Women's Ministries directors have now been selected in all four unions and in many of the conferences/sections and regions of the Southern Asia Division. Twenty of these women met for eight days in March at the division headquarters in Hosur for training and to plan programs to help the women of the great Indian continent.

Because of the special executive committee meetings at the General Conference, the time of the meetings had to be changed and two women who had planned to attend were unable to do so.

Women's Ministries was organized in SUD in 1993 with Pastor and Mrs. Injeti James in leadership. Their emphasis was primarily on training pastors' wives in personal evangelism and in coordinating the scholarship program. In 1996, Frances Campbell became director. She continued the scholarship program and organized the first retreats in the division. Hepzibah Kore, WM division director since last year, was previously director for the South Indian Union. Many churches participated in the centennial celebrations and the International Women's Day of Prayer last year throughout India.

During the Advisory, the women spent time developing a vision for Women's Ministries to meet the needs of their territories. They met in small groups to write action plans and proposals, and attended a variety of seminars. These included training in mentoring, literacy, health issues, small group and support ministries, writing, budgeting, communications, chairing and serving on committees, and implementing the Women's Ministries mission statement.

On Friday evening the women planned a special program of Indian music. Sabbath morning, Ardis Stenbakken spoke for the worship service which was held in a large tent set up on the division grounds. Sabbath afternoon the local church women led in a program of prayer, depicting prayers in the various religions of India.

The women also reported on activities already started in their sections/ regions, conferences and unions.

- In Bidar, they report that 70% of the church is women. They began a project of collecting RS 1.00 (about US $.02) from each woman. With this they bought large cooking vessels which they rent out for village functions and programs. From this they have raised about US $270 to help with special church projects.

- In a number of areas, WM is involved in sewing and Literacy projects. Visitation is also an important aspect in almost every place these projects have been established.

- In one area, WM is teaching the women about tithing and in another the women passed a resolution to have fasting and prayer once a month. They are also promoting small group Bible studies and prayer meetings, and community service.

- In some areas the women are working with Gypsy and tribal women and in others they are conducting seminars, literacy programs and public evangelism, although one program had to be stopped because of political unrest.

Women Give Reports on 1999 International Women's Day of Prayer

News and reports are coming in from around the world about the International Women's Day of Prayer programs held recently. Although we do not always know just which church (or even country!) some of the reports come from, they are all encouraging.

From a Spanish speaking country:  "We had 24 hours of fasting and prayer the entire church participated with testimonies!"

From NAD:  "We coordinated the local area "World Day of Prayer" in conjunction with the Anglican, United and Catholic churches; the program was in our own church building."

From a church bulletin: "The women of Mid-cities are joining together in unity for prayer and thanksgiving from 9:00 to 9:30 am in the pastor's study. Are you or someone you know experiencing a difficulty or need a personal victory? Come and let us pray together and encircle each other in the arms of compassionate love. As we pray together we will be strengthened. Forms for your personal requests will be passed out by Women's Ministries representatives today.  Please place them in the prayer request box." (About 30 prayer requests and praises were received.)

"We used the Testimony Moment and it turned out beautifully...instead of having a large group prayer, I assigned 6 women to be "Prayer Warriors" and had them positioned at different places throughout the sanctuary. Then, they were asked to stand and the congregation migrated to the nearest Prayer Warrior for small group prayers. Many people told me later what a blessing that was to them."

From Sri Lanka: Even though Women's Ministries is just getting organized and started, Yvonne Wambeek, the director, was able to lead out in a full Women's Day of Prayer program. Two weeks before the Day of Prayer she wrote an article in the newspapers about the value of prayer and asked for prayer requests. She received a few requests by mail. At Lakpahana College they had a Friday evening of singing and testimonies. Women led out in Sabbath school and Yvonne preached for church; in the afternoon a woman doctor spoke to the women on health and Yvonne talked on women's roles, ending the day with a special prayer session for the prayer requests collected. Many other churches in Sri Lanka also celebrated this special day with women led programs.

