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W.I.L.D. Training Anyone?

Mar 212012

Greetings from your Leadership Development Team!

We have been busy, busy, busy, preparing for the upcoming W.I.L.D. training season. This is always a great time of year for our team as we seek God’s guidance, sort through evaluations and coordinate with Regional leadership in order to equip the next group of local PWOC leaders with the most effective and relevant training possible. This is certainly a team effort. In addition to the team of trainers, there are also many women working behind the scenes to bring dynamic weekends of training to your regions.

Did you know the W.I.L.D. training curriculum is written, edited, test run and formatted by local PWOC members throughout the world? God has filled our body with amazingly gifted and talented individuals who sacrifice their time and energy as they pour wisdom, knowledge and experience into the training material. The teamwork does not stop there. Team members also work with a local print shop to ensure the curriculum is printed correctly and then distributed to each region. In addition, there is a team of women in each region working to ensure all the details for the training weekend are set into place.

A benefit of having a team pulled straight from the PWOC body is that each of these women is committed to prayer! They pray over what is written, what is printed, even the shipment of the curriculum to the regions. Isn’t that wonderful?! Every aspect of our Regional W.I.L.D. Weekends is laboriously prayed over every step of the way as we seek to equip and encourage local leadership according to God’s plan. As additional work continues to be done to organize and carry out the Regional W.I.L.D. weekends, all details are being prayerfully set into place: dates, locations, training teams, schedules, even the food that will be offered is put to prayer.

Now, we ask you to join us! Listed below are the training dates for all nine regions. Please join us in prayer over these dates, details and the local leadership that will be in attendance. You can find additional information on the “W.I.L.D. Weekends” page under “Training” at PWOC.org.

W.I.L.D. Dates and Locations by Region

Alaska – May 4-6 @ Eielson AFB, AK

Europe – May 17-20 @ Edelweiss Resort & Lodge, Garmisch, Germany

Pacific – June 8-10 @ Pu’u Kahea Conference Center, Waianae HI

Central – June 8-10 @ Ft Leavenworth, KS

Korea – June 15-17 @ Religious Retreat Center (RCC), Seoul, Korea

Japan – June 22-24 @ TBD

Southeast – June29-July 1 @ Pinnacle Retreat Center, Clayton, GA

Northeast – July 6-8 @ Ft Belvoir, VA

West – July 20-22 @ TBD

Barnabas – Perfect PWOCer?

regional review

Mar 062012

Asia region is currently hosting an online Bible reading group, join us on Facebook – it’s never too late to begin. Barnabas grabbed my attention while reading through Acts. Below is a quick (incomplete) character study.

Acts 4:36

son of ENCOURAGEMENT
sells his land and BRINGS the proceeds to the kingdom

Acts 9:26

takes Saul, ex-persecutor of the church, and BROUGHT him to leadership, sponsored him if you will, while others were distrustful

Acts 11:19-26

sent to Antioch to investigate rumors of Greeks being converted
reputation as a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith
rejoiced and encouraged new believers
considerable numbers were BROUGHT to Christ
searched for Saul and BROUGHT him to Antioch where they spent a year together

Acts 11:27-30

BROUGHT a contribution for the relief of believers in Judea
once again WITH Saul

Acts 12:25

BROUGHT John Mark into leadership circle
continued to mentor him after failure

Barnabas – consistently BRINGING/leading to Christ. He encouragingly taught and developed those whom others saw as risky leadership propositions. He certainly involved those around him in the work of the kingdom. He shared his place at the table.

I’ve been evaluating spheres of influence? What does it look like to bring others to Christ? At home, in PWOC, in my military community, on Facebook, in a homeschool support group, in my neighborhood…am I consistently bringing those around me to the kingdom? Am I taking a chance on “risky potential” – spending time mentoring, teaching and rising up? Am I willing to share my place at the table in order to make a welcoming place for new leaders at the table? Do I continue to invest in the face of failures? Isn’t this bringing at the heart of WILD, facilitator trainings, and PWOC leadership selection?

I desire to be intentional about bringing others to Christ, about mentoring them so their gifts can be used for His glory.

Asia’s creativity in seeking and rising up leaders blesses me. In Misawa quarterly facilitator trainings equip new facilitators, who are then paired with experienced facilitators, for a season. Within months they soar as NEW PWOC Bible Study facilitators. Misawa and Area 4 made good use of the leadership ice breaker in the resource section. Camp Zama held a job fair with each PWOC “job” featured. Women caught the vision of many working together for a healthy team.

I’d love to hear, via email at asiapresident@pwoc.org or Facebook, how YOU are actively bringing women to Christ and leadership. Your thoughts may inspire another. Asia Region’s Board is praying for each installation during this season of leadership selection.

