Come Before Winter

Mariana Long is a Hillcrest member who found her niche in missions once again when she was invited to serve on the Come before Winter team in 2002. Come before Winter (CbW) is a five-day renewal for women in missions and ministry. The purpose of CbW is to renew, equip, honor and unite women in His service around the world. A veteran missionary of Austria, Northern Ireland, Russia and Colorado, Mariana personally understood the value of this ministry and was grateful for the opportunity to step back into the field.

Each renewal revolves around in-depth study of scripture. Since 2001, three-year studies have focused on Mark, Philippians, The Psalms and Exodus. The projection for 2014 is to begin the exegetical study of Matthew.

Another important factor of the ministry is silence and solitude – a rare thing for women on the mission field. One-on-one prayer, as well as prayer in small clusters, is also a part of the schedule and ministers to the women in a very personal way.

Several of Hillcrest’s missionaries have been participants at these renewals: in Germany, Pam Sullivan; in Kenya, Dr. Ellen Little and Beverly Dankers; in South Africa, Sondra Davis; and in Ukraine, Jenny Kelly.

Since 2001, Come before Winter has answered invitations from the following countries: Brazil; Greece; Italy; Siberia; Thailand; Russia; Benin (West Africa); Mexico; Germany; South Pacific (Fiji); Singapore; Kenya (East Africa); USA; Bosnia & Herzegovina; Canada; Australia; Papua New Guinea; Paraguay; Honduras; South Africa; Rwanda (East Africa); Ukraine; New Zealand; Northwest USA/Southwest Canada. The program strives to return to various regions of the world every three to four years.

An unexpected blessing has emerged from the renewals since its beginning in 2001 – the development of an International Development Program (IDS). As a result of strong appeals from local women, teams have been trained to offer the same opportunities to the women in their culture and in their languages. Renewals are accomplished in the fourth year of training. This is an exciting expansion of the Come before Winter ministry.

The IDS training for Russia began in 2004. In 2007, approximately 40 young Russian women spent five days and four nights studying and praying together in their native language. Brazilian women began training in 2009 and will host their own CbW renewal in October 2013. Spanish-speaking women from Texas, Mexico, Central America and South America started training in 2010 and will gather in November, 2013. Mariana has been involved in the training and will go to assist these women as they launch their own ministries.

The support Hillcrest has given Come before Winter influences untold hundreds of people as women return to their sometimes very difficult life situations with lifted spirits, a new-found energy, and new friends with whom they continue to communicate. Thank you for your partnership!