From IAD: "Our prayer and fast time began at 1:00 p.m. We focused on the working mother. We also focused on Family Violence.... We used a dramatic workshop which got every member involved in discussions and problem-solving. The exercise proved challenging and amazing...a lot was learned from this project."

From NAD: "I told what an "International Women's Day of Prayer" is and the purpose.... Seeing we have a small membership, I used all the ladies and girls. I divided the topic 'The Value of Prayer' to seven ladies who, after giving their readings, prayed for women in various capacities; two teen girls told a story of answered prayer; one teen girl gave 'Thoughts on Prayer'; two ladies gave solos; another lady and four girls read verses about prayer. We concluded the day with a fellowship luncheon."

Heart Call Ministry:

Good News! "It Is Working Already!"

Heart Call, a program of reclamation sponsored by the North American Division Women's Ministries using Women of Spirit, works!

Ginger Church, Women's Outreach Director at the Review and Herald, sends us the following story:

A woman who loves Women of Spirit agreed to be the local church representative for the magazine. She went through her church directory and made a list of 57 women who were on the church books but no longer attended church. She then made an appeal to the church members to sponsor the magazine to each of these women, to pray every day for the one they sponsored, and to become a secret pal to that person. The response was wonderful!

Even while still in the process of coordinating the secret pals and sponsoring the project, this woman says, "Last Sabbath when I stood up front as Sabbath School superintendent, I looked across the congregation and saw two of the families from our prayer list who have not attended church for 3 - 4 years sitting in the back row! I thought, 'Wow, it is working already!'"

This woman has since become the Women's Ministries leader. She is excited! God uses women like her, and programs like Heart Call to reach out to others. Many are waiting to be invited back to church! If you need more information about Heart Call in NAD, contact your conference Women's Ministries director. This program can also be adapted and used in any church, anywhere.

1998 Statistics

Each year the Department of Women's Ministries provides statistics on what is happening in our particular area.

Using specified forms, information is gathered from union, conference and mission WM leaders.  This information is sent to our WM division and attached union director who review and compile it and forward it to us in GCWM. We use this information to complete our statistics. Other departments at the GC also provide information for the GC statistical reports.

Below are WM statistics for last year (minus statistics not yet received from the Trans-European Division):

We want to commend each and every woman who has given time and energy in ministry to and for women and for your continued commitment to Women's Ministries and for reporting so all may be blessed. Thank you!

New Books

from Review and Herald of Special Interest for Women's Ministries!!

Easy Programs for Women's Ministries Events. Dorothy Eaton Watts, ISBN 0-8280-1414-0, US$9.99. Loose-Leaf. A program planner with 14 ready-to-use programs to use for retreats, Sabbath school programs, congresses, Women's Ministries Day, and more.

I Can't Find a Heartbeat -Hope and Help for Those Who Have Lost an Unborn Child.   Melissa Sexson Hanson, ISBN 0-8280-1347-0, US$9.99.  Paperback. Ideal for sharing with someone who has faced this personal tragedy.

Understand Intimate Violence: How to Help a Victim; Recovery Programs that Work; and Where to Go for Help.  Barbara Couden, Editor; ISBN 0-8280-1418-3, US$11.99. Paperback.  Hope, help, and healing for domestic violence.

Walking with Ellen White. George R. Knight, ISBN 0-8280-1429-9, US$12.99. Paperback. (A companion book to Meeting Ellen White, Reading Ellen White, and Ellen White's World.)  A glimpse at the personal joys and struggles of Ellen White as a Christian, wife, mom, and friend.

Whirlwind of the Lord. Margaret R White Thiele, ISBN 0-8280-1398-5, US$14.99. Hardcover.  The fascinating true story of Sarepta Myrenda Irish Henry. Learn more about this remarkable woman who pioneered Women's Ministries.

To order, contact your local Adventist Book Center, or call 1-800-765-6955 in NAD.