Connecting business and professional men and women to life-changing faith in Jesus.

104 Berrington CourtRichmond, VA 23221

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Accepting the Invitation Making an Impact Running Strong: Facing GriefUpcoming EventsSmall Groups and StudiesFor more news, visit our blog: www.needleseyeministries.wordpress.com

May 2012

NEEDLE’S EYE NEWS ACCEPTING THE INVITATION: CHANGING A LIFECan you remember a moment when a decision you made changed the trajectory of your life? Howe Rice, a Chick-fil-A owner/operator, remembers that moment like it was yesterday. Ten years ago, Howe simply accepted the invitation from a friend to attend an event hosted by Needle’s Eye featuring renowned author Ken Blanchard. He recalls it was that one small decision that significantly changed his life. “When you look at what happened from that event – it’s unbelievable,” he said. “A major part of my spiritual growth and development as a leader began at the Ken Blanchard event.” Having been in business for only a few years at that point, he desired a place to connect with Christian business leaders and found that in Needle’s Eye.Over the years, Howe remembers joining a Christian Presidents Group, where he could share what was going on in his business and seek counsel from others who wanted to make Christ-centered decisions. “It’s powerful to know that I’m not alone. There are other men and women who want to bring glory to God in the workplace.”Howe continues, “I ask myself, can I offer the same sort of experience to someone else that I’ve had with Needle’s Eye? That’s why it was an easy decision to sponsor a table at this year’s breakfast; I want to have a table to invite people and to let them know that I wholeheartedly support what Needle’s Eye does. I believe in it that much.”

35th ANNIVERSARY KEN BLANCHARD

LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST SPONSORS LEADERSHIP TEAM

Harold Babb

Barrett Capital Management, LLC Tom and Nancy ChewningRichard and Aggie Cullen

Estes Express LinesBob and Susan Fitch

Ruble Hord and Fenton Hord Blair and Randee Massey

David and Brenda MathewsTommy and Teri Pruitt

Rocketts LandingSands Anderson PCHowe and Jen Rice

Steve and Kathy RogersDr. Jim SchroederCatherine Stemple

SweetFrogLitt and Kath Thompson

Craig and Annhorner TruittTaylor and Stephanie Waller Ukrop’s Homestyle Foods

John and Margaret Whitlock *List as of May 3, 2012

For more information on the 35th Anniversary Ken Blanchard Leadership Breakfast, check out the Calendar section on Page 2! For information on partnering with the Sponsors Leadership Team, contact Event Co-Chair, Annhorner Truitt, at 804.402.8278 or annhornertruitt@gmail.com.

To learn about other small group opportunities, visit www.needleseye.org or contact Lisa Rattner at lrattner@needleseye.org or 804.358.1283.

SMALL GROUP CONNECTION

RUNNING STRONG: FACING GRIEF THROUGH COMMUNITY Juliana “Julie” Comer moved to Richmond after graduating from James Madison University and landing her first “real” job in the River City. Despite living in Richmond for over a year, she was unable to find a community of young professional Christians. Trusting the advice of a friend who participated in the Young Professionals Group, she eagerly signed up in Spring 2011. “I had absolutely no idea that my world would be rocked from that one decision,” said Julie.

Having lost her dad to cancer several months earlier, Julie admitted that she harbored feelings of overwhelming grief that she never dealt with on her own. After using exercise as an escape mechanism - and suffering from multiple running injuries - Julie’s YPG group helped her realize that she needed to stop running (literally and figuratively!) from her grief and tackle it head on instead.

As the group progressed, Julie was blown away by the amazing growth that she and her new-found friends were experiencing together and the transparency of sharing their life stories and struggles with each other. “I felt spiritually rejuvenated and thrilled to have a solid group of Christian friends who hold each other accountable in our walks of faith,” she said. “Needle’s Eye continues to provide that precious community for me, and I am so grateful for the relationships I have found in the Young Professionals Group.” Julie has since become a leader in the Thursday night YPG LIFE Group.

