Introverts are gigantic assets to Grace Klein Community. They are full of surprises. Many are gentle, loving and gracious. They sacrifice what they prefer to engage others. Sometimes being around people is difficult for them, exhausting even, but they love anyway, through the strength of Jesus. Many are observers, listeners and excellent written communicators. Introverts love one-on-one interaction and entering a room without being noticed. They value friendship and enjoy the crazy extroverts that enter their lives. Many times, they are the background support to huge and amazing things.
Jennifer Norton came to Amy Cotton’s house for a ladies night out. One of the best GKC ladies nights ever. Homemade pound cake, coffee and ladies of every age. Something is special about a room filled with the innocence of children, the spunk of teenagers, the exhaustion of young mothers, the “say it like it is” middle aged moms and the grey haired ladies we all secretly “look up to” as heroes. Amy almost cancelled the night, thinking no one was coming, and thank God she didn’t because the house was packed. Natalie Spronk, ministry advocate for Kwathu Children’s Home, our global partner in Zambia, shared that evening about what women go through in Zambia. We all had a blast, laughing together, crying together and appreciating the work of God all around the world.
Jennifer sat by Natalie that night and shared about her journey loving the people of India. Her family met these amazing people through a simple shoebox they sent through Samaritans Purse. The shoebox had a picture of their family and their contact information. Every year, that was their routine, and no one had ever contacted them before. This time the box ended up in the house of a pastor and wife who cares for young abandoned girls. And God did what only He can do.
Through a long series of events, skype calls and even a trip to India, a ministry was birthed, across the ocean, between an average four person family in Birmingham, AL, and a group of Christ followers in India. They had been praying of partnering with a local non-profit in Birmingham, AL, and had no idea which non-profit. Through prayer, dinners and more skype calls, a partnership developed from that first ladies night meeting, to becoming a global partner of Grace Klein Community. Read more about Madhuri’s Mission here.
Not only was the fellowship joyous at Amy’s, but Jennifer found herself welcomed and embraced by a new family, Grace Klein Community. Jennifer started getting involved with some of the local efforts in her own community. She has helped with food delivery prep, sorting in the Give and Take Room, hosting a yard sale with her small group for a well in India, coming to another ladies night where Linda Jacobson taught us how to make bags out of old t-shirts, sharing events on social media, celebrating Africa by hosting visiting missionaries, and. participating in a missions afternoon for Beats and Books, a ministry partner in South Africa. When a community girl planned an African experience party, Jennifer came, with her family, and soaked up every minute.
Today she is busy planning and preparing for the Love India night on September 13, 2015, that will be held at one of our partner businesses, Seeds Coffee Company. You should come! Live music, Indian food, fellowship with the body of Christ.
Many have never met Jennifer, but may remember her smile. She’s calm and eager to listen, thriving in her introverted self. God is meeting her in the right now and she’s enjoying a life on mission, time with Jesus, meeting new friends, and serving outside her comfort zone. Jennifer is living in obedience to Jesus and remembering He knows what she needs and He will equip her for every good work.
When God impresses someone on her heart, she prays. Her home is open and she would love to chat with you over a cup of coffee. Take the invite for dinner when she asks you to come share family taco night! She is watching your body language and listening to your words because she truly cares. She wants to encourage you and bless you and be an authentic friend for you. Jennifer is not pushy, not demanding, not looking for her own way. She is seeking to love well.
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
– Mark 12:30-31
Speak to her when you see her. Ask her how she’s been doing. Listen to the faithfulness of God over her life and the life of her family. She’s ready to give by loving; loving God and loving people.
Introverts are gigantic assets to Grace Klein Community. They are full of surprises. Many are gentle, loving and gracious. They sacrifice what they prefer to engage others. Sometimes being around people is difficult for them, exhausting even, but they love anyway, through the strength of Jesus. Many are observers, listeners and excellent written communicators. Introverts love one-on-one interaction and entering a room without being noticed. They value friendship and enjoy the crazy extroverts that enter their lives. Many times, they are the background support to huge and amazing things.
