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SEPTEMBER 2002
Division Highlights: South Pacific Division
VIEW ORIGINAL LAYOUT OF THE NEWSLETTER USING ACROBAT.PDF News from the World of Women's Ministries is published monthly by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Department of Women's Ministries for the purpose of communicating news and information about Women's Ministries. Director: Ardis Stenbakken Associate Director & Editor: Heather-Dawn Small Asst. Editor & Layout: Iris Stovall
You may contact the editor by writing: General
Conference Department of Women's Ministries Phone:
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EDITORIAL
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From June 7-9,2002, our women's congress was held at Ishigaki Island, Okinawa. Since the first Japan Women's Congress was held in Okinawa in 1997, women from all parts of Japan were encouraged to attend this one so they could feel the love and energy of the women of Okinawa.
Whenever there is a WM Congress, whether in Japan or in other countries, many women attend. I am very happy about this because for a few days the women are relieved of family responsibilities and can focus on their relationship with Jesus and share their faith. Gatherings like this give new energy to the women, and this energy flows over into the church and home. I think there could be nothing better. At the Okinawa Women's Congress Ms. Young-Ja Nam, Northern Asia-Pacific Division, WM director, said many times in her worship sermons that we should "Turn Our Channels to Christ." In whatever we women do, it is only when our thoughts, our view-points, our hopes, and our plans are turned to Christ can we experience the truth of the Bible's words, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13. One seminar was led by Dr. Sook-Ja Son, Honorary Professor of Sanmyuku University, Chairperson of NEW START Consultations, and President of the Korea Women's Association. Her topic "Growing Old Youthfully" focused on healing through vegetarian diet. She spoke to us about protecting our health by following the directions God has given to us and using our gifts in ministry. Because women become free of child-raising responsibilities and free of jobs in their late-fifties, this is the age group of many of the attendees at our WM Congress. Much is learned that can now be used as they develop their own ministries. I think that God is waiting for us to set our channels on Him and to actively use the gifts He has given us by asking ourselves "What does God expect of me?" and "What should I be doing now?" by Nobuko
Kitabayashi
Korea, NSD Women's evangelistic meetings were held at the Damyang and Songjeongri churches in March and May of this year. Seminars were given in Foot Massage, Cultural Food Cooking and Hair Design. Forty three precious souls were baptized as a result of these meetings. A Women's Evangelism Festival and Seminar was held June 7-8, 2002. More than 400 were in attendance. Thirteen women received awards for baptizing more than three persons in 2001. Family Ministries and WM teamed up to hold a special prayer meeting at Khoobong Mountain on May 12, 2002. They prayed for reformation and revival, preparation for the Second Advent, mission work, Adventist homes, establishing public evangelistic groups and a baptismal goal of 1,000 souls for the Middle West Area of Korea. All were blessed by this joint program. Bangladesh, SUD WM joined forces with Health Ministries in the South and North Bangladesh Missions to conduct a series of health evangelism programs in the villages of Jalchatra, Hossainpur and Chaulturi. The theme used was Jeremiah 17:9. Anna Biswas,
WM director for the Bangladesh Union worked with the WM directors
of these missions together with pastoral and lay member support.
The attendees were from either Hindu or Muslim backgrounds but as
the Word was preached, combined with teachings on healthy living,
the Spirit moved and 57 souls were baptized as a result of the dedicated
labor and commitment of these workers.
Statistical Information There are 20 Countries in this division, which includes many hundreds of island groups and consists of four unions and 35 conferences/missions. The largest land masses are Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. The total membership at the end of 2001, was 358,451. Of this total, Papua New Guinea Union has 214,456 members. WM started in 1992 with Carole Ferch-Johnson as director and was succeeded by Joy Butler in 2001 who is supported by dedicated leaders in almost every union, conference and mission. During 2001, more than 23,000 women attended some excellent women's retreats where women reached out to others, not yet Adventists. As a result, there were 462 reclaimed members and 62 baptisms reported. Ministry In Australia focus on literacy for the aboriginal people is an ongoing project. This year ADRA and WM worked closely together in setting up a literacy program in the desert area of outback Australia. True Love Waits is another program which WM strongly supports and is especially appreciated in the Pacific Islands where young people are responding to the call for sexual purity. At Fulton College in Fiji, a Certificate for Christian Women's Ministry has been initiated and the first group of women will graduate at the year end, 2002. WM in SPD places much emphasis on working with other departments of the church. Family Ministries, Communications and WM work together on the issue of abuse prevention. We have recently produced a comprehensive Fact Sheet covering what the church is doing in this area and a taskforce is looking at further strategic ways to address this sad subject. The women of Papua New Guinea lead the way in prayer ministry. Remarkable stories of God's intervention in the lives of poor people has given them great courage in their ministry. In some conferences and missions "Girlfriends Weekends" have taken place and young women are encouraged as a result of spiritual mentoring. A strong emphasis is placed on young women being involved in WM. We are proud that Margaret Jackson, from New Zealand, is the World President for the WCTU (Woman's Christian Temperance Union). The early leaders of this organization included Sarepta Myranda Irish Henry, who also started WM in the SDA church in 1898. There is a huge need for education in the area of drug, alcohol and tobacco usage. The SPD WM and Margaret are working closely together. Future Strategies This includes
hosting the first division-wide conference for women in Brisbane
this year for approximately 1,000 women; reaching out to professional
women; encouraging women to be involved in evangelism; training
WM leaders in the islands and providing a safe and friendly place
for all people in our churches where they can know, experience and
share their hope in Jesus Christ. KEEPERS
PAGE "Encouragement is like premium gasoline. It helps take the knocks out of living." Author Unknown
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