MAKING AN IMPACT THROUGH PARTNERSHIPPartnership with Needle’s Eye happens in many ways – leading a small group, attending and bringing guests to a Speaker Series luncheon, participating in a Bible study at the office…the opportunities abound. In addition, Needle’s Eye is blessed with another type of partner – those who fund this ministry, thus enabling lives to be transformed through new and deepened faith impacting them personally and professionally.One of Needle’s Eye’s most faithful, long-term funding partners is Nelson Parker, whose giving pre-dates our current records system. It began many years ago when he attended several Speaker Series luncheons with his cousin. However, it has been through observation that Nelson’s partnership with this ministry has been fueled – appreciating the impact on those he knows who are involved in Christian Presidents Groups (CPGs), admiring the targeted focus of Spiritual ShotsTM (“a gutsy move to go share a beer and share Christ”), watching the Career Transition Group evolve as a “great resource and ministry” to those in employment transition, and holding in high esteem the many he knows personally who have served on the various boards of Needle’s Eye.“I can’t recreate the wheel, but I can support things I admire and partner with people doing good things,” said Nelson. If you would like to partner with Needle’s Eye to support the “good things” that God is doing here, please consider a contribution to enable these opportunities to continue for others. As we conclude our f iscal year on June 30, and look forward to the “Next 35 Years” of ministry, we sincerely ask for your prayerful and generous support. Make your gift now by visiting www.needleseye.org/support-nem/

Interested in attending any of the events listed above? Register online at Needle’s Eye! Visit us online at www.needleseye.org or use your smart phone to scan the QR code below.

RESERVATIONS

CAREER TRANSITION GROUPA place to find hope, encouragement, networking, and support for the unemployed and underemployed.When: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 2:00-3:30 PM & Wednesdays, 7:00-8:30 AMWhere: Needle’s Eye Office (104 Berrington Ct.)More Info: www.nemctg.wordpress.com

CHRISTIAN PRESIDENTS GROUPComposed of Richmond CEOs, presidents and business owners, nine Christian Presidents Groups (CPGs) meet once a month to serve as a sounding board for each other as they grow in their faith and direct their businesses.When: Various dates and timesWhere: Locations throughout RichmondContact: Buddy Childress at bchildress@needleseye.org

THURSDAY NIGHT WOMEN’S STUDYJoin us for this exciting seven-week study by Kelly Minter: Nehemiah: a heart that can break. Nehemiah’s heart was so broken for those in need that he left the comfort of his Persian palace to help them. Are you ready to let God break your heart for a hurting, lost world and move you in compassion to be the hands and feet of Jesus?

When: Thursdays, June 14-July 26, 5:45-7:45 PM Where: Needle’s Eye Office (104 Berrington Ct.) Cost: $16; bring cash or check to first sessionRSVP: By June 7 at jparham@needleseye.org

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS LIFE GROUPIt’s time to do LIFE together. Get connected with other Christian young adults through this life-giving bible study, complete with prayer, eating and socializing! When: Thursdays, 7:00-9:30 PM Where: Far West EndContact: Lisa Rattner at lrattner@needleseye.org

“I had absolutely no idea that my wor ld would be rocked from that one decision.”

“I can’t recreate the wheel, but I can

support things I admire and partner with people doing

good things.”

KEN BLANCHARD LEADERSHIP BREAKFASTWhen: Tuesday, June 12 7:30 AM-9:00 AMRegistration: Begins at 7:00 AMWhere: The Jefferson Hotel Cost: $95 per person (Limited availability)

LEAD LIKE JESUS SEMINARSWhen: Wednesday, June 13 8:30 AM-4:30 PM Where: Third Presbyterian ChurchCost: $48

When: Saturday, June 23 8:30 AM-4:30 PMWhere: Third Presbyterian Church Cost: $48

NEEDLE’S EYE WOMEN’S RETREAT - Save the Date!When: October 5-7Speaker: Caren Fields

CALENDAR