TAHLEQUAH — When Zana Smith decided to introduce a women’s ministry in Tahlequah, her goal was to unite women from all churches in the area.

With that goal in mind, Smith has introduced programs to help women “from high school to heaven” through her “As One” women’s ministry.

“We want to let hurting women know they don’t have to be at the mercy of the world. There is an answer to get through any problem they face through Jesus Christ,” Smith said. “Women don’t have to suffer all their lives.”

Smith believes God has a specific plan for every human being.

“Find out what that plan is, and you’ll live an abundant life, regardless of the world,” Smith said.

She retired as a supervisor of contract negotiations for Lockheed in California, and moved to this area in 1991.

In California, she sang with The Gospel Truth Singers for 17 years, taught Bible class in her home, directed choirs in five different churches, and served as treasurer in several churches.

One morning, she was reading John 17:21, in which Jesus said, “I pray that they would become one as you and I have become one,” and it hit her like a ton of bricks that she could be part of the answer to that prayer.

“As One” Women’s Ministry of Tahlequah has grown from that epiphany.

Smith said she knew, to be taken seriously, it should be a legitimate organization, and the first step required recruiting a board of directors.

“God sent the perfect board members,” said Smith. “Each of the girls had an area of expertise the board needed that I didn’t know it needed.”

In 2005, the group incorporated, and by 2006, it had tax-exempt status.

Seven women serve on the board, representing six churches. Everyone at “As One” is a volunteer, including Smith. She also designs the graphics for the ministry brochures.

Two of Smith’s programs, “Christian Women United,” and “A Touch of Grace,” offer area women an opportunity to help one another in unique ways.

“Christian Women United” is open to all women, and since its inception more than three years ago, the meeting has attracted women from approximately 40 churches, including several from Locust Grove and other areas. Smith coordinates this aspect of the ministry and schedules speakers and music for the monthly luncheon.

“A Touch of Grace” offers cancer support by partnering a “cancer victor” volunteer with someone currently going through treatment.

Carolyn Evans coordinates this ministry, along with Susan Walker and Jeanie Fisher.

“A cancer victor is not a counselor, but someone who’s been there and done that, who can say, ‘I know how you feel and you’ll get through this,’” Smith said.

Women with cancer need all the help they can get, Smith said.

“We’re looking to be helpful to these women,” she said. “Sadly, there are women with no family and no church to give support. They can call our volunteers to cry if they need to, or scream.  It gives them hope because the volunteer has not only been there, but conquered it.”

During Christmas season, CWU members collect gifts for Help-In-Crisis, and ”As One” Women’s Ministry of Tahlequah puts up an angel tree for senior citizens at Grace Living Center. Smith also opens her home for the Victorian Christmas open house fundraiser.

“We want to be sure everybody gets a gift,” Smith said. “Other groups focus on children, but there are older people who don’t have family left. Some people with family also don’t get gifts or even clothing.”

Two Bible classes are taught weekly: Zola Butler teaches at the Cherokee Elder Care Center, and Zana Smith offers “Morning Break” in the Hospitality Room at Davis Retirement Apartments. Smith has been a Bible teacher for 35 years.

A finance class led by Pat Northum, “Crown Financial Management,” teaches people how to manage their finances God’s way in seven weeks, led by Pat Northum. “Weight Loss The Jabez Way” is a seven-week class taught by Ellen Haney, expert in nutrition and former owner of Oasis Health Food Store. “Our American Heritage” helps people understand why history matters, explains the faith of the founding fathers, the Constitution and Bill of Rights and more. This eight-week course is taught by Anna Belle Isaacs and historian David Barton on DVD.

“Through knowledge of the word of God, you’ll have mental, spiritual and physical well-being, People perish for lack of knowledge,” Smith said. “All these classes are designed to give women hope, regardless of where they sit at the moment.”

“FaithFactorOne” is an e-mail prayer network organized by Butler and accessed at faithfactorone@earthlink.net. An annual retreat in the fall, coordinated by Brenda Nash at Western Hills Lodge, rounds out the current opportunities to grow through “As One.”

Women from all churches are invited to attend the overnight retreat, Smith said.

“Volunteers get a lot of work done; at least 95 percent of all the work for the cause of Christ is done by volunteers,” Smith said. “We couldn’t afford to pay all the volunteer hours.”

A good volunteer has willingness and faithfulness, she said.  “I can take someone who doesn’t know anything, but if she’s faithful and willing, I can teach her to do anything,” Smith said.

Inspiration came from her mother, who taught Bible study for 50 years.

“God has blessed me super-abundantly above all I could ask or think,” she said. “He wants us to be healthy, a temple of God. He wants us to live and walk in the abundant life he has for us, and I volunteer full-time to that end.”