Welcome Remarks on
the occasion of the Philippine Women Missionary Society Assembly at the Bacolod Evangelical Church
Thank you for
inviting me to this wonderful occasion, which is the gathering of empowered
Christian women, who are in the forefront of advancing the cause of Christ in our
part of the world. I feel a little bit uncomfortable because I am surrounded by
women in this assembly and only a handful of men are around to lend me help, if
ever I make a mistake.
As we know, women
played a prominent role in the earthly life and mission of our Lord.
The Gospel records
that some of the closest followers of our Lord were women.(Matthew 27:55-56;
Luke 23:49,55) Women followed Jesus as He traveled about and the Scripture is
very clear on the support of women in the work of Christ and His disciples.
In the Jewish culture
of the day which looked down upon women, it was a woman named Mary who received
the special honor of being commended by the Lord because she sat at His feet
listening to Him.
Having said this,
as a preface, I would like to greet all
the women delegates and participants in this assembly coming from different
churches whose desire is to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and emulate the women
who were with Him during His earthly ministry and salvific mission.
In the Old Testament
we see the likes of Miriam Aaron’s daughter, Deborah the Judge and military
leader, Hildah the Prophetess, Dorcas, the female disciple, Prescilla a worker
with Paul . Add to this list Ruth, Naomi, and EstherThese are women who made their mark in a society and culture were
women were regarded as inferior.
At no time in the
history of the world has women been empowered like the present age. We have
seen two women presidents in our country. We have seen strong willed and astute
heads of states like Margaret Thatcher and Golda Meir. Women indeed have made
their mark in the progress of civilization.
I believe that the
Christian women of today exemplifies the way of life which God requires of His people,
by their faith, sacrifice, modesty, purity, courage, inner strength, humility
and graciousness.
In most Christian Churches
