“So when are we going to begin to see something happening in the Women’s Ministry?”  This question has been asked of me, now that I am back from my ‘sojourn’ in that ‘foreign’ country of the US.   The short answer to that question is “Not too soon!”  But allow me to share the longer answer to assure you that things ARE happening and that we WILL be moving ahead. 

First, let me share an illustration: When a contractor builds a tall building, he digs deep down into the ground to lay a solid and stable foundation.  There might be quite a time pass before a casual passer-by sees any structure above the ground.  However, it won’t be a secure and stable building if its foundation is not adequate for the task.  Much of the work I hope to accomplish among the women at EBC will take on that characteristic of “foundation-laying”.  I plan to build further upon the foundation that has been started and ‘shore it up’ to be a strong, supportive structure.

I plan to do this by investing in lives – discipling, mentoring and training women.   As with the laying of the foundation of a building, my initial efforts might not be as visible as some might like them to be. However, I believe they will be essential to the establishment of an effective Women’s Ministry.   I would like to work toward seeing women grow spiritually first, and then gain ministry experience by giving women opportunities to get involved in serving each other and their community.

Christ, in His approach to ministry, focused on people, not programs.  I would like to emulate His example and develop spiritual leaders among the women, which will then ‘spill over’ to the other women of EBC.  Thus, I will be looking for women who are willing to be teachable, accountable and consistently faithful.

I want to help the women of the church realize their responsibility before God to become all He designed them to be (2 Tim 2:15); to help them learn and grow so that they can fulfill the work which He has designed beforehand for them to do. (Eph. 2:10); to help them see the significant role they can have in the church (1 Cor 12: 4-7) and to help them take up the responsibilities which they have and are allowed to fulfill and the opportunities for ministry that are open to them as women in order to be a part of building up the Body of Christ (1 Cor 12: 11-20). 

This model is going to take time and patience. In fact, going back to the analogy of the foundation of the building, the visible part might take a long time to become visible, causing some to wonder what I am doing or why I was brought on board.  What is important, is for us to see God working in the lives of women which results in other women coming to Christ, growing in their relationship with Him, and investing in the lives of others so that the Women’s Ministry at Edwardstown Baptist Church becomes a fruitful harvest for the kingdom. 

So – Are you teachable? Can you be consistently faithful? Are you willing to be held accountable?  Then, I would like to speak with you. :)  I am looking for women who are willing to put their hand up to become a part of what God is doing in and through the Women’s Ministry at EBC. Come talk to me! :)

Marti