Men's Ministry

In early 2007, the Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor's Men's Ministry decided to focus its second annual men's conference on relationships within the Church and the culture. The ministry leaders handpicked an outstanding selection of speakers representing diverse cultures, including Messianic Jewish and Palestinian Christians, various racial backgrounds, married and single concerns, and male and female perspectives. Lydia Clarke, the only female speaker, addressed the single men and discussed how to better understand and relate to the significant women in their lives. Her down-to-earth style made it easy for the men to pose questions they might not otherwise ask their girlfriends or female acquaintances. Discussing candidly her own experiences as a teenager and single woman, and eventually as a wife and mother, Lydia pulled from her parcels of wisdom related to ministry what she has come to realize are common issues affecting women. She drew back the curtain on what it means to be a wom an from a biblical standpoint, and shared both realistic and practical steps on how men can improve their male-female relationships.

Lydia demonstrated her mastery of the multicultural and ecumenically friendly waters of the conference, as she effortlessly navigated the gender divide. Having familiarity with Lydia and her ministry for over two decades, it came as no surprise to the conference leaders - as reflected in the post-conference evaluations - that the men in attendance would receive her presence positively and as every man's sister.

We are genuinely pleased that Lydia's home church and schedule presented an opportunity for this humorous and non-judgmental minister to share her invaluable insights with the conference attendees. On behalf of the Vineyard Church, we pray God's blessings on Lydia in all she does for the Kingdom of Heaven.

-Dana Fair and Mark Vashon
Men's Ministry Co-leaders
Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor

Can't Keep Silent

I am 18 years old, and I'm pregnant with twins. I had planned to have an abortion until someone gave me your book to read. After reading it, I realized I was just being selfish, only concerned about myself. I have now decided to have the babies. They are due in June.

-S.S., Westland, MI

Words cannot express how AWESOME our God is! Your book is wonderful and He is using YOU in a mighty and powerful way! I am a reader, and I have read quite a few books, however NO book I've read compares to how powerful, insightful, and revelatory your book is. Thank you for setting me free in SO many ways. The book has moved me to tears. All women can relate to your book which is why it is SO unique. I am sure your readers, as I, will appreciate the depth of honesty found in your writing. If more people in the church would be honest and open about their experiences, then you would find less people in bondage in the church.

- C., Detroit, MI

Post-Abortion Healing Ministry

Dear Lydia, I wanted to thank you for coming to St. Joseph Church and witnessing what the Lord has done for you. It touched many hearts. It gave people hope and I know the Lord was working in many women who have had abortions. Even weeks later, people have approached me and have thanked me for having you come. Well, I pass on the thanks to you—for saying “yes!” to the Lord, and to the Lord who continues to work in us all!

Father Bill Ashbaugh, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Howell, Michigan

Married Women’s Ministry

During the winter of 2003 the Women’s Ministry of Labor of Love Church held its first Married Women’s Transformation Group. This transforming group, conducted by Lydia Clarke was a life-changing and an eye opening experience for the women who participated. Women who were bound for years in the area of sexual intimacy in marriage were set free. Husbands, who were not permitted to attend the sessions, commented on how the group had helped to change their wives, in this particular area, thus bringing a healing to their marriages. This topic had such an effect on the married women of the church that the husbands requested a counterpart of the subject matter be taught to them.

Mrs. Clarke’s teaching on sexual intimacy in marriage was not only insightful, but also revelatory and apostolic in nature. She laid biblical foundational truths on the subject matter backing it with scripture, secular research and experience. Although the subject matter, as stated, was superb, what added to the dynamics of the material being presented was her knowledge of the subject, her sincerity, and her willingness to share her own personal struggles in this area. She was not afraid to be transparent. Out of all the Transformation Groups the ministry has to offer, this is the most requested and preferred.

Missionary Donna Hawthorne, First Lady, Labor of Love Ministries,
Ann Arbor, MI

The Married Transformation literally saved my marriage. I came into the group with lots of baggage from finances to intimacy in my marriage. Sis. Lydia with the ladies in the group shared things with me, and then I was given scriptures in the Bible to back up what was being said. I thank God for Sis. Lydia and everything that she has brought to the Married Women Transformation Group.

Group Participant

Singles & Sexuality

"I was sooooooooo moved by your message. I was truly convicted as well. I have actually stopped dating someone as a result of some seeds that you have planted.

Your message should possibly be linked to the post-abortion support group, which links to the sexual behavior piece. Or, a youth ministry as a preventive measure...singles and married couples can benefit for obvious reasons, so in the final analysis....it belongs everywhere.
Sister Lydia, you are truly blessed and a blessing to those around you."

--K.

Missionary Lydia Clarke has been an invaluable asset to the Labor of Love Singles Ministry. Most recently, she delivered a powerful word at the 2003 Singles Conference entitled, “You Just Don’t Understand.” In this message, she illuminated that premarital sexual activity has a direct, negative impact on the marriage bed. She boldly proclaimed that singles don’t understand the suffering their marriage will endure if they do not endeavor to present their bodies as a holy, living sacrifice to God. The woman of God also exposed lies that singles have believed about sex so that everyone would understand God’s divine purpose for this act.

In addition to ministering to singles about their sexuality, Lydia touched the lives of the singles with a profound message entitled, “Packages.” In this teaching, she questioned the singles’ motives for what they desired in a mate. Many singles, like me, have participated in activities in which they have listed everything they wanted in a mate in an effort to define the ideal person God has for them. However, most of those requirements prove to have superficial and materialistic motivators. Lydia taught that singles should look for Godly character in an individual instead of focusing on the outer man.

Through this, God revealed to me my own “package” issues. I had a strong prejudice against black men, despite my own African-American descent, because of my experiences as a teen with older black men who expressed their sexual desires toward me. Their words often made me feel unpretty, vulnerable and afraid. Through Lydia’s message, I discovered I had stigmatized my relationship with all black men (outside of my family). After listening to the tape of this message for months, God showed me my issue in prayer, and I repented. If I had not heard and meditated on that word God gave Lydia, I would have not been able to receive the mate God has for me. I am currently engaged to a strong, handsome, generous and educated black man who loves God more than anything and wants to share His blessings with me.

I personally will forever be grateful for Lydia’s gift she’s shared with us.

Christina Millhouse – Singles Ministry Coordinator