Created dateJul 23, 2010 Last editJul 23, 2010 at 8:52 AM
by Deena Wagner; Source: NAD Communication, editor@VerbalOxygen.com
[News]
Imagine hearing the news that your husband has just been elected to one of the three highest positions within the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The thoughts and emotions that are experienced might range from disbelief to calling out to God for strength to support your spouse as he shoulders burdens that encompass a world church.
Nancy Wilson, Ivy Ng and Sherry Lemon encountered these thoughts and others during the recent General Conference Session in Atlanta when their husbands were chosen as church world leaders for the next five years.
For Nancy Wilson, initially the election of her husband didn't seem real. "The idea takes some getting used to," admitted Wilson. "The heavy responsibility of this role isn't something any pastor's wife would intentionally seek out for her husband."
Team ministry with her husband has always been important to Ivy Ng. "This is a daunting task that my husband has been asked to assume," reflected Ng. "I plan to support him however I can. My strength comes from knowing that the Lord leads our lives and we can have courage in that."
For Sherry Lemon, this was not as new of an experience since her husband, Bob, has served as world church treasurer since 2002. "I will continue to be there as his support," said Lemon. "God is truly our strength when the task seems so large."
Each of these women has life experiences that have equipped them to move ahead with their new supporting roles. All three have served with their husbands in countries outside of the United States, including Russia, Cambodia, the Philippines, Zaire and Cote de Ivoire. Wilson is a practicing physical therapist, and Ng is currently involved with the Hope Channel ministry, with special focus on Chinese Project Hope. Lemon holds the position of administrative secretary to the world church secretary.
Both Wilson and Ng see ways in which they will become involved in reaching out to Adventist women around the world. "I believe the woman sets the tone in the home," said Wilson. "As women, we need to prioritize our lives and keep them simple so that we can spend time studying God's word. The Lord is coming soon and knowing what God's Word says to me is my number one priority. I want to share that message with other women and help them learn how to make God's word applicable in their lives."
Ng feels a burden for the wives of pastors. "Pastors are trained to be pastors," she said. "Wives weren't trained to be pastor's wives. I see the need for more outreach and seminars for the wives of pastors and administrators."
"When you work at the General Conference office you get the feel of the worldwide Seventh-day Adventist Church," says Lemon. "I see that I will have the same purpose of mission during the next five years. We must tell the world the hope that we have that Jesus is coming soon."
Wilson emphasized that it doesn't matter who you are or what role you might have to play, allowing God's leading in your life is what is most important. "Make no plans for yourself. Instead, let God lead you," she said. "He has a plan for every single person and we have to stay close to Him to hear the plan."
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