Zebra Ministries

Monday, May 8, 2017

Good morning Zebras,

Interesting how small things make a difference.

On the second day in Korea I woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of a clock ticking away the seconds. Maybe it was because I was jet lagged, or maybe it was because I was in a country that is concerned about being attacked by their neighbor but the sounds of the seconds ticking away as millions died without the full truth of the gospel confirmed the urgency God has placed within me to get the message out.

We love the faithfulness of God. But it is a two-edged sword. He is faithful to do all the good He has promised, but just as faithful to do all the “bad.”

Those who die without Christ are facing an eternity without God and those who claim to have salvation but chose to live in a way that denies His existent are in for an unpleasant surprise.

There is no half way with God. There never has been and there never will be.

The first retreat I did I dressed up as Moses and memorized Deuteronomy 30:11-20, I would encourage you to read it for yourself. It is Moses’ address to the people where he tells them to choose. He puts before them life or death and urges them to choose life, to follow after God whole heartedly and not turn away to worship other gods.

Of course, most of the Israelites turned away and God was faithful to bring about the destruction He promised. Make no mistake we are the Israelites.

Jesus’ last message to His people is not the great commission it is the book of Revelation.

The last Precept study I taught was Revelation and after we did the first three chapters I felt God tell me I could step out so I did, right in the middle of the study. God told me it didn’t matter whether I understood the rest of the book or not it only mattered that I understood and took to heart the first three chapters.

They are Jesus’ last address to His people, the church, and He is telling them to choose between following Him whole heartedly or turning away to worship other gods.

God’s people are not lukewarm, they are filled with the love of God, zealous for the complete truth, unwilling to compromise and doing work empowered by the Spirit.

If that does not describe you then somewhere in your life you have compromised and chosen something other than God. But the good news is, there is still time to repent.

Love,

Jill

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Why Zebras?

In the summer of 2008 I was looking at a herd of zebras in a wild animal park and commented to my son that I didn’t understand why the lions didn’t just eat the zebras because their markings make them so obvious. He told me that the opposite was actually true. God has marked zebras so when they hang together in a herd, their stripes create the illusion they are one large animal and therefore too big to attack. It is the lone zebra that is usually eaten. The same is true of Christians; we must hang together and encourage each other to fight off the lions. The lone Christian is easy prey.

1 Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Therefore:

Zebras was started to encourage women who desire to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, who want their lives to be transformed to honor God and who are willing to be “zebras” in a world of “horses”. Zebras exists to reassure you that you are not alone and that God has called you to be peculiar. As a peculiar person you should look different than the world

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Pastor Endorsement

Jill Getchell speaks from her heart and from God’s word in a way that brings encouragement and hope to God’s people. I’ve been blessed to hear her at Awana conferences, a women’s retreat, and from the pulpit of our church. I am confident your people will be equally blessed by spending the day with Jill at We Have Hope...your church will be blessed as well.

Pastor Al Marks

First Baptist Church Vallejo

I have known Jill for many years now. She truly desires to encourage the churches in our community and to strengthen the believers that attend our churches. Her passion for Jesus comes out in her ability to speak, and her heart is to encourage all those that attend to go back into their churches and be a blessing.

Pastor Kelly Patchin

New Harbor Community Church, Benicia

I believe women are vital to the unity and health of the church. They bear the image of God and serve Him in a great way within His church. Zebras has the ability to unite and excite women to grow in their faith and in their relationships with each other. In John 17:20 Jesus says, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” One of Christ’s last prayers for His church is that they would be one as He is with the Father. And through our unity the world can come to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. Unity is essential for a healthy church and healthy relationships between women. Zebras can stimulate healthy growth in the spiritual lives of the women in your church too. It is a blessing at New Harbor and I believe it would be a blessing for any pastor to have in their church.

Kelly Patchin, Pastor
New Harbor Community Church

Testimonies

The Zebra herd has given me the opportunity to be myself. I think we all have a face we put on for others, especially on Sunday. We don’t want to let anyone see the pain or hurt we’re suffering because we feel that it’s a reflection on our walk with Christ. I now have a group of loving Christian women with whom to share the joys and sorrows equally… Without the Zebras, I’d still be wearing my Sunday face. ...............Dawn C.

The Zebra ministry has deepened my relationship with Christ and the women at my church beyond what I thought possible... Most importantly, it has given me a safe place to be very, very real… I have learned how to be transparent and allow my fellow Zebra sisters to support me in prayer and God to minister to the deepest part of my soul--the part that needed it the most.................... Jennifer H.

When I came to New Harbor Church I was so lonely. I knew I needed the fellowship of other Christian women but did not know if I could break out of my self-imposed isolation. I felt unworthy of anyone’s friendship, let alone" godly people"... But Zebras has made me feel the true acceptance of these wonderful women. I have slowly opened my heart to them, with their encouragement and love! I don't have that heavy ache of solitude anymore. ................Barbara B.

I was with you in the beginning meetings of the herd and watched it evolve into a place where we as sisters in Christ could share our burdens without judgment. Being a Zebra helped me through a very trying time- Leap of Faith– leaving a relationship, selling my home and trusting in God. It was encouraging to know that I was not alone and being a part of a group where women could feel understood, comforted, and lifted up spiritually. .................Tracy M.

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