Women in India explore public ministry

Chennai – Women in India and Sri Lanka came together recently to explore public opportunities to serve God, at the first Assemblies of God National Women's Leadership Conference.

The three–day event in the city of Chennai in southwestern India included 420 delegates from Sri Lanka and India. Some of those who attended were given commissions to serve, and accepted their new responsibilities with tears.

"I saw women I have known for 23 years – committed women with godly character and quiet excellence – weeping before the Lord as they were anointed for service," said Beth Grant, an Assemblies of God Women's Ministry representative.

Very few women in India have had powerful leadership roles, despite being teachers, physicians, scientists or counselors. In India, women are not yet given ministerial credentials, according to the report.

Pastor David Mohan of New Life Assembly of God Church, which serves more than 30,000 worshippers, said that plans for the conference began two years ago under the leadership of his wife, Getziel Mohan. In 2004, she was invited to attend the 2004 Women’s Ministries Conference in Springfield, Missouri to get help for planning the Indian conference.

The conference in Chennai included workshops addressing issues such as balancing marriage and ministry, compassion ministries, identifying community needs, and specialized ministries such as media, singles, street children and counseling, with an emphasis on human trafficking and female infanticide.

Attendees were also given a manual for women's ministries developed by local women.