Faith Steps Spring Newsletter

Hello to all my Friends, Family, and Prayer Partners, I have many exciting things to share with you and in an effort to keep it concise, I’ll share it by topics.

Faith Steps ~ January: The Beginning of 2013

The New Year got off to a very slow start and I had to discipline myself once again, to wait on the Lord and be patient. We all know these two things are hard for me. I ended 2012 with $83 in the Faith Steps bank account. That was certainly fine, yet I knew that there were business expenses facing me with the beginning of a new year. As you all know, I do not carry out this ministry to achieve a large bank account, but at the same time, ministry of any type has its financial cost. Having given up my post teaching a group of dear women in my churches Sunday School, I had been given a gift card to Barnes and Noble. I purchased a calendar for 2013 so I could schedule all my events and speaking engagements. As I used it all year, I would remember to pray for these women. One problem, there were no speaking engagements to record. At least there was plenty of time to pray! J A dear sister in Christ asked me one Sunday how Faith Steps was going and I shared with her my concerns. She agreed to pray and was very encouraging. Don’t you just love how God brings encourager’s along our path?

The Faith Steps Valentine Event

Since I would be traveling to DE to help my sister through surgery, I held the event at the end of January. This is the annual fundraising event I host to support the two ministries in Africa. We raise monies for Raised Hands for Africa where we help support the Urunkundo Orphanage for children in Rwanda. Also, Laban Ministries in The Dominican Republic of Congo where we help support a Women’s Literacy Program, and a very large evangelism ministry.

This evening event had 125 women in attendance and what an enormous blessing of the Holy Spirit being poured out throughout our time together. Of course we had the usual dinner and comedy but more importantly, we saw filmed documentaries on each of these ministries during this last year. My goodness, to look into the eyes of these precious Rwandan children, see their joy in Christ Jesus, and their thanksgiving for the playground we helped to build for them was overwhelming! Then viewing the ride into the bush, and the site in Congo, while hearing the testimony of women who have learned to read and write as they studied the Bible, was pure joy for us! The evangelism ministry throughout this year there has brought over 8,000 people to Christ!

All this to say, when we offered the opportunity to pour into these ministries, God spoke into hearts, and we had a great harvest for them. We raised nearly $1,l00.00 that evening! To God be all the glory!

February, 2013

How grateful I am that God, just as He always does, met every need to carry out His will. I continued to trust that at some point God would bring to me opportunities to speak, and minister for Him. I turned my focus to other things that He had already been pouring into my heart and expressing through my writing. I had begun a Bible study that I hope to have completed sometime this summer. I continued to pray, yet I definitely felt there was a spiritual battle being waged. This battle continued throughout the month, with Ray and I both succumbing to upper respiratory infections. I am thankful to say now, we almost through it. Wasn’t it a good thing that I had no speaking engagements? J

With the closing of February, there were several phone calls asking for my availability to lead in various events. Oh, how grateful I am to God for allowing the door to open for this ministry.

March, 2013

As of now, I will be speaking at Atlantic Shores Baptist Church with their senior adults, The Opals on March 16th at 11:30 am. This is a covered dish luncheon and I have been directed to invite anyone who would like to attend to feel welcome to come. Bring your covered dish and let me know if you can attend so I can be sure they have enough seating ready for everyone. Comedy? OH YES!

Because Easter is in March this year, Faith Steps will hold our annual Maundy Thursday dinner, comedy, and then worship with candlelight communion on Thursday, March 28th. Please see this attached flyer to get all the details. This event fills quickly and is the most popular one of the year so please don’t delay! In memory of my dear friend and “Mercy Sister,” Phyllis Keeling, we will honor cancer survivor’s, and give support to two Relay for Life Teams during the dinner. Following the comedy, we will go to the church worship center for our Easter Service.

Future Events:

April ~

On April 13th, I will be speaking at the Women’s Tea at Haygood United Methodist Church in Virginia Beach. I have led these ladies in the past, and they are such a fun group to be with.

August ~

We will host the 10th Anniversary of Faith Steps Celebration on Saturday, August 24th at 2-4pm, Great Bridge Baptist Church, Chesapeake, VA.

September ~

On September 20-21, I will lead the Women’s Retreat for First Baptist Church Ringgold, GA.

Please pray for me as I prepare for the events and that God through the Holy Spirit will allow me to be at each of them. I ask for prayer for these churches as they prepare and for each person that will be attending.

