The Restoration Life Center in Allentown hosts a bi-weekly millennial women’s group to address the life, relationship and self-worth challenges that today’s young women face
ALLENTOWN, PA – April 8, 2019 – Restoration Life Center (RLC), a ministry dedicated to helping women discover their worth, know their identity and live their life purpose, welcomes all millennial women to attend their bi-weekly Sister2Sister (S2S) gathering. This innovative program is RLC’s latest initiative. Pastor Ruth A. Alpha, Founder and Executive Director of the RLC, says the program is fueled by her passion to provide young women with what she needed at their age. “When I sit in the Sister2Sister gatherings and listen to these young women share their stories with one another, my heart is overwhelmed with such joy.”
According to Ruth, one of the biggest issues this generation of young women deal with is a lack of trust between their peers. Briani Rendon, one of the S2S millennial leaders, agrees that trusting other women is a difficult task. “Usually, you walk down the street and glance at each other and probably make some assumptions. But this group breaks the illusion that someone else has it all together. The truth is that nobody does. I just love that at S2S the women listen, they agree, then share about their experiences and maybe how they handled it.”
Now in its third month, S2S has twenty-five current members, including three millennial leaders. “At the last gathering, the leaders ran the agenda and encouraged the girls to share,” said Ruth, who is fondly referred to as ‘Mama Bear’ by some and ‘Miss Ruthie’ by others. At the end of each meeting, Ruth wraps up the session with what they call ‘Tribal Counsel’, which is her way of pouring wisdom and experience into the young women. “This is when Miss Ruthie chooses a topic, shares scripture or a story,” Briani said. “At that moment I can just be a member and really receive the information. I am a leader, but I am also a part of it. I’m answering the same questions and I get to be vulnerable and share what’s going on with me.”
Intertwined with four discussion points – stories, successes, struggles & solutions – are weekly topics on coping strategies. “Right now, we’re working with personal development skills,” said Ruth. “Each time we meet, the women open themselves to honest and authentic dialog. They are starting to talk, share more, and build trust. The results are beyond what I hoped.”
The program is open to all millennial women and continues to grow as word of mouth travels and new members join. “It’s a place we can come where there’s no judgment,” Briani said. “We all have a ton of friends, people to go shopping with or hang out with, but when it comes to seeking wisdom in a crisis, and we all have those, it is such a blessing to relax into this total acceptance.”
Betty, a millennial member, is especially encouraged by the program. She and her friend are happy to attend and say it’s the highlight of their month. All agree the S2S program is off to a wonderful start. Future hopes include outreach projects and community focused events, topical group studies, creative art projects, and organizing international and domestic mission trips.
About the Restoration Life Center and Pastor Ruth:
Pastor Ruth A. Alpha is the Founder and Executive Director of the Restoration Life Center where she offers emotional and spiritual support, mentoring, and pastoral counseling to women of all ages in and around the Lehigh Valley. An Ordained Minister, Ruth serves on the Pastoral Team at Lifechurch in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and served full time as the Lifechurch Women’s Ministry Director for 13 years from 1994 – 2007. She is the mother of son, James, has four grandchildren, and one great-grandson. With 28 years of ministry experience, she holds credentials in Criminal Justice, Corrections, DEEP Counseling, and completed a Clinical Pastoral Education Residency at the Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, Pennsylvania. A 1994 graduate of Rhema Bible College in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, she has a concentration in Teaching Ministry and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Liberty University. The Restoration Life Center, launched in April of 2013 and is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization strongly rooted in Christian principles. The center is located in Allentown, PA at 546 West Hamilton Street, Suite 415. You can reach Pastor Ruth at the center on (844) 273-6397, www.RestorationLifeCenter.org, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/restorationlifecenter/
Information provided to TVL by:
Laura L. Weller, Founder & CEO
Lead Writer & Voice Artist
Thrive Words & Voice, LLC
www.ThriveWords.com
