Women in Leadership
Pastor Khumi Called Home, Her Legacy Remains
On 7 June 2026, Pastor Khumi entered the presence of Jesus after a courageous battle with malaria. For eight years, she faithfully served as a pioneer missionary in the remote villages of Northern Rakhine, one of Myanmar’s most difficult and least-reached regions. Pastor Khumi’s journey began through the influence of a faithful widow named Lin Puii, whose humble bamboo house connected to Nine Mile Church became a place of prayer, discipleship, and mission. Like Lydia in Acts 16, Lin Puii opened her heart and home to God’s work, helping nurture future leaders. Among those shaped by her example was Pastor Khumi, who learned that following Christ meant carrying the gospel beyond familiar places to those who had never heard. Responding to God’s call, Pastor Khumi dedicated her life to serving the people of Northern Rakhine. Despite challenging travel conditions, limited medical care, widespread poverty, and spiritual opposition, she remained committed to sharing Christ’s love and making disciples. Her faithfulness bore lasting fruit. What began as a small pioneer ministry grew steadily over the years. Early reports recorded five churches, 82 baptisms, and 177 new Nazarenes. By 2025,...
Theology of Women in Ministry
SOURCE: Church of the Nazarene Manual, 2017-2021 [para. 501, pp. 192] The Church of the Nazarene supports the right of women to use their God-given spiritual gifts within the church and affirms the historic right of women to be elected and appointed to places of leadership within the Church of the Nazarene, including the offices of both elder and deacon. The purpose of Christ’s redemptive work is to set God’s creation free from the curse of the Fall. Those who are “in Christ” are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). In this redemptive community, no human being is to be regarded as inferior on the basis of social status, race, or gender (Galatians 3:26-28). Acknowledging the apparent paradox created by Paul’s instruction to Timothy (1 Timothy 2:11-12) and to the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 14:33-34), we believe interpreting these passages as limiting the role of women in ministry presents serious conflicts with specific passages of scripture that commend female participation in spiritual leadership roles (Joel 2:28-29; Acts 2:17-18; 21:8-9; Romans 16:1, 3, 7; Philippians 4:2-3), and violates the spirit and practice of the Wesleyan-holiness tradition. Finally, it is incompatible with the character of God presented throughout Scripture, especially as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ.
Women In Leadership Counsil

Lynne Bollinger

Aggie Muaror

Inocencia Piliin

Jenna Stout

Tha Zin Hlaing

Asnath Mangi
THRIVING TOGETHER
Stories of Women Serving in Ministries Across the Asia-Pacific Region
Nazarene Women in Leadership Ministries is excited to share 12 unique stories of women serving in various roles around the region. Be inspired by their stories of calling, obedience, and how they are thriving in the place where God put them to serve.
More Resources
Cultivating The Call
women clergy conference
Contact:
Lynne Bollinger (Coordinator)
Email: nwlc@apnaz.org