Please also pray for my heart to be pure and holy before my Lord. Pray that the enemy will have no ground in my thoughts and that my confidence will be mighty in God’s strength and power.

Please pray for me as I discipline myself daily to continue to write and complete this future Bible Study. This study is something God has been pouring into my heart for some time now. I have such a burden for believers, specifically women to rise up and be the strong vessel God has created us to be. Oh, dear Jesus, let it begin in me!

God’s grace and love be abundant to each of you. Please let me know how I may pray for you. It’s such an honor and I take it very seriously. You need not worry. Only God shall hear about from me.

In Christ I live and walk, Pat Owens

Faith Steps News

Hello Everyone, It’s great to take a little time and catch up with each of you. Thankfully, I am able to report that I am completely over the infection that took charge of my body during the month of January and continued on into February. I now have a urologist, as if I needed one more “Ologist” of any kind! Thankfully, the bleeding ended after three weeks and there doesn’t seem to be any specific or more serious cause for it, other than the infection. Thanks to all who prayed for me. Also, my nursing skills are not needed for Ray anymore. He is doing amazingly well, even taking tub baths now! He’s continuing to work out at the gym/YMCA and monitor his eating. I am so very proud of him!

Now for some Faith Steps News:

Accomplishments for God’s Glory

$100 of Faith Steps funds were donated for the daughter of missionaries currently serving in Africa. Elizabeth attends Liberty University while she studies to become a registered nurse. She had the opportunity to travel with a nursing team from the university as they went to Togo to serve and minister in a hospital there.

Faith Steps continues to aide $100 monthly in the ongoing support of Erin & Bryan Worrall, Campus Crusade missionaries on the campus of VA Tech. They have led and been a part of some amazing work on the campus as God has continued to provide for them. They have seen many students come to know Christ this year. They have also seen students grasp the importance and joy of intimacy with the God who loves them unconditionally and has awesome plans for their lives. They are expecting their first child within weeks of this newsletter so keep them in your prayers. When the school year ends they will head for Hampton Beach, New Hampshire where there will be 50-70 students working under their leadership as summer missionaries. These students will get jobs and minister to their co-workers, who are mostly internationals.

$1400.00 Raised! - The Valentine Fundraising Event was so amazing. It far exceeded any goals I may have dreamed of accomplishing. I asked God to do exceedingly beyond what I knew to ask for, but he just blew my socks off! We had 115 women at this event as we enjoyed sharing a wonderful meal, a time of comedy and fellowship, and the awesome chance to hear Tina Pennington speak to us about her upcoming trip to Africa. (She will leave March 14th.) We also were able to know more about the work in Congo, Africa as we prepared our hearts to pray, listen to God speak to our hearts and be led by Him. I asked no one to give anything except what they felt God was saying to them. To God’s glory, these women truly prayed and listened. At the end of the evening we gathered the bags from the tables in which the funds were placed. We celebrated in praise to our Lord over the $1400 dollars that was raised. It touched my heart to see that there were even coins in the bottom of these bags. Some had truly given the “widows mite.” I know we are going to hear great things that will come from this blessed offering. I can’t wait to be able to share news of the harvest!

500 Faith like Fire books have been sold! In addition to those sold, we have been able to donate copies to individuals who we pray God will speak to through this book. What a blessing it was at our Valentine Event to have guest representing the Good News Jail & Prison Ministry in VA Beach. We met Darlene Christenson, Chaplain to Women and I had the great joy of presenting her with 10 hardback copies to be used on the book cart ministry at the Virginia Beach Correctional Center. What a praise and a prayer for God to take this into the hearts of these women.

Faith like Fire Advertisement – Faith like Fire is currently being advertised in the March issue of Home Life magazine. This magazine has a circulation of over 600,000 and goes to places all over the country. Please be in prayer that God will multiply this investment in advertising and take the book beyond my borders of influence.

Upcoming Events:

The Easter Event, New Life will be held on Thursday, April 5th, 6:30-8:30 PM at Great Bridge Baptist Multi-Purpose Room. Here is a flyer with details of the event. Dinner, comedy and fellowship will be followed by Candlelight Communion in the church worship center.

