We are just home from another amazing time of ministry in Uganda. I had the humbling privilege of teaching and sharing with over 100 pastor’s wives and women church leaders. As I often find, the challenges and issues they face are similar to those here. Many of the things they shared and asked about have been true in my life as a pastor’s wife and church leader.
As I was praying about what to teach and share with these women, God showed me to take them through the book of Philippians. This book has been significant in my life as it is stock full of some of the most powerful and familiar promises in all the New Testament; verses like 1:6 & 1:21, 2:1-11, 3:12-14 & 3:20, 4:6-9 & 4:19. All of these verses bring me back to the main theme of this book: JOY! As we choose to be joyful each day; as we look with thanksgiving at our lives, God strengthens us for every challenge before us.
We also looked each day at what the Bible says about specific subjects; not my opinion or any other person, but the Bible alone. We searched out scripture on women in ministry, women in marriage and women as God sees us. It was a powerful reminder that God values us and uses us greatly but we must remain within the confines of His order to receive His blessings: Order in ministry and order in marriage.
My high point? Two women who I have known from previous trips, both female pastors, although not invited, attended the conference. As I taught very clearly on 1 Timothy 2:12 without apology or excuse, they were both convicted by the Holy Spirit and shared that they desire to make this change. One of them, unknown to me until the very end, had already gone to her husband/pastor and told him she was no longer going to teach the men but strictly women!! Once again, I am reminded that if we just teach the truth without dressing it up for comfort, God will honor His word for His Name’s sake and do the needed work.
I am excited to continue the groundwork with these women in September and I hope and pray that one day not so far away, they will be teaching and disciplining other women in the truths of God’s word. The goal is to work myself out of a job! Until then…pressing on for the goal of the upward call in Christ Jesus!
Rejoicing in Jesus!
Brooke