De’Etta Goecker

Asia Region, President

Lessons I’ve Learned as a Regional President

Leadership Development, regional review, Resources

Nov 012011

Submitted by De’Etta Goecker, Asia Region President

In a little over a week we will begin the inaugural Asia Region Conference. The pace is a bit frenzied…nevertheless, I find myself in a reflective frame of mind. I’m in awe of the way Abba Father has gently led our leadership team. We’ve been challenged as we established procedures, navigated “natural disasters,” dealt with life changes, we’ve seen God provide every need – we’ve grown closer to our Father.

In this last Presidential Blog of 2009-2011, I bring you “Lessons I’ve Learned as a Regional President.”

14. All women snore; a true friend will comment on your “feminine snore” and offer to room with you at the next event.

13. Even deployments are better when savoring a rich, chocolaty molten lava cake with friends! This pleasure can be enjoyed around the world and is truly board bonding at its best!

12. PWOCI conferences are planned to coincide with the Asian Typhoon Season – plan accordingly.

11. Three minutes of animated Japanese can be translated to three short words, “SIT DOWN IMMEDIATELY.”

10. Noise reduction headphones are essential on long flights – and may possibly help with the snoring thing as well.

9. Sisters of the heart are priceless – especially when facing a Korean gate guard.

8. Wear your passport around your neck at all times, you never know when you’ll need it!

7. Apple juice and Airborne are essential tools in fighting jet lag.

6. ALWAYS slide the vacant/occupied lock on airplane bathroom doors. It’s wise to double check this. Seriously.

5. It’s nice to have a friend screaming at your side when you encounter Korean snakes in the dark. Sadly, you may not be able to count on PWOC sisters to race to your rescue.

4. Molten Lava cakes can travel from Tokyo to Seoul on dry ice.

3. Earthquakes, tsunamis, life changes, surprise pcs’…happen. God can be trusted. ALWAYS – even with children whom you can’t get home to. Semper Gumby.

2. It is possible to fervently love women you’ve only met via email.

1. God always provides others to come alongside as you wait on Him for His provision in leadership.

The lessons learned and personal growth in my life as your President has been priceless. Thank you for your gracious acceptance and love.

As we look to the next two years in Asia Region, I am convinced God is calling ladies to step out and experience the adventure of regional leadership . If you suspect you may be one of these ladies, please read the letter from Cathy at Asia Region Leadership Selection and contact her at AsiaLeadership@pwoc.org.

It’s my heart that we each continue to Love God Wholeheartedly and Love Others Deeply!

Asia Region Rocks!

Passing the Baton of Leadership

Leadership Wednesday

May 112011

Submitted by Beth Mills, PWOCI President

It’s that exciting time of year when we hand off the leadership baton to the next generation of leaders at each PWOC installation. It’s a time of celebration for all the Lord has taught us over the year, and the deepening of our relationships with one another. For some of us, it’s a time to say goodbye to friends and launch out to a new adventure in God. It’s a time of excitement and expectation as we head into a new year of discovery in God’s Kingdom. To those who have been in local leadership this past year, thank you so very much for embracing the call the Lord laid upon your hearts to lead women into an ever deepening relationship with Christ. Thank you for your loving service to the women and families in your chapel community, and for your strength and partnership in prayer with the chaplains to shine the light of God’s glory at your installation. As you have gathered together in worship and Bible study and willingly followed God’s leading, you have been a “city on a hill”, bringing God’s light and life to those in need. To those ladies who have just recently said, “Yes” to this call of leadership, thank you for your willingness to step out in faith and follow the Lord wherever He leads. We will all be praying for you and with you as you seek God’s vision to meet the unique needs at your installations. As you receive this baton of leadership, keep your eyes focused on the goal, throw off everything that would get in your way, and know that we are cheering you onward in God’s Kingdom calling. May God bless you abundantly with His love and His grace, may Jesus be lifted high as you meet together with Him, and may you be filled to overflowing with His Holy Spirit!

A Leader Who Shines....Connects with Preparation

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday

Apr 202011

Submitted by Victoria Robinson

Live the Prepared Life. Preparation is an activity that is often attributed to God: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him” 1Corinthians 2:9

It is also an activity that God wants for believers. Before the Boy Scouts had the motto “Be Prepared” God called His people to live the prepared life!

The ministry of Jesus was introduced by John the Baptist who declared: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord” in Luke 3: 3-6.

Francis Frangipane has written:

“Repentance always precedes the coming forth of the living Christ in a person’s life. To prepare and make ready is the purpose of repentance. Let us understand this: John’s repentance didn’t just make men sorry, it made men prepared.”

What does this prepared life look like?

First we start with repentance. We must turn from anything that is keeping us from God’s best for us and purpose to live what we know is God’s will for our lives.

Second we see in 1 Peter 1:13 “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” Our minds are “prepared for action” when we are prepared to pray, preach or die!

