GC Women's Ministries Newsletter                                                                November 2000

Editorial. . .  Iris L. Stovall Administrative Assistant General Conference Women's Ministries
Promoting Women's Ministries

You've been asked to preach in a local congregation or speak at a Women's Ministries event. Maybe you just want to share with someone the great things that are happening in Women 's Ministries. I'd like to tell you the things that I share as I've preached at various churches or spoken for prayer banquets.

I let the person who's contacted me, or the one coordinating the program, know when I accept the invitation that I would like to have time to let everyone know about Women's Ministries and the work that is being done worldwide, which generally takes 5-8 minutes. I also ask if I might have time separate from the sermon or talk to give this presentation. If that time is not available, then I use some time before the sermon or talk. I might incorporate the information that I want to share directly into the presentation at appropriate points.

I always give greetings on behalf of GC Women's Ministries and tell them I want to spend a few minutes giving them good news-- brief information, statistics, and experiences about WM.

Here are the types of things that I have shared about Women's Ministries that can be helpful for you to consider as you prepare:

1. Devotional book

• There is a WM devotional book written by women for women.
• Women such as they can submit to the book; Guidelines are available through GCWM.
• Women and men have been inspired as they have read the stories.
• Proceeds from the book are used to fund scholarships for Adventist women to institutional colleges.

2. Scholarship Program

• Funds are available to women who apply through their division.
• Monies are sent directly to the school they are/will be attending.

3. Statistics

• Women are serving all over the world and impacting the lives of people in their homes, churches and in the community in leadership and training, evangelism, mentoring, and in various other ways.

4. How they can start a WM program

• How to Begin WM in the Local Church (a booklet) is available to help them.
• There is a website for GCWM where they can get information on many aspects of WM, read about the directors, download the newsletters, and more.
• Resources are available through their conference/union, division, or GCWM to assist them further. Contact the department for a list.

5. GCWM Travel

• Places the director or associate director traveled that year and the types of activities they were involved in with the WM groups there.

6. Types of events that local WM holds, like retreats, prayer banquets, etc.

7. Experiences where God has especially led in a woman's life, or family.

8. The blessings I've experienced through WM events I've attended

You, of course, should not feel compelled to share all of these things, especially if time is tight, but any positive things said of how WM is making a difference in the lives of women worldwide will reinforce or strengthen those who support it. Such information will perhaps be a catalyst to change the minds of those opposing Women's Ministries or women working in the church, as the non-supporters will see Women's Ministries as it really is.

And please -- be positive and enthusiastic. No one wants to sit through a a dull recounting of facts and information. As others witness your excitement about WM, they in turn will be motivated to use their talents and gifts in serving the Lord, not only in Women's Ministries, but in other areas. And isn't that what it's all about--letting God use us to bring others to Him as each day we serve Him to the best of our ability? -End

News from the world of . . .

Inter-American Division: A wide variety of programs is being reported throughout the Caribbean Union. The women in Guyana and St. Lucia have been continuing the "What Happens When Women Pray" program and prayer groups, prayer walks, and prayer breakfasts are reported in Barbados, Grenada, Tobago, Trinidad and Surinam. These areas also report retreats, Bible studies, a "Day of Fun," seminars, home visitation and money raising projects. In the South Caribbean Conference, each of the 15 WM leaders who have served since WM began there was given a women's devotional book. In Surinam, in collaboration with a local women's organization, a breast-feeding program was launched; 50 certificates were given to women as well as men. They are carrying on an adult education literacy program and tutoring for children. The women on St. Maarten held two evangelistic series, baptizing 33. They are particularly trying to reach out to young women, holding banquets and retreats to nurture and encourage.

South Pacific Division: Fulton College in Fiji has just launched a new course: Certificate in Christian Women's Ministry. The program is for Women's Ministries leaders, pastor's wives and other interested women. The course consists of four three week intensives. Among the offerings: The History of Women's Ministry (Bible, Church and SDA Church); Spiritual Gifts and Talents in Christian Service; Women Ministering to Women; Women in the 21st Century; The Role of Women in the Church; Healthful Living and Health Education for Women;Communication Skills and Public Speaking; and Cross Cultural Ministry.

Southern Africa Union: Five teams of women have completed evangelistic meetings in almost inaccessible areas of the mountains in the small kingdom of Lesotho, resulting in over 142 baptisms. The women carried in generators, amplifiers and other equipment; did the preaching and visitation. Follow-up work is continuing. Land was given for a church building at one of the sites. A group from Laurelwood Academy, USA, under the leadership of Dr. Lindsay Petersen, along with a number of volunteers from South Africa, started the church building.

Evelyn Nkhethoa, WM director for Lesotho, is now hoping to begin an orphanage for AIDS children. There is a very great need for help in this area.

Southern Asia-Pacific Division: The Women's Ministries of Siquijor Mission, Central Philippine Union, is raising funds to purchase a large van for community ministry. They will use the van for conducting evangelistic meetings, a children's lending library; health talks for women, and other outreach.

Linda Koh, the division WM director, reports that all the missions in the division have directors in place and also local church WM leaders. She says that the shelter for battered women, operated by the North Philippine Union Women's Ministries, is doing great and the division is starting two more literacy projects-- one for Central Luzon Conference and one for Myanmar.