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"Obviously
Women Can Do It"
The first10-village
evangelistic program organized and led by women in India was held
in
February in Thanuku, North Andhra Section. The result? 1,119 baptisms
and 10 new churches.
"Now I
want to have women do an evangelism series every year in my Section
(Conference),"
says the president, M.R. Satyavadi. He explained that he had resisted
the idea of women doing the preaching and the leading in the preparatory
meetings and Bible studies. But he said all his fears and concerns
were put to rest as he saw the excellent attendance—1200 average
on week nights and 2000 on the last Friday night—and the results.
Hepzibah Kore,
the Southern Asia Division WM director, conceived the idea almost
two years
ago, asking Ardis Stenbakken to preach the last 11 reaping meetings.
Stenbakken was able to
access money available to General Conference traveling staff which
helped pay for the program.
"It was
gratifying to see so many people accepting Jesus," said Stenbakken.
"Most of the people in the villages are from a Hindu background
so it was a thrill to introduce them to my Friend and Savior, Jesus.
It is my hope that this will break down barriers and women will
continue to take an active part in public evangelism in India—in
fact, wherever they live. Obviously women can do it."
According to
Stenbakken, the challenge now is follow-up and getting churches
built. "I would
love to be able to see churches built in each of these villages.
It only costs $3,000 each and is
vital for a sustainable and growing congregation. Yesterday someone
said she would give $500
toward a church; I said I would match it." Stenbakken adds,
"This would be the perfect cap to
the WM program."
If you would
be willing to build a church or contribute toward a church, please
send your checks made out to General Conference Women's Ministries
and we will see that the churches are built and that you are kept
informed of the progress.
This would be
the perfect project for a group retreat as well as individual contributions.
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Raisa
Ostrovskaya
NEW WM Director, ESD
Raisa Ostrovskaya
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We welcome
Raisa Afanasievna Ostrovskaya to our WM team. She was chosen
to be the new director of Family Ministries and Women's Ministries
for the Euro Asia Division in September, 2001.
Raisa
was born on June 25 in Moldova and is the last of seven children.
She loves poetry, music, singing, children, and people.
Raisa
is married to Ivan Ostrovskaya who is a director of Global
Mission and Stewardship in the Euro-Asia Division. They have
four sons, Andrew 13, Dmitry 11, Ivan 10 and Maxim 5.
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| We
will keep Raisa uplifted in prayer as she ministers with God
by her side. |
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Young-Ja
Lee Nam
New WM Director, NSD
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Welcome,
Young-Ja Lee Nam, to the exciting world of Women's Ministries.
Young-Ja was chosen to be the new director of Children's,
Family and Women's Ministries in January, 2002 for
the North Asia-Pacific Division. She replaces Mary Wong who
has returned to the U.S.
She was
born January 3 in Tokyo, Japan. Young-Ja is the wife of Daegeuk
Nam who is the president of Sahmyook SDA University. They
have three adult sons, Julius, Julian and Jucheol, all of
whom were educated and are presently living in the USA.
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Young-Ja Lee Nam
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Young-Ja
enjoys playing the organ and counseling people. Her dream
for WM is to see every church in North Asia-Pacific Division
organize a WM department and do something for God through
the "Can Do" cell groups organized in that field.
We wish
Young-Ja all the best in her ministry and God's richest blessings.
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Focus
on Evangelism
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Ministry
to our Muslim Friends
This applies primarily to Western countries
following September 11
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Here are some
specific and tangible acts of love we could show toward our Muslim
neighbors:
Individuals
can contact Muslims to ask, "What are your needs? How can we
serve you?" In
addition to Muslims they know at work or in neighborhoods, you may
find Muslims frequenting
particular restaurants and coffee shops.
Christian women
might accompany Muslim women (especially those in Muslim dress)
to do their shopping. Or even to do their shopping for them. Many
Muslim women are afraid to leave their homes because of public prejudice
toward Muslims.
Christians could
volunteer to ride on buses or form car pools in order to protect
Muslim children
from abuse or ridicule. Christian parents should also brief their
children on how to approach
Muslim children to offer friendship and concern.
We can initiate
contact with individual Muslims to express these ideas:
"We
simply want to express our love and support as Christians to you
as Muslims."
"We are glad you are here in our neighborhood."
"How
can I pray for you?"
Invite them
to your home for dinner or other times together.
Take time to
pray for God to bless them and protect them and draw them to Himself.
Pastors and
Christian leaders can contact leaders of mosques and Muslim community
centers to offer support and solidarity. They can encourage these
acts of love in services.
Exchange a healthful
recipe or bake them a loaf of wheat bread.
If both of you
have young children, bring yours along when you visit your Muslim
friend so that
your children may interact also.
I'd encourage
you to pray and ask, "What would you have me do, Lord?"
in building bridges of
love to Muslims in your world. I'd encourage you to check out the
following website:
http://www.gcresources.org/love
for more information.
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Division
Highlights: Euro-Africa Division
EUD consists
of 13 unions and one attached field. Some of the 32 countries that
make up this union are Spain, Morocco, Italy, France, Germany, Romania,
Angola and Mozambique. Noelle Vitry is the able and much worked
Women's Ministries director of this division since 1995.
