Leadership Certification Training Begins in Germany and Romania

The weather in Freudenstadt, Germany, was beautiful as 60 women from Germany, Croatia and Austria came together for leadership training July 4-7, 2002. The main presenters were Ardis Stenbakken, GC WM director and associate director, Heather-Dawn Small.

This was the first time that the recently launched Leadership Certification course was used in a field. The program was planned and coordinated by Ingrid Naumann, WM director for the South German Union Conference and she was assisted by Ruth Wittwer, the director of the North German Union Conference.

Reports were heard from the eight conferences in Germany and from the women who represented Croatia and Austria.

One special guest was Raisa Ostrovskaya, WM director for Euro-Asia Division with headquarters in Russia. She also gave a report on WM in Russia. The women were blessed and left challenged to be more effective leaders in their churches.

From Germany, Ardis and Heather-Dawn traveled to Romania for more leadership training. Here they joined with Noelle Vitry, WM director for EUD. About 200 women, comprised of conference directors and local church coordinators, gathered in Stupini-Brasov at the Adventist school. The training was intense but well received.

In spite of cultural differences and language barriers, much love and joy was felt among the women because our love for Christ was the common thread.