I am very fortunate to have experienced worshiping and serving with the church family that I had several years ago. The pastor was a very special man of God that knew how to say the tough things in a gentle way. There was electricity in the air every Sunday morning. Everyone was excited to be there. There was chatter and laughter. People willingly pitched in to help wherever it was needed. I grew in my faith and relationship with God. And I made so many lifelong friends there.
It was a wonderful experience. Not everyone is blessed to have had something like that.
Unfortunately, things changed, and it left a large void. My friends and I floundered a bit.
Then God spoke.
He impressed on my friends and me that we could have that experience again. We could bring together women ourselves. It didn’t need to be restricted by the walls of a single church. He showed us that all women desire connection and that we were to get busy and make it happen.
“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Hebrews 10:25
So, we did. We got busy and made it happen.
In the summer of 2016, we began The Connection for all women to connect with God and each other.
It is now nearly nine years later. We have held too many events to count! We have loved on women that are our neighbors and those that live across the country and a special one who lives halfway across the world. There has been so much chatter and laughter. So much! Everyone pitches in to help wherever it is needed. Many are growing in their faith and relationships with God. So many friendships have been made!
“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
The Connection has been – and is – one of the most special experiences of my life, and I think I am not the only one to feel that way.
I have had the extreme pleasure and honor to have been here since the beginning and to lead as executive director all of these years. What a ride it has been!
“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
The time has come for me to pass the baton of leadership to the next generation. I will still be serving at The Connection on multiple teams, but now that we have found the person we believe God has handpicked for the directorship, I am confidently stepping aside to open the door to the future.
Kimberly Vaughn has been serving as team lead for our blog and mentoring programs for a few years and has been on the board of directors since last January. I have watched and admired her wisdom and her caring ways. She exudes Jesus’ love for others. She is the perfect fit and I know that she will lead well.
Please join me in praying for Kimberly and her family as they adjust to this change. Pray for protection over them. Pray for Kimberly to have wisdom, discernment, and peace as she settles in and guides this very special organization.
Kimberly, “May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you.”
Mandy Hood
Mandy Hood is co-founder of The Connection and serves on multiple teams there. She authored the book, “Let’s Get Together: The story of a unique women’s ministry” and is co-author of the soon to be published book, “Let’s Get Equipped.” She hopes that these books will help other ministries and non-profits to get started and to serve well.
Mandy and her husband have been married for 45 years. Together, they enjoy traveling and have the goal to visit every state in the country.
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