The 11th WEF General Assembly held in Kuala Lumpur, 4 -10 May 2001, gave us the opportunity to meet with women from the Women’s Commissions in different parts of the world.
Women to Women spoke to some of these women. As we listened to them, it becomes clear to us that our hearts beat for the same concern - that the women in our nations come to know the Saviour who alone can give lasting peace, joy and hope. The call is also out to network, to learn from and encourage each other that we may serve the Lord more effectively.
What started you off in your interest in missions?
I have always been fascinated by and interested in other cultures and languages. I have always had a concern for the poor and for justice issues. My husband went to medical school in order to be a missionary doctor, so that is how we ended up in Zaire in medical and educational roles.
Would it be accurate to say that women outnumber men in interest and participation in missions? Why is this so?
Yes. Roughly 2/3 of the world’s mission force is women. Historically, some women went into missions, as they were not able to exercise their gifts at home! Perhaps women are naturally more relational and are therefore keen to share their relationship with Jesus Christ with others. Perhaps women are more naturally compassionate and less interested in climbing the career ladder so they find it easier to move and go into missions.
What special contributions do women bring to missions?
· A relational approach—perhaps a fundamental understanding and appreciation that missions is relationships. - both vertical (with Jesus) and horizontal (with our neighbour).
· An ability to juggle different roles and responsibilities
· A servant heart; empathy with those who suffer
· An ability to listen
What are the challenges facing Christian women in the 21st century?
· Issues such as the role of women in leadership
· Justice issues which pertain particularly to women - sexual exploitation of women and children, circumcision, violence against women, health issues as they relate to women—AIDS, childbirth, exclusion of women and girls, juggling of family and work
· Reading and interpreting the Bible so women can exercise their God-given gifts
You are a wife, mother and lecturer in a Bible College. How do you do it?
I have a very supportive husband! We have always shared childcare and domestic responsibilities. We try to support each other in our respective roles and callings so that we can exercise our gifts to the glory of God. We also guard our family life, as we believe God has entrusted us with children and called us to be parents.
You are currently working on a postgraduate thesis on “More than Wives.” Tell us something about this.
I am researching four Christian Missionary Services missionary wives to NZ in the nineteenth century. I am looking at their roles and self-understanding. For example, the first missionary families that were sent out by CMS only had the husband’s name recorded in the “CMS Register.” And yet the wives were equally involved, running the mission stations while their husbands were away, teaching the women and girls especially while also assuming the major part of the domestic responsibilities. I would like to tell the stories of these women so we can begin to discover the hidden history of women in missions.
Cathy Ross is Director of School of Global Mission, Bible College of new Zealand. |
