Dear Dr. Rainer, Trustees, Employees, and retired LifeWay President, Dr. Jimmy Draper,
Today I will board a plane, God willing, with my dearest loves – my husband of 36 years, our two adult daughters, our son-in-law, and our two grandchildren – to head to Nashville to commemorate and celebrate God’s inconceivable kindness to us in 20 years of Bible studies with you. I will have the chance to express some of my heart to you face-to-face while I am there but I’m unsure of being able to convey all I’d like to say without crying. And what if it spun into serious tears which, while sweet and sentimental, can prove to be embarrassing and awkward in a public address? And what if, on the way home, I had to get furious with myself for not being able to say what I’d flown to Nashville to say? Thus, with your patience, this letter.
Exactly 20 years ago, my husband, Keith, made a few phone calls behind my back to find out when the very first Bible study – A Woman’s Heart: God’s Dwelling Place – would be placed on a shelf at one of your stores in Houston. I was too green a new author to even ask you guys about a release date. I had no idea how the whole thing worked or, for crying out loud, if it would work at all. Keith, however, has never been one for holding back questions. He took me out to dinner without saying a single word about the Bible study then told me that he needed to run an errand on the way home. He pulled up in front of the store, opened my car door, took me by the hand, and walked me into the store. He marched me down an aisle like he knew just where he was going then stood me right in front of the ugliest cover I would ever love.
And we both cried.
As you who were around at that time know, there were never any promises from your side or expectations from ours about a second Bible study or, with the second, a third.
What began as a publishing relationship turned headlong and heart-long into a ministry partnership.
We who have worked together on the curriculum team have marveled over and over again that God would risk anything at all on such a flawed concoction of people. Early on we came to the conclusion that God either has a lot of grace or very poor taste.
His grace was not in vain. I want to boast in Christ for the caliber of people that I’ve had the privilege to labor alongside at LifeWay for 20 years. From Day 1 to this day, every single man and woman I’ve gotten to know (young, old, or middle aged, from customer care to graphic design to editorial to management and so on) has had a heart to love and serve Jesus Christ and an authentic desire to see people come to faith and be discipled in God’s Word.
Every person. Without exception. I mention it because I just don’t think that’s normal. I think that’s the Holy Spirit.
Every single time I had a conference call to run a concept for a new study past the discipleship team, it wrapped up in earnest prayer, placing it before God, asking Him to do with it what He would. Never did you enter into it lightly. Never did you pressure me to write on a particular concept. You always gave me the room to seek God for what He’d stir in my heart in the pages of Scripture for the next Bible study.
20 years is more than enough time to get cynical, to lose respect, and to shift into automatic and just shell out material that doesn’t have an ounce of the Holy Spirit on it.
Because of the unfathomable grace and sustaining power of God through our Lord Jesus Christ, I will board that plane today free of cynicism and full of respect for you. I don’t have a sick feeling in my stomach like I sold my soul to the devil or have been a part of playing people or putting on a big act.
I have had the privilege to do the one thing on earth I feel most called to do.
And I’ve had the privilege to do that one thing with you.
Thank you.
That’s what I’m writing this open letter to say.
Thank you so much for your patience with me through 20 years of growing and changing and going through all sorts of highs and lows and crises and losses and some excruciating learning experiences. Thank you for dealing with the drama. Thank you for standing with me, believing God with me, dreaming with me, serving with me, and for fighting for me. 20 years is time enough to see someone at her best and her worst. We are long past the point where we don’t really know each other. And here we are. Still together. We didn’t have to always see everything the same way for me to be so deeply thankful we’d seen it together. I would not trade a minute of it.
A dyed in the wool sanguine, God used another little element to make this thing work for 20 years. I have laughed my head off with some of you. You’ve got some men and women on your payroll that are among my favorite people on the planet. I have been to the other side of the world and back numerous times with a merry band of your employees, made enough memories for 10 lifetimes, and laughed till I cried. I have eaten pizza on the Mount of Olives with them and walked with them through a foot of sheep manure in fields outside of Bethlehem. The privilege of working with people that you just flat-out like is no small thing and it is not wasted on me.
I could write for hours and still not convey all that is stirring in my heart toward you but just this one time, I’m going to accept what my editor has tried to tell me for years: Beth, less is more.
