From April 21–23, 2023, the Women’s Ministries Retreat was held in Brussels, Belgium, with about 90 women participating. Among the guests were Dagmar Dorn, Inter-European Division’s (EUD) Women’s Ministries director; Pastor Jeroen Tuinstra, Belgian-Luxembourg Conference president; and Roland Meyer, pastor-theologian and former dean of Collonges Adventist University.

The Speakers

All the speakers emphasized, from different angles, the importance of women’s various talents and the utilization thereof in tangible, impactful ways.

“The engagement of women is groundbreaking in the Adventist Church,” underlined Dorn. In presenting the history of two hitherto unknown pioneers, she helped participants to begin thinking outside of the box by tracing the initial origin of the Women’s Ministries department. It all started with the Belgian protestant reformer Marie-Dentière (1495–1596), a revolutionary in her time who promoted equality between male and female disciples. She is quoted as saying, “It is foolish to hide one’s God-given talents” just because someone is a woman.

Dorn continued her presentation talking about the lasting influence of Sarepta Miranda Irish Henry (1839–1900), the American advocate for religious liberty who was supported by Ellen G. White in her temperance movement. She noted that “women did receive instructions but missed their mission.” Thanks to Henry’s work, the Women’s Ministry was founded in 1898.

Another highlight of the retreat were Pastor Elise Lazarus’ outstanding sermon topics and methods of engaging women, which were so touching that her focus and examples brought tears to participants’ eyes.

Shifting gears a bit in his presentation, Pastor Tuinstra underlined the differences between men and women regarding the functioning of their brains, as well as their different perspectives on some key matters in life.

In his exposé, Meyer tore down the wall of separation between men and women—a wall created based on the supposed inequality or inferiority of the latter. He used the creation account as well as the writings of the apostle Paul to point out the place and the role of women, which are unfortunately often misinterpreted, taken out of context, and degrading of women.

In an Adventist context, has there ever been a women’s retreat where one had the opportunity to personally consult a pastor-therapist-chaplain? It happened this time with Marie-Pierre Péchoux, who was the listening ear for women who had emotional burdens from which they needed to be freed.

All in all, unlike the usual format wherein attendees spend most of the time listening to expert speakers, participants were granted several occasions to share testimonies or their struggles, either with the whole assembly or in small groups. The entire program was enriched by uplifting praise and worship through music and poetry.

Feedback

Given how successful this women’s retreat was, it is only fitting to share some of the joyful feedback from participants:

“I give glory to the Lord for this wonderful weekend we had as women!”

“We came back relaxed and spiritually refreshed. We strengthened our friendships and laid all our burdens at the foot of the cross of Christ.”

“I can only encourage all those who did not have the possibility or the desire to come to try the experience next time.”

“I cannot hold my peace any longer after attending the women’s retreat. I want to shout, ‘Amen!’”

The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-European Division website.