Transformation equals Serving

In the book of Luke, the author takes time to note a group of women who played a vital role in the ministry of Jesus. “Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities—Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others who provided for Him from their substance.” (Luke 8:1-3 NKJV) These women’s lives had been transformed by the ministry of Jesus, and now they wanted to be a part of ministry in any way they could. So, they gave what they had to support Jesus’s ministry.

When our life is transformed by Jesus, our natural response is to serve. Throughout Scripture, we see multiple examples of women serving and giving what they had to support ministry and provide for the needs of others. The Shunammite woman who built a room for Elisha, Lydia who opened her home to Paul and others, and Dorcas who made clothes for the widows are models of those who chose to serve as a result of their divine encounter and miraculous transformation.

One of the tangible ways we can provide for the needs of others and support our missionary sisters is through the ministry of Alma’s Closet. Alma’s Closet is a ministry carrying out the vision of Alma Kelly, a minister with a heart for women in missions. Alma discovered that many women could not afford new clothing for the General Assembly due to limited resources on the mission field. Alma’s Closet was born out of a desire to show these women giving and serving others around the world, hospitality, and love during the General Assembly.

This ministry continues at every General Assembly, where volunteers set up a free boutique featuring brand-new clothing, shoes, purses, and accessories for these women. Missionary women are invited to shop for a new outfit before the General Assembly begins. For many of these women, this is the first new outfit they have had since the last General Assembly.  This year, we are expanding to bless our brothers serving and will be accepting new men’s suits, shirts, and ties. Redemption Point Church is blessed to host this event and oversee the organization, inventory, and upkeep of donations towards Alma’s Closet.

Your state, church and ladies ministry can get involved with this ministry by sending new (with tags) dresses, purses, shoes, and accessories, or new (with tags) men’s suits, ties, and shirts to Redemption Point Church of God, 3831 Ooltewah- Ringgold Road, Ooltewah, TN 37363 or by giving monetarily through Church of God World Missions to Alma’s Closet Benevolent Ministry Project #790-1019. Thank you for showing love and hospitality to our missionaries who are serving others around the world.

Blessings,

Pastor Sharon Ballinger,

Director of Alma’s Closet

Pastor Sharon Ballinger serves as worship pastor and women’s ministry director at Redemption Point Church of God. She holds a Master’s in Church Music from Lee University and is privileged to serve on the Tennessee Church of God State Music Committee. She has served as the Director of Alma’s Closet for the last eight years, where she and her team serve hundreds of missionaries around the world. She has faithfully contributed in multiple additional ministry positions alongside her husband of twenty-nine years, Pastor Travis Ballinger. They have two children, Thaddeus and Alyssa, and a new son-in-law, Micah Hughes.