Is Women’s Ministry Worth the Pursuit?

by Christelle Myburgh
Awaken Women’s Ministry champion

I am truly grateful for another God-given year where we as women of God can grow together. We are continuously being conformed to His image; the irresistible charm of a kind and gentle nature!
In our pursuit of Being One, sixty-two Shofar leader ladies (representing SA, Namibia and the UK) recently retreated to the Galgeberg mountains in McGregor where we spent the weekend together. Inevitably, the question was raised: What exactly is “women’s ministry” and is it truly worth the quest? Our ideas around this concept rather varied, ranging from “women’s ministry” being about tea and cake to “women’s ministry” being about women’s conferences. And so the list went on and on.

I beg to differ. Women’s ministry is not this, that or the other. It is simply the journey that we share and the way in which we choose to lock arms as we tread alongside each other. Women’s ministry is women ministering to each other, imitating each other as we imitate Christ. Along the way you and I will discover the daughters, sisters and mothers – many of whom are strangers yet to be unveiled – whom God brings together in His infinite wisdom. On this voyage you will teach your daughters, support your sisters and learn from your mothers. We see a beautiful picture of this in Ruth 1:15.

Then Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; turn back and follow your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people will be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord do the same to me [as He has done to you], and more also, if anything but death separates me from you.”

In essence, Ruth made the following commitment to Naomi: I will keep on ministering to you as you have been ministering to me. I will attend to you, care for you, nurse you, comfort you, and support you for as long as I live. I will embark on this journey with you. I will minister to you.

The Enemy has substantial success in luring women away from this ministry. He offers feminism as an alternative to femininity; a subtle yet deadly trap! Women from all walks of life are being taken captive, yet Christian women remain the number one target. He does not overpower us in one sudden movement, neither does he overwhelm us on one rapid occasion; on the contrary! Slowly but surely he exposes us to bits and pieces of the false freedom that he offers: the freedom of “independency”. This false freedom enables us to make decisions self-sufficiently and unconventionally, regardless of the destruction that it might bring to ourselves, family, friends and the broader community. Even more so, irrespective of the unblemished and vivid teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, the very teachings that bring life and abundantly so!

At the heart of Awaken Women’s Ministry lies the yearning for humility. A humility that will allow God Almighty to mould us into vessels of honour. A humility shared with young Mary when she exclaimed, “let it be unto me according to your word”. A humility that induces the inner beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit. A humility that resolves the following: a life of purity, faith and patience; honor and respect for our husbands as the heads of our homes; raising our children in the fear of God; praying for our leaders; defending the Truth by all godly means. Ultimately, Awaken Women’s Ministry will uncompromisingly pursue the encouragement of women to submit themselves to the Word of God, the Truth.

Women of faith in Jesus Christ, whatever this year may hold for us, let us lock arms and journey together, never neglecting such a great salvation. For it is God who works in us both to will and to work for His good pleasure. It is indeed a privilege to journey with you!

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