Love Baskets Delivered to Safe Haven

Six ladies from Victory North Church, in Kennesaw, Georgia, took the charge to reach out to their community and extend love to others as an effort to bring some sunshine into someone else's life. They have been meeting at a "host home" on a weekly basis since September and studying messages about serving God through serving others. The women's small group wanted to meet a need in the Atlanta community and when Ms. Charlette Clark told the group about the work Fresh Start for Women is doing for victims of domestic violence the vote was unanimous to so something in support of the organization.

The women, Stacey, Ina, Charlette, Regina, Winsome and Vijay decided to construct gift baskets with items donated from the women in the Bible Study Group. One of the ladies, Ina, owns a specialty shop (Palo's Shoe Gallery) in Smyrna, Georgia and generously donated bracelets with inspirational Bible verses inscribed on them. Stacey was especially excited about the idea because she used to create gift baskets for profit in the past and she now used this opportunity to provide basic items from her inventory. The women assembled the baskets as a way to give a little pampering to women who so often experience very little pampering as they make their way through the maze of rediscovering themselves after leaving abusive relationships.

Victory World Church has approximately 15 small groups and each small group has been given a challenge of identifying a need in their community and addressing the need. This offering of Love Baskets is just one of many selfless acts being performed by Victory North Church. Hopefully, as the small group passes on acts of kindness, kindness will replicate itself and be passed on forward to others.

The Love Baskets were presented to Mrs. Janice Pettigrew Wednesday October 15, 2008 during the Last Day Outreach Program heard every Wednesday from 7:15pm to 8:15pm on WYZE1480 Radio by Ms. Charlette Clark on behalf of the group. The following day, Thursday October 16, 2008, Mrs. Pettigrew delivered the Love Baskets to Safe Haven Transitional in Dekalb County, which were graciously accepted by Ms. Paula Bradley on behalf of the women.

God's Divine Divas!

On Saturday September 27th the women in attendance at the last Day Outreach Christian Center had the opportunity to hear from some dynamic speakers about a variety of subjects related to God's Divine Divas! Fresh Start for Women was also pleased to have in attendance young teens as well. The conference began with Minister Willie Bell Pettigrew discussing RESPECT (Dignity & Grace). The objective for this subject was to help women to better understand how each of the three characteristics play an important role in their interactions with others, especially with the opposite sex. Said Minister Pettigrew, "Wiithout love you can not posess respect, dignity or grace. Minister Pettigrew shared with the audience lessons learned from her own mother about the way a young lady should conduct herself. "Dignity and grace is nothing to take lightly", she said. "It's that special quality that commands attention when you walk into the room."

Following Minister Pettigrew was Pastor Marvalene Foster, founder and pastor of The Last Day Christian Outreach Center. Pastor Foster spoke on the six steps needed to have a rock solid spiritual foundation. The steps are: Confession, Acceptance, Study, Faith, Prayer and Fellowship. Said Pastor Foster, "Each step will bring you closer to a more meaningful and rewarding relationship with God". Pastor Foster explained, "The joy I have is all because of the relationship I have with my heavenly father; and it's nothing for me to talk to him when I'm troubled. I know He's got my back!" Said Pastor Foster, "It's also important to choose wisely the company you keep; fellowship with others of like spirit blesses your soul." Her message was clear even to our young in attendance as she was able to share her own growth from their age to the present. This ability to relate others regardless of current circumstances made for a very real session.

Mrs. Janice Pettigrew, founder of Fresh Start for Women and a recent recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Agape Bile College in Gastonia, NC., took the women and young teens on a journey to a better understanding of the virtuous woman as depicted in Proverbs 31. To begin Mrs. Pettigrew admonished all to not discard the word wife as has so often been done in the past. For many the belief has been that Proverbs 31 does not apply to single women; Mrs. Pettigrew explained that for single women they too are wives, with the greatest spiritual husband until they are blessed with the right one in the flesh!

A closer examination of the qualities of a virtuous woman ensued with some of the qualities discussed being noble character, trustworthy, asset to her husband, diligent, good business sense, hard working, generous, a woman of wisdom and may others. Said Mrs. Pettigrew, "The most important one of all is that she is a God-fearing, godly woman! This dissecting of the virtuous woman led to a very lively and interactive conversation with all in attendance.

After a short break Mrs. Pettigrew's second subject - "Be Careful What You Answer To" was brought to the table. It was here that Mrs. Pettigrew used her ability to engage her audience by creating an avenue for more lively conversation came into play. Many of the negative names and descriptions being tossed about in society were explored. "It's time to stomp out this apparently accepted behavior and demand the respect we deserve", she said. This pronouncement was well received not only from the older women but the young teens in attendance as well. Asked how to do this, she responded, "Respect Yourself First!"

The conference closed with the Fresh Start for Women Affirmation Circle as well as a special treat for the women when Mrs. Pettigrew invited all to close their eyes and join her as she took them on a journey. With the soothing sounds of her voice as the backdrop the woman were transported to a time and place where they were challenged to join others to make a difference.

The next conference is scheduled for November 22, 2008 and will be titled "Understanding God's Plan in Your Suffering". All are invited to attend. Please call 404.543.1017 for more information.