So I will end with this and then bid us onward to the future:
Today I set this stack before our glorious and faithful God in His honor alone as a stone of remembrance. As an occasion to look back over our collective shoulders, reflect and say our God has been so gracious to us. For He alone can establish the work of human hands. May this makeshift stone of remembrance made of pages and ink serve as living proof to somebody reading today that, if He could be willing to use someone like me, He is willing to use absolutely anyone.
With so much love for all of you at LifeWay, for those recently retired, and for an unstoppable visionary in a wheelchair who now stands strong and complete in the presence of Jesus,
Beth
In 2002 with Lee and Myrna Sizemore
Jesus, You and I alone know the miracle You have accomplished. We alone know the depths from which You pulled me. Your boundless grace saved me, not just from the enemy, but from myself. The patience with which You have taught me, disciplined me, helped me, refocused me, restored me, redirected me and constantly revived me is astonishing. You just don’t give up on Your own, do You? You, Jesus, are my Prince. You are the single greatest joy of my life. Thank You for the cross.
Many thanks for many years of service & divine inspiration!
Beth,
As a manager of a local LifeWay Store…THANK YOU for all of your hard work and dedication as you serve the Lord!!!! We as LifeWay employees, and as I am myself, a Pastors Wife and Women’s Bible Study Leader appreciate SO MUCH all of the studies you’ve partnered with us in producing. May God continue to bless you and your precious family:)
I was a brand new store manager with then Baptist Bookstore in Northwest Houston when that first study came out. I have gotten to travel all around the country, seen sights, and met people whom I may never have met as I worked at many of your LP events. It was at one of these events that I realized how powerfully God was using you. It has been my pleasure to serve beside you and I ask God’s continued blessing on your life and ministry. Thank You!
Sitting here just squalling as we southerners say – tears running down my face. THANK YOU BETH and much love and congratulations on this 20 year milestone! This pastor’s wife thanks you for your investment in my life through your faithfulness to write Bible studies. I am a lifelong learner and I am still learning. God has used YOU and your writing to equip, train, mold, calm, inspire, thrill, tickle, motivate, and flat out bless me.
May God hold you close and keep you always! You are so dear to me.
GJ
It’s been a thrill to serve your ministry behind the scenes (projects like BelievingGod.com online study) and see God work through it all.
(great pic of you and Lee and his wife, by the way)
Thank you, Ms. Beth, for your faithfulness in the fight and for continuing to write as He leads. His words through you have changed so many.
I also want to thank you for writing this open letter. I’ll be graduating from college this May and my goal for years has been to work in the Christian book publishing industry. It is comforting to hear here how evident the Holy Spirit has been at LifeWay and to read such encouraging words about the industry. It’s really a ministry, from my angle.
Beth,
An open thank you to you too… and may there be 20 more years… and 20 more after that!
–Patrick
Beth,
Our LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center team celebrates these twenty years and God’s work in many lives through your studies and events. On a personal note, God has used your studies to significantly impact my wife’s walk with Him…for that we are both grateful.
Art Snead
Director, LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center
Wow,
Thank you so much for inspiring so many with us here at LifeWay Christian Stores, we get to hear how your studies have impacted, changed and revived women. We are able to help the ladies of our area find new strength in God with these studies you work so hard to develop.
Thanks for Beaumont, Texas Lifeway Store
It’s an incredible honor, joy, and blessing to partner with you, Beth. Your heart for the Lord, passion for His Word, and desire to see people transformed are contagious.
I know millions of people have been impacted by the studies the Lord has led you to lead. As a husband, father, and neighbor — I am grateful. As a husband and father, because your studies have impacted and encouraged my wife, who is a stronger wife and mom because of the time in the Word. As a neighbor, because your studies have gathered ladies in our neighborhood together (those in a church and those not) to press into the Scripture together.
And, of course, as one is on your team at LifeWay — I am grateful for how your ministry serves the body of Christ, for your integrity, and for your the community we have together. Very grateful for all the Lord has done and will do!
Beth,
I am free today because you were faithful.
Thank you for being brave.
Thank you for being vulnerable.
The Father has become my Abba because of you.
(((hugs)))
Beth! I’m just so honored to serve Jesus alongside you in whatever capacity! Thanks for your faithfulness to Jesus in all things and living a life of integrity in front of millions or in front of just one. A BIG SHOUT OUT from your publishing team at LifeWay – we love you and are thrilled to be celebrating 20 years with you! To GOD be the glory! The One who calls you is Faithful and He will do it! (1 Thess. 5:24) Mega blessings upon you, your family, and LPM today and always!
