Social Networking

Romans 10:14-16 (NLT)
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"

I celebrated a birthday last month and I was lucky enough to have plenty of help celebrating. I got two emails, two blog comments, multiple posts on my Facebook wall, three phone calls, several actual folded-in-the-middle birthday cards, and the rarest of the rare, a card in the mail with a STAMP and everything. And that wasn't even from my insurance agent! I also had at least three birthday cakes. Thank goodness those have no calories.

Thanks to all our social networking opportunities, our friends are no longer limited by time or distance. Marketplace Connection's goal is to support and encourage women in the workplace and to help them build relationships, make connections, and reach people for Christ. To do that, we have events, small group Bible studies, mentoring, a blog, a Facebook page...all to serve women in central Arkansas. We focus on the workplace because it's a mission field for each of us, a place where we spend a lot of time. But your mission field isn't limited to your 9 to 5. Now, thanks to the wonders of technology, we can reach old friends, new friends, neighbors, family members, and coworkers past and present.

Whether it's through a brown bag Lunch and Learn with helpful information on business topics or an opportunity to take advantage of your lunch hour with a Bible study, Marketplace Connection wants to help you make a connection. We want to help you grow so that you can reach out and encourage the women around you. Of course, the success of that connection as well as each event we plan depends on your willingness to take the first step: invite a friend.

It isn't always easy to make that invitation but it's important. If you're like me, a lack of time and too many demands can really narrow my focus. I think I'm too busy or my friends are too busy or, for some reason, now's just not the right time and the next time will be better. The truth is that the next time will look a lot like this one. It really doesn't take a lot to discourage me from stepping out like that but I can't ignore the reason I'm here.

The leadership team of Marketplace Connection met last month to make plans for 2011. We're going to make a few changes without sacrificing what works. Our goal is to serve God in all that we do and we have some great things planned. I'm going to start now praying for that name, the one that God has identified for me to reach, so that I'm ready for the next opportunity. Will you join me?