The newest Area Directors for Concerned Women for America (CWA) of California were recently visited by CWA's National Field Director, Kenda Bartlett.
Kenda began her trip on August 22 by sharing the history and vision of CWA with attendees of CWA of California-Central's Regional Conference. CWA of California State Director Phyllis Nemeth also encouraged those participating to engage the culture and get involved in speaking out on the issues. Using her cell phone, she showed the audience how easy it is to make a phone call and register your opinion in the California governor's office. Brad Dacus, president and founder of Pacific Justice Institute (PJI), spoke about individual and church involvement in the public education system. He encouraged parents and students to engage the public school system personally and corporately by utilizing freedoms they already have.
Both Kenda and Brad spoke at two churches in the Porterville, California, area the morning of Sunday, August 23. Sonlight Christian Fellowship in Lindsay was their first host. Kenda presented CWA's history and the Biblical foundations for CWA's six core values; Brad spoke about how God always equips us if He calls us. Later that morning, Brad and Kenda spoke at Iglesia Del Nazareno, a Hispanic congregation led by Frankie Olmedo. Speaking to the church through a translator, Kenda and Brad shared about CWA and PJI. Both of them shared their desire to connect with and engage the Spanish-speaking community. A number of women at Iglesia Del Nazareno expressed the desire to be further involved with CWA. Patricia Thompson, CWA's new Area Director for California-Central, is excited about the prospect of opening up a Spanish-speaking Prayer/Action Chapter in the central area of California and working with the Hispanic church on other events.
On August 25, Kenda traveled to Brawley, California, out in the Imperial Valley. There she spent time training Ruth Smith, CWA's new Area Director for California-Southern Counties. On Monday morning, August 24, Bob Sager with KGBA Radio, the most popular radio station in the Imperial Valley area, interviewed Kenda and Ruth. They shared the history of CWA and their desire to see CWA become a strong presence in the southern California area. On Thursday morning Kenda had the opportunity to share CWA with a group of ladies who are interested in joining Ruth in the work CWA is doing. There were a couple of the ladies in this group that have been a part of CWA since its founding thirty years ago.
Kenda stated, "My time in California was such an encouragement. God is using CWA in California to educate its citizens and to give them an outlet through which to express their opinions. We are excited about how God is working to draw people from all ethnic backgrounds and age groups into the work of CWA there. We are blessed with truly wonderful leaders, and I know that God is going to use them in a mighty way in the state of California."
For general information or to get involved in CWA of California, go to California.cwfa.org or e-mail director@california.cwfa.org. If you would like to get involved with one of our other fine state organizations, please visit the CWA in the states site.
For more information about individual freedoms within public education or Mr. Dacus' work at PJI, please contact: Pacific Justice Institute: P.O. Box 276600, Sacramento, CA 95827-6600; www.pacificjustice.org - (916) 857-6900.