Beth,
THANK YOU for sharing with the world what the Lord has given to you. We are so appreciative to have you as part of our LifeWay family. Your kind words are an encouragement for so many of us who have the privilege of being part of what God is doing through the resources we have been called to steward.
Excited to celebrate with you tomorrow.
Katie
Beth,
Thank you for allowing God to minister through you to for these 20 years. I am a LifeWay employee who had the wonderful opportunity of making churches aware of your Bible studies back in the mid 1990s. And since 1999, I’ve had the opportunity to promote your trade books to our Christian retail partners. I’ve heard in person and seen on blogposts and social media sites the incredible impact that God is continuing to make on the lives of people in our nation and all over the world as a result of you, your ministry, and your faithfulness to Him. May God continue to bless you as you honor Him!
I didn’t realize how long ago it was when you visited our church in New Orleans, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church. You shared with us during our women’s ministry bible study from this book. Today, I live in Texas and am currently doing the 10 week study on Esther: It’s Tough Being a Woman and boy is it timely. You are truly an anointed woman of God and I am so thankful for your obedience.
Beth: I am the Lifeway Church Partner for Missouri, Southern Illinois, KS/NE. Thanks for the 20 years of impact through your life and studies that have impacted the lives of women and their families! Keep on keeping on for Him! You are a blessing to so many.
Beth,
We are truly grateful to you and your ministry partnership with LifeWay. We have all been excited for months that you are coming to share your heart with us. Really looking forward to tomorrow!!!
God Bless You Immensely,
Michael Vidaurri
Ms. Beth,
I first heard of your studies from my mother, who I saw drawing nearer and nearer to Jesus after completing each study. I was about to graduate from college and I thought “Who is this Beth Moore?”. So I googled your name and saw your connection with LifeWay. I had never heard of LifeWay, but they had an internship available on the Women’s Event team and I decided to apply. I’m so glad I did! This year is now my 5th year at LifeWay! I am so honored to work on the LPL simulcast events and interact with so many amazing women across the globe. Thank you for your faithfulness, your consistent humility & passion for Jesus Christ. I have so much respect for you and for LPM. Congratulations on 20 years of bible study and 20 years of an amazing friendship with LifeWay!
Oh Mickey, i love this story of your internship…How would the Simulcasts run without you!?? 🙂
Beth, God has truly established the work of your hands. Congratulations on these past 20 years of your beautiful, faithful service and love for Him. — Dawn Wyse (LifeWay employee)
I started working at Lifeway in Jan. 2014. During my interviews I kept hearing about “Beth Moore”. And so it began….since then I’ve completed 2 bible studies and worked on the Ft. Wayne event team. Now I get it! The Holy Spirit working through you is an incredible gift to so many people. Thank you for your faith and dedication to the Gospel. Can’t wait to celebrate with you tomorrow.
Thank you Beth for your ministry! I can’t even express the gratitude that I feel for the way that you’ve impacted my wife, my family, my church and myself. I work for LifeWay and am incredibly excited to see you tomorrow at chapel!!
I’ve had the privilege of working at LifeWay for 14 years and hearing countless stories from women who have been touched by your studies. Thank you for helping women grow in the Lord and thank you for the depth in your studies. We hope for a continued relationship. Amazing what the Holy Spirit can accomplish through us.
Beth–so much thanks! I’m just wrapping up my study of James with you this very day. To you, Melissa, your entire family, & everyone at LifeWay…THANK YOU. It is no small thing what God has done in my life through the opportunities of study with you. My heart overflows with thankfulness.
Thanks so much, Beth, for all that you have meant and continue to mean to our organization at LifeWay but also for my wife and daughters. You are one of God’s sweetest blessings and most faithful servants. We’re looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!
Blessings,
Brian Gass
Beth,
I am so thankful for all that you have been blessed to do in your 20 years with LifeWay! Your studies are packed full of wisdom that only the Spirit could provide. My friends and I have had many discussions about the powerful material you have created. (WE LOVED DANIEL!) Also, I love getting a daily dose of your wisdom on Twitter, as well as endless laughs as you post about your adventures.
I am SO looking forward to hearing from you tomorrow!
Andrea
LifeWay Kids
Beth – Thanks for your “heart message”. I’ll be there to hear you tomorrow! I’ve attended LPL conferences, and completed 8 of your studies, most recently “James, Mercy Triumphs” that was a precious gift at the SBC in Houston! Do you remember?? It was the first time I had the privilege of meeting you face-to-face and what an experience and blessing for me as well as many other messengers at the Convention that year. I love your humble spirit and love for people. It’s quite contagious.
