On October 10, the Women’s Ministries Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church was the focus of the Friday night meeting, celebrating the commencement of the Sabbath and 30 years as a department of the World Church. Marching to the stage of the auditorium of the General Conference building, women in national costumes entered carrying flags, showing the international character of the church family.
General Vice President Audrey Andersson greeted the assembled church leaders. Current Women’s Ministries Director Galina Stele led through the program and quipped that they would hear many stories of women, the best part of the church, causing chuckles. Throughout, the presentations echoed the motto of the church for the next quinquennium: Grounded in the Bible and focused on Mission.
The creation story was recited, showing that God had intentionally created the woman because it was not good that man should be alone. Together, they received the Creator’s blessing. Then God saw everything that he had made and it was very good.
A short review of the process of the creation of the Women’s Ministries Department was then presented, starting with the exhortation by GC President Neil C. Wilson in 1980, calling for the church to find more opportunities to involve women. A series of meetings followed, until in 1990 an Office of Women’s Ministries was created. On July 4, 1995, the WM Department was officially established. In 1996, all World Divisions did the same. But Women’s Ministries were nothing new.
In 1898, Mrs. Sarepta Myrinda Irish Henry, encouraged by Ellen G. White, started a ministry for women. Unfortunately, she died only two years later. The WM directors, starting with Rose Otis, Dorothy Eaton Watts, Ardis Stenbakken and Heather-Dawn Small were also remembered.
The multifaceted program gave an overview of the mission of the department, showing how women have always served and how God has always used women, starting in Bible times. Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, Mary, the mother of Jesus, Deborah, the prophetess and judge, Lydia, the first church planter in Europe, the Samaritan woman at the well, the first woman evangelist, and Mary of Magdala, whom Jesus chose to tell the news of the risen Christ, all made a short appearance.
Adventist women were a vital part of the mission of the Adventist church, investing their talents, strength, and often their lives in the service of the church as teachers, medical professionals, missionaries, Bible workers, evangelists, and administrators. Today, we are fortunate to be able to access the online Adventist Encyclopedia ESDA, where we find a treasure trove of information about these women. Dragoslava Santrac, the managing editor of the SDA Encyclopedia (https://encyclopedia.adventist.org/), presented just one life story, telling how Mimi Scharffenberg was the first woman to be sent as a missionary to Korea.
Then, the focus turned to what women around the world are doing now, with a video report of their many initiatives and how to find opportunities to serve. For generations, Adventist women have had an integral part in the church’s mission. And they still do.
Audrey Andersson closed the celebration with the remarks, “Women are more than half of the church. But we need everybody. Everyone is needed, if we are going to finish the work. God calls all of us, women, men, and children, to be a part of his mission.”
This is just a brief summary reflecting some parts of the program. Watch the whole celebration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFg1Xj1uxLk