Rich Heritage, Fresh Vision

By Arlene Allen

Rich Heritage

In 1925, the first Women's Missionary Council was organized in Houston, Texas. In the next two years, Women's Missionary Councils were organized in 27 districts. The first goal for these newly organized groups was to intercede for missionaries. Shortly thereafter, the vision expanded to include helping missionaries in practical ways. As World War II engulfed our nation and the world, women in our churches gave generously and barrels of supplies were sent to missionaries serving abroad.

The story does not end there. Over the next few years, Women's Missionary Councils were established in all districts and in other countries. A national organization was soon established to bring unanimity to the district programs and help increase growth and greater giving. We learned early that more can be done together than any one district could accomplish by itself. In 1951, the Women's Missionary Council was recognized as an official national organization by the General Council.

While American feminists angrily fought for their rights, Assemblies of God women were actively discipling girls to become women of God. Missionettes, a ministry to girls, was established in 1955. This exciting ministry celebrated its 50th birthday in 2005.

By 1975, women were beginning to realize their vision went far beyond helping missionaries. The General Council, convening in Denver, Colorado, voted to change the name of the Women's Missionary Council to "Women's Ministries." Now, and for the past 30 years, our main focus is to come alongside other church programs and help disciple women to facilitate the call God has placed on their individual hearts.

Our founders were committed to reaching the world for Christ, which explains why missions has always been a major focus within our Fellowship. This rich heritage, founded on biblical principles, continues to touch the hearts of men, women and children around the world.

Missions will always be a strong cord woven through Women's Ministries, or any other Assemblies of God program. As a matter of fact, since records were first kept in 1951, women across the United States have given a total of $325 million for world missions, U.S. missions, benevolences, district and national ministries. Praise the Lord for such generous givers! May we always have a heart for missions.

Fresh Vision

In 2003, the national office introduced Women's Ministries—Unlimited! to emphasize the unlimited opportunities open to women for ministry in their local churches and communities.

Not only is our world changing rapidly, but our communities and our own neighborhoods experience change daily. We asked ourselves how we could guarantee we were making an eternal impact in this generation and culture. The answer? We must minister to every woman according to her need, and every born-again woman should be encouraged to find her place of ministry within the body of Christ.

Unlimited Passion—

We must have passionate hearts to see women discover their God-given gifts and find their place of ministry within the body of Christ. Without passion in our message, women will not develop spiritually and their needs will go unmet.

Unlimited Mission—

The mission of your local Women's Ministries should be to reach women, disciple them and help bring wholeness and balance to their lives. By providing an atmosphere for women to strengthen their gifts and by training them to find their place of ministry, women can successfully touch their world for Christ. The most effective way to reach women is at the local church level.

Unlimited Ministry Groups—

Many women today do not have the time or the interest to spend time at "just another meeting." We must reach out to women at their point of need. Local Women's Ministries can do this by offering many Ministry Groups.

Take a moment to observe the women in your church. You will likely notice women sitting alone, women sitting with their husbands and children, women sitting with friends, and women in the choir or worship team. You will see women of all ages from many different backgrounds. Some are single and some are married. Others are widowed or divorced. Within the mix, you may notice businesswomen, college students, professionals, homemakers, politicians and retirees. One generalized group meeting will not meet the need of every woman. But every one of them shares a common need: to personally know and be known by the Master.

Unlimited Opportunities—

Women's Ministries—Unlimited! emphasizes the unlimited ministry opportunities available for women. Whether next door or around the world, the needs of present-day humanity are overwhelming. God desires that women understand who He is and what He can do through their lives as they are yielded to Him.

As you think about your local Women's Ministries, imagine how God can use you. Reflect on your personal abilities, time, experience and resources. God's plan is to use you to touch the world with His love, if you will simply make yourself available. What are your areas of skill and interest? What do you enjoy? If you were guaranteed success at whatever you could attempt for the Lord, what would you do for Him?

Dream of how the Lord can use you. Never think your gifts are insignificant or unusable. J.A. McDonald said, "To be permitted to do anything for God is an unspeakable honor."

Women's Ministries is an opportunity for the local church to touch the lives of women by the power of Jesus Christ through outreach, ministry and discipleship.

Our hope is that, as you read about the formation and development of the Assemblies of God Women's Ministries, you will catch a fresh vision. With the help of the Holy Spirit, may you be encouraged to step out and share the hope of the gospel in a more profound way.