On April 26, Ardis Stenbakken and Lynnetta Hamstra spent an hour with Jan Paulsen, President of the General Conference. Phil Follett, the vice president to whom Women's Ministries reports was also present. Paulsen reiterated his stand that women's position in the church is not something he gives, but something that God gives (see next story). He stated that he has supported women's full involvement in the church for many years and believes that they have an important part in the outreach of the church.

Jan & Kari Paulsen.  He was elected General Conference President in March of this year.

Stenbakken and Hamstra shared with Paulsen some of the statistics regarding Women's Ministries in 1998, some of the resources developed in the last year or two, and some of the current programs. "I think he was impressed at the number of women who have received scholarships," Hamstra observed. "He really seemed supportive. He was very happy to hear about the more than seventy-seven thousand baptisms."

The directors also shared with him their concern regarding the need for Women's Ministries to be part of the Church Manual; he assured them that he could see no obstacle to its being included. They also shared with him the difficulty many Women's Ministries leaders face in being fully included in committees at the conference and union levels because so many are volunteers or part time. He made suggestions as to how we may be able to address some of these issues. 

"I felt good about our meeting."  Stenbakken says.  "He listened and he asked good questions.  I really felt his support."

Paulsen Sends Encouragement to Church Women

I am happy to take this opportunity to address women. You make up a very important as well as large part of this church. The church needs your creative ideas, your energy, your perspective, and your participation.

Your place in the church is not something I can give you. God has already given it to you.  Now we have to give you the opportunities to function for Him and exercise your gifts.  The theme for the world church this year is "Experiencing the Fellowship of the Family." Women need to experience that they are fully participating members of this family, in its structure as well as its outreach.

When I met with the directors of the Department of Women's Ministries, I was happy to hear that women want to be part of evangelizing the 10-40 window. This is a vast territory stretching from North Africa through the Middle East to East Asia. Much of this is Muslim territory and women can be an important part of reaching this population. I have been closely involved with Global Missions and know that women can play a pioneering part in opening new work as well as evangelism.

I would like to encourage women as well as men to develop a close, personal relationship with Christ. This is best done through a study of the Scriptures (the church needs the perspective of women on what the Word means to them) and a life of prayer and service. 

Women's Ministries can be an important part of maintaining unity in the church. As you network and exchange programs and ideas from a woman's point of view, you can be a strengthening force. I value this and look forward to working with you in the months ahead. You are the church. I look forward to meeting you. The Lord is coming soon. Be strong for Him.

- Jan Paulsen, President -
Seventh-day Adventist Church

Luz Saldana, Texas Teenager, Exemplifies Women's Ministries

You can't begin serving the Lord too early and Luz Saldana could teach many adults a great deal about witnessing and evangelism.

Saldana, age 14, a member of the Grand Prairie, Texas, Spanish church attended a lay evangelism seminar with her parents. She decided to use what she learned. She wanted to hold some meetings herself, and she did. She held her meetings in the near-by town of Lancaster where a new Spanish church was just started. She recruited another young person to help her; he too was an unlikely candidate as he had dropped out of church. But he was baptized the night the meetings began. A third young man also helped, and as a result of Saldana's meetings, three were baptized.

Best of all, Saldana is planning another series of meetings. God bless you, Luz, and all young women like you!

23 Ways to Help Someone Who is Bedridden /Handicapped

1. Going shopping? Call and say, "What do you need?"
2. Phone to say Hello but make your calls short.
3. Take them to church.
4. Be a resource person pick up books, stamps, etc.
5. Check out library books on audio cassette.
6. Take over a meal.
7. Eat with the person, if he or she wants that.
8. Send cards and notes.
9. Show them photos of special events (i.e., weddings).
10. Give them concert/performance soundtracks or videos.
11. Bring magazines and music.
12. Take the person for rides to scenic places.
13. Let them feel free to talk or not talk about their illness; don't probe.
14. Take a plate of homemade cookies.
15. Round up a bunch of birthday or have-a-good-day notes from your church group or office or neighborhood.
16. Take the notes with balloons!
17. Take a bouquet of flowers or have them delivered, if you know someone is there to answer the door.
18. Is the patient in a wheelchair? Wheel him or her around the block or park. You feed the ducks.
19. Take them on a drive for an ice cream cone.
20. Call and say, "I'm coming to clean your bathroom!"
21. Pay for a cleaning person or gardener twice a month.
22. Read to them.
23. Remember the patient's kids! Teach them a fun activity (i.e., make a gingerbread house at Christmas), or take them with you on outings.

Resource: Signs of the Times magazine, adapted.

"Women for Christ, Lift Him Up"

Priscille Metonou, the Women's Ministries Director of the Africa-Indian Ocean Division recently sent an exciting report of events in her territory. The theme for the division is "Women for Christ, lift Him up!" Here are some of the highlights:
During 1998, she reports that there were 4,900 retreats.
There is war in Burundi, but WM continues to go forward. The husband of a Women's Ministries director, Speciose, was kidnaped while the women were on retreat.  The women had special prayer using material in Prayer and Love Saves. After one week the husband returned, unharmed.
All 55 missions and conferences in AID have a Women's Ministries director and 90% of the churches have an elected leader. There are about 10,000 churches in AID.
The women report 2000 prison visits, 9000 hospital visits, and visits to orphanages and to old people in their homes. In Cape Verde the women have formed six teams of three women each to visit old people three times a week, cleaning, cooking, shopping and helping them bathe.
AID/WM reports 266 self-help projects that include making garlands, sewing classes, hair plaiting, making tie and dye, batik, soap, palm oil, baskets and clothes.  They are also beginning food processing, making soya bean powder, farming, and baking.
Ellen Mayr reports that of the 66 young people in Mali who have learned to read and write in WM projects, eight have been baptized. There are literacy programs in the Sahel, Nigerian, Indian Ocean and West African Unions.
In 1998 ten women received Women's Ministries scholarships.

Seven Steps to a Successful Ministry
by Julio Ochoa

Do you have a dream of starting up a ministry? If so, here are some preliminary steps to guide you.

1. Love it. First of all be sure the ministry is something that you have a passion and love for. It will require lots of time and effort so you must enjoy it.

2. Trust. Don't worry about not having funds to support your ministry. Remember, God is the owner of all the riches in this world.

3. Pray. If it's God's will for your ministry to succeed, He will meet all your needs.

4. Be patient. Let God do the leading. You're only an instrument in His hands.

5. Share. Tell others (local church, friends, non-SDA friends) what you're doing in your ministry and how the Lord has blessed you through it.

6. Involve others. Invite those of different ages, professions, and genders to become involved in your ministry. I have found that when involving others, such as pastors, doctors, teachers, you always learn how to better administrate and lead your ministry.

7. Fast. I used to fast once a week and spend an hour a day meditating on how Jesus ministered to others through reading The Desire of Ages. You may want to start with once or twice a month.

8. Talk to Jesus as to a friend at all times. This is different from regular prayer time.

9. Cooperate with the Holy Spirit. Your ministry, when meeting others' needs, (especially those who are not in the Adventist church) will have success only as you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.

10. Give thanks. Thank the Lord for the privilege of working with Him to bless others.

From HandSpeak, YouthNet's official volunteer service newspaper. Winter/Spring 1999. Used by permission