• Dinner: Springtime Cold Plate, Chicken Salad, Pasta Salad & Fresh Fruit on a Bed of Garden Salad Greens, Coconut Cake or Key Lime Pie, Hot & Cold Beverages.
• Cost: $15 Per Person or $110 Table of 8 (Paid with One Check)
• Reservation Deadline: Monday, April 2nd. Event may sell out! Seating in Room is in Order of Paid Reservation

Make Checks Payable to: Faith Steps and mail to: Pat Owens, 708 Tapestry Park Loop, Apt. 517, Chesapeake, VA 23320

Information: 729-0118 or 547-3901

The Spring Beach Retreat held at the Outer Banks, NC is scheduled for April 14th – 17th. There are only two rooms left for this event so call now! This is a pampering event where you will have beautiful accommodations, amazing waterfront views offering astounding sunsets. All meals are prepared and served to you. Times of inspirational chats, comedy, fellowship with others, and just pure relaxation and pampering is yours. Sunday evening there is a candlelight banquet in casual attire and Monday evening will be ladies night out for dinner. Cost: $400 per person double occupancy or $600 single occupancy. First paid are the first reserved!

WOW, so much to share with you! As always, please let me know how I might be praying for you and yours. I just love when you give me that opportunity. You all bless my life and give honor to God with your great love and support.

In Christ Power, I walk.

Love,

Pat

Don't Miss This!

Hi Everyone, Whew, it’s a cold and rainy fall day here in Chesapeake.  Just got back in from Weight Watchers and running errands.  Boy, I’m happy to stay home the rest of the day and enjoy the pot of chili that’s waiting for me.  Just wanted to send out a reminder to everyone that the Fall Fashion Fiasco is next Thursday, Nov. 3^rd, 6:30-8:30 pm.  Cost: $14 Dinner & Comedy Fashion Show. DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS IS TOMORROW!  There are sure to be some great laughs, terrific food and fellowship.  If you want to attend and haven’t placed your reservations, please respond to this email. We are coming close to capacity so don’t delay.

Secondly, I want to tell you about a new endeavor of mine.  I have begun a daily blog titled “Faith for Today.”  Hopefully as others follow along with me then we will all be encouraged in our journey of faith.  We all know that our journey of faith has ups and downs, peaks and valleys, but we know that God is with us in it all.  Not only is He with us but He is speaking to us as He guides us and this is where we really get to see Him living in and through us.  You can become a follower of the blog at: http://faithstepsfortoday.blogspot.com/.  I hope you come along and enjoy the journey.

Lastly, I have one prayer request to ask of you.  I have an important decision that I have made regarding a direction of marketing my book.  I will be acting on this decision on Monday, Oct. 31^st. Would you pray with me that if this is the direction that God has led and intends to use, pray that the door will be opened.  If it is not his will, pray that the door be closed.  Please pray for the faith needed to go into uncertain territory.  I will update you as God leads.

How grateful to God, I am for you.

Love,

Pat

Faith Like Fire

Greeting to all friends, family and prayer partners, I pray this news gets out to all of you.  The last attempts I made at sending out news and prayer request ended with nearly all being returned to me.  So let’s try again. As most of you know already we have recently returned from our fall Faith like Fire book tour. What an amazing trip we had! As you read further, you will see that I have highlighted some of our excursions and praises to God. But first, let me be sure that you are all aware of the upcoming Faith Steps Fall Event.

Fall Fashion Fiasco

The Annual Comedy Fashion Show

Thursday, November 3^rd  ~ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Doors Open at 6:15 pm ~ Dinner will begin at 6:30 pm

Fall Soup & Sandwich

Hot & Cold Beverage Bar

Assorted Desserts Tray

Followed by

An Evening of Comedy and Inspiration

Preparing Everyone for the Holidays

Cost: $14 each or $98 for table of 8 (payment made by one person)

Reservations are made at the time payment is made.

Deadline for reservations:  Sunday, October 30, 2011

Seating is limited  so don’t delay and miss out!

Mail Check Payable to: Faith Steps and mail to:

Pat Owens

708 Tapestry Park Loop Apt. 517

Chesapeake, VA  23320

NOTE: YOU MUST HAVE THE APT. # ON THE ADDRESS

Information Contact: Pat Owens 757-547-3901 or 757-729-0118

Faith like Fire will be Available for Purchase

Gifts will be Offered for Sale in Support of Women in Various Ministries.

We will Have a Presentation & Update on the Ministries Faith Steps Supports

Now for updates on Faith Steps.  What a busy time it has been!