Work in this
division is comprised of 17 different language groups and four territories—German
speaking areas, countries of the former Communist block, Latin countries
and African countries. Religious denominations in this division
are Islamic, Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox.
Presently all
the 13 unions have WM directors.
German-speaking
Territories
A
pastor's wife began the work in Northern Germany in the early 1980's.
This work developed and now reaches all German-speaking countries.
Their main areas of emphasis are Bible study, sisterly communion,
evangelism and social life. Prayer breakfasts are used to encourage
an interest in spiritual things which then leads to church attendance,
evangelistic meetings and finally baptism.
Last year WM
held a congress in Germany at which Kay Kuzma was the speaker. The
first WM devotional book in German was launched and some 1,000 copies
were sold.
Latin Territories
The main focus in this territory is on self-esteem, help after divorce,
women's health issues, and education. WM faces many challenges in
these countries and needs much prayer. Thanks to the South American
Division for sharing material in Portuguese.
Former Communist
Block Territories
Special thanks to our Bulgarian, Romanian, and Czech sisters who
were able to pass on their Christian values to their children under
the Communist regime. Their emphasis is exclusively upon inner-church
activities, but evangelistic programs have been held by sisters
coming from the United States. In 2000, 2,865 copies of The Desire
of Ages were disturbed to female personalities of the year in
the former Communist block countries.
African Territories
These are among the poorest in the world and consist of Mozambique
and Angola. WM is
involved in social work projects such as cooking classes, hygiene,
800 evangelistic groups, and working with street orphans. Several
hundred women cleaned the Luanda hospital. They also cook for the
sick in the hospitals or for the prisoners, then sing and testify.
The work in
this division can be challenging but greatly rewarding. We ask for
your prayers for the women and leadership in this division and pray
God's continued and abundant blessings for them.
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KEEPERS
PAGE
Just
for You! – Communication
CREATIVE
TRANSITIONS
All of us have
opportunities to tell others about Christ. We can be creative in
how we transition
from everyday small talk to spiritual things. Women Today,
Canada has compiled a few transition statements you can use
naturally in almost any conversation.
With someone
you are developing a relationship with: "Do
you ever think about God?"
With someone
who is telling you a problem: "Where
do you think God fits into all of this?"
Another transition
in these circumstances could be: "I
understand how you feel. I feel that way sometimes but what really
makes the difference for me is my relationship with God."
Or you could
give someone some evangelistic material like Women of Spirit
and then ask later:
"Did you get a chance to read it?
Did it make sense to you? Do you know what it means to know Christ
personally?"
Find a transition
you are comfortable with and make it your goal this month to share
your faith
with one person. Be alert as you talk to people. If you're looking
for opportunities to relate
everyday circumstances back to God, you'll be sure to find them!
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CONVERSATION
STARTERS
Here are
a few transitions you can use to turn a conversation to spiritual
things, according to
Today's Christian Woman :
- Where
would you say you are in your spiritual journey?
- Tell
your personal testimony of how you became a Christian. Keep
it to three minutes, using the following outline: Before
What characterized my life before I trusted Christ. During
How I came to trust Christ. After How I am different now?
- If
you could be sure there is a God, would you want to know
Him?
- Bring
a friend to your church or a Christian event, then ask:
- what did you think of it?
- did it make sense to you?
- have you made the wonderful discovery of knowing God personally?
- you'd like to, wouldn't you?
- Do
you go to church? Why or why not?
- How
do you think someone becomes a Christian?
- Can
I share the thing I've found most important to me as a (dad),
(mom), (boss)?
- What
does believing in God mean to you?
- If
you were to die tonight are you sure you'd go to heaven?
Has anyone ever explained how you can know for sure?
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COMMUNICATING
WITH NEW BELIEVERS
Many
new believers have experienced the joy of receiving Christ
but are left feeling overwhelmed and confused. Discipleship
is the key but how does one know where to begin?
Teach
them these two important points: Each Christian can nurture
new believers by teaching the importance of the following
relationships. Communication is vital to any relationship,
as is quality time.
1.
New believers need a vital relationship with God: Knowing
Jesus Christ can become the most exciting relationship a new
believer has.
(a)
They need the security of assurance of salvation, forgiveness
and cceptance
(I
John 5:11-13).
(b)
They need to know God by studying the Bible. Our goal is
to teach them to become self-feeders discovering God's plans
and provisions in the Bible
(2 Timothy 3:16, 17). This will make them dependent on God,
not us.
(c)
They need to communicate with God through prayer sharing
their thoughts, needs and desires to do His will (Philippians
4:6,7).
2.
New believers need relationships with other Christians
(Hebrews 10:25).
(a)
Provide opportunities for study, worship, prayer and sharing.
(b)
Underline the importance of attending both Sabbath School
and Church services.
(c)
Introduce them to other Christians and encourage them to
form friendships.
Nurturing
new believers is a rewarding first-step to launching them
on their lifelong process of becoming spiritually mature.
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GCWM
Scholarship Awards Announced : 90 women are recipients
On January 31,
2002, the GC WM Scholarship Committee met and approved 90 applications
for women from 11 divisions and our one attached union. We were
very happy to award these
scholarships to these deserving women and wish them God's blessings
as they continue their
studies. We solicit your prayers for these women who are faced with
many challenges as they seek a higher education by God's grace.
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