Asian Baptist Young Women’s
Leadership Conference By Patsy Davis
There was an air of excitement as the Asian Baptist Women’s Union (ABWU) officers came together in Bali, Indonesia, for the Asian Baptist Young Women’s Leadership Conference. A lot of prayers and hard work had gone into the preparation, and now their vision was becoming a reality. The officers’ desire was to see more committed young women for Christ, full of love, compassion, and enthusiasm. There were 546 participants from 16 countries that came together from October 26-29, 2011, for the ABWU Young Women’s Leadership Conference at the Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel in Bali, Indonesia. “Transform a Life, Transform Asia” was the theme of the conference based on Romans 12:1-2. The following four objectives were achieved through the
creative and informative program: train and challenge emerging young Asian women leaders to serve God through the ABWU; provide the young women a venue to worship and fellowship with women from other Asian countries; encourage the young women to be faithful in their local churches and unions; and strengthen the young women’s sense of unity and responsibility to pray and encourage each other. Everyone came to the opening ceremony in their national dress.
Kimberly Overton, a young professional woman, was the keynote speaker who brought the opening message. Based on
Latin American Women continued Patsy Davis, executive director of the BWA Women’s Department, led a session on the importance of the Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer, and how to have a more attractive and inspirational program. This year’s program and PowerPoint presentation may be found on the website of the BWA Women’s Department (
www.bwawd.org). Attendees chose two workshops to attend during the four day conference. The workshops offered were: Children in Risky Situations; How to Develop and Plan an Event; Mission Organizations for Children; and Disciplining a Child at Home. There were other presentations to the entire group that emphasized the theme of the conference. Marlene Baltazar, president of UFBAL, shared that the objective of the conference was to challenge the leaders of the women’s organizations in each country to put in practice the commitment to look for the children that are in situations of risk Raquel Contreras, BWA Women’s Department president, addresses the women’s leadership conference in Panama “. . . use the Spirit & for God is using her transformed life to touch and children in her country.
Romans 12:1-2 she asked the question, “What does it really mean to be transformed?” She said that Paul makes a plea that we transform our minds, hearts, and lives. Paul makes it sound so enticing, so easy, and yet practically transformation requires proper motivation and discipline. She shared some of her experiences of how God has worked in her life to transform her in order to serve the Lord where she lives and works. She challenged everyone present to open their hearts, minds, and lives to be transformed in order to impact their world for Christ. The Bible studies for the next two days were led by Miyon Chung, who is an associate professor of theology at Torch Trinity Graduate School of Theology in Seoul, Korea. The first study emphasized the priestly way of life, and how to live as a living sacrifice unto God for the world. The second study focused on Biblical styles of leadership for Asian women today. She discussed the difference between a Biblical style of leadership and secular style of leadership. Immediately after the Bible studies, young women shared what God is doing in their lives. On the first day Asha Sanchu from Nagaland in India shared how she realized her call to work
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