The Philippines-Micronesia Field held its first Women Clergy Conference 7-9 April 2022. Over 138 women clergy and pastors’ wives from four districts participated in the event. 

Focused on the theme of “Empowering Women Clergy: Roles and Responsibilities,” the three-day conference was filled with encouraging messages from the speakers. Eileen Ruger shared about empowering women clergy in the ministry. Luz Tamayo gave a lecture on spiritual deepening, and Honey Segundo-Tila shared about the roles and responsibilities of a clergywoman and pastor’s wife. 

There were also several workshops and lectures. Most of all, it was a special time to reconnect, laugh, pray, encourage, and fellowship with one another. On the last day, the participants were led by Ruger in a commitment service, where many of the women renewed their commitment to serving God and others confirmed God’s call in their life.

“It has undoubtedly assisted me in recognizing certain things that I had previously overlooked and has opened my mind to further learning in different aspects of life that will lead to improvement and development as a woman called by God,” said Judith Jubay Villaflor, a delegate at the conference.

This conference is the first of many events that the Philippines-Micronesia field women’s clergy ministry is planning for the year. The second offering of this conference will be held on 2-4 June 2022 for the Visayas and Mindanao districts (seven districts).

“Praise God that this event was made possible even during this pandemic,” said Bhing Piliin, Philippines-Micronesia Field women clergy coordinator. “I really feel that it is important to strengthen and empower our women clergy and our pastors’ wives in their roles and responsibilities in the church. These women really appreciated the reconnection with other women and learning from each other. The physical connection has helped not only spiritually but also physically and mentally.”

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific