HOW DID THE APOSTOLIC WOMEN ARISING
CONFERENCE
AFFECT THOSE WHO CAME?
The Apostolic Women Arising conference was held in the Irving, near DFW
airport on June 14 – 17. God does use these conferences to give a word to His
church on biblical womanhood. AWA began with mentoring sessions on Wednesday
with the full conference beginning Thursday evening. Lee Grady, who was
scheduled to speak, was sidelined by a ruptured appendix. He is doing fine
and was able to attend the AWA conference in Seattle the following week. Tapes of the main
conference may be ordered from International Breakthrough Ministries by calling
972-870-0208.
Barbara Wentroble, the Convener, shared that all of us must learn how to
balance family and ministry. Transition often requires us to do things a
different way in the seasons of our life, for example. In today’s society, she
said, we must honor biblical principles above traditions even generational
traditions. Partnership in marriage and family causes us to learn to share
rather than divide into women’s work vs. a man’s job. We must learn to function
together. In her second presentation, Barbara spoke about the apostolic spirit.
Using the book of Ruth as an example, she told us. Moab means “land of ease,”
and even today we are always looking for a place of ease. However, if we move
from the place God ordained for us, death will come to us as surely as it came
to the Elimelech and his two sons. The main idea is for us to sense a sound—a
new sound to break into a new season. Apostolic people sense a sound before they
see a manifestation. Although she departed from the place where she was,
restoration was granted to Naomi. Barbara believes the prodigals are coming home
leading to a revival among our youth.
Later on, Barbara shared a powerful message on submission, stressing that
only the Lord can demand your submission. “Obedience” is never used in the
context of a Christian marriage and the husband/wife role. Submission to be
valid must always be from a spirit of willingness, never forced, compulsory, or
demanding and never compromising principle or conscience. Also included in
submission is the principle of mutuality in order to release the power of the
Spirit when the Body is gathered. Many today find their security, authority and
fulfillment from maintaining a position of authority, not from serving. Watch
for a transcription of this excellent message in “What’s New” on the GWTW
website. Should you desire to read what’s presently up entitled “The Lord’s
Tsunami,” take a look at
http://www.godswordtowomen.org/wentroble.htm
Chuck Pierce, Glory of Zion International Ministries, launched the mentoring
sessions by challenging us to look closely at how Jews, the prophetic, and women
are treated. Then, we can see how strongly the antichrist spirit is functioning
in any of these three areas. He emphasized that we were in the last two years of
a 7-year war that will be intense as women are being released. He challenged us
to take our place, know our calling and maintain a relationship with God that
goes beyond our “spot” or place. God is restoring the desire for Him above all
and causing woman to walk hand-in-hand with man. See Chapter 9, “Women Arising
Now,” of The Future War of the Church.
In his second address, “Keys for the Future,” Chuck said to expect war as women
arise and move into their destiny. While pointing out the critical nature of the
next two years, Chuck challenged us to be like Jael and stake our claim by
driving our tent peg through the head of those things that would keep us from
our future.
Naomi Dowdy said that mentoring is not something you do to, but with people
and that it is an impartation of values, perspectives--life. She enumerated the
characteristics of a mentor—1) integrity 2) leads by showing others and by
taking responsibility. She emphasized the need to push to stay ahead of our
peers. 3) creates inspiration through real, not theoretical, experiences with
God, 4) knows how to have fun--fun in who you are, not in what you do.
Personally, we prefer disciple rather than mentor, but Naomi defined discipling
as a 24-hour-a-day process where mentoring was not as time intensive.
Naomi also spoke on the “God of the Turnarounds” and used the illustration of
Moses wherein she stated that the greater the assignment, the greater the
preparation time. Ever emphasizing, though, she said that with God no time is
lost. Suddenly, God appeared in a burning bush and reminded Moses of His
original call, intention, and purposes. In the aftermath, Moses’ life turned
around.
Jim Hodges offered some unique perspectives on “First Ladies.” He said the
Body of Christ needs a transition team to return us to Genesis 1:27-28. The
“first ladies” or “lady leaders” to whom he referred are the women in the book
of Acts where the beginnings of the church are marked. He challenged us to
master what the church did in its infancy in order to gain the ability to master
the maturity needed before He returns. Then, he launched into the Pentecostal
pattern found in the book of Acts and the women involved. Hodges said the Holy
Spirit has come to connect and reconnect ethnicities, ministries, generations,
genders and to give us heaven’s pattern for earth.
Indri Guatauma spoke on marketplace ministries, using her own church’s
philosophy as an example where every member is a leader. She said Christianity
is most effective in the marketplace—outside church walls. Life is meaningful
when the Lord is ALL; life is having fun with God! Just being religious, “Sunday
Christians,” has no reality. Later, in speaking about the raising up of the new
generation, Indri said that in three to five years, the one-man pastor would be
a thing of the past. Leaders must train potential leaders to be released.
Importantly, we must recognize that God is not moved by our tears or need, but
by our faith. Indri said the church is not strong today because it doesn’t honor
covenant. Marriage is a covenant.
Robert Heidler shared about Deborah, God’s Warrior Woman, who was a female
version of David. He said today is the Day of Restoration when God is restoring
men and women to their place in His army. Then, Heidler told about the different
women in the New Testament and how God used them. He said Satan has convinced
Christians to believe a lie by distorting I. Timothy 2:12 and I Corinthians
14:34-35. The truth about both of these key scriptures is thoroughly dealt with
on the GWTW website.
Finally, Heidler told about God’s plan for mankind, beginning with Genesis
1:28. The complete revelation of God is required for the complete vision of who
God is. Then, he talked about the Heart of God that has characteristics shown in
the natural realm through both fathers and mothers. God gave us mothers to show
us part of what he is like. God gives mothers to be a reflection of His own
heart and nature, the source of all mothering. He reminded us that what our
mothers weren’t able to give us, we can receive directly from God.
The conference ended with Naomi Dowdy calling us to claim our promises.
Becoming comfortable in what we’re doing is possible by the word the Lord has
given us. She reminded us of the power of a vision and challenged us to claim
His promises, not forgetting the words that have been given us which we know
were from God. Unfulfilled prophetic words spoken over every one of us are still
in the heavenlies and need but to be reclaimed. How? By simply taking them off
the shelf and reading, recalling and praying about them. Then stake a claim and
call that Word into the NOW!
We must renew our covenant commitment to God and His Word. What God said will
surely come to pass. Dare to claim God’s promises and our destiny. God won’t do
it for us. We’re in partnership with Him. He wants evangelism to move from an
event to a priesthood. Obey Him and go beyond what others do. Remember,
provision comes when we are willing to risk.
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