Womens Ministries

Training undertaken on the General Conference (GC) programmes, initiatives and use of resources developed existing leaders and inspired an increased number of young ladies to become Women’s Ministries leaders.

Initiatives on nurture, empowerment and outreach yielded many testimonies of lives enriched and increased attendance of community visitors to churches, retreats and Women’s Ministries events.

The BUC Women of Virtue (WOV) programme saw the expansion of WOV chapters nationally and internationally. There was also further development of the Esther Institute of Excellence programme for girls and young ladies, along with the successful launch and progression of the THRIVE programme for the holistic wellbeing and development of women.

Departmental Objectives:

• To equip and nurture women to achieve their full potential in their personal lives, families, churches and communities.

• Under the theme of ‘Empowered – Reaching Women, Restoring Lives, Sharing Christ’, women were encouraged to pursue self-development, deliver nurturing outreach to support others, and engage in evangelistic initiatives.

Key Performance Indicators and Alignment with Strategic Targets

The following categories, aligned to specific strategic priorities, helped frame the work and ministry of the department, enabling the above objectives to be fulfilled:

Reflecting Christ (Key Performance Indicator – Spiritual Development and Nurture)

1. Spiritual nurture videos were created for women across the BUC territory.

2. Devotional sessions were created for women across the BUC territory.

3. Prayer networks were supported for the spiritual nurture of women.

4. Faith and emotional resilience workshops were delivered.

5. Spiritual nurture resources were disseminated to women and families experiencing trauma and life challenges.

6. The women’s prayer and reflection colouring book was used for spiritual nurture.

7. Forgiveness training sessions were held.

8. Women’s Ministries bereavement befriender care training was conducted.

9. Spiritual support was offered to bereaved women across the BUC territory.

10. Bespoke bereavement care ministry boxes were created and delivered to women and grieving families.

11. Grief Recovery: COMFORT books were donated as part of the BUC’s Bereavement Care Befriender initiative outreach to women.

12. Personalised greetings cards were sent to bereaved families.

13. Community support groups were held for women.

14. Spiritual nurture materials were disseminated to women experiencing varied life challenges and traumas.

15. The departmental director was the keynote speaker for women’s prayer and wellbeing conferences. 

Resources (Key Performance Indicator – Publications that Positively Impact Lives)

With a passion for the encouragement, empowerment and development of women, the director produced resources and seminars to assist the various life events and holisitc wellbeing of women.

New publications

• The director created ‘Life Seasons’ materials for women and their families.

• A women’s prayer and reflection journal colouring book was created, which yielded numerous reports of women’s prayer and reflection time being enhanced.

• The ‘SHE’ series of scriptural bookmarks was created.

Contribution to publications

The director submitted articles to BUC News and the Messenger and Focus magazines on diverse topics.

Resourcing churches and leaders

• The department put together a complimentary box of departmental materials for new Women’s Ministries leaders as part of their orientation, providing them with resources to equip them in their role.

Outcome

• Bible study groups were established using the prayer and reflection journal. The journal also instigated discussions with non-members and engaged them in Bible study groups. 

Impact

• Women using the departmental resources increased their church attendance.

• Reclaimed members reported resources that reignited their faith.

• The GC Women’s Ministries Department has rolled out three of the department’s initiatives globally for the world church. These are the BUC Women of Virtue programme, the Forgiveness as Healing course and ministry boxes.

Departmental resource collaboration

• Women’s Ministries collaborated with Stewardship Department to produce weekly Tuesday Talks podcasts shared on women’s media platforms.

Addressing specific issues relating to women, we seek to protect and nurture their wellbeing in ways that bring respect and value.

Acting as advocates to stand for equity and justice in circumstances where women have been mistreated, undervalued and abused, we undertook the following interventions to mitigate these harmful experiences:

1. We delivered presentations on misogyny awareness and resulting trauma recovery.

2. Advice was given, support was offered and referrals to relevant agencies were made for women and their families experiencing domestic violence.

3. Women’s Ministries resources were given for outreach to women experiencing domestic violence.

4. The department has worked collaboratively with external agencies such as the Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Champions Network to develop existing abuse prevention champions and recruit new ones.

Caretaking wellbeing

1. Women’s health seminars were facilitated.

2. Supporting resources and relevant interventions were provided for women and families adversely impacted by long COVID-19.

3. Signposting was given to long COVID-19 clinics, research centres and support groups to care for women and their families struggling with long COVID-19.

4. Signposting was given to the Cornerstone Counselling Service, and women requiring counselling intervention were referred.

5. Ministry boxes were created for women experiencing varied life challenges.

6. Resources were compiled to encourage holistic wellbeing and resilience.

Outreach

1. Support and training was offered for women hosting Ukrainian refugees in their home. The 10-Point Integrative Model for Refugee Support was also disseminated among them.

2. Evangelistic materials were developed for women undertaking outreach to other women in their community.

3. Women and families adversely impacted by the cost-of-living crisis were supported, and and specific interventions were implemented for them.

4. Women’s Ministries teams were supported in cooking meals for the homeless.

5. There was an expansion of Women’s Ministries teams to support growing food hubs in local areas.

6. A resource package was developed for dissemination to Women’s Refuge.

Outcome

• An increased number of women signed up as Bereavement Care befrienders following national training on grief recovery.

• Increased numbers of women participated in church and community outreach interventions.

Outcome

Women’s Ministries initiatives and programmes encouraged the inclusion of women, their gifts and their talents into the life of the church and its function in the community.

Impact

The BUC Women of Virtue programme’s expansion into territories such as Bermuda, the Bahamas, Botswana, Canada, Grand Cayman, South Africa and Namibia continues to yield encouraging testimonies of enriched lives and evangelistic success, with community women attending the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Safeguarding (Key Performance Indicator – Keeping People Safe)

• Regional abuse awareness training was delivered to Women’s Ministries leaders.

• In addition to the annual EnditNow abuse awareness focus, the BUC Women’s Ministries Department collaborated with the SEC Women’s Ministries Department to host a month-long focus on equipping leaders, church administrators and members on abuse prevention, reporting and recovery.

• Radio and video interviews were undertaken, along with workshops, seminars and the dissemination of resources to equip individuals on abuse awareness and recovery.

• Referrals for counselling therapy and trauma recovery were also made.

Financial Management (Key Performance Indicator – Demonstrable Accountability and Good Stewardship)

• Expenditure – The department maintained robust reporting of expenditure and management of finances within budgetary parameters.

• Departmental materials sold – The increased sales of departmental resources enabled funds to return to the department for further development of programme and course materials.

Summary

We were encouraged by the engagement in ministry outreach, the reaffirmation of faith, and the baptisms of women attending our programmes. These evangelistic milestones are a reflection Ellen G. White’s statement: ‘The refining, softening influence of Christian women is needed in the great work of preaching the truth’ (Evangelism, p. 472).

Looking Ahead

The BUC Women’s Ministries Manifesto launched in 2025 is planned for Union rollout and regional roadshows in 2026.

Recommendations

• Increase engagement of younger women with programmes/initiatives meeting their needs.

• Adequately resource full-time departmental administrative support.

Acknowledgements

I would like to show appreciation to the following individuals whose faithful service and support over the past five years have helped to shape our department and achieve its mission:

Secretarial support:

• Reny Iunac

• Pilira Zapita

• Shirley Harper

• Jackie Ramharacksingh

Voluntary support:

•  Layken Venter

• Abigail Davidson

• Sheneka Davis

Team members:

• Samantha Fessal

• Beulah Plunkett

• Elder Jacqueline Otokpa

• Lillian Cooper

• Anastasia Ross

• Cedrene Botha & Priscilla Bhebe

• Lydia Sharon

• Dr Gina Miller

Our gratitude extends to God for His leading during this quinquennium, and we acknowledge that every success should be attributed to Him.