"tag-girls-ministries","10":"tag-irvina-parker","11":"tag-linda-thomas","12":"tag-power-chicks","13":"tag-power-chicks-2019","14":"tag-powerchicks","15":"tag-strong-in-fellowship","16":"entry"},"title_es":"&quot;Poder&quot; en Power Chicks","content_es":"En mis m\u00e1s de cincuenta a\u00f1os de ministerio local para ni\u00f1as, Power Chicks es EL evento que realmente pone PODER en acci\u00f3n en las ni\u00f1as. Vi esto en los primeros Power Chicks en 2007 cuando llev\u00e9 a un grupo de chicas de Holly Hill Church a Ridgecrest cerca de Asheville, NC. A pesar de que no ten\u00edamos idea de qu\u00e9 esperar de tal reuni\u00f3n, hubo una gran anticipaci\u00f3n incluso en las etapas de planificaci\u00f3n, ya que recolectamos donaciones y recaudamos fondos para apoyar nuestro viaje. Cuando salimos de la iglesia de Holly Hill en Vanceboro, Carolina del Norte, esa ma\u00f1ana de julio, la emoci\u00f3n realmente comenz\u00f3 a crecer a medida que las ni\u00f1as disfrutaban el tiempo juntas viajando en la camioneta de la iglesia. Al llegar a Ridgecrest, todos quedamos impresionados con el sitio. El hermoso campus, los diversos edificios y, sobre todo, la enorme cruz en la cima de la monta\u00f1a. Cada minuto de cada d\u00eda estuvo lleno de emoci\u00f3n: sesiones grupales, actividades externas, juegos y devociones de habitaci\u00f3n antes de acostarse. El tiempo personal que nosotros, como patrocinadores, tuvimos el privilegio de pasar con nuestras ni\u00f1as fue invaluable, ya que comenzaron a llevar sus almas con nosotros de una manera mucho m\u00e1s profunda. Hicimos que las ni\u00f1as compartieran sus corazones sobre las familias rotas y otras relaciones, las ni\u00f1as que hac\u00edan preguntas sobre temas sexuales y las ni\u00f1as de familias sin iglesia que estaban preocupadas por los seres queridos que no son salvos. El ambiente familiar en el que nos encontramos nos acerc\u00f3 a todos, y se desarroll\u00f3 un v\u00ednculo de confianza que continu\u00f3 con ese grupo hasta que se fueron a la universidad. La mayor\u00eda de ellos siguen siendo amigos. Las chicas se emocionaron al conocer a otras chicas de IPHC de todo Estados Unidos y tuvieron la oportunidad de conocerlas mientras participaban juntas en clases y actividades deportivas. Las devociones de la ma\u00f1ana y las actividades de grupos grandes fueron divertidas y fueron experiencias de aprendizaje para las ni\u00f1as. Las sesiones de clase fueron apropiadas para la edad y orientadas espiritualmente. Los momentos de comida juntos llevaron a charlas constantes y m\u00e1s v\u00ednculos. Las tardes estaban llenas de todo, desde manualidades hasta tiro al blanco. Sin embargo, lo m\u00e1s destacado del horario de cada d\u00eda fue el servicio nocturno. UNA BANDA DE TODOS LOS NI\u00d1OS toc\u00f3 la m\u00fasica mientras que un EQUIPO DE TODOS LOS NI\u00d1OS dirigi\u00f3 el canto. El auditorio se hizo eco de las voces de los cientos de chicas que cantaron alabanzas. Un poderoso predicador de CHICA \/ MUJER dio el mensaje cada noche. La presencia del Esp\u00edritu Santo fue poderosa en cada servicio. Nuestras chicas salieron cada noche con ojos rojos y corazones llenos de pasar tiempo en los altares orando. Cuando comenzamos a regresar a casa, el primer tema de discusi\u00f3n fue: \"\u00bfPor qu\u00e9 tenemos que esperar cuatro a\u00f1os para volver a hacer esto?