Women's ministries first began in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the 1890s. Since that time, the need for a special ministry for and by women has become more evident. Today, if you travel throughout the Lake Union Conference, you will find women with different ministry gifts who serve through teaching, the arts, speaking, giving Bible studies, and in less obvious ways through prayer, a smile, giving a shoulder to cry on or just taking the time to listen. Some serve by making phone calls, driving neighbors to appointments, holding cooking classes, health screenings and much more. We recognize through all the various ministries of the church, God has chosen to give women special gifts of ministry to serve. Here are a few ways we see the Lord working through women in ministry.

Enriching Retreat Opportunities

Each conference hosts annual weekend or one-day women's retreats. Some are held at hotels, others at camps or conference centers. Whether in elegant or primitive settings, these retreats offer more than social interaction and a break from responsibilities. Women who attend are nurtured, enriched, challenged, inspired and encouraged to help others enjoy a similar journey.

One woman was impressed at a retreat by a "Friendship Evangelism" seminar presented by Staci Osterman. The woman later remarked, "It's interesting, because this was the same method Jesus used during His ministry on this Earth. Before He saved anyone, He drew that person to Him, ministered to his or her needs, and befriended them. When they realized what Jesus was like, He asked them to follow Him. ... [The] workshop inspired me to constantly be on the watch for the opportunities we are given to witness to others. I have to say that it changed my perspective on socializing—I just don't want to have temporal friends on this Earth, but I want to make friends for eternity."

Kimberly Purvis, Michigan Conference women's ministries director, received a note from a woman who wrote, "I have renewed direction, hope, and tools to make positive changes, and I've learned that I need to give God complete control of my life."

Another wrote, "My husband always notices a difference in me after retreats. I always learn so much, and my life is changed in some small way every year for the better."

Our members appreciate these retreats, but they are not the only ones. A number of our friends from the community look forward to these times of fellowship and spiritual growth each year.

Caring for Single Moms

Single moms have a special place in God's heart and several conferences are now offering an annual single moms and kids retreat. These events provide a mini-vacation for single moms and their children. The retreats are subsidized by the conferences, and most attendees are fully sponsored by their local churches or individual benefactors to a weekend oasis.

At the Indiana Conference retreat for single moms and kids, the moms especially enjoy the annual Friday Plus Lunch, a time when they can escape for some social time together while the Timber Ridge Camp staff cares for their children. Back at the camp, the moms also receive special treatment, household gifts, food items, and creative workshops and ideas. These retreats provide support, and many moms form lasting friendships with one another and stay in contact following the retreat.

Building and Restoring Relationships

Throughout the day, Lake Union women are finding hurting and bruised women with whom to share the compassionate love of Jesus. They may encourage a friend experiencing the loss of a loved one, direct women to resources to cope with abuse or a crumbling marriage, or assure a disheartened friend that our caring God is still leading.

Time invested in relationships is truly making a difference. Healing begins when hurting and bruised women experience loving words from compassionate hearts as Lake Union women partner with Jesus. A note from one grateful heart reads, "Your ongoing kindness is very encouraging, and your ability to subdue the threats that accompany the storms of life are inspirational. I am grateful for the opportunity to know you...."

The women's ministries team in the Illinois Conference realizes that it may be difficult to touch the lives of everyone who may be hurting, but they have determined to send a caring message to those who have, for one reason or another, become discouraged and are missing from our fellowship. One way they accomplish this is by sending each one a complimentary copy of the magazine, Women of Spirit.

Heart Call, another reclamation ministry, seeks to reconnect women to Jesus Christ and fellowship with His church. In the Michigan Conference, 30 churches are currently involved in this outreach ministry. One church has reclaimed seven women, one of whom was away for 20 years. It is estimated that in Michigan alone more than 100 women have been reclaimed through the Heart Call program.

In the Wisconsin Conference, women are establishing lasting friendships through Bible studies and by seeking opportunities to meet people's needs in their community.

Witnessing in the Workplace

Jenny Tillay, a hospital chaplain in her 20s, has been surprised by the openness of her patients and their families. "In a crisis everything slows down and the simplest things acquire such meaning," she reports. "I am always amazed how much a comforting word, a quiet presence and an uplifting prayer can mean to a person whose world has just tumbled down around them. In my work as a hospital chaplain, I love being able to walk alongside others in their spiritual journeys. ... If I have learned anything in the hospital, it is that none of us are granted tomorrow—today is it. My life needs to reflect this fact. Ministering in or out of the hospital must be my first priority. I am honored to be able to spend some time with our ever-faithful friend, Jesus Christ!"

Nurturing Young Girls

Teen and mother-daughter retreats are offered by several of the conferences to provide an opportunity for Christian fellowship and mentoring. (Read about the recent Lake Region Conference-sponsored teen retreat on page 28.)

The Purity Circle (friends helping friends live pure) was established in the Michigan Conference two years ago. Based on a program authored by Dora Isaac Weithers, a certified Christian counselor, this ministry encourages young women age ten and above to "find the trail that leads to godly womanhood." The curriculum includes 12 lessons with topics like: "You Have Been Chosen," "Understanding Purity," "Your Social Posture," and "Know When to Run." (Read more about this initiative at www.lakeunionherald.org in the August 2008 issue online.)

Praying for Power

Prayer initiatives are happening throughout our region. Women are setting aside specific times and designated places to pray. They are praying for leaders in ministry and leaders in their community. They are holding prayer breakfasts and conducting training events on how to pray. Kimberly Purvis says, "It is our desire to empower women to make prayer an important part of their daily life."

Just this year at camp meeting, Monique Gilbert of the Owosso (Michigan) Church purchased a new book, The Radical Prayer. She read the book and pleaded with God for answers to some challenging situations she was facing. She marveled at the Lord's quick response to her prayers that very week. Monique discovered the power of prayer and now is excited for others to experience it. (Read Monique's camp meeting miracle story at www.lakeunionherald.org in the online August 2008 issue.)

Our Unique Calling

Woman are able to be effective in situations and areas where perhaps it may not be possible, or appropriate, for a man to venture. I'm encouraged by these words: "The Lord has a work for women as well as for men. They may take their places in His work at this crisis, and He will work through them. If they are imbued with a sense of their duty, and labor under the influence of the Holy Spirit, they will have just the self-possession required for this time. The Savior will reflect upon these self-sacrificing women the light of His countenance. ... They come close to the hearts of those whom men can not reach. Their labor is needed. ... The refining, softening influence of Christian women is needed in the great work of preaching the truth" (Evangelism, pp. 464, 471).

I encourage you to pray and ask God to lead you where He wants you to serve. Allow Him to draw you close, then take every opportunity He gives you to reach out and touch someone for Christ!

Contact the women's ministries director of your church or speak with your local pastor and be ready to be an instrument in God's hands.

Z. Kathy Cameron is the women's ministries director of the Lake Union Conference.

Note: The Seventh-day Adventist Church in North America and the World Church women's ministries departments have published initiatives for our churches to help coordinate their women's ministries efforts. These initiatives are available at www.lakeunion.org in the August 2008 issue.