A wonderful Faith like Fire book celebration and dedication service was held at Great Bridge Baptist Church on Sept. 3^rd.  Approximately 100 family and friends came together to celebrate the very long journey of seeing my story come to print.  Our pastor, Will Langford joined me onstage for a time of sharing his experience of reading the book.  We did a Q & A time recording this for future use and book promo. Tina McMillan did an awesome job presenting the reception part of our time together. Thanks to all who were able to attend and share the “Give God the Glory” party.  How I praise God daily for taking me to this mountain

The fall Faith like Fire book tour began after Ray and I spent three days at The Cove (The Billy Graham Training Center) in the mountains of Montreat, NC.  We attended a leadership conference under the teaching of Anne Graham Lotz and Jill Briscoe, two anointed women who led us under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  How appropriate that God would place me under the guidance of Anne Graham Lotz, one of my favorite authors, and then send me out on my own book tour!  We also had the great pleasure of being led in worship by the Contemporary Christian Music Artist, Selah.  Talk about a mountain-top experience!

We left Montreat and went west in TN and spent the night with Jean & Phil Bible.  Now you know if you have friends that have Bible for their name you must include them in your tour! J We traveled to Nashville, TN spending time with Christian Recording Artist, Jill Phillips who as many know, came out of Great Bridge Baptist Church.  We are praying that that I will someday be able to go back and lead a ministry event at her church in Nashville. A Faith like Fire book has been given to the women’s leadership there. We then traveled to Louisville, KY  and had dinner with Terry Keeling and his wife Deborah.  For those who may not know Terry, if you have read Faith like Fire he was the husband of Phyllis, whose story passing is where the book opens. It was an emotional greeting to place the book into Terry’s hands.  I had promised him I would do this rather than mailing it to him. We had wonderful fellowship with he and Deborah and a terrific dinner. Thanks Terry! You are so loved! We drove that night to Lexington, KY and met the next day with a sweet friend and wonderful supporter of Faith Steps, Ruth Tincher.  Ruth is a former Great Bridge Baptist member.  I have previously traveled to Frankfort, KY and led a women’s retreat at her church.  We are praying now for the opportunity to go again to perhaps lead an event for the women of her current church. A Faith like Fire book has also been given to this church. Then we drove to Dayton, OH where we spent a few days.  What a joy it was for us to be in our former church and share with so many friends there.  It was as though a day had not passed since we had been together. Won’t heaven be like that?  Hallelujah!  On that Saturday I had a book signing at the Christian Bookstore in our town.  What a delightfully blessed time that was for us!  I could share so much with you but time and space doesn’t allow for it here.  You must come to the Fall Fashion Fiasco for the full update! OK, out of state friends…get in you cars and drive here! On Sunday evening I spoke at a church in Dayton, Ohio.  It was a sweet time of fellowship and blessing as they gave me the full worship service to share my testimony and the goodness of our great God.  The next morning we left OH and traveled to Beckley, WVA.  Ray and I were exhausted and spent the evening ordering in a pizza and crashing at the hotel.  Then we traveled on to VA the next day.  We learned during our journey home that my brother-in-law was hospitalized near death.  We drove into Richmond just an hour after his passing.  So our trip ended on a sad note but another opportunity for ministry.  Please pray for my sister Debbie and her family.

I am so happy to report to you that as of this time we can report to you that Faith Steps has sold over 400 copies of Faith like Fire! I am also very happy to report to you that the book has gone live on e-trade.  That means that it is now available on Kindle and Nook.  Amazon.com has the book or it can be ordered directly from the publisher at www.Crossbooks.com where there is a bookstore tab on this site.  Enter in Faith like Fire and you will see my page there.

Please pray for the enormous amount of work that I have come home to.  I am busy preparing for the Fall Fashion Fiasco, I have been working long hours doing the financial part of Faith Steps, and also fielding calls, catching up on correspondence, and booking future speaking engagements.  All of this is my delight and God will never hear me complain but I ask that you pray for me to hold fast to my own personal quiet time with our Lord and uphold my prayer commitments.  I ask for wisdom in my scheduling and discernment in all I am led by God to do for Him.

Thank you for being there for me and for sacrificing your time to call my name to our Lord.  Please know that I too call yours to him.  I often open my listing of names and pray down through the list.  Please don’t hesitate to share with me your specific needs for prayer. It’s such an honor to be invited into your heart’s needs. You can trust in my confidentiality for God alone is the only one who will hear me speak of it.  I praise Him for allowing us to travel this journey as fellow servants.  I hope I get to see you face to face on November 3^rd.  If not, know that you are not far from my thoughts.

