2009 PAOC Women's Conference Highlights
Women of Value: PAOC Ladies Connect at General Conference 2008
General Conference 2008 was a high-energy, momentous occasion for our Fellowship, one filled with a sense of purpose and commitment to God's purposes, and great hopes for PAOC's future. The Mission Canada Women's Connecting Luncheon held on Thursday May 8 was a reflection of this mood.
Every Generation Matters
Led by the Mission Canada Women coordinator Sandra Gill, about 100 women gathered to think about the mentoring theme for the upcoming national women's conference in January 2008, Generation 2 Generation. Groups at assigned tables were asked to consider the question, "How can we express value to each generation?" Ideas emerged that pointed once again to the need for mentoring that was revealed at the Enroute to the Future conference held January 2007 in Edmonton, AB. Ladies were encouraged to begin or continue preparing for the next conference in Ottawa for a time of touring, teaching, training, networking and prayer, and the opportunity to honour women who have gone before us and to help inspire the next generation.
After enjoying a catered lunch and dessert together, the rest of the national leadership team was introduced. Also introduced were Cindy Cornelius, PAOC missionary Marilyn Skinner, Susan Wells (dubbed the "new First Lady" with the election of her husband, David Wells, to the post of General Superintendent) and Shirley Taitinger.
God's Purposes Will Stand
Cindy, wife of the Assistant Superintendent for International Missions, Murray Cornelius, encouraged women to continue trusting the Lord to accomplish His purposes in their individual lives. She shared how the Lord helped her in her challenging transition from missionary service in Africa for over 20 years to serving in Canada. "The Lord kept bringing me to Isaiah 46:10 … and I was very annoyed at first by the words 'I will do all that I please.' It kept hitting me and hitting me … I wanted to find any other verse of Scripture. Then God led me to the rest of the verse … He was saying to me that His purposes will stand … be reassured that God's purposes for each of us will stand."
Current PAOC missionaries were then asked to stand and were honoured for their service to the Lord and to the Fellowship. They included Ruth Kerr, Ruth Aragon, Pauline Slater, Sharon Radford, Sandra McIntosh, Colleen Guskjolen and Marilyn Skinner.
Marilyn Skinner and Sandra Gill at the Women's Connecting Luncheon.
Marilyn, serving Watoto ministries in Uganda along with her husband Gary, reflected on her appreciation for what God is doing among generations of women globally, and on her great hopes and expectations for His plans for Africa. She also urged women to appreciate the men in their lives: "God is connecting women around the world who have the same DNA. It's a wonderful thing when mothers, grandmothers and daughters stay connected. God believes in our potential … He believes in what we can contribute to the table when we are empowered. Let's encourage our men. Let's get behind them and support them in every way."
The First Lady Speaks
The luncheon concluded with Susan (Sue) Wells sharing her heart as she and her husband stepped into a new season of ministry. "I'm a product of a woman who had a call of God on her life, but who couldn't leave her kitchen because of her physical infirmities. I was mentored by someone who shared Bible stories with me and baked cookies. Mentoring is our passion (David and I). It takes more faith to mentor than to stand at a public podium and receive accolades." Sue encouraged the women to continue sowing into the lives and ministries entrusted to them in spite of no apparent progress. "God sees what we do … whether anyone else sees it or recognizes it or not. He values what we do … the way we plug away. He will reward your labour."
Shirley Taitinger, wife of former General Superintendent Robert Taitinger and former National Women's Ministries director, then spoke a few words, encouraging us to appreciate those we value while they are alive instead of waiting until they have passed away and it's time to eulogize them at funerals. She invited all the ladies to join her in prayer for Sandra Gill, and expressed her appreciation for her appointment to her role and her leadership.
Click here for more details on Enroute to the Future: Generation 2 Generation.
To order individual recordings of conference sessions on CD, or to order an entire set of CDs, download order form here and follow the mailing instructions on the bottom of the form.
NEW: Developing Your Dream in Leadership. Available in Fall 2008. Find resources such as mission statement development, values, goals, step-by-step guidelines of recommended structure, planning, finances, helps, resources and history.
Connecting Luncheon Picture Gallery
All smiles: Sue Wells and friends.
Lillian and Cindy Cornelius share a moment.
Ladies connecting.
All photos © Laura Barr, Eye Candy Images.