“Homes of Hope and Healing” Seminar Trains Women in Gambia 

 

West-Central Africa Division

The Women’s Ministries Department of the world Church is encouraging women everywhere to open their homes to minister to other women in their community who need hope and healing.  “Homes of Hope and Healing” involves opening our homes to our neighbors for fellowship and learning.  Our homes can be places where neighbors, family, and friends gather to share hope and healing for spiritual and emotional nurture,  emphasizing His power to heal us from our sins and griefs. The Women’s Ministries leaders of West-Central Africa Division have caught this vision.

Josie Watson, the Women’s Ministries Director of West Africa Union Mission, spent a fruitful weekend in June with the women leaders, elders, and church members of the Gambia Mission Station to equip them, inaugurating the “Homes of Hope and Healing” program in Gambia. More than 80 participants pledged to train others and open more small groups. By the grace of God, 19 small groups have been formed with full participation of the leaders of that area.

Josie Watson - WM Director, West Africa Union Division

Focus on the News

South Australian Conference Women’s Retreat

(SSD)

In April, at Ankara, the youth camp in the South Australian Conference, 27 women attended a special Women’s Ministries program named “PMS3.”  The program, taught by Janette Kingston, WM Director for S.A. Conference, encouraged women to balance their lives by keeping the physical, mental, spiritual, social, and service (PMS3) aspects of their lives in balance. They were also invited to conduct “PMS3” programs in their own churches.  Erna Johnson, Women’s Ministries Director for the South Pacific Division, encouraged the group with her spiritual presentations.  She reminded us that each woman belongs to God’s family and may “travel light,” knowing that Jesus will carry our burdens.  

by Erna Johnson, Director, Women's MInistries, South-Pacific Divisiion

OREGON Women Minister to a Local Mission Field

(NAD  - Oregon Conference)

 In late April, the O.C. Women’s Ministries sponsored a mini-mission weekend in Sweet Home, Oregon, where the median income is near the poverty level. The event included free hearing and blood pressure checks, massage, and free photos and fingerprinting of children. Cheri Corder, WM Director, and Tawny Sportsman lead out. The purpose was to reach out and touch lives as Jesus did.

Upper Myanmar Mission Launches the B = B (Bible equals Baptism)

(SSD)

At Revival and Reformation meetings for Upper Myanmar Mission [UMM], all the morning and evening devotionals were presented by women. Many women from the Tiddim and Kalay circles attended these meetings.  Women gave their testimonies, and in the evening participated in a Bible memory verse reciting competition.  Daw Cho Cho Paul, Women’s Ministries Director from UMM, spoke about women, health, and nutrition for the family. On the last day of this meeting, a B = B Program was launched, and 38 women dedicated themselves to participate.  Ordained pastors from this circle laid hands on the women and prayed for them.

Zamboanga Peninsula Mission Launches BBC Project

(SSD)

The Zbga Peninsula Mission Women’s Ministries Department launched the BBC (Bible equals Baptism equals Conservation) Project in April at the Batu Adventist Church in Zamboanga, Philippines.  This was preparation for the Women's Crusade conducted in early June. Prior to this, a retreat for women officers and leaders hosted 32 women delegates from throughout the Zamboanga Peninsula Mission. The theme was "Revival for Mission Among Women."  Target dates for the reaping are June 11 and October 22. We pray to God for the success of the program.

--Merna E. Pamunag, Director, Women's Ministries, Zamboanga Peninsula Mission

Inspiration for You

OUTREACH MINISTRY: “Homes of Hope and Healing” 

The “Homes of Hope and Healing” program involves opening our homes to our neighbors for fellowship and learning. In these perplexing times, when hopelessness abounds, our homes can be places where neighbors, family, and friends gather in fellowship to share HOPE and HEALING for spiritual and emotional nurture.

How can I create interest?

•  In this ministry, we open our homes to women in our community. We work in small groups. The goal is to make lasting friendships for Jesus.
• Invite women to come to your home or other non-church location (if possible).
• You may want to offer light refreshments (optional).
• Share your personal testimony of what Jesus has done in your life.
• Invite your guests to participate with you in an eight-week “Homes of Hope and Healing” journey.
• Explain that this is an ongoing program with breaks every eight weeks. (The length is flexible. Keep it short to accommodate people’s schedules).

How do I organize the program?

• Involve the group in choosing one topic to focus on for eight weeks. Possible topics:  health, spiritual nurturing, family, parenting, communication, etc.
• You may use DVDs, PowerPoint, printed lessons, or other media if you wish.
• Invite qualified speakers to present topics. You do not have to lead out each time.
• Limit the presentation of the topic to 30 minutes.
• Follow with a break-out time/group discussion of about 30 minutes.
• The total time for the meeting should be about one hour (You may have working women or mothers of young children who cannot stay late).
• End with a short prayer.

How can I keep “Homes of Hope and Healing” going?

•  When you finish the eight-week series, take a break of a few weeks. Then begin again, with another topic chosen by the group.
• The number of eight-week series is flexible. It might be once every three or six months. Each group leader is free to set  her own schedule.

Helpful Materials

• “The Bible and Human Emotions.” Sabbath School Bible Study Guide by Julian Melgosa
• Women in the Bible and Me. Bible Study Lessons
• Journey of Joy, by NADWM
• Bible Studies for Busy Women, by GCWM
• Other materials may be available in your Division

The Benefits 

• You will build strong friendships with other women and help lead  women to Jesus by meeting their varied needs.
• Your community will be strengthened as women’s concerns are addressed.
• Your faith will be strengthened as you share and witness.
• Your church will be strengthened as new friendships are formed.

Renew your SPIRITUAL LIFE

Probably few things the Women’s Ministries department has done have blessed so many in so many places and in so many ways as has the women’s devotional book project.  The latest book, Renew, will soon be in book stores and available through the internet.

 Renew will be beautiful. And it has more authors than ever before: 297. But it has the same great lessons and stories of how God has renewed the strength of His daughters, lifting them up and holding them close.

The devotional book is a blessing in many ways:  women who write for it are greatly blessed; readers receive a spiritual blessing (making this the perfect gift for any woman in your life!); and the women who receive scholarships receive a life-changing blessing.  Proceeds from this book have helped over 1700 women attend college.

Join us. Buy and share the books; or write a devotional (guidelines available at womens-ministries-devotional-book or by writing to GCWM at the address on back of Mosaic). To apply for a scholarship or help someone else apply, get information from your Women’s Ministries director or at http://women.adventist.org

The year 2012 is the ideal time to Renew your spiritual life!  Buy the book at the: www.adventistbookcenter.com   

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Calendar

September

8 International Literacy Day
21 International Day of Peace

October

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
National Domestic Violence Month
1 Devotional Book deadline
31 Scholarship Program applications deadline

Prayer Corner

• For the Great Controversy Project
• For the baptism of the Holy Spirit
• For oppressed women & children around the world
• For the women leaders in difficult places