The basis and significance of women’s ministry in the Church of the Salvation Army.
We read the following words in the gospel: “While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head” (Mark 14:3). It was the first expression of a woman’s love and her service to the Lord. It would be better if the woman sold expensive oil and gave the money to the poor. But Jesus supports her: “Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains” (Mark 14:6-8), i.e. the woman did what her heart told her to do.
During the first Christian centuries women served the Lord selflessly and with diligence. These women were Mary called Magdalene, Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household, Susanna and many others (Luke 8:2-3). The Lord himself welcomed women’s hospitality and support. We remember when Jesus accepted care from Apostle Peter’s mother-in-law (Mark, 1:31), whom He had healed from fever, and then He did the same in relation to Mary and Martha (Luke 11: 38-42). Women were the first followers and disciples of Jesus Christ. It was the women who accompanied the Lord to the place of crucifixion, it was they who became the first witnesses of His resurrection.
As we have seen, all Scripture emphasizes the great contribution made by women to serving the Lord and spreading the gospel. Thus, the apostle Paul explains the Savior’s covenant to the Galatians: “Here is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ” (Gal. 3:28). Тhese words will form the basis of women’s ministry in churches of the Salvation Army. As you know, the Salvation Army in Georgia is represented by eight local churches and women’s ministry is of great importance in every corps. It includes the women’s league, which has four directions: education, worship, ministry and communication. The doors of the ministry in the women’s league is open for any woman.
There are also small weekly women’s Bible study groups where participants read and learn the Holy Scriptures, prayer groups in which people share prayer requests and caring about one another. Every year Women’s Rallies are held – women of all ages are invited to praise God, to share the word and fellowship.
The women’s ministry is one of the fruitful, blessed and growing ministries in the region, which welcomes every woman seeking God’s will, attaining and enriched by the gifts of the Holy Spirit and all those who fervently love their neighbors as themselves.