Glo-ing and Growing: Priority's New Home (and a very special request)
by Laurie Cole, Founder & President 

June is usually a very quiet month here at Priority – but not this June. Last month we were busy making a very big move into our first, official office space (we’re calling it our “global headquarters “ :-) ). But before I share a few pics of our fun, feminine offices, I’ve got a very special request to make.

Some of you have done one or more of the Bible studies (Beauty by The Book, There is a Season, or The Temple) I’ve written, and I’m always so grateful to hear your testimonies about how the Lord used the study to encourage and help you grow in your walk with Him. But one of my most favorite things to hear goes something like this: “The Lord taught me so much through your Bible study, so I told my friend about it. Now she’s doing the study and is so excited about what God is doing in her life.” Testimonies like that remind me of John 15:8: “By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” When I hear that you’re growing spiritually AND that you’re also encouraging other women to grow, too, it thrills my heart because I know God is being glorified by the fruit He is producing in your life. And that’s why I’d like to ask you to pray about possibly sharing your testimony in a very unique way.

If God has used a Priority Bible Study to bless your heart and life, would you pray about helping us tell other women about it?  WomensMinistry.net is inviting you to tell them about good Bible studies you’ve done so they can share your comments and recommendations with thousands of other women via their website. In other words, your testimony could potentially bear LOTS of spiritual fruit. If the Lord leads you to share your Priority Bible Study testimony, just visit WomensMinistry.net and complete the online form. Thanks for praying, and thanks for helping us get God’s Word into the hands and hearts of many, many women who have never heard of Priority Bible Studies.

Now I’d like to literally show you how I’m glo-ing and growing this summer by sharing several pictures of Priority’s new home: our first, official office space! We are so grateful to the Lord for providing us with this new space, and we’re also thankful to many you (our Priority Partners) who generously gave and enabled us to furnish and equip the space. Join me now in glorifying God as you take a look at the following photos:

Here’s Janet and me on Day 1 of our office move-in. This is the entry/sitting area of our office and our comfy, blue couch.

Priority Board member (and very dear friend) Lezli Busbee and her daughter, Blaire, were two of our first visitors ... and encouragers.

Here’s pretty Pam (Priority’s Production & Resouces Director) sitting at her desk. What a Godsend she is to us, and what a blessing she is to work with.

One of the dozens of things Pam does is ship Priority resources to locations where I teach, and in this pic you can see her with the inventory we keep at the office. Our other inventory (for toll-free and online store purchases) is warehoused off-site.

For the past six years our entire staff has worked out of our homes. As the Lord has blessed and grown the ministry, our home offices have expanded (in some cases practically exploded) and spilled into closets and various other areas of our homes. Yet not one time have I ever heard anyone on our staff complain. On the contrary, they’ve only expressed joy and excitement about the growth God has given us. It is truly a privilege to serve the Lord with such faith-filled women. Thank you Janet, Pam, Shanda, Courtney, Debbie, Stephanie, Jan, and Nancy. I thank the Lord for each one of you, and I love you to pieces.

Since 2003 when Priority began, the desire of our hearts has remained the same: to follow the Lord wherever He leads. Now in 2009, He has led us to a new home where we can literally work and serve Him together, and it is glorious – and so much fun, too. We are having a great time! And we’re also beginning to discover that one single day of working at our office together is far more productive than an entire week of working apart from one another in our individual homes. Hallelujah!

So this month, I am growing and glo-ing because God is faithful, His timing is perfect, and His provision is always enough. I have no idea where we’ll be in six more years, but I do know this: God does. And knowing that gives me great confidence and peace. Priority’s five-minute, five-year – yes, even our 55-year – plan is to simply continue to follow Him and to encourage you to follow Him, too.

“Follow Me.” Girl, it’s the invitation of a lifetime spoken by the One who is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). How are you responding to this invitation? I encourage you to do what Peter, Andrew, James, and John did: “They immediately left their [fishing] nets and followed Him” (Matt. 4:20 NASB). I encourage you to do what Abraham did: “By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out…not knowing where he was going” (Heb. 11:8 NASB). Wherever Jesus is calling you, beloved sister, rest in this truth: He will lead you there. He will get you where He wants you to be. All you have to do is follow Him.

But there’s something you need to know about following Christ. When you arrive at the place He’s called you to (unless it’s heaven), don’t get too comfortable. Because even now as I sit at this desk in this lovely office space He’s led me to, I can hear Him calling once again, “Follow Me.” So, I gotta go for now  . . . looks like it’s time to write a new Bible study.

Your sister,