The History of PWOP
how it all started . . .
In the spring of 2004 Marcella Tarpley picked up a book that her mother,
Maxine Tarpley had given to her as a gift called, A Purpose Driven Life. As
she read the first couple of pages, it urged the reader to read the book
with a friend. This prompted her to call her sister, Melissa Tarpey to ask
her to read the book with her.
Maxine Tarpley had given to her as a gift called, A Purpose Driven Life. As
she read the first couple of pages, it urged the reader to read the book
with a friend. This prompted her to call her sister, Melissa Tarpey to ask
her to read the book with her.
| Maxine Tarpley |
| It all stared with a mother planting a seed . . . |
| . . . and the seed began to grow! |
| The seed sent out it's roots into the ground . . . |
| . . . and the plant of fellowship began to grow. |
With her sister on board, Marcella decided to extend the opportunity to
two other friends of hers, Felicia Coe and Nikki Greene. She pitched the
idea that they could read the book and discuss the book at a different
restaurant every month.
two other friends of hers, Felicia Coe and Nikki Greene. She pitched the
idea that they could read the book and discuss the book at a different
restaurant every month.
After finishing A Purpose Driven Life, Marcella, Felicia and Nikki realized
the benefit of getting together, reading and uplifting one another. They
began inviting friends and ladies from work to take part in their second
book, Battlefield of the Mind. They decided to name their group, A
Women's Fellowship Book Club and the group grew from four to eight.
the benefit of getting together, reading and uplifting one another. They
began inviting friends and ladies from work to take part in their second
book, Battlefield of the Mind. They decided to name their group, A
Women's Fellowship Book Club and the group grew from four to eight.
After reading the second book, Battlefield of the Mind, the group had
expanded to over 12 ladies attending on a regular basis. The mission was
developed by the facilitator, Marcella Tarpley. As the group began to plan
for the first gala, it was a consensus to rename the group, Powerful
Women of Praise to reflect the pride and vision of the group. A website
was set up and the small little dinner book club had grown into a women's
group and spiritual support system.
expanded to over 12 ladies attending on a regular basis. The mission was
developed by the facilitator, Marcella Tarpley. As the group began to plan
for the first gala, it was a consensus to rename the group, Powerful
Women of Praise to reflect the pride and vision of the group. A website
was set up and the small little dinner book club had grown into a women's
group and spiritual support system.
| That little plant emerged into a tree . . . |
As the ladies continued to meet and read, they began to include outreach
efforts as part of their activities. The group began a food basket program
and collecting love gifts for women that were in transitional stages of their
lives. After the second gala, the women agreed to take the book club to
the next level and shift to becoming a nonprofit organization.
efforts as part of their activities. The group began a food basket program
and collecting love gifts for women that were in transitional stages of their
lives. After the second gala, the women agreed to take the book club to
the next level and shift to becoming a nonprofit organization.
| . . . and the tree became apart of Mother Nature's forest. |
Now PWOP is an organized religious organization serving the needs of
women in the Inland Empire in southern California. PWOP strives to
provide spiritual and economic outreach to women, families, and children
by means of scholarships, food drives, and spiritual enrichment activities.
PWOP currently is in the planning stages of expanding its book club to
include a teen division and establishing chapters across the United
States.
women in the Inland Empire in southern California. PWOP strives to
provide spiritual and economic outreach to women, families, and children
by means of scholarships, food drives, and spiritual enrichment activities.
PWOP currently is in the planning stages of expanding its book club to
include a teen division and establishing chapters across the United
States.
| At the base of the tree . . . flowers began to bloom! |
| As you can see . . . there is power in the planting of one seed. Don't be afraid to plant a seed...it might be something that it will leave a legacy to last from generation to generation. |
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