enCOURAGE:2013—A Conference for Women in Ministry
The Office of USA Missions in the Division of World Evangelization of the Church of God has announced plans for enCOURAGE:2013—A Conference for Women in Ministry, to be held August 8-10, 2013 at the North Cleveland Church of God in Cleveland, Tennessee. The conference theme will play on the two words ENCOURAGE and COURAGE, and will seek to encourage and edify those ladies who serve as lead pastors, evangelists, staff persons, educators, counselors, and in various other ministries.
According to Dr. James E. Cossey, Administrative Coordinator of USA Missions, there are some 3,400 Church of God credentialed female ministers in the United States and Canada, and scores of others who do regular ministry but are not credentialed. This conference is for all ladies who minister (credentialed or not), including pastor’s wives. While geared primarily to Church of God lady ministers, registration is open to all female ministers, regardless of affiliation.
This conference was birthed in the heart of Dr. Wallace J. Sibley, Assistant General Overseer and Executive Director of the Division of World Evangelization. Said Cossey, “Both Dr. Sibley’s mother and mine were ministers of the gospel. We share a common burden for this conference.” The steering committee consisted of Dorothy Sibley, Myrlene Cossey, Michelle Davenport, Cathy Gillum, Jacqueline Smith, and Bishop Tom Gillum. Davenport, Smith, and Bishop Gillum are also members of the USA Missions Board.
Proposed workshop titles include:
• “When the Wife is the Lead Pastor”
• “God’s Singing, Worshiping People”
• “Women Who Write and Publish”
• “Educating Others for Ministry IS Ministry”
• “Maintaining Marriage Through the Maze of Ministry”
• “Singleness and Ministry”
• “The Unique Challenges of Women in Ministry” (Panel)
• “Counseling and Pastoral Ministry”
• “What I Wish I Had Known When I Entered the Ministry”
• “Keeping the Laughter Alive”
• “Women Can Plant Churches”
• “Balancing Home, Local Church, and Being an Evangelist”
All proposed workshops are to be conducted by women, except one, which will be conducted by a husband/wife team.
Keynote speakers for the conference are:
• Deven Wallace, Co-Pastor and pastor’s wife at Redemption Point Church in Ooltewah, Tennessee: “Courage Through Prayer and Faith” (Thursday night)
• Sandra Kay Williams, First Lady of the Church of God and wife of General Overseer Mark L. Williams: “Courage to be a WOW Woman in an Unholy World” (Friday Morning)
• Ana Ruth Diaz, Founder and Lead Pastor of Iglesia de Dios Oasis de Amor (Oasis of Love Church of God) a 6,000 member congregation in Tegucigalpa, Honduras: “Courage Through Pentecostal Power” (Friday Night)
• Joycelyn Barnett, International Evangelist headquartered in West Palm Beach, Florida: “Encouraged for Future Ministry” (Saturday Morning)
enCOURAGE:2013—A Conference for Women in Ministry will begin on Thursday night, August 8, at 7:00 p.m. and will conclude on Saturday, August 10, at 12:30 noon. Registration cost is $49, and forms can be downloaded (to be returned by mail with a check payable to “USA Missions”), or online registration and payment by Pay Pal is available at www.usamissions.com. The first 100 ladies who register will have their names placed in a drawing for a special “Early Bird” door prize to be awarded at the conference.
A mass email to all credentialed ministers is forthcoming. More information may be secured by calling USA Missions at 423-478-7103, or at www.usamissions.com.
(Source: USA Missions)
