About Women United in Christ

About Women United in Christ

Our History Leadership Board Past Speakers

Statement of Faith
We are Women United In the Truth of our Lord Jesus Christ Our Statement of Faith is:

The bible is the inspired, infallible, authoritative Word of God.
There is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, sinless life, His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood and His bodily resurrection and ascension to the right hand of the Father with His personal return in power and glory.
The regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for the salvation of lost and sinful man.
The Christian is enabled to live a godly life by the present and indwelling ministry of the Holy Spirit.
The resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
The spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

History

TRANSFORMING LIVES
THROUGH THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

Women United in Christ is a non-profit organization formed in 1997 for the purpose of gathering together all women in the Four Corners area to worship the Lord, unite in prayer and encourage one another toward spiritual maturity and bring unity to the Body of Christ.

In September 1997 Eileen Goebel attended a leadership conference at Saddleback Church in Southern California. She returned home with a burden for ladies in our community who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ and do not know the truth set forth in God's Holy Word, the Bible. The Holy Spirit's prompting from that conference, followed by a comment from a friend, was to bring women together in an environment that would allow our lives to be united in Christ. Shortly after her return approximately twelve women, each from a different Christian church in the community gathered around a conference table and listened as she shared her vision. Women United in Christ was born that day.

The first Women United in Christ one day women's conference was in October 1998. The goal for that day was to provide a community wide opportunity for women to meet women and allow them to have a heart felt experience in the love and unity we share through Christ. This was accomplished by;

(1) helping women to realize the importance of a relationship with Christ
(2) creating an atmosphere that fosters sharing and caring
(3) encouraging women to get into God's word,
(4) assisting women to develop a prayer life
(5) causing women to seek after God's character, purpose and will
(6) encouraging life change by applying God's word to their lives
(7) by encouraging them to get involved in ministry within their own churches, in their own neighborhood, in the world.

This goal continues to be the focus of Women United in Christ. Without Christ indwelling our lives, how can our lives affect our world for Christ?

LEADERSHIP BOARD

Director of Ministries

Cindy Kelley

Cindy, a native Coloradoan, has been married to her high school sweetheart Pat for over 36 years. They raised their two now grown daughters, Tara and Kodie, in beautiful Durango. Cindy's desire in life from the time she was a little girl was to be a mother and homemaker. While raising her daughters and keeping her home Cindy also worked outside the home and has 32 years' experience in the medical field. Growing up in a challenging home environment, Cindy survived a family environment of alcoholism and physical abuse. Her life was almost shattered when her fiancé, Pat, suffered a near fatal gunshot wound, and her younger sister and her sister's fiancé were both killed in an auto accident. When these tragedies happened, it caused Cindy to begin a search for answers, which lead her to the Lord. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior and was baptized in the Holy Spirit. It was then that she made the decision to allow God to use her to reach out to touch others through the love and forgiveness he has given her! Cindy and her husband live on a mountain rim overlooking the magnificently beautiful Animas Valley in rural Durango. They rebuilt their home after the devastating wildfires in Southwest Colorado of 2002 destroyed their home without warning! Cindy and her family watched as the destruction of the fire turned years of memories into ashes. Again she made the choice to allow God to use her for His Glory, to proclaim His Power and Forgiveness through this tragedy. She has a heart for serving and has helped in all aspects of women's ministries over the years, from working behind the scenes to Women's Ministry Director. She has been a friend and encourager to many women over the years. Her first response to any problem is "Let's pray"! Cindy has and continues to be a guest speaker on radio and at many Christian churches and women's functions throughout the Four Corners area sharing her testimony of Gods Faithfulness and Transforming Power! She has been on the Leadership Board of Women United in Christ since it's inception in 1997. Over the years she has worn many hats as the Coordinator for the Volunteers, Publicity, and Facilities. Allowing the Holy Spirit to use her as his vessel, a vision of 25 years placed in her heart, Transformations Ministries was birthed through the foundation of Women United in Christ in 2008 as she was serving as Ministries Director. Cindy now serves as Director of Ministries over all aspects of Women United in Christ, Inc. and Transformations Ministries.

Speaker Coordinator

Annette Schultheiss

After living in Maui, Hawaii for over 8 years, Annette, her husband Vic and son Jonathan relocated to Southwest Colorado. They now live on a 36 acre ranch on the Piedra River along with a variety of animals including mules, miniature donkeys, a breeding Jack and three dogs. As a family they enjoy fishing and riding the mules in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. Vic and Jonathan also use the mules for hunting each fall. Annette is very detailed and uses her gifts of organization and business skills in the banking industry. She is currently employed as a commercial loan assistant.

