05 Dec We Are Home

2 Minute Read

By Liz Defrain, Director of PennDel Women

The Women’s Department is seeing fantastic opportunities happen for women throughout our Network. In other Christian circles, there has been a backlash against women in ministry, causing many women to use the hashtag #NOTGOINGHOME, on social media platforms. However, I believe the correct statement for those of us in the Assemblies of God is this: WE ARE HOME.

Never has there been a better time for God to both highlight and use women in the five-fold ministry gifts. The scripture in both Joel 2:28 and then repeated in Acts 2:17 says, “In the last days… I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days, I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike—and they will prophesy.” How does this outpouring express itself in everyday life? I believe one of the most significant responsibilities and privileges of the Women’s Department is to seek and recognize women who are called and then help equip and mentor them. On any given Sunday, if women stopped serving in their calling, the church at large would suffer tremendously. Close your eyes and think about your church this coming Sunday, and then remove all the women who serve. Whether they are leading, teaching, preaching, evangelizing or prophetically speaking, their unique style and gifts bring so much to the table!

Jesus brought honor to women, elevating their status during a time when a woman was simply property. Think for a moment, Jesus could have shared the “living water” with anyone, but He chose the woman at the well. “The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, ʻCome, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?ʼ” That was a bold move! In a time where culture said women were to be silent, Jesus freed her to speak about the power of God. Her speaking caused many of the Samaritans to come to follow Jesus. Some say she was the first woman evangelist. Whether she was the first or not, I wouldn’t know, but I am grateful for women who are evangelists and still sharing the living water today.

The apostle Paul thought a woman was capable enough to lead. He mentions Priscilla (Pricia) in Romans 16, who led a house church with her husband, Aquila, and Phoebe, who was thought to be a deaconess and of course, Junia, who, along with her husband Andronicus, where listed as apostles. “Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.” Romans 16:7 NIV

I believe God is up to something truly amazing these days, and I am thankful to be a woman in the PennDel Ministry Network! I AM HOME!

FIVE SPRING TOURS!

2020 SPRING TOUR

RECLAIM

• March 7 : Central AG, Houston
  • Speaker: Angela Donadio
• March 14 : Praise Assembly, Newark, DE
  • Speaker: Christan Causey
• March 21 : Christian Life Assembly,
  Camp Hill
  • Speaker: Lisa Potter
  • Worship: Lindsay Potter
• March 28 : Erie First AG, Erie
  • Speaker: Maria Durso
• April 18 : Peckville AG, Blakley
  • Speaker: Evelyn Klingler

Registration opens on January 1, 2020

Find out more at:
penndelwomen.com