CWA National Director visits Branson

On Thursday evening, April 30, members and friends of Concerned Women for America gathered at the Keeter Center on the College of the Ozarks campus for an evening with National CWA Director Penny Nance. 

Coordinated by Missouri CWA Director Haven Howard, members of the local prayer/action chapter, and the C of O chapter of Young Women for America, the evening featured a discussion format between Nance and YWA Chapter President Serenity Porch, followed by Q & A from the audience. Nance was available for book signing and personal greetings during a time of fellowship and dessert social following the meeting. 

Nance shared that her background growing up as a pastor’s daughter in Appalachia might seem an unlikely preparation for her current duties, which frequently involve high-level meetings, dinners with national officials and visits to the Oval Office. However, God knew the preparation she would need, even including a woman from her church mentoring younger women in etiquette, years before she knew she would be attending such events.  

Highlights of the conversation included the importance of wisdom in dating relationships, being strongly pro-life, and staying firmly rooted in Scripture. “Be the person you’d want to date,” Nance advised the college-age women. She also encouraged careful word choice when speaking with people about controversial topics, so that we can also share the gospel with those same people.  

She also shared that she has been motivated by women in the Bible, including Esther, Deborah and Mary, tying that in with the importance of good role models today. “Future generations need to know that women stood in the gap for them,” she stated. 

During the Q and A following the discussion, several questions centered around pro-life issues. Nance spoke to the importance of states getting involved in Pregnancy.gov, a clearinghouse of resources and services available to expectant mothers; as well as the Baby Olivia Act, law requiring high school students to see a video on human fetal development as part of science curriculum. State Representatives Brian Seitz and Cathy Jo Loy, both in attendance at the gathering, expressed their agreement and commitment to pro-life legislation here in Missouri. 

In answer to a question about chemical abortions, Nance said federal legislation is needed to stop the subversion of the medical system and disregard for state statutes with regard to the availability of chemical abortion by mail. Concerns include the trauma experienced by women delivering an aborted baby alone, boyfriends purchasing the drug and using it on unsuspecting girlfriends, and the drug residue entering public water supplies. 

To a question about protecting women’s sports and spaces, she urged contacting members of Congress about legislation at the national level to support state legislation and President Trump’s executive order.

Nance wrapped up her remarks by challenging women to get involved, men to be strong, and the church to rise up. She also encouraged attendees to be readers, using a variety of Christian resources but also staying abreast of how national news media are covering issues. “We live in a broken world, but as the church we need to be knowledgeable so we can step up against oppression,” she said.  

Continuing the CWA legacy of prayer, action and involvement here in SW Missouri, two young women from the C of O YWA chapter, Serenity Porch and Madelyn Sestak, will serve as interns in the national Concerned Women for America offices in Washington, D.C., this summer. 

Learn more about CWA at https://concernedwomen.org, where you can also find resources including Nance’s book, “Feisty and Feminine,” highly recommended by many local chapter members. To get involved a local area prayer/action chapter, visit the Concerned Women for America of Missouri page on Facebook or email director@missouri.cwfa.org.