Love,

Pat

Faith Steps Ministries Update

Hello Family, Friends and Prayer Partners,

It seems like I am always beginning communication with an exclamation of how long it has been since I have written. Now I find myself in a new year with a load of praise and joy over all that God has done in 2010 as well as excitement at the prospects for the current year, 2011. Can it really be that we have already moved out of the first decade of this century? I remember the thrill of putting on those plastic glasses on New Year's Eve, 2000. I also remember that in 2000 I was thinner, had less gray roots, and certainly didn't have the lines and creases that have since appeared on my face. I also remember that I wore braces upon my legs at that New Year's eve party and this year of 2011 will bring the celebration of ten years of being healed and walking this whole new journey of faith that God has done in and through my life. What a year of praise I have ahead of me!

I will highlight for you the end of 2010 and end of the century's first decade.

September held the fun of Faith Steps hosting a first time couple's event. It was a terrific evening of fun, food, fellowship and inspiration for the 141 people there. Ray and I together entertained for the evening as we presented a comedy spin on the journey of a couple's love throughout their long life. There were many highlights of that evening but one that will long live is the sight of Ray dressed as Elvis. Nothing more needs to be said!

October held the annual Fall Fashion Fiasco, the comedy fashion show that has built a reputation for unconceivable fashion and flair. 115 women enjoyed gathering for dinner, dessert, and a great evening of laughter and fellowship. In addition to all the fun, we were honored to have Tina Pennington from Raised Hands for Africa Ministries present with us. She was introduced as a recipient of support through the monies raised in product sales.

As I write this update tonight, I am smiling with a grateful praise to God for Tina. She will leave early tomorrow morning to travel to Africa. Nearly $300 has been given to aide in her support for the dire needs of those she will go to visit and serve while in Africa. What joy for all of us to know that we are in spirit with Tina on this trip and our gifts are playing a part in the work she is doing for our Lord. Please pray for her! She will return to the United States on January 29th. It is our hope that she will be able to attend our upcoming event in February.

November brought about a time of illness for me. After an emergency room visit with a lot of pain, I was diagnosed with diverticulitis. The condition didn't initially respond to medications, I continued to be ill and lose weight so a sigmoid was scheduled to rule out cancer. Thankfully I am happy to report that no cancer was found and the condition did respond to treatment. Aware that many people face a cancer diagnosis every day, I knew that it could certainly be the circumstance that I found myself facing. Life is so fragile, isn't it? How we praise God that it is not just about our time here on earth. I pray for many who have cancer tonight. Sometimes God allows us to go through a circumstance and face a fear without ever having to fully journey that road. It's good in many ways. It causes us to truly ponder what our life is about, where it is headed, and what the legacy is that we are leaving as we journey. Hallelujah, there is a God who true to his promise, is preparing a place for us that we all can go and spend for eternity!

December gave me the wonderful privilege of speaking at the women's Christmas event at Atlantic Shores Baptist Church. What a blessing this night was for me. A couple hundred women shared a time of reflection on how Mary pondered and treasured things in her heart. God poured out a blessing that night that I look forward to sharing with you at the February 3rd Valentines event. It is an amazing testimony and you won't want to miss it!

The Book: Everyone is curious about how the publishing process is coming along. Honestly, I would like to tell you that it is near completion and the book will come out any day now but that is not the case. My illness in the fall set back my final editing and preparation for the publisher. It looks now like it will be in the hands of the publisher in February. What a celebration that will be!!! Please continue to pray with me for this. The battles have been overwhelming at times but I know that is proof that God is doing something of eternal value.

The February 3rd. Valentine's Event - Please open the attached flyer and share with others so that we can have a packed house and a night of tremendous blessings. We will be introducing another servant of Christ whom Faith Steps will help support during 2011. It's a wonderful testimony of how God brought a complete stranger across my path and made it clear that He had led her to me for support. Don't you just love when God makes Himself known to us?

God bless each of you in this new year. Whatever circumstances you find yourself in, I pray that God is making Himself known to you and that you are able to rejoice because of who He is and what He has done for you. Please allow me the great honor of calling your need before our Lord. I treasure that privilege and vow to you my trust that your needs will not be shared with others. Thank you for walking the journey with me and for the many who have supported me in multiple ways often meeting needs that you were completely unaware of at the time. You are the strength that God fills me with through your words of encouragement, your belief in me, and the many ways you keep me going.

Love, Pat