Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippines-Micronesia Field Women’s Clergy department held a conference last May 22, 2021, called “Women of Wisdom.” Over 200 women pastors and lay leaders from all over the Philippines gathered at this online event. The women were empowered, blessed, and encouraged to serve using their God-given talents to expand God’s Kingdom and bring glory to God.
The conference includes worship through singing, group dynamics, hearing God’s Word with practical reflections, breakout sessions that addressed developmental needs, and some fun games. Women of Wisdom encapsulates a unique “fun-loving spirit” among women in spite of the challenges in ministry. These women continue to have full enthusiasm to share the Good News and determination to journey with someone so they can rise up and be like Jesus!
The Women of Wisdom Conference was enriching both personally and relationally. I was able to see longtime friends in the Nazarene group whom I met twenty-plus years ago. In adhering to Wesleyan-Arminian tradition, which empowers women’s leadership, I am grateful I belong to this Church. This conference reminds me of my Bible school training where I gained competencies from women professors, echoing their words that say “some of our greatest men are women.” shared by one of the speakers, Dr. Lyn Montecastro.
Although this conference is online and everyone is separated by mountains and seas, wisdom transcends through the hearts of everyone who attended. The Lord who has given every good and perfect gift were in the midst of it all. These women of wisdom will rise up because of God’s enabling grace!
