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Leader's Spotlight

Stella Satterfield: To God Be the Glory

By Alison R. Young with assistance from Arlene Allen

To God be the glory
Great things he hath done.
So loved he the world
That he gave us his son.

Within the first minutes of my telephone conversation with Stella Satterfield, my heart was filled with an interesting mix of joy and sorrow for the people she travels the globe to reach.

A seasoned leader, Stella has only been actively involved in missions for nearly five years. She spent her career working as a Women’s Ministries District Director, church planter and intercessor for the children in her community. Now age 84, she sees how each of these experiences were stepping stones equipping her for the journey God planned for her.

For Stella’s eightieth birthday her son-in-law secured her a trip to El Salvador. On that trip, Stella’s life was changed. She saw a people in need and how she could assist in meeting their needs. Since that time four years ago, Stella and her daughter, Anita Bates, co-founded Threads of Love. This unique organization allows women to use their sewing talents “to minister at home and around the world physically, spiritually and emotionally to those in need,” according to Anita.

At 84 years old, Stella travels around the world teaching women to sew clothing for the people in their communities as well as necessary items such as draperies. As we spoke, Stella shared accounts of the trip from which she had just returned in Bogota, Columbia. “The people are so hungry for God. When we visited the churches they were full—standing room only. It is so moving to realize that the Lord is so good.”

The people of the countries Stella visits are hungry for the skills she is there to teach. The women are taught to sew on the latest machine models. Threads of Love is able to provide machines to each area they visit with machines and materials donated from private and corporate donors. Each time Stella ministers to a new group of women she leaves the machines, sergers and other materials with them. Every woman who participates in the sewing workshops is given a personal sewing kit. They treasure and protect these precious items.

Stella also comes prepared to reach the children. Equipped with balloons, coloring books, crayons and stories she shares through an interpreter, she delights as the children receive these gifts. In the midst of Stella’s joy, her heart aches as they visit clinics set up by area missionaries. On this last visit to Bogota the amount of lice in the children’s hair was prominent. Children were covered with sores from sleeping on floors and bug-infested mats. “Although you are warned against it, you can’t help but embrace the children. They are all reaching out for some love.”

The many developments Stella has seen over the past four years encourage her to continue in her missions work. She was encouraged to see a 3-story building completed to house 300 homeless children. A Bible college and kitchen to feed the children are also both now firmly in place. As Stella continues serving these communities, she thrives on the successful completion of projects like these. “I keep thinking, ‘I’m almost 85; I can’t do this again.’ But that doesn’t last long before I start sewing again. This morning I saw beautiful material had been donated and three baby quilts made to send to El Salvador.”

As she diligently works to contribute as a minister and teacher to every area she ventures, she is humbled by the presence of the Lord in these places. “I returned from Bogota yesterday. This morning I awoke singing ‘To God be the glory.’ I can teach them to sew but God will save them. I want to make sure that people know what the Lord is all about. I point to their hearts and say, ‘Does Jesus live in your heart?’ That translates in any language.”

ALISON YOUNG is editorial assistant to the Leadership Development Coordinator for the national Women’s Ministries Department. Alison has a bachelor’s degree in Communications Studies from Evangel University, in Springfield, MO. When not reading, writing, or volunteering at the local Christian community theatre, you will find Alison cheering on her favorite teams, “I watch sports like a boy.“

ARLENE ALLEN is national director of the national Women's Department and editor in chief of WTOnline.

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