Coffee & Koinonia Follow Up

“You will be enriched in every way for all your generosity, which through us will produce
thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the
saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.” – 2 Corinthians 9:11-12

It is from this heart “overflowing in many thanksgivings to God” that I write this blog sharing
about our Coffee & Koinonia at IDC. On a rainy Friday night the women of IDC gathered for
coffee, dessert, gospel, and community. As Kimberly Merida shared, we don’t do programs at
IDC – we just offer you gospel and community. And all glory be to Christ, the night was filled to
overflowing in evidences of grace in that way!

The heart is to foster gospel-intentional community among the women of IDC. Many met new
faces and learned new names, and we are thankful for seeds that have been sown that we pray
grow organically into Christ-exalting relationships. Kimberly exhorted us to practice humility
and intentionality as we seek to be the Body of Christ as women at IDC. May we continue the
practice of “stirring up one another to love and good works,” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
The evening was an outpouring of encouragement through the Spirit manifested in the gifts God
has graciously bestowed upon our little community at IDC. We were incredibly blessed by not
only the musical talents of Alex Britt in leading in singing and on the keyboard, but truly how
Christ is glorified as she brought us to meditate upon the greatness and beauty of the gospel and
our undeserved salvation in what Christ has done. Thank you, Alex, for displaying Christ in you
through song.

Furthermore, we were delighted to hear from three godly women in very different stages of life.
I was privileged to ask these ladies questions about their lives and most importantly how the
work of Jesus is on display in what the Lord has brought them through in life. Sam Anderson
honestly shared about the many transitions and steps of faith in times of uncertainty in her life, as well as how the Lord is humbly teaching her genuine forgiveness. Deb Baus graciously spoke to
her struggle with childlessness, and the beauty of God bringing her to the end of herself and
revealing in His Word His sufficiency and His plan and provision of children for the Baus House.
What grace to see this physically evidenced in the lives of Raji, Sena, and Judah! Finally, Kim
Humphrey, in the way only she can, shared wonderfully about her journey of learning
submission in her marriage to Jay. She emphasized how submission is not just for married
women, but is a posture of the heart required for all of us. Kim also provided a compilation of
resources, please visit the info table for the pretty green hand-out!

Wow. What grace! The evening was truly a display of Christ’s work of salvation transforming
each one of us. We are unbelievably excited because this night was an appetizer for what will
come in the Fall Retreat on September 20 and 21 in downtown Raleigh. This is part of our
plan for equipping, encouraging, and sending out the women of IDC to be disciple-makers
among one another and in the city of Raleigh and to the ends of the earth. Please start scraping
pennies (it won’t be expensive!), mark your calendars, and dads please be willing to take care of
babies for one evening and day, and come to the retreat to celebrate and grow in the work of
Christ in gospel and community. Feel free to invite friends! Registration will be available soon,
and more information will be coming.

I would be remiss in not mentioning more evidences of grace from the evening. It was a joy to
see the Body of Christ come together with various gifts and serve one another to make
everything happen. Thank you to Kimberly Merida, Shauna Sigmon, and Sam Anderson in
planning and preparation. Thank you to Matt Sigmon for the million things you do behind the
scenes to make IDC run smoothly. Thank you to Donnie Hollis for being the most helpful and
patient audio/visual guru and to Judah for holding ladders and doors. Thank you to Sam
Anderson, Deb Baus, and Kim Humphrey for sharing your stories and being well-prepared.
Thank you to Alex Britt for sharing Christ in you through music. Thank you to Lauren Brown
and Jenn Cain (Bailey!) in your service of sweet tea and coffee. Thank you to G3, under the
gracious supervision of Sara Lumpkin, Brittany Taylor, and Hannah Bolton, for making our
chocolate-dipped spoons. Thank you to Gracie and Gabrielle Sigmon for patiently helping us
prepare. Thank you to Isabel, Kourtney, and Kathryn for passing out spoons. Thank you to John
Crosland, Trevor King, Matthew Poole, and Shane Shaddix for taking time out of your day to set
up tables and chairs. Thank you to Brad Cone for being our table-acquiring hero. Thank you to
Alicia Shaddix, Cassie Foshee, Ashely Poole, Lauren Brown, Lucy Craig, Kimmie Rogers, Jenn
Cain, Sara Lumpkin, Anna Harvey, and Shelly Haugh for being table leaders and fostering
discussion.

See? That is the Body of Christ at work. Soli Deo Gloria!

– Jessica Stroup