320 Group kicks off second year
Published 7:44 pm Wednesday, September 30, 2015
- Above, from left, Teresa Nerone, Shirley Bellinger and Lorraine Smith listen contently, while Anita Williams reads a scripture.
A non-denominational, multi-ethnic prayer and Bible study group excitedly enters its second year with hopes of recruiting more women to join.
The 320 Group is the only Bible study group in Charlotte County and the surrounding county area that offers weekly fellowship to all interested women regardless of church denomination, ethnicity and location.
“Coming back here new (after moving back to the area), I was interested in what was available for Bible study here not only to study God’s word but to get to know women,” said one of the group’s founders, Wanda Stewart.
“What I found was that Bible studies were connected with a certain church. I love my church, but having lived in a lot of different places, especially overseas, I have a broader outlook as far as wanting to get to know people of many different backgrounds.”
Members of the 320 group pray during a weekly meeting. Pictured are members, from left, Shelby Walker, Sandy Flynn, Laura Lee Mason, Sonya Carwile and Lorraine Delgado-Johnson.
Stewart, along with a few of her friends, spearheaded a search for something more.
After many hours of research, the group of founders came upon Community Bible Study, a national organization that provides materials and formats for group Bible studies. “We really don’t ask people what church they go to,” said Stewart. “But, I know most of these women and right away we had around five churches represented by people coming to the studies. I just thought that was wonderful.”
Stewart explained that the group got off to a good start, and even throughout winter had consistent attendance with 14 ladies.
“We try to use a lot of different types of worship that will touch people from a lot of different backgrounds. Our goal is to transform lives,” Stewart said. “We want to see them grow. We want to see families stronger in this community. We can learn from each other and compliment each other.”
The 320 Group is in progress of heavily recruiting women and they want people to know how much their lives have changed by working with others in the community towards the same goal.
“I really feel like I have seen answers to prayers. Out of everything people have spoken about getting out of the group, those are just affirmations that we should keep on going,” said Stewart.
Currently the group is recognized by Community Bible Study as a small prayer group. They hope to one day become an official Community Bible Study. To reach that goal, the group has to be very diverse in membership and leadership, and have at least 60 members.
The 320 Group meets every Tuesday from 7-8:30 p.m. at Mt. Tirzah Church in Charlotte Court House.
