Empower.
Leadership Course Increases Mobilization of Women for the Mission of the Church
Participants received certification from Andrews University, and learned about counseling and how to give Bible studies.
South American Division (SAD)
[Brazil] In the states of Bahia and Sergipe, Seventh-day Adventist Church has about 210,000 members, and more than 120,000 of these are women. Therefore, preparing a female Adventist community to lead a variety of ministries of the Church and its mission is essential for the progress of the mission of presenting Christ to others.
In order to reach this goal, Bahia Conference, the Adventist headquarters for the metropolitan area of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, offered the Continuing Education course in Women’s Leadership (prepared by the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventist Church world headquarters women’s ministries department) with certification from Andrews University, Michigan, USA.
On Saturday, November 4, certificates were handed out to the first class to take this course. There were 55 students, who were district coordinators of women’s ministries. They completed the modules between April and October. The content included the types of leadership theories, counseling, conflict resolution, preparation of sermons and appeals, development of church programs, Bible leadership, and hands-on Bible study classes.
The course was created “in view of the need for leaders with greater knowledge on leadership contents,” explains Marília Dantas, women’s ministries director for the East Brazil Union Mission, Church headquarters for Bahia and Sergipe. Queilane Sprotte, who coordinates the same ministry for the region of Salvador, says that this initiative helps empower women for a greater involvement with the mission. “The program was developed based on our perception of the great need for women in the Church to develop their skills, enabling them to take on leadership roles,” she points out.
Written by Heron Santana, South American Division
Published in Mosaic newsletter, 2019 Q1
