Women leaders from across the South Pacific Division came together in Brisbane to learn how to share their faith with others. The conference was hosted by the SPD Women’s Ministries department with every nation of the division represented by the 600 participants.

When Erna Johnson, SPD WM director, presented her dream for the division-wide congress to the division president, Dr Barry Oliver, his first remark was: "Can I come?" Erna reports, “He and his wife Julie were with us for the whole time. What a privilege it was for him to be with us and for us to see his interest in what the women in the South Pacific want to do!”

Dr. Kendra Haloviak Valentine, professor of Biblical Studies at La Sierra University in California, enriched the spiritual tone of the meeting. Guest speakers included Heather-Dawn Small and Raquel Arrais of GC WM. Seminar topics included spiritual gifts, friendship evangelism, impacting families, how to study the Bible and to give Bible studies.

The congress theme—Touch a Heart, Tell the World—appropriately described the post-conference goal of sharing God’s word with others. The leaders went home on fire for God.

One-half of the Sabbath offering was donated to a brand-new magazine for teenage girls and young women, published by five Adventist women in South Pacific Division.  Read about GIGI magazine (Gorgeous in God's Image) at www.5sistersministry.com.au.