Former Fuquay-Varina resident Beth Bullock Allen, now of Texas, left, Teresa Hamby, speaker Amy Jones, Debbie McClamrock, Joyce Coats and Betty Mangum enjoy fellowship at the March Women of Priority Associates' Luncheon.
Recently the women of Priority Associates were inspired and challenged as they listened to Amy Jones of Swift Creek share her life’s story.
As Renee Hayes’ beautiful voice filled the room with “How Great thy art” and “Because He Lives,” the women were spiritually refreshed as well.
Jones read and was inspired herself by Wess Stafford’s “Just a Minute: In the heart of a child one moment can last forever.”
“Do mere minutes transform a child’s life? Can one moment have lasting results?” she asked.
According to the book, “With each child you encounter, you have the opportunity to build up or, sadly, tear down. Deep within the spirit of each of us resides an amazing hero. This spirit is just waiting for the moment when we walk out onto the stage of life and do the right thing; it may make all the difference in the world. Can God use any of us to be a moment’s hero?”
Who was it that believed in you before you ever believed in yourself? Who was it that spoke words of life to you? Amy said she did not get where she is today by accident. God put people in her life who spoke words of encouragement to her.
As a child, Jones had a speech impediment, was very insecure and found school difficult even though she worked hard. A professor, who lived near her, put his hand on her head one day, and told her she would be okay.
Because she knew he was very smart, she clung to his words. She had a third grade teacher who said to her mom, “Don’t you worry about Amy; she is going to go far in life.” This also went to a deep place in her heart.
Then there was, Jan, a camp counselor who took a few moments to share how she had come to a personal relationship with Jesus. Jones realized for the first time that she was a sinner. It was a defining moment in her life.
The counselor told her about a verse of scripture, Romans 10:9: ‘If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.’
Jones asked the audience, “Have you had that moment in your life; can you look back and remember when you realized you needed a Savior?”
At her graduation from Wake Christian Academy, Jones’s mother said to her, “Amy, it doesn’t matter what you do in life; what matters is that you live your life for God. He has a plan and purpose for you.”
Soon thereafter, Jones surrendered her life and said, “Lord if you can use me, I am available.”
This eventually led her to Wake Technical Community College where she studied correctional counseling. During her years of study, she began working at Youth for Christ where she had the opportunity to counsel high-risk kids.
Eventually she became the director of Christian Life Home, a home for unwed mothers. She has served more than 300 teenage mothers, helping them understand that God has a plan for their lives and for their babies’ lives.
“There are many hurting children who need someone to stand in the gap and offer hope. There are life-giving words that you can speak to change a young person’s direction,” Jones said. “Will you allow God to use you to speak words of love and support? You may become a moment’s hero to someone who is hurting. A life can be changed in just a moment with a spoken word.”
Priority Luncheons are open to the public; next meeting May 21; 11:30, Bentwinds Country Club; $10; speaker, Lou Jean Peace, missionary to East Asia for 40 years and now lives in Fuquay-Varina and teaches at N.C. State. Reservations can be made by contacting Faye Johnson by phone at 919-552-3763 or email at fjohn5050@aol.com.
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