Women from across the South Pacific Division (SPD) have gathered this week at Avondale University (Cooranbong, NSW) for the “Called” Women in Ministry and Leadership Conference.
Held every five years, the conference serves as a key platform for networking, encouragement and professional development for women serving in ministry. Around 190 women from across the four unions are attending.
SPD associate ministerial secretary Dr Edyta Jankiewicz highlighted the significance of the gathering. “The goals of this conference are to bring women together for conversation, support and networking,” she said, “but also just to reaffirm their calling to ministry and to help them to know that they’re not alone, that there are other women all across the Division also labouring, some of them in really challenging situations, where there’s not a lot of support from the community for female pastors.”
Among the keynote speakers is Dr Hyveth Williams, professor of Homiletics at Andrews University, who has spent more than four decades in ministry. She is delivering impactful presentations on resilience in ministry. Dr Tara VinCross, senior pastor at Azure Hills Adventist Church in the Southeastern California Conference, is presenting the evening messages under the theme “Deep Calling”, covering rest, healing and blessing.
Greater Sydney Conference chief financial officer Nadelle Manners is engaging the audience with her insightful leadership advice. In addition to the keynote presentations, participants are engaging in morning worships and afternoon workshops covering a range of relevant topics. Attendees also have the opportunity to explore exhibition booths showcasing various ministries including the 10,000 Toes Campaign and Mums At The Table.
Participants have expressed deep appreciation for the conference’s impact. Central Papua Conference children’s ministry director Ruth Batu shared, “The Called conference has affirmed the calling for women in ministry and it has helped leaders to be equipped with the tools to go back and empower their churches.”
Greater Sydney Conference women’s ministry director Meleofa Tovo highlighted a session that stood out to her. “My highlight was the workshop on how to be assertive and the art of persuasion,” she said. “I’m looking forward to utilising this skill in women’s ministry this year.”
Loanne Liligeto, communication director at the Solomon Islands Mission, found the worship sessions especially moving. “One of the highlights that I have really enjoyed is the singing,” she said. “Little do we realise that words play a major role in changing our lives. And so I’ve been touched by the singing, looking at the words and feeling the Holy Spirit within the audience.”
A special segment on Tuesday saw Dr Lyell Heise recognised for his outstanding support of women in ministry, receiving an award presented by Avondale head of seminary Dr Wendy Jackson.
With the conference concluding tomorrow, Dr Jankiewicz has encouraged church members to continue to pray for all women pastors who serve across the Division.