Pray

There are public service announcements that prepare us on what to do if our clothes catch on fire, to “Stop Drop and Roll!” As PWOC leaders we need to be prepared to “Stop, Drop and Pray!” This comes by daily having our hearts set to “pray without ceasing;” 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Preach

“But in your hearts always set apart Christ as Lord, always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” 1 Peter 3:15

“Preach the Gospel at all times; if necessary use words.”( Francis of Assisi) We must be prepared to preach with or without words.

Die

It is said that the person who has settled where they will spend eternity is truly the person who is prepared to live their earthly life. Paul said; “To me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

In John 14:2 we read the words of Jesus; “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.”

Jesus is preparing a wonderful place for us. This is a powerful motivator to live a prepared life for Him!

Be prepared to pray, preach or die!

A familiar chorus gives us a prayer for the prepared life.

Lord Prepare me to be a sanctuary,

Pure and holy, tried and true

With thanksgiving, I’ll be a living

Sanctuary for You

A Theology of Ministry to Women

Leadership Development, regional review

Mar 222011

Submitted by: Brenda Pace, SE Region Titus II

A Theology of Ministry to Women

A valid theology for women’s ministry must be grounded in the Bible. You only have to look at Jesus attitude and actions toward women to find such grounds. Jesus demonstrated his esteem of women by relating to them as persons, shattering cultural and religious barriers in the process. He openly socialized with women without a hint of concern for his reputation. He allowed women to serve him and honored them with a principal role in proclaiming his resurrection from the dead. In his interaction with women, Jesus elevated them to their God-intended role, not only by ministering to them, but also by including them in His ministry.

To Serve and Proclaim

The New Testament examples of women playing significant roles in Christ’s ministry at a time when it was culturally unacceptable, included the women mentioned in Luke 8:1-3 who provided financial support for Jesus ministry. In Luke 10:38-42, Mary is applauded for listening to Jesus above helping her sister with household responsibilities. The Samaritan woman in John chapter 4 is described as the first evangelist among those who were not disciples. Women were the first at the tomb following Jesus resurrection, and as commanded by Christ, they were the first to proclaim the good news of his resurrection to the male disciples.

Women were recipients of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, and received gifts to be used in the church. Priscilla is said to have exercised a teaching gift (Acts 18:26) and Paul identifies and salutes Phoebe and Junia (Romans 16:3-5). These are just a few examples that demonstrate the important role women played in the Body of Christ! Women continue to be important to the Body of Christ and the mission of His Church.

Biblical Mandates for Women

Titus 2:3-5 presents a Biblical mandate for women to minister to other women. Protestant Women of the Chapel is a ministry that excels in this mandate! In an ever-changing culture, women need to know they are safe and valued in their unchanging identity in Christ.

Most importantly, women are included in the mandate of the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19). Women must recognize they are critical to God’s mission here on earth. We are to proclaim the Gospel to the world and make disciples.

So What?

With such examples and mandates from Scripture we must be sure the ministry of PWOC rises above shallow offerings that do not challenge women to radical discipleship. In an ever-changing culture, we must purpose to convey the value Christ placed upon women and communicate their unchanging identity in Christ. What a privilege!

______________

The SouthEast Regional update is posted on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Please submit comments or questions to southeastpresident@pwoc.org

A Leader who Shines.....Connects with Identity

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday

Mar 162011

Submitted by Cinky Jones

Can you identify a genuine Coach handbag or eye a Brighton bracelet at twenty paces? Can an onlooker identify you as a genuine servant leader of Christ and not just a PWOC member or leader?

Are you dressed, “as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, [with] compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another… and forgiving each other?” The first chapter of Colossians reminds us as servant leaders of Christ that this is the outfit we should be wearing as His chosen ones. As The Message states it, “You’re done with that old life. It is like a filthy set of ill-fitting clothes you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new way of life is custom made by the Creator, with His label on it… And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.”

Paul points us to the Creator of our identity and invites us to stick our selves in the item that He picked out for us, overlap the flaps, and to give the belt a nice snug pull. He shows us that it’s one of those beautiful and yummy outfits that you never want to take off.

When we lead, with or without a leader title, we want to be identified by Whom’s we are – by our Designer’s label. Second Corinthians, chapter 1, states that God has commissioned and identified us as His own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment of the wardrobe He will complete.

As we lead – old fashions, titles and labels need to be torched by the fire of the Holy Spirit working in us. The stunning accessories of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs along with the holy coordinates of peace, unity, wisdom and thankfulness will surely have all eyes on Him.

A Leader Who Shines....Connects with Holiness

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday

Feb 162011

“Inwardly cleansed, interiorly enlightened and inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit, may we be able to follow in the footsteps of your beloved Son.”

