My heart still lights up when I think about the Oklahoma Baptist Women’s Ministry Trainings. Weeks before, I felt led to invite a sister church that had been praying about starting a women’s ministry.
I wasn’t sure they’d come, but on the day of the event, they came! Each person loved the sessions, connected with other leaders, and one woman in their group even surrendered her life to Christ!
As the evening ended, I thanked God for doing something deeper than an event. He started a relationship! And I didn’t want that connection to stop there. Since then, our women’s ministry has “adopted” this sister church. They now joyfully join us in our community outreach and fellowship events. We pray for each other and swap ideas on how to reach more women for Christ. What a beautiful gift to see how discipleship flourishes when women link arms instead of going at it alone.
That experience changes how I view events. Retreats and Conferences are fabulous for creating excitement, but discipleship happens in the days to follow. Now I see that events are the spark, but follow-up is the flame that keeps the fire burning bright! We must intentionally plan with discipleship in mind. Only then can every gathering become a launching pad for transformation.
Hebrews 10:24 says, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” Here are some ways to help women’s ministry leaders be intentional:
1. Pray for One Another. Ask God to show you a nearby women’s group that could use encouragement. Then reach out.
2. Invite, Don’t Ignore. Welcome an unchurched woman or a struggling sister church to your next bible study or fellowship. Never underestimate the power of a phone call or personal invite.
3. Share Resources. Offer them additional Bible studies, prayer guides, or training materials. And yes, your décor. Sometimes generosity is what helps jump-start a ministry.
4. Encourage Leaders. Reach out to another women’s ministry leader. Send a quick text, give a handwritten note, or go for coffee/tea to remind her she’s not alone in this journey.
5. Adopt a Sister Church. Stay in touch, pray with each other, and look for ways to support each other. Growth happens in community.
6. Celebrate Together. Rejoice for new believers, faithful small groups, and successful first events. Let’s cheer each other on! And, yes, I’ll bring the confetti!
When we treat ministry connections as opportunities for long-term discipleship, God brings the harvest. Imagine if every women’s ministry in Oklahoma began to pray for, partner with, and pour into a sister church. Our events would no longer be the finish line, but the starting point of revival. So when the event ends, don’t let the moment fade. Discipleship truly begins when women in ministry walk together, long after the lights go out.
