There's a New Girl in Town! Women's Ministries


by Beth Fast


We were all excited this last convention to meet our new presi- dent, Kevin Stone. For me, the fact that he is musical made me like him right off the bat! But what about his “other half”? As we begin this new chapter in FEBC history, I thought it would be fitting to get to know our president’s wife. So the other night we met, and I was able to ask her some questions about who she is, where she came from, and what motivates her life. Let’s meet the woman behind this man. Melissa Stone was born in a little out-of-the-way place called


Kokomo, Indiana (Canadians, that’s north of Indianapolis). She is the adopted daughter of Edward and Doris Andrews, a loving Christian couple. Melissa has one older adopted sister as well. Tey were raised, as she said, “between cornfields in a rural county” though not on a farm. Her mom, though not formally educated very far herself, made education a very important goal for her chil- dren. Melissa learned to work hard and serve well between those cornfields. She told me she used to ride her bike the long distances between farms and offer her services to weed or clean house for 25 cents. She didn’t make her fortune there, but she learned the value of taking initiative and working hard. Her family attended church faithfully, making sure they were


at everything church had going! Under her parents loving teaching Melissa learned about Jesus, his love for her and came to know Jesus as her personal Saviour while still quite young. Tat early teaching had a profound effect upon her life when questions like “Am I really saved?” would arise in her mind, as it does with so many of us. She could recall the promises she had been taught from God’s word and it brought peace to her heart. Some fortunate few seem to


know right from the start what they want to do in life. Melissa is one of them. She was strongly influenced by a preschool Sunday School teacher in their small church and knew that she wanted to be a teacher, too. She has gone on to get two masters degrees in teaching, is specially trained in six different areas, and is a much sought aſter teacher in Omaha. I asked Melissa if she had a


“bucket list” and what was on it. 10


Number One was to own and drive a motorcycle — which she acquired about two years ago and loves to ride! (Yes, Kevin has one too!)


Number Two is to shoot and skin a deer! Yes ladies, you heard it here! Our president’s wife is a tomboy! Tat one made me laugh but “to each his own!” She can shoot it and skin it, and I’ll cook it!


Number Tree is to live on a farm and look aſter animals. Obvi- ously, Melissa is an outdoors woman who is very unique. Kevin and Melissa met as teenagers at a church music concert


where he was performing. She thought he was cute, so when he sat down in the same row as her she passed him a note that said, “You have a very good voice. God has really big plans for you.” Upon receiving it, he read it, scribbled a note and sent it all the way back down the row to Melissa. “Tanks — will you marry me?” It took some time, but that’s exactly what happened — and they are living happily ever aſter. Te Stones have three grown children, two boys and a girl,


all of whom are on their own. She loves children. Kevin calls her “the baby whisperer.” She told me in their hearts they are already grandparents — just waiting to have grandkids! Each one of us pastors’ wives brings our own giſts and abilities


to the position. Certainly we are not all “cookie cutter” women exactly the same in every situation. We are just like anyone else, unique and blessed in different ways. Melissa is the same. She always thought Kevin would end up a pastor, but never really thought of herself in the role of pastor’s wife. Tat is fine. We aren’t called to fill a “position.” Rather we are called to fulfill the plan God has for us with the talents and abilities he has given us. How that looks is different with each pastor’s wife. Melissa loves to serve and encourage others. She is easy to talk


to, friendly and puts one quickly at ease. I asked her one last ques- tion, and it was, “If you could tell the women of FEBC anything specific, what would it be?” Her response speaks volumes about who she is and her calling from God as she quickly answered, “Call me anytime — we’ll do coffee.” Tanks, Melissa, I intend to do that real soon!


Beth Fast has been involved in mentoring, counseling and teaching women for many years. She currently serves on the FEBC Commis- sion on Women’s Ministries. She and her husband, Jim, are working to begin a ministry called “Foundations,” drawing people and churches back to the foundations of the Word of God and encourag- ing them to live biblically for Christ in a challenging world. Beth and her husband live in Grunthal, Man., attend the FEBC church in that area.


Fellowship Focus, November/December 2018


FellowshipForward.org


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