Jennifer Norton came to Amy Cotton’s house for a ladies night out. One of the best GKC ladies nights ever. Homemade pound cake, coffee and ladies of every age. Something is special about a room filled with the innocence of children, the spunk of teenagers, the exhaustion of young mothers, the “say it like it is” middle aged moms and the grey haired ladies we all secretly “look up to” as heroes. Amy almost cancelled the night, thinking no one was coming, and thank God she didn’t because the house was packed. Natalie Spronk, ministry advocate for Kwathu Children’s Home, our global partner in Zambia, shared that evening about what women go through in Zambia. We all had a blast, laughing together, crying together and appreciating the work of God all around the world.
Jennifer sat by Natalie that night and shared about her journey loving the people of India. Her family met these amazing people through a simple shoebox they sent through Samaritans Purse. The shoebox had a picture of their family and their contact information. Every year, that was their routine, and no one had ever contacted them before. This time the box ended up in the house of a pastor and wife who cares for young abandoned girls. And God did what only He can do.
Through a long series of events, skype calls and even a trip to India, a ministry was birthed, across the ocean, between an average four person family in Birmingham, AL, and a group of Christ followers in India. They had been praying of partnering with a local non-profit in Birmingham, AL, and had no idea which non-profit. Through prayer, dinners and more skype calls, a partnership developed from that first ladies night meeting, to becoming a global partner of Grace Klein Community. Read more about Madhuri’s Mission here.
Not only was the fellowship joyous at Amy’s, but Jennifer found herself welcomed and embraced by a new family, Grace Klein Community. Jennifer started getting involved with some of the local efforts in her own community. She has helped with food delivery prep, sorting in the Give and Take Room, hosting a yard sale with her small group for a well in India, coming to another ladies night where Linda Jacobson taught us how to make bags out of old t-shirts, sharing events on social media, celebrating Africa by hosting visiting missionaries, and. participating in a missions afternoon for Beats and Books, a ministry partner in South Africa. When a community girl planned an African experience party, Jennifer came, with her family, and soaked up every minute.
Today she is busy planning and preparing for the Love India night on September 13, 2015, that will be held at one of our partner businesses, Seeds Coffee Company. You should come! Live music, Indian food, fellowship with the body of Christ.
Many have never met Jennifer, but may remember her smile. She’s calm and eager to listen, thriving in her introverted self. God is meeting her in the right now and she’s enjoying a life on mission, time with Jesus, meeting new friends, and serving outside her comfort zone. Jennifer is living in obedience to Jesus and remembering He knows what she needs and He will equip her for every good work.
When God impresses someone on her heart, she prays. Her home is open and she would love to chat with you over a cup of coffee. Take the invite for dinner when she asks you to come share family taco night! She is watching your body language and listening to your words because she truly cares. She wants to encourage you and bless you and be an authentic friend for you. Jennifer is not pushy, not demanding, not looking for her own way. She is seeking to love well.
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
– Mark 12:30-31
Speak to her when you see her. Ask her how she’s been doing. Listen to the faithfulness of God over her life and the life of her family. She’s ready to give by loving; loving God and loving people.
Jennifer Norton came to Amy Cotton’s house for a ladies night out. One of the best GKC ladies nights ever. Homemade pound cake, coffee and ladies of every age. Something is special about a room filled with the innocence of children, the spunk of teenagers, the exhaustion of young mothers, the “say it like it is” middle aged moms and the grey haired ladies we all secretly “look up to” as heroes. Amy almost cancelled the night, thinking no one was coming, and thank God she didn’t because the house was packed. Natalie Spronk, ministry advocate for Kwathu Children’s Home, our global partner in Zambia, shared that evening about what women go through in Zambia. We all had a blast, laughing together, crying together and appreciating the work of God all around the world.
Not only was the fellowship joyous at Amy’s, but Jennifer found herself welcomed and embraced by a new family, Grace Klein Community. Jennifer started getting involved with some of the local efforts in her own community. She has helped with food delivery prep, sorting in the Give and Take Room, hosting a yard sale with her small group for a well in India, coming to another ladies night where Linda Jacobson taught us how to make bags out of old t-shirts, sharing events on social media, celebrating Africa by hosting visiting missionaries, and. participating in a missions afternoon for Beats and Books, a ministry partner in South Africa. When a community girl planned an African experience party, Jennifer came, with her family, and soaked up every minute.