by Mari Radtke
Lucille F. Sollenberger lived her early life in Fairbury, NE. She was the first child of five of Arlen R and Millicent M. Sollenberger. Millicent passed away when Lucille was just 14. Soon after Millicent’s passing, a tornado took the farm and all of its assets, leaving only the house and its six residents.
Lucille was encouraged by her mother to read the bible daily. She did. Morning and night. Lucille read the full Bible once each year. After the tornado, Lucille realized that her dream of becoming a teacher as so many of her relatives would have to wait. She quit school for four years, until her youngest sibling started school. During that time she helped her father with the house and children. In time, her siblings made a life for themselves. She continued her studies through every way available to her: correspondence, Extension, weekends, however she could. Eventually, she was able to teach. Her father suffered a farm accident, leaving him in a wheelchair for the last 4 years of his life. After his passing, Lucille realized she no one needed her. That left an emptiness in her. All through it she continued to teach and to get educated, advancing her skills, and her responsibilities to education, teaching and administration, eventually in California.
As she filled her time with education, she continued to pray for meaning in her life. Her heart’s desire was to “tell others about Him.” A profession organization had reached out to her for a long time before she finally attended. Christian Business & Professional Women’s Council provided Christian leadership for churchless communities throughout North American. She became deeply devoted to Village Missionary work, serving on the Executive Committee before long.
Lucille’s journey connected her with Mrs. Helen Baugh, founder of Stonecroft Ministries. Stonecroft Ministries is a non-denominational, non profit organization “whose goal is to equip and encourage women to impact their communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” Through this connection, Lucille worked to build Councils and Clubs to bring women closer to Jesus. She developed Bible Study. Lucille’s philosophy was, “It is against the law to have children and not feed them. It is against God’s law to have spiritual children and not feed them. We need Bible Study.”
From there Lucille was asked to write Bible Studies by Mrs. Baugh. Through prayers, she provided guidelines to use for the Bible Studies. These became Friendship Bible Coffee programs. In August 1968 at Toronto, International Conference the first study was presented. In September 1968. 25 Coordinators were trained at Stonecroft’s Headquarters in Kansas City.
Friendship Bible Study found its way to Paullina, Iowa and held its first meeting in January 1975. Jan Ver Ploeg was the first Guide. She led three groups to learn the Book of Mark and covered 14 weeks! Good News bibles were free and the study guides were $1.00. Jody’s story is that she, too, found that after the children were raised she needed another kind of fulfillment. She prayed for purpose and relief from “empty nest syndrome: when she found Friendship Bible Coffees and brought it to Paullina.
Three words cover the mission: discover, understand and apply. The coffees are designed to change lives. A very strict rule is to start on time and to end on time, then leave. Each Coffee is an hour and a half. Coffees can be geared toward women, men or couples. Currently in Paullina, most are from 9:30 – 11:00am. Some are from 1:00 – 2:30pm and business people meet from 6:00 – 7:30am. 2:30 – 4:00pm on Sunday or from y7:30 – 9:00pm. The coffees avoid controversial subjects and “lets the bible speak for itself.” Attendees sharing very personal information can trust that it remains confidential.
Jean Gnade began participating as a young mother. Her sister in law, Carol Platt, directed her to the coffees and even volunteered to babysit while Jean attended. Other young mothers who particpated as they could are Esther Koehlmoos, Janet Lundquist, Nelda Werkmeister and Carol Platt. Each have been involved for more than 20 years with Jean now serving as Coordinator. She finds the Guides, gets them trained and watches as Jesus’ word is given for the purpose of changing lives.
Messages from Paullina area attendees:
Dee Saunders – It lit up the whole town and changed many many lives. Everyone was nervous, one lady even said,’my knees are shaking under the table!” Referring to the meeting leaders Dee said, “You are a guide, not a teacher. You helped and encouraged women to be a guide. “The Lord will speak to you if you get out of the way.”

Jan Ver Ploeg, 73 – with Eric, 74 – started this mission in January 1975. She prayed for meaning, how to make a difference telling Shon they have a plenty of stuff and a file of Bible study stuff.

Elaine Visscher – to Jody: Scary. She had such a calling for this best thing – “get out (about the coffees) get to know the Lord and your community” It keeps you in the Word. It keeps you accountable. She said she was scared to death. She didn’t know the answers. Thanks to Jody and thanks to Jean, she did fine.

Karen Louscher – I don’t know as much as others. Totally comfortable and enjoyed every minute (of being a guide. We never get into Church doctrine.

A formal celebration of the 50 Years is scheduled for Thursday May 22 at 10:00am. The former Siloam Lutheran Church is the location. Please attend the celebration and find or enhance a purpose in your life.