The grateful hearts of Seventh-day Adventist women in Mongolia are full of a sense of achievement and, yes, satisfaction because they have completed the four levels of training courses in the General Conference Women's Ministries Leadership Certification. On October 22, 2022, 112 women received the certification of continuing education from Andrews University at the Ulaanbaatar Central Church in Mongolia. It was a celebration that was filled with many joys, since this is the first time our sisters in Mongolia received the certificate from Andrews University.
Under the leadership of Ooyo Batsukh, Mongolia Mission (MM) Women’s Ministries director, the graduation program was a time for celebration, gratitude, inspiration, and a new commitment: to serve Jesus as a chosen vessel. “I was dreaming [of] this day, when I could see our sisters receiving this achievement as a recognition of their dedication and service to the SDA church in Mongolia,” says Batsukh.
The graduation ceremony was an inspired time for the graduates. Messages from Raquel Arrais, Women’s Ministries director for the Northern Asia-Pacific Division (NSD), challenged the women to be leaders of the Adventist Church in Mongolia and maximize God’s gifts He has given to them. Han SukHee, MM president, encouraged the women with practical insights from the lives of Mary and Martha and invited them to keep their intimacy with God as their priority as leaders.
The commitment service at the end of the ceremony challenged the graduates to “go” and be the light where God calls them to be.
After the graduation, a special meal was served with the purpose to end the evening with our sisters around the table, eating together and celebrating what God has done. “It is wonderful to see women working together for a common goal. This graduation was a joint effort of many teachers, pastors’ spouses, and young women who dedicated their time to train, equip, and challenge the women to lead more effectively. We thank them from our hearts for their commitment,” said Arrais.
As Ellen White reminded us: “There is a higher purpose for woman, a grander destiny. She should develop and cultivate her powers, for God can employ them in the great work of saving souls from eternal ruin” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 465)
Women’s Ministries develops the curriculum for leadership training and works with Andrews University in maintaining accreditation to provide graduates with valid certificates of continuing education credits in tertiary education. Andrews University, of Berrien Springs, Michigan, USA, is the flagship educational institution of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
General Conference Women’s Ministries Leadership Certification training is a life-changing experience for women who complete the courses and has been a life-changing experience for the women in the NSD territory as well.
The original article was published on th eNorthern-Asia Pacific Division website.