By Karen McBride
The Well is a women’s discipleship and training ministry. Women from all denominations learn and grow in their personal walk with God with opportunities to develop leadership skills through Bible study and mentoring.
Susie Walther, president and founder of The Well, began the ministry with the goal of “helping women become disciples of Jesus Christ who can contribute to making disciples within their churches and communities,” said Susie.
The Well has outgrown its central location for hosting Bible studies and is looking for churches and other ministry spaces in the community that would be willing to host one or more of their home and community groups. Many more groups meet all across the Tampa Bay area in homes, community centers and coffee shops to study the Bible together.
The Well recently held one of their “Pop-Ups” with over 200 women gathering together to pray, hear a testimony and a short message. Susie Walther discussed the reasons women leave the church and the condition of the women who decide to stay. Reasons for leaving include: busyness, dislike for something or someone in the church, or disillusionment over what they expected from Christianity or the bad things that happen to Christians. Susie reminded the attendees of the importance of women getting involved in the church since women make up the majority of the volunteers in churches.
“If we don’t say ‘yes’, our church community dies a little more,” said Susie.
We need to continue to grow as Christians, to keep learning, and to discuss what we have learned with other people to help some come to faith in the Lord and to help others continue to grow in their faith so they in turn can contribute to the growth of others.
New Bible studies and groups start in September. To find a Bible study or group near you, go to http://thewellbiblestudy.org.