Pass the Baton: Words of Commissioning from the R|M Board
One of the joys that came with establishing our nonprofit status back in 2018 was the creation of R|M’s Board of Directors. This team of wise women (and historically, some men as well) has been instrumental in shaping the mission and execution of our ministry over the years, as well as weighing into the many details of our sunset now. Our board members have been behind-the-scenes servants of this work, praying for and investing in each of you through their thoughtful oversight. We wanted to throw back the curtain a bit as we close and let you hear their hearts directly as they share some words of commissioning for the R|M community:
What excites you about this generation of moms and families?
“They are curious about how to improve the things they learned and the ways they were raised. I think more moms are seeking help for their mental health.” - Quina Aragon
“Moms and families see their role more and more as the primary influences in their children’s lives—that it’s not the church or the school that will primarily disciple our children, but us as moms and dads.” - Ruth Chou Simons
“They embrace a more holistic approach to loving God and others. I see moms who advocate for their own and their family’s spiritual and emotional wellbeing in a way that does not minimize either the gospel or the means of grace the Lord provides through emotional wellbeing resources and professionals. These women are eager to know, love, and apply God’s Word in holistically practical ways to their marriages, parenting, and everyday lives.” - Kristie Anyabwile
“I am challenged and humbled by their desire to grow. Watching them encourage women in their circles to be more curious than certain is refreshing.” - Karen Hodge
“I'm excited that this new generation of moms and families is seeking wisdom from God's Word as they parent their children. I see a renewed understanding that the wisdom of the world is unable to provide answers to our deepest questions, so moms and families are looking to the Bible for guidance, encouragement, and wisdom as they parent.” - Melissa Kruger
What challenges and opportunities do you see ahead for moms to continue living out a “risen motherhood”?
“I think the immediate access to watching others live their lives through media will distract us from looking to the gospel rather than man-made formulas and fixes to our concerns.” - Ruth Chou Simons
“As much as there are more resources and language available for moms nowadays, there can be an overwhelming information overload and a confusion about the simplicity and purity of the gospel message.” - Quina Aragon
“One of the main challenges will be the ever-changing culture and the temptation to change with it. However, this will also translate into opportunities to hold fast to Jesus and the gospel—to not be tossed to and fro but to trust in him.” - Stacy Felkins
“The most critical challenge and opportunity is the gap between ownership and stewardship. Will the moms who have listened and learned over these ten years soak it up or share it with others? I like to think of stewardship as something of priceless value entrusted by the King to be invested for Kingdom purposes. Stewardship reminds us it is a gift given and does not belong to us. We are merely stewards compelled to share. My prayer is we will seize this tremendous kingdom opportunity and be faithful stewards of the Risen Motherhood riches that have been entrusted to us.” - Karen Hodge
“The curated lives of others on social media can create unrealistic standards. Fear of judgment or ‘mom-shaming’ can amplify a new mom's insecurities. However, this creates an opportunity—even the necessity—of looking to the Lord instead of others for guidance and affirmation.” - Mary Kassian
“The challenges that lie ahead are the ages-old conspirators—the world, the flesh, and the devil. They will continue to entice us towards idolatrous pursuits and tempt moms away from the wisdom of God that is found in his word and in the body of Christ. However, these challenges can be overcome by daily reliance on the Word of God through the Spirit of God—by speaking the truth of the gospel of Jesus in every circumstance. It’s not as easy as it seems, but with humility of heart and mind, moms have the opportunity to model for their families and their communities Spirit-empowered, Christ-centered, God-honoring lives that impact the world for the gospel, fight against the flesh and its temptations, and stand firmly against the devil’s schemes.” - Kristie Anyabwile
What do you hope moms will take away from the formal Risen Motherhood ministry?
“I hope moms remember that EVERYTHING they do—from bedtime prayers to changing dirty diapers—is a ‘spiritual service’ to their children and to the Lord.” - Mary Kassian
“The same grace that saves us is the same grace that enables us to do the work God has given us to do in motherhood.” - Ruth Chou Simons
“I hope moms will take away from the Risen Motherhood ministry its mission of bringing gospel hope to moms. There are many places moms can go for practical advice and wisdom for their lives. But it’s the gospel of Jesus Christ that transforms motherhood from a job to a ministry, from childrearing to discipleship, from mundane tasks to gospel opportunities.” - Kristie Anyabwile
“Live every day in light of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” - Stacy Felkins
“Most of all, the truth I hope that moms will take away is that God is with them each day as they parent: God sees their labors, he hears their prayers, and loves them more deeply than they could ever imagine!” - Melissa Kruger
What verse or word of advice would you like to leave with the R|M community?
“As a parent, some days it may not look like our efforts matter. A verse I turn to in prayer time and time again is Romans 15:13: ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.’ These words have encouraged me to ask God to fill me with joy and peace as I trust in him, so that by his power I might abound in hope—because of what he is doing, not because of my own failures or successes in parenting.” - Melissa Kruger
“The fullness of your story (the good, bad, and ugly) matters to God. Pursue Jesus and seek to experience all the abundance and healing he has for you—not in financial security or perfection, but in the slow, deep, and good work of coming to him for everything. He has much more to heal and much more to say than simple ‘life hacks.’ Keep coming to him, and he will be faithful to redeem your story, your parenting, and your whole being.” - Quina Aragon
“1 Peter 4:11: ‘If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.’ - Mary Kassian
“Be faithful for an audience of One.” - Ruth Chou Simons
“I invite you to join me in reflecting during this sunset about what God would have you steward from Risen Motherhood. Instead of planning what you might do in your little corner of the world, let's prayerfully bring our weakness and dependence to him. You and I are not enough or sufficient for the task. And every mother knows there will not be enough hours in the day or creative ideas to share what you have learned. You can't do this, but cheer up—what we have witnessed is what happens through the humble yielding of lives lived in the presence and indwelling power of our Risen Lord. Risen Motherhood! ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me’ (2 Corinthians 12:9).” - Karen Hodge
“James 1:5-6: ‘If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.’” - Stacy Felkins
“The lyrics to the song ‘Psalm 62’ come to mind. This is my prayer for us all, that our souls would find rest in God alone—that we would lean on him, our rock and salvation. I pray that through the trials, temptations, seasons, and stages of life that we go through as moms, we would set our gaze on God alone and trust in him completely—that we would pour out our hearts to him and watch him prove his loving care and mercy to us in surprisingly beautiful, and sometimes difficult-to-understand, ways. I pray that we would learn to praise him in every circumstance of motherhood, as our Delight and Reward—as our everlasting, never-failing Redeemer and God, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be all honor and glory forever. Amen.” - Kristie Anyabwile
