TEAM
During Jesus’ ministry on earth, He valued the contributions of women and elevated their status.
For instance, He initiated a deep conversation with a Samaritan (outcast) woman—who subsequently evangelized her whole town (John 4). He protected the woman caught in adultery and challenged her to begin a new life (John 8).
He defended the mothers who brought their children to Him (Mark 10). During His last moments on the cross, He made arrangements for His own mother’s care (John 19).
When a sinful woman poured expensive perfume on His feet, He stopped the onlookers’ criticism and declared: “Wherever this Good News is preached in all the world, this woman will be remembered for what she has done” (Matthew 26:13, NLV). Indeed, He was correct.
The Adventist Church follows Christ’s example by reaching out to women all over the world and offering love, support and enrichment. Adventists minister to women by establishing a support system for hurting women and creating a forum to address topics and issues that affect women in and out of the church.
The church also promotes programs to mentor young women and support their academic achievements through a scholarship program. The six primary areas of concern that guide the church’s outreach to women are health, abuse, poverty, women’s workloads, lack of leadership training, education and illiteracy.
These issues affect women of all cultures, social standings and countries. The Adventist Church strives to nurture women in the church and in the community while empowering them to become stronger women of God in the areas of Bible study, prayer, personal growth and outreach in the community.
Christ’s ministry lifted women up, and in turn, the church empowers women to lift Him up.