Every Tuesday morning, 10 women trickle into the Life Café at Freedom Life Christian Center, an Assemblies of God church in Christiana.

They pour coffee and fill elegant red plates with homemade breakfast goodies. Around café tables, they settle into chairs and chit-chat.

Bacon-and-egg tortillas and hot java are not what they've come to devour, though.

They are hungry for Beth Moore's Bible teaching.

The scene plays out in churches and homes — across the county, nation and denominations — as women gather to watch videos and complete Bible studies written by Moore.

The popular Bible teacher and author will headline the National Day of Prayer events at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at Long's Park

Moore has a reputation for appealing to women with her mix of everyday humor and tell-it-like-it-is style. She has written at least 20 Bible studies and curricula, and books. In 2004, she began a radio ministry, "Living Proof with Beth Moore." She appears Wednesdays on the television show "Life Today" (Locally, CBS network's WHP 21 and CBS/Warner Bros. WLYH 15).

"She's very open about the things she's struggled with through her life and that's good to hear. ...," said Deb DeBerdine, 39, of Millersville. "She just helps you connect with her."

DeBerdine completed Moore's 10-week Bible study, "Living Beyond Yourself: Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit" at Grace United Methodist Church, in Millersville, where she is a member.

The study and its title are based on Galatians 5:22:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."

DeBerdine memorized the verse and tries to apply it to everyday situations, as Moore taught. It's a lesson she particularly works toward applying with her children, DeBerdine said.

"I try not to fly off the handle as quick as I used to. ...," she said.

"I really think a lot of women's lives in Lancaster County have been touched by Beth's studies," said Dona Fisher, coordinator of National Day of Prayer in Lancaster for the past 13 years.

"She penetrates the heart of people by her transparency," Fisher said. "Beth's Christian walk doesn't have walls, it has windows."

More Moore
Moore's studies are so popular at Keystone Evangelical Free Church, Paradise, that Liz Walter, 53, leads two study groups per week in her Gordonville home.

Walter's groups attract women from their 20s to 60s. Combined, more than 30 women faithfully attend the meetings from October through March, Walter said.

She surveys the women when it's time to choose their next study and offers a variety of resources; but, since 2003, "they always choose Beth Moore books," she said.

Moore, who was unavailable for a brief interview for this story, is scheduled to give a half-hour devotional on prayer at the Thursday-night event in Long's Park. Musician Travis Cottrell will lead worship, as he often does at Moore's events.

Children from around the county will lead the gathering in prayer for families, churches, government, education, businesses, military and media.

A youth prayer gathering will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, also at the park.

Last year, about 12,000 people attended the Thursday-night Day of Prayer and at least 2,000 attended the youth event, Fisher said.

Women connect
The women at Freedom Life Christian Center gathered earlier this month to feed on Moore's latest study, "Esther: It's Tough Being a Woman."

Moore tackles meanness and competition in that study. On its accompanying DVD, in a smooth southern drawl, Moore asks a live audience "How many of you have a mean spouse?"

Nods and "Mmm hmm's" come from the crowd.

Then the smartly dressed Moore goes for the jugular.

"How many of you have a spouse that has a mean spouse?" she says, eyebrows raised.

"C'mon, how many of you know what I'm talking about?" Moore says, now including herself with raised hand.

The studio audience chuckles and nods. The café women watching the DVD do likewise.

"She's so refreshingly honest. ...," said Maryanne Fisher, 41, of Caln Township, Chester County, a member of the Christiana group. "She has a way of saying things, in an everyday way, that are powerful."

The group's leader, Donna Underwood, 44, of Salisbury Township, agreed, "[Moore's Bible studies] definitely have a woman's heart in mind."

More information about National Day of Prayer events in Lancaster is available by calling 519-5220 or visiting http://lancasterndp.com.

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Jeannette Scott is a Sunday News staff writer. Contact her at jscott@lnpnews.com or at 291-8689.