Annette has a heart for women's ministry. In Hawaii where her foundation in Christ was formed she was selected as a leader for a women's group at her church. After moving to Colorado she accepted the leadership role once again at her new church. After she attended her first Women United in Christ conference she knew that God had given her direction to volunteer her talents to serve others through this ministry and has served on the Leadership Board ever since. She started as the Treasurer, then Facilities Coordinator and now is the Speaker Coordinator. As the Speaker Coordinator she reviews potential speaker's CDs and DVDs and presents them to the Leadership Board for consideration.

Emeritus

Penny Falconer

Penny is a woman after God's own heart and is always ready and willing to help others. She has made daily devotions a part of her life and has God's Holy Word planted deep within her heart. In her many years as a believer Penny has served others in a variety of ways. She's taught Sunday School, and Bible Study, served as coordinator for meal preparation and delivery to needy families and to the sick. She's helped in the church office and the church kitchen on a regular basis. Penny has also served on the Deacon Board. She is "Grandma Penny" to countless children, many of whom are grown and now have children of their own. Her home is always open to those in need for as long as they are in need. She is full of grace and kindness for all of God's children. Truly she is an example of a godly woman.

Her most rewarding and enjoyable task, she says, is helping with Women United in Christ. She has served as the Area Churches Coordinator and Prayer Coordinator and now is retired from these positions and now serves as Emeritus on the Leadership Board for Women United in Christ.

Publicity Coordinator

Susan Lawson

Susan has lived in the Durango area since 1982. She was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and attended college in both California and Utah, working at Stanford University and in Silicon Valley for many years. Susan and her husband Mark live part-time in Durango and part-time in Silverton Colorado, where he is the Pastor of an inter-denominational church, Silverton Church on the Hill. Susan is a multi-tasker, running a furniture/antique restoration business and working side by side with her husband as a pastor's wife. Previously Susan worked for several years in advertising in the four corners area which has assisted her in the position of Publicity Coordinator for Women United in Christ and Transformations Ministries

Having been adopted at 6 weeks of age, Susan has developed a true heart for women facing unexpected pregnancies. After moving to Durango, Susan was introduced to the true Gospel of Jesus Christ and at that time, she was born again. Shortly after that she was blessed through the adoption of her daughter, Heather, who shares the same testimony that life is truly a Gift from God. Susan has learned from her own personal experiences that life through the challenges of brokenness can be a life of restoration and healing if we turn it all over to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She has a heart of compassion for those who are broken through the trials of life. Her life scripture is Isaiah 54.

Treasurer

Sharon Talbot-Jarrett

Sharon's Christian education began when she was ten years old when her parents became very involved in her grandmother's church. Her father served as a Deacon in the church and her mother taught Sunday school. At her young age, the Word of God took root deep in her heart. Following her parent's footsteps, Sharon developed a heart for serving others as well. She helped organize and instruct others in Junior Church and even sang duets with her mother on occasion. Having a solid Christian foundation has kept her on solid ground through many tragedies and hardships in her adult life. As her world was crumbling all around her at times, Sharon stood on the promises of God, took many steps of faith, was comforted in the arms of her savior, Jesus and he picked her up and carried her through. Her sweet, quiet spirit is a quality unsurpassed by many. Her roots go deep and she walks in Victory in the Lord.

Her secretarial skills and education in the banking industry has kept Sharon on her toes. She was employed as a Senior Registered Sales Assistant with a leading international financial firm and in 2008 recently retired. Along with her position as Treasurer Sharon has served as the Facilities Coordinator where she acted as a liaison with the conference facility and kept things running smoothly while serving as Treasurer. We are blessed to have her on the Leadership Board over the years as our Treasurer. In this role she keeps accurate records of all expenditures and budgets.

Minister of Worship

Lora Hodges

Lora, as of January 2009, is the Minister of Worship for Women United in Christ. In 2008 she served as the Music Team Leader for Women United in Christ. She and her husband Russell live in Farmington New Mexico where they share a combined family of 4 grown children (2 of whom are married) and 2 grandchildren. Lora wears many hats in her daily activities where she and her husband own and operate a music store and sound system business for events throughout the four corners area, along with teaching voice. Lora and her husband write and produce music and are in a Christian band where she is the lead singer. She has been involved in Praise & Worship in Church from her teen years and serves on the Worship Team at Living Word Church in Farmington where she has been a member for many years. Music has been a source of strength, expression and ministry in Lora's life.

From the very first Women United in Christ Conference she attended, she felt a pulling in her heart and knew that she was to be involved somehow. Since that time, the Lord has placed her in the Praise and Worship aspect of the Ministry where she now holds the position of Worship Leader for Women United in Christ and Transformations Ministries where she is able to share her passion for worship in serving the Lord

At the age of 9 years old, she first accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior which would prove to be her strength as she faced many life challenges. Lora's heart for women and teenage girls is to encourage them with her own testimony of knowing the pain of finding her way through many insecurities as a teen in a single-parent home, of living in the chaos and turmoil of an alcoholic environment, divorce, being a single mother and sole provider for her children, and finding strength, grace, forgiveness and healing along the way. Lora's desire is to encourage others to hold on when they are facing trials and choices and find themselves in the midst of seemingly hopeless situations, to truly have a relationship with God, to know the love, redemption and peace of God as we enter into His presence in our thanks and worship of Him.

