So what is women's ministry at Hope all about?
Women's Ministry at Hope exists so that women can find a place to connect and grow in a relationship with God. This happens through connections with other women and opportunities for spiritual growth. The heart of women's ministries is that women might have a place both to grow and to invite other women to the contagious love of Christ.
How did you get involved in women's ministries?
After leading (and loving) youth ministry at Hope, I felt like God really sent me to seminary. In 2000, I began attending Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and eventually graduated with a degree in Christian Counseling. Along the way, I had my oldest child, Charlie, and Cameron, our daughter, followed close behind. Even as I began to work in ministry as a counselor, I felt myself needing so much more as a new mom. After six weeks of missing church because of kid sickness or nursery duty, I was desperate for something else, something during the week, where women could connect (with childcare). With the help of some other wise and experienced women, Thrive came about. It is now in it's fourth year, and has expanded to a night group and a variety of offshoots. Two years ago, Hope leadership asked if I would volunteer to oversee women's ministries. I am so pleased to be a part of this growing and vibrant part of the church body. My primary roles are leadership development and teaching, and general cheerleading for the many awesome women on this blog tour.
What do you hope women will get from being involved in some aspect of this ministry?
My heart is that a woman who's experienced ministry at Hope would be a woman who lives free in the power of Jesus. She's a woman who knows what she's good at doing and joyfully serves in that area. She's a woman whose passion is sharing the love of God in her areas of influence.
Obviously, we all want to be that, but I hope that we are part of an environment that welcomes women wherever they are on the journey, and spurs them on to something more, something deeper, with God and others.
What do you like most about Hope women's ministries?
Things that make me happy: women connecting. New leaders emerging. Women influencing their families and workplaces with the learning and transforming they take from Thrive, small groups, relationships with other women, or the retreat.
I'm nervous about something new. What do I need to know?
Something else that makes me happy: women reporting that Hope is a friendly place. Our events are warm and welcoming, and we consistently are reaching out for new relationships. And if we aren't, come find me and slap me. Just kidding. Kind of.
What do YOU enjoy about women's ministry at Hope? Post a comment here or email me at nicoleunice@gmail.com.
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