The following editorial piece ran in the May/June 2010 The Link & Visitor. Scroll down to hear from the JPMC women . . . in their own words.
“The only way to meet affliction is to pass through it solemnly, slowly, with humility and faith, as the Israelites passed through the sea.” Attributed to Victorian poet and author Dinah Maria Mulock Craik, these words are the best “show, don’t tell” definition of meekness I’ve ever read.
On a chilly night in mid-April 2010, members of Jean Pyper Mission Circle at Immanuel Baptist Church, Toronto, gathered for the Circle’s last regular meeting . . .their last meeting because they were retiring, moving forward with other women at Immanuel into the new women’s ministry taking shape there.
I listened to the prayers of these women as I packed up my computer and camera at the back of the Fellowship Room. You wouldn’t have known that this was the last meeting of this circle – not from their prayers. They named and prayed for each missionary and ministry solemnly, slowly, with humility and faith. Each naming and each request rang true and clear, hanging in a space that had been hollowed out by time yet filled with prayed history. This circle began in 1939 when Immanuel commissioned nurse Jean Pyper to go to Bolivia. And so, last night’s prayers joined almost seven decades worth of prayers and answered prayers.
No wonder these women have moved forward, even as they have retired their Circle.
Do you think they will stop praying for the missionaries and ministries they’ve supported for decades? Not a chance.
Do you think they have a lot to share with the young and younger women at Immanuel – about patience, perseverance, hope, character? Yes, and they are already sharing.
Do you think they’re excited about the future? They are.
I like spending time with the meek: those who meet whatever lies around the corner with keen respect and a sure step, propelled by a bone-deep patience, knowing that they, and the whole earth for that matter, belong to the Lord.
I’m glad I was able to eavesdrop on their prayers that April night.
JPMC WOMEN . . . IN THEIR OWN WORDS reflections on what they gained from being a member of the Circle
1. We have had a profound sense of God’s timing in the retirement of the JPMC. With a Pastor and Plan in place to carry on the ministry that we have been doing, but leading in a different format and through different programming … we feel we have been led to this moment, this particular year – and are grateful for this fact.
2. We have gained much knowledge and insight into the struggles, goals, and ministries of our missionaries.
3. We have had reinforced, our great respect and love for all the Immanuel women who first started the JPMC … and continued this active ministry over 79 years. As well, we are grateful for the mentoring so many of us received over the latter years from these ‘pioneer’ ladies!
4. We have gained very meaningful life-long friendships and fellowship with common interests in mission, while we all worshipped, challenged each other, and served through the ministry of the Jean Pyper Mission Circle!
