I cannot hold my peace any longer after attending the Women’s retreat last weekend 21 – 23 April 2023 in Brussels, Belgium. I want to shout, Amen! The rich content of the messages presented, combined with the spontaneous response of the women is groundbreaking in the Adventist church, in terms of tracing the path for the future of our mission as women. The speakers emphasized the use of our various talents in palpable ways.
Sister Dagmar Dorn, Women’s Ministries Director at the EUD, in presenting the history of two hitherto unknown pioneers, helped us to begin thinking outside of the box. She traced the initial origin of the Women’s Ministries department. First, there was the Belgian protestant reformer, Marie-Dentière (1495-1596), a revolutionary at her time, who promoted equality between male and female disciples. She is quoted as saying that “it will be foolish to hide one’s God-given talents,” just because someone is a woman.
Second is the lasting influence of the American advocate for religious liberty, Sarepta Miranda Irish Henry (1839-1900). She was supported by E.G. White in her temperance movement. She noted that “women did receive instructions but missed their mission.” Thanks to her work, the women’s ministry was founded in 1898.
On her part, Pastor Elise Lazarus’ sermon topics as well as her methods of engaging women were so touching that her focus and examples brought tears to the eyes of some. How important it is to have a woman address women on issues that are foreign to men! As if Pastor Jeroen Tuinstra, FBL President, had been listening to her, the illustration in his presentation underlined the differences between men and women as far as the functioning of their brains, as well as their perspectives on some key matters in life, are concerned.
Pastor-Theologian and former Dean of SDA Collonges University, Roland Meyer, in his exposé, tore down the wall of separation between men and women, based on the supposed inequality or inferiority of the latter. He used the creation account as well as the writings of the apostle Paul to point out the place and the role of women, which unfortunately are often misinterpreted, taken out of context, and degrading of women. Every man and woman who was hitherto ignorant, after hearing this teaching, will experience a certain level of deliverance that God intended for the gospel. This teaching, thanks to exegesis, will heal and improve marital relationships.
Since becoming an Adventist, in whatever continent, have you ever attended a Women’s Retreat where you had the opportunity to personally consult a Pastor-Therapist-Chaplain? It happened this time with Marie-Pierre Péchoux who was the listening ear for women who had emotional burdens of which they needed to be freed.
All in all, unlike the usual format wherein attendees listen more to expert speakers, they were granted several occasions to share testimonies or their struggles, either to the whole assembly or in small groups. What an opportunity to get to know each other, way beyond just praying general prayers!
Kudos to sister Yvonne Ajinça, Women’s Ministry director at the conference who allowed the Holy Spirit to use her humility, her ability to assemble as well as to delegate duties to each one to use their skills as a blessing to others. Is our conference, the BLF, aware of the mountain of yet untapped women’s talents at its disposal?
Space will fail us to elaborate on the powerful, yet down-to-earth health testimony of our sister Dr. Violeta Tudor, not to mention the uplifting praise and worship through music and poetry. Each woman returned with joy in celebration of the practical nature of the presentations.
Finally, here are the questions on every lip: When shall we, the gender that represents 65% of the church, meet again to strategize for success in soul-winning? How shall we grow these precious seeds that have been planted in our hearts to cause the deserts in our lives to bloom, as well as those in our various churches and our conference so each one can confidently say, “I WILL GO REACH MY WORLD”.
Reported by Mary Ngwebong Ngu, ISDA, Beligian-Luxembourg Conference (BLF)
P.S. Feedback from another participant: “I give glory to the Lord for this wonderful weekend we had as women! We came back relaxed and spiritually refreshed. We strengthened our friendships and laid all our burdens at the foot of the cross of Christ. I can only encourage all those who did not have the possibility or the desire to come, to try the experience next time... I would like to thank Yvonne our WM leader a thousand times over for this wonderful challenge! We are looking forward to the next event.