Cheerful Hearts Women’s Ministry to receive blessing from Songwriter’s Night

Published 9:20 am Thursday, October 12, 2023

Cheerful Hearts is hard to describe.

Even those who serve at the Harmony Road non-profit find it hard to describe. One good word of description would be ‘blessing.’

A blessing is what Cheerful Hearts will soon receive as the beneficiary of the latest Songwriter’s Night program taking place Oct. 21 at the Briarpatch Farm off Pea Ridge Road in Putnam County. It’s Rivers and Friends, Rivers Rutherford bringing his Nashville friends for storytelling and music. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the music begins at 7. (more information on tickets available at cheerfulheartsministry.com).

“The mission and vision of Cheerful Hearts came to life in the founder’s living room, which was mine, in 2005 in Augusta,” founding director Hilda Stewart read from the mission statement. “The vision is to create environments for women to encounter Jesus in ways that are not theoretical but meaningful. It’s to know Jesus, not just know about Jesus, making a positive impact on herself and the world and her community.”

Now in Putnam County, people are coming from all over to the second floor at 951 Harmony Road after hearing about Cheerful Hearts word of mouth. They are learning not every community has this type of ministry, not even Cleveland, Ohio.

“We are entirely funded by the generosity of people making contributions,” said Stewart. “That’s the ministry we offer. We have other people who believe in the heart of the mission. Events like the Songwriter’s Night is incredible, huge. Our whole budget for the year is only about $120,000.”

“We offer classes, small group sessions, heart-to-hearts,” said director of operations Cindy Lockhart. “We offer retreats, anything from one day to possibly a weekend.”

“Everything’s small and intimate,” said Stewart. “Twelve or less. We really delve deep into the issues of the heart of women. We all have issues. Other places in life, it’s really hard to find a safe place. We’re the worker bees. This is a place where women can come and be nurtured. They can talk about the really deep concerns of their life.”

That’s all ages also, even teenagers and one of theirs 91-year-old mother. Twelve to 112. All-encompassing.

“What’s really important is that so many things that are done here are customized based upon what are the needs of the woman,” said director of community connections Vanessa Jackson. “People love bringing canned goods, and that’s a good thing. People love to feed children in school, and that’s a great thing. People like to collect coats in the winter, and that’s a wonderful thing. It’s easy to explain.

“What we do is very difficult to explain. A lot of women come to us, and they are broken. The Lord allows us to help them put the pieces of their life back together. Then they can go to the community whole, complete, not lacking. That strengthens the family, the community, the churches. How do you put that in one capsule?”

Stewart said their clients aren’t necessarily “troubled,” “battered,” or “those women” because every woman has disappointments or family struggles. She said some can keep their heads above water but nobody sees what’s underneath. Maybe they are homeless or living in a $3 million homes, it doesn’t matter.

Classes at Cheerful Hearts have themes like “How to hear God’s voice.” Stewart leads a round table setting, and those attending read a book ahead of time and discuss it. There are also video-driven classes like “Resting in Jesus.”

Ministries are often two-on-one based on how Jesus sent disciples out in pairs.

“I believe you had a cry in your heart,” said Stewart. “And God brought you to our door, and He’s going to meet you with that need. It’s very different.”

“When Mike Rainey (owner of Briarpatch Farms) approached us, and Mike and I go way back … it was ‘you are going to be the recipient of the Songwriters event because we believe in the mission and vision of Cheerful Hearts,’” said Jackson. “They leave it up to the discretion of the person God gave the vision to, and that’s Hilda. It’s so impactful for us. It’s going to help us be able to carry on and carry out this vision.”

“There is a larger vision the Lord has given me,” said Stewart. “It’s been on my heart for 18 years. The Lord has just now said put in on paper. It’s a place where women will be able to have some residential care. That’s just in its birthing stages.”

She added a woman could stay there a week or a year for the time needed to transition from heartache and be transformed in their minds. She said it’s desperately needed in this area.

At the Harmony Road location, there are rooms galore in 3,000 square feet, each with a purpose. Stewart said God told her it would fill up when she was concerned about what they would do with it all.

“We have it set up so it’s home,” she said. “There’s nothing institutionalized about it.”

There’s a ‘war room’ a woman can enter at any time, no appointment needed. There’s a library with a host of books anyone can read there or take home whenever. No need to bring them back. Scriptures adorn the walls. There can be baby showers in the living room or seminars or reunions.

“Some of it is so personal, somebody would never share the healing they got here,” said Lockhart. “I personally came as a volunteer, and very quickly it changed to director of operations. I wasn’t looking for a job. I was retired. I love being here. The atmosphere I feel. The team here. It has done wonders for my soul.”

“How do you put that in words?” asked Jackson. “It’s God’s business, so we do need funds. From 12 to 112, we’re there for you. How do we let people know that?”

She believes Songwriter’s Night will help do that, as long as they tell the story God’s way. She said it’s different being a part of Cheerful Hearts and merely working to raise funds because she believes in it so much.

“God didn’t give us small visions,” said Jackson. “It’s huge. As it comes to fruition, that way it’s going to impact this community and beyond and generations, we’ll be thankful we did ask the ‘kings’ to fund it.

“We could be in more homes with more funding.”