Also tomorrow my sister-in-law will have the privilege of hearing you in person for the first time at the LifeWay celebration! She was a former graphic designer at LifeWay and worked on several of your projects. I am thrilled she will get to be there to celebrate the ministry that God laid on your heart 20 years ago.
I thank you for instilling in me the desire to dig deep into the Word of God and I truly admire your humble, servant heart! I can still hear you say “Delight, Delight” from an earlier study where you showed us all how to “delight in the Lord”! Looking forward to the celebration!
Beth, thank you for your faithfulness to God’s Word. LifeWay is honored and humbled to serve with you and partner with you. Twenty-years! What a celebration and what an offering of praise. Thank you for giving so many a deeper hunger and thirst for God’s Word and through His Word so many lives have been transformed! It is a blessing to call you friend. In HIs Amazing Grace, Selma
Dear Beth:
Thank you for your ministry to my daughter Amy over these two decades through your books and videos. When I invited her to come to our LifeWay celebration of your partnership with us, she was quick to say yes. We look forward to hearing you tomorrow.
Thank you Beth for taking time to express your appreciation for the many employees at LifeWay who have been blessed to co-labor with you for the cause of Christ. There are many people here who speak often about your heart, character and love for God’s Word and God’s people. We look forward to celebrating your years of global impact tomorrow! Brad Waggoner
The year was 1998, and as an 18 year old who was in a season of desperately waiting upon and seeking the Lord for His next steps, I cracked open “A Woman’s Heart, God’s Dwelling Place”, my first Bible study by Beth Moore. It helped Scripture come alive to me and made me all the more head over heels for Jesus.
Seventeen years later, my 3 year old little girl will watch a video session with me of “Mz. Beth” and ask to watch more. Your post brought tears to my eyes, and I join countless of others in thanksgiving to our faithful Lord for His pursuit of us, His relentless love for us, for His powerful Word, and for you. Thank you for loving Him so much that it’s contagious and for obediently walking with Him, trusting Him with every curve, mountain and valley. We celebrate 20 years with you!
Beth,
So glad we will get to celebrate with you this week! I’ve so enjoyed getting to see you from the front of the stage and behind the stage at LPL’s and am always telling others that you are the real deal. Thank you for your consistent commitment to the Word and to our Savior. During our team prayer time this morning, I thanked God that you have been pointing people to Jesus for 20 years…not LifeWay…not yourself…but Jesus. May we partner together for many more years (or at least a few more) as we continue to elevate Jesus and His powerful Word!
See you in Seattle…working the first LPL of 2015!
Beth,
Before God yanked me out of the pits of despair and complete brokenness that I suffered apart from Him…I read your material. God intricately used you in such a great way and in such small detail that has lead to some AMAZING moments in my life. Now….3.5 years later I manage a LifeWay Christian Store and have followed His calling to areas that I never thought I’d ever be “enough” to serve. I enjoy sharing your material with the various church leaders I come in contact with as they search out Bible Study materials. It’s such a honor to work in an environment that we follow the prompts from the Holy Spirit to lead people to EXACTLY what they need in that moment to hear a word from our precious Savior. You definitely provide materials that allow women to feel that from all around the planet. We thank you and my staff and I are praying over your time in Nashville and the fellowship that will surely follow. God bless you!
Thank you for your faithfulness and being a vessel for His! His Word endures forever!
Beth, Your faithful witness and commitment to teach the truth is a powerful inspiration to millions of Bible students–as well as to other authors and teachers. May we all always be as committed as you are to allowing God’s Word to speak in the world today!
Beth, what is it about your writing–I’m so often in tears! I expect it when the Holy Spirit is using your studies to make something clear to me, but not from a thank you note. I’m one of the LifeWay family who will be welcoming you in Nashville. I’m so thankful for your years of obedience and plain hard work that has yielded much fruit. You are a blessing, Beth Moore. (And yes, I’ll keep a Kleenex handy for your talk at the anniversary celebration…)
Dear Beth,
There are hardly any words for me to express my appreciation for you, your ministry and LifeWay Publications. Congratulations on your 20 years of ministry together. My spiritual walk with Jesus has become more meaningful, and just about every Christian woman I know, I try to convert her into an avid Bible student, using your Bible studies as an enticement. I look forward to meeting you one of these days. Continue with the beautiful gift God has given you, and that is blessing and growing the Body of Christ with your studies and your story.