\" No hace falta decir que, durante los pr\u00f3ximos cuatro a\u00f1os, surgieron muy a menudo POWER CHICKS. En 2011, llevamos a Ridgecrest a algunas de las mismas chicas y algunas nuevas. Ahora, algunos estaban familiarizados con el campus y los horarios y serv\u00edan como las \"hermanas mayores\" del grupo. Encontramos el mismo ambiente de camarader\u00eda y disfrutamos conociendo incluso a nuevos amigos. Las clases y las actividades fueron divertidas, pero fue en este evento que realmente observ\u00e9 c\u00f3mo la experiencia de Power Chicks podr\u00eda cambiar la vida. Una ni\u00f1a de nuestro grupo estaba experimentando un momento especialmente dif\u00edcil en su vida. Sus padres estaban en medio de una separaci\u00f3n, y ella estaba sufriendo tan profundamente. La vi en el altar orando, derramando su coraz\u00f3n a Dios. La mayor\u00eda de nuestras chicas y patrocinadores se reunieron a su alrededor para ayudarla a interceder. Era una joven adolescente, pero sus gritos y oraciones eran de agon\u00eda madura. Se demor\u00f3 bastante tiempo mientras sus guerreros de oraci\u00f3n continuaban luchando esta batalla con ella. Vi un gran avance cuando su rostro cambi\u00f3 de desesperaci\u00f3n a paz resplandeciente. Ella se levant\u00f3 victoriosa de ese lugar de oraci\u00f3n sobre las circunstancias de la vida. Regres\u00f3 a Holly Hill como una de las j\u00f3venes cristianas m\u00e1s fuertes que he conocido. Ella fue una estudiante brillante y una participante en todas las actividades juveniles. Su hambre por Dios era evidente en todo lo que ella hac\u00eda. Sus padres se divorciaron, y su madre m\u00e1s tarde se cas\u00f3 con un buen hombre cristiano. Sin embargo, no mucho tiempo despu\u00e9s de su matrimonio, muri\u00f3 accidentalmente en un accidente de arma de fuego. Esta joven estudiante de secundaria nuevamente experiment\u00f3 otro golpe desgarrador, pero su fe era fuerte. Ella confi\u00f3 en el Se\u00f1or para que la atravesara en ese terrible momento y fue una verdadera fuente de fortaleza para su madre. Actualmente est\u00e1 cursando un grado de enfermer\u00eda y es muy activa en una iglesia en su ciudad universitaria. Ella es un testimonio vivo del poder en Power Chicks. No pude asistir al evento de 2015, as\u00ed que estaba ansioso por saber de nuestras chicas cuando regresaron. Le pregunt\u00e9 a mi nieta qu\u00e9 era lo que m\u00e1s le gustaba de Power Chicks. Ella dijo que era el testimonio de la se\u00f1ora Beulah Sturkie. Mi querida amiga, Beulah, comparti\u00f3 c\u00f3mo Dios la hab\u00eda sacado de las calles como una ni\u00f1a sin madre a la casa de un ministro y una esposa que luego la adopt\u00f3. Su poderosa historia toc\u00f3 los corazones de nuestras chicas de una manera significativa. No s\u00e9 lo que los Power Chicks 2019 tienen en la tienda, pero s\u00e9 que tus chicas necesitan estar all\u00ed. Dios estar\u00e1 presente de una manera especial para tocar y cambiar vidas. Hay PODER en POWER CHICKS! <em>Linda Thomas es miembro de toda la vida de la Iglesia de PH de Holly Hill, donde ha ocupado diversos cargos a lo largo de los a\u00f1os. Entre otros trabajos actuales, se desempe\u00f1a como coordinadora de los Ministerios de Ni\u00f1as. Linda se ha desempe\u00f1ado en muchos cargos distinguidos en el IPHC, incluido el Consejo de Ministerios de Discipulado, la primera mujer en formar parte de la Junta de la Conferencia de Carolina del Norte (que ahora cumple su cuarto mandato), y como Presidenta de la Junta de S\u00edndicos de Emmanuel College durante ocho a\u00f1os . Tambi\u00e9n se desempe\u00f1\u00f3 durante 16 a\u00f1os en la junta de Ministerios de Mujeres de la Conferencia de Carolina del Norte, incluyendo dos per\u00edodos como directora. Su servicio a la comunidad y las organizaciones estatales es igualmente impresionante. Linda es la esposa del ex senador estatal Joe Thomas. Son padres de cuatro hijos y tienen diez nietos. Disfruta el tiempo con su familia y amigos, la participaci\u00f3n en la iglesia, las actividades de la comunidad, tocar el piano, leer \/ escribir en un diario y relajarse con sus crucigramas.<\/em>","author_name":"Linda M. Thomas","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2019\/05\/Power-in-Power-Chicks.png","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4T9u2-1ey","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4746","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4746"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4746\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}