A new book, Called, was launched by Dr Danijela Schubert and Shaylee Walsh on Thursday, July 8, at the virtual meeting of the South Pacific Division (SPD) Executive Committee.
A special project of the SPD’s Discipleship Ministries Team, in which Dr Schubert has led Women’s Ministries for the past several years, Called tells the inspiring stories of 50 women who serve God across the South Pacific, each responding to God’s calling in their own ways.
Nearly 180 people, including church leaders, committee members and contributors to the book, tuned in to watch the launch, during which Dr Schubert spoke of her hope that Called will inspire a new generation to dedicate their lives to God. “One of the most important parts of my role has been to promote and celebrate the role and achievements of women in ministry,” she said. “This book is an important way for us to do that.”
The 50 women featured in Called come from all over the South Pacific Division and represent a diversity of roles and experiences. They serve God in leadership positions for the church and its institutions, as members of major committees and boards, and in pastoral ministry.
“Women from all four Unions are represented in this book,” explained Shaylee Walsh, departmental assistant (Family, Women, Church Planting & Health), who helped create the book. “There are women of all different ages, cultures and levels of education and it’s powerful to see!”
Some of the women featured in the book include South Pacific Division Communication director Tracey Bridcutt, Head of Education at Avondale University Bev Christian, young health professional and Growing Together project officer Lucy Dessington, SPD Technology Operations and Strategy director Eva Ing, ADRA Samoa director Su’a Julia Wallwork, and many others.
SPD president Pastor Glenn Townend commended these women for sharing their stories, saying they have “highlighted the powerful effect that women have had throughout our Division.”
A dedicatory prayer for Called was offered by Dr Wendy Jackson, Head of Seminary at Avondale University, whose story of being called from medicine to ministry is featured in the book.
“Now it is your turn to encourage, promote and support women that God has gifted with gifts to serve Him,” said Dr Schubert, who was also honoured for her years of service and leadership in the SPD. “We encourage you to buy the book, promote it, read stories to your children, buy it as a gift for somebody else, be inspired by those stories. May we see more women in leadership, pastoral ministry and decision-making bodies in this Division.”
But this project will not only inspire and encourage, but also support more women in service. Each copy of the book sold in Australia and New Zealand includes a donation towards the education of women for ministry, and in the Papua New Guinea Union Mission and Trans Pacific Union Mission where Division support has allowed the books to made available on a donation basis, all proceeds received will go directly towards women’s education.
Called: Meet 50 Women Working With God in the South Pacific is published by Signs Publishing and is now available at Adventist bookshops and online.