Area Churches Coordinator
Jeanie

Jeanie Widner

Jeanie was born and raised on a dry-land farm in Southwest Colorado. She accepted the Lord as a young child and grew up attending church regularly with her siblings. Many times in her adolescent years, Jeanie would organize Bible Studies for herself and her peers and find an adult willing to lead them. However, the pull of worldly things won out in her High School years and she found herself marrying right after High School and pulling away from her Christian walk.

The following years brought three boys, Neil, Rex and Todd and an on-again/ off-again commitment to and relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. In 1993, after 20 years of marriage, she was divorced from her husband and found herself at rock bottom. Jeanie will tell you that it was then that she found out what a difference it makes to know Jesus as not only Savior, but LORD! In early 1994, she totally and completely surrendered her will to her Lord and Savior and told Him she would live for Him, no matter what He asked of her even if she was to remain single the rest of her life if that was His desire for her. God blessed her with the love of her life when she met Ron Widner in April and they were married in July of 1994!

Ron is central in God's plans for Jeanie's life and encourages her to pursue her singing that she loves and has shared with others since she was a small child. She loves teaching others from Gods Word. In her church and community Jeanie is a natural gifted teacher of Gods Word. She has never been one to be shy or hesitant upon acting on His Word. Jeanie has held leadership roles in her churches and community. Her desire is to be used by her Lord for His Glory! Jeanie has been a Hair Stylist for 36 years and works in a local salon in Durango. In 2008 she became a vital part of the Ministry Team for Transformations Ministry through Women United in Christ. Jeanie serves on the Leadership Board and is the Area Churches Coordinator for the ministry.

Facilities Coordinator
Kodie

Kodie Kelley Martinez

Kodie is a Colorado gal through and through. She is a fourth generation native on both sides of her family tree; this gives her a genuine Coloradoan title. Kodie grew up hearing about Jesus through a loving family: her parents and older sister. She was dedicated to the Lord by her family at a young age during a camping trip to the mountains. As a child she was very active and one may have called her a Tom Boy! Sports were the perfect avenue to funnel this energy towards and she excelled in this having won many ribbons and trophies. Kodie was asked to join the D.C. Dribblers, a selected team of children who were talented and trained in basketball dribbling performances. They were a miniature version of the Harlem Globe Trotters. They performed to choreographed music throughout the 4 corners and were invited to play at half time at the "Pit" in Albuquerque and at Los Angeles for the L.A. Lakers. At a young age her Dad taught her to shoot a custom sized rifle and she became quite a little sharp shooter. Kodie took home a nice collection of trophies from her shooting tournaments. In Junior High and High School she pursued volleyball and to this day she continues to play on teams throughout her community. Kodie went through a time of rebellion in her teen years; she drifted far from the teaching of the Lord. While experimenting with drugs and alcohol she found herself at a turning point. The Lord literally saved her life and the healing of her own personal transformation started to take place in her life and heart. Several years later on a blind date Kodie met a man named Anthony Martinez. She immediately fell in love with him and she knew right from the start the Lord brought Anthony into her life!

Four years later they married and committed their lives and marriage to the Lord. Kodie and her husband have made their home in Bayfield where they have three dogs they call their "Girls". Kodie is employed at a Pediatrics Office in Durango and she loves her job. One of her benefits is seeing the children throughout her day. Kodie comes to Women United in Christ naturally; she has attended Women United in Christ Conferences from the beginning in 1997. She has volunteered for the ministry throughout the years. Kodie is our newest member on the 2009 Leadership Board and brings us enthusiasm with a heart full of love! She serves as Facilities Coordinator for the ministry.

PAST GUEST SPEAKERS

Lisa Papararo	Women United through Prayer	10/17/98
Judy Hampton	Women With A Heart for God	10/16/99
Pam Farrel	Women of Influence	10/14/00
Kathy Blume	Women of Worship	10/13/01
Susan Hunt	Women of Strength	10/12/02
Vickie Janson	Women of Victory	10/11/03
Donna Jones	Women of Integrity	10/09/04
Lisa Harper	Women of Hope	10/08/05
Gigi Graham	Women Fully Reliant on God	10/14/06
Suzette Brawner	Women of Wisdom	10/13/07
Sylvia Harney	Women of Truth	10/18/08

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Our Vision: "to have significant relationships with Jesus Christ, women in our church families and Christian women in our communities, that being united in Christ, others would meet Him and come to know Him to God's glory."