This prayer by a fellow saint, Saint Francis of Assisi, is quite arresting isn’t it?

If we consider St Francis’ prayer we see that there is a lot going on inside that enables us to follow in Jesus’ footsteps. In 1 Peter 1:15-16 Peter implores us in our calling and in the light of our redemption, ”just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Jesus likened trying to be holy from the outside to whitewashed tombs – appearing to be holy & righteous but with nothing inside but dead bones (Matthew 23:27).

The Holman Bible Dictionary defines holiness as “a work of the Holy Spirit on the basis of Christ’s atonement that calls for obedient submission from those who have been saved.” We are holy because of our calling in Christ, because of His atonement for our sins, and because the Holy Spirit continues to minister to our spirits – doing a work in us to make us holy and not just a beautifully whitewashed tomb.

Inwardly cleansed – That’s where our pursuit for holiness starts. As Christ followers “you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:11). While we are called to holiness, it isn’t something we have to or can do ourselves.

Interiorly enlightened – Paul prays this for the Ephesians – “that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spiritof wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better… that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” There is illumination in knowing our Lord and the hope within us that sets us apart, leads us and empowers us to lead others to and in Christ.

Inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit – There is Stephen – full of the Holy Spirit, Paul – filled with the Holy Spirit, and Peter – while speaking, the Holy Spirit coming on all who were listening to his message (Acts 7,10 and 13). These are examples of the Holy Spirit’s “inflammation” of the power of God – examples of holiness in action. It was this same earnest desire and infilling that brought martyred missionary, Jim Elliot, to pray, “Saturate me with the oil of Thy Spirit, that I may be aflame. Make me Thy fuel O flame of God.”

No whitewashed tombs here.

Will you approach our Lord with such prayers desiring His holiness to ignite you to follow in His steps?

——————

Submitted by Cinky Jones. Make comments on this post here.

Leadership Tips for the Uniquely Unqualified

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday

Feb 012011

Submitted by De’Etta Goecker, President Asia Region

I can relate to Moses.

“Really, God? ME lead your people to freedom?” Moses argued, feeling uniquely unqualified.

God spoke clearly, answered his fears, and then told him , “Now GO! “ (Ex 4:12)

Moses, being a man of great moxy, argued some more.

God got angry, but also told Moses (contrary to the movie Prince of Egypt) Aaron would rejoice to see him. (Ex 4:14)

Fast forward four thousand years to the time God impressed on me to submit a Request for Consideration for Asia Region’s board. I, like Moses, felt UNIQUELY UNQUALIFIED. I was new to Japan, didn’t know anyone, didn’t have a clue how to build a team as I DIDN’T KNOW ANYONE IN ASIA….see a theme here? Like Moses, I was looking at my life situation, and all the reasons I thought this was NOT a good idea. I know me fairly well. I’ve come to know God better through stepping out in obedience.

Like Moses, I forgot all God had done behind the scenes to lead up to this moment. Instead I focused on being UNIQUELY UNQUALIFIED. I was mistaken to see myself as the lonely “new kid on the block”. There have been many Aarons who have rejoiced to serve alongside me. It is very possible for our focus on being “unqualified” to blind us from the very ways God has “qualified” us to serve.

I am able to lead only as I humbly make myself available to learn from mentors, as I recognize those God has placed around me to assist with the mission, and as I focus on HIM and what HE instructs me to do in the position. I really am uniquely qualified for this job. I was CREATED for this job. Eph 2:10 tells me I am “…His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that I (we) should walk in them.” HCSB I believe leading in PWOC is one of the good, beneficial, useful, excellent works that God created me to walk in. I would have missed this adventure if I’d continued to focus on how uniquely unqualified I was.

We are entering PWOC’s Leadership Selection Season. Would you pray about serving on a local executive board? If you believe serving would be not only a good thing, but a GOD THING for you, contact your local Leadership Selection chair. Don’t make her hunt you down and beg….Asia’s W.I.L.D. will equip you with many tools, and we’ll rejoice to see you.

W.I.L.D. Trainer Applications

Leadership Development, News & Announcements

Jan 222011

Calling all trainers!

The 2011 W.I.L.D. Trainer Application is available for download in the Training section of pwoc.org or grab it here!

Application submission deadline is NLT February 11, 2011!

For questions, contact the Leadership Development team at LeadershipDevelopment@pwoc.org.

Older Entries

PWOC International Blog

W.I.L.D. Training Anyone?

Barnabas – Perfect PWOCer?

Lessons I’ve Learned as a Regional President

Passing the Baton of Leadership

A Leader Who Shines....Connects with Preparation

A Theology of Ministry to Women

A Leader who Shines.....Connects with Identity

A Leader Who Shines....Connects with Holiness

Leadership Tips for the Uniquely Unqualified

W.I.L.D. Trainer Applications

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