I love you!
Thank you for partnering with LifeWay to make disciples of all nations. I work in LifeWay IT and my first major task at LifeWay was to provide internet connectivity to the web server for http://www.believinggod.com/. I took the online study so I would know what customers experienced. God used your teaching and the Word of God to deepen my faith. It brings great joy to be part of a team connecting people all over the world with the Word of God. Thanks for your faithful ministry!! Thanks for partnering together for His Glory. Thanks for taking the time to celebrate with us!
Great words, Beth. Looking forward to hearing you tomorrow!
Beth,
As a woman and a LifeWay employee, I’ve been doubly blessed by you! You have challenged me to go deeper into God’s Word – I’m part of your Siesta Scripture Club – and although I must confess, too often I get lazy and stumble through, I know that I can pick myself back up and start over again, because God is a God who loves me deeper than I can ever imagine. I am humbled to be a part of LifeWay and through that, am honored to play at least a little part in God’s work through you! Blessings on you, my siesta!
Beth, what a blessing you are and have been to so many. Here at our Buford, GA LifeWay we have seen countless lives changed by your bible studies. Thank you from all of our staff!
Congratulations!! Wow, 20 years. I know that the Lord is looking down saying, “well done, my good and faithful servant.”
Beth…I feel like we can call each other by our first names, you have taught me so much through the years, through the bible studies (all but 3 that I haven’t been brave enough to do yet). I was just learning to walk spiritually as a wife and young mother when I did the first study and now I get to lead your studies for other young women and women just learning about God (young and old). My book shelf is full of my journeys with you. Then about 9 years ago, I came to work at LifeWay, B&H Publishing Division, on the sales team and have had the privilege of recommending your books to my customers without hesitation. I got to be in the audience of Stepping Up with my mother and do many of your studies with her. Then she was carried Home and I was in the audience of the taping of James. I cried my way through that taping and your words…while written months before for 1000s of other people…spoke directly to my hurting heart right there that day. Thank you, Beth. You give me encourage to dig deeper into God’s Word, to live it out daily and to teach others how to do the same thing. I look forward to tomorrow and my prayers are with you and your family as you travel today.
Thank you for all of your work for the Kingdom! You have been a blessing to LifeWay, but you have been a special blessing to my wife, daughter, daughter-in laws, and sisters through your wonderful Bible studies.
Love. That is all. Just love.
Thank you for being obedient to Our Father in all that you do.
Congratulations Beth on 20 yrs of fruitfulness in sharing God’s Word!! I for one will never be the same because of your faithfulness to writing the Bible Studies, especially Breaking Free!! May you & your family celebrate in “Moore” style. I celebrate alongside you as you have touched my heart very deeply! I love you Sister
Thank you, thank you, thank you for being so faithful to the call to minister in this way. I have been a LifeWay employee 28 years & have been in awe to see each new bible study come into the store & then watch them go out the door & have heard so many stories of how they have changed so many women’s lives. When we get to our home in heaven we will see so many people that have been changed from these studies. WOW!!!
Many of these studies have blessed me & made me mature spiritually a little more each time in so many ways.
As a partner with you as I serve at LifeWay thank you for the 20 years. I pray for many more.
God bless you & all those in partnership with you.
I know your celebration with LifeWay will be a blessing. We know who gets all the thanks & glory & who you followed every step of the way. Well done, good & failthful servant. (Matt. 25:21).
Thank you so much for your heart for God and for your obedience to Him. It is a pleasure to have your Bible Studies at my LifeWay Christian Store as a resource to help so many of our customers. When I recommend your studies, I know my customers will leave with a tool to draw them deeper into God’s Word and closer to God in their daily walk with Him. Thank you for all you do.
Thank you so much for your amazing work and love for the Lord and for your support for LifeWay. I work as Store Manager for one of the LifeWay stores and I see how much of an impact your work has had on the lives of our customers. You are an inspiration and God has blessed you. Thank you.
Beth,
Thank you so much for your ministry! As an employee of LifeWay, I have had the privilege to offer tech support for your simulcasts and digital products. I know I am often one of the few men “in the room” for your events, but when God’s message is proclaimed, it has an impact across gender lines! Thank you for walking with the Lord and teaching what He has laid on your heart.
Also, know that it is because of your BreakingFree study that my wife came to know the Lord. Your ministry has set in motion a path for her redemption and has made an everlasting impact on my family.
Words cannot express my sincere thanks for you and for your ministry!