MINISTRY / Equipping women for ministry

At this morning’s meeting of key 316NOW leaders, we received an update on our deaconess training program.

Training for deaconesses

316NOW’s first deaconess course will launch by the end of April. Its focus is on Christian service. The next course will help deaconesses teach Christian mothers parenting principles and practices. Later in the summer, a third course will equip our deaconesses to prepare mothers to teach their children Bible lessons.

In addition to these courses, deaconesses also receive training in theology, Bible interpretation, and key Books of the Bible.

A team of Confessional Lutheran men and women are developing this curriculum.

The role of deaconesses

The contributions of Christian women in launching and building a Chinese house church ministry are essential. Deaconesses will become a treasured component as Chinese Christians disciple each other and reach more with the guarantees of Easter.

Prayers for deaconesses

You might pray for several items:

• The Spirit raises up our first cohort of women to train to become deaconesses.

• These training materials provide resources that are not only theologically sound but are practical in Chinese culture.

• Deaconesses are used in powerful ways to proclaim grace across China and wherever Chinese people live.