Mothers in Ministry
Mothers can be mightily used by God to raise up others in the ministry, win souls, teach, preach, and lead in the church. Mothers have a special ministry to their children and home. Furthermore, God uses the nurturing nature of mothers to effectively minister to others in the church.
It is important that mothers realize that their first place of ministry is in the home. The first fruits of a mother’s ministry is in the home.
Bishop Reid’s Reflection on His Mother
I am grateful for my mother. She was used by God to instill in me a foundation of faith and truth in God. She often told the story of how while she was pregnant, a prophecy came to her that her womb was blessed. She told me how she dedicated me to the Lord and the work of the ministry. She was always actively involved in the church and influenced me to love God and the fellowship with his people.
Without a stable father in the home, God used my mother to bring men and women of God around me who would speak affirming words into my life concerning the call to ministry. Ministers often stayed and ate in our home as they traveled for ministry. Their presence impacted my life.
After becoming a pastor, my mother supported my ministry through her own personal encouragement and financial support. Her home became a place of ministry; she often ministered to others who came to her home, even while being disabled and in constant bed rest. She often prayed for others and gave godly advice. She even supported an orphanage in India and was known there as a mother.
Mary Mother of Jesus
Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a great example of the ministry of mothers in the home. Let’s look at some of the characteristics of Mary for an example that mothers today can emulate.
She Viewed Herself as an Instrument of God
Made Herself Available to God
Luke 1:38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.
Submitted to His Word
Mary received the news of the miracle birth with submission. She realized that God had chosen her as his instrument to bring the savior into the world. Even
so, when a woman learns of her coming child, she should embrace it as an instrument of God to bring a human being, made in the image of God, into the world.
She Believed the Promise of God
The Blessedness of Giving Birth to Christ
The Purpose of the Promise
Luke 1:45 And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
She believed that she was blessed to be chosen to give birth to Christ, and that God’s purpose would be accomplished through the child. Even in the worst circumstances, women should see that they are blessed to be able to give birth to a human child, made in the image of God. Secondly, every mother should put their trust in God, that the purpose of God for the new child will be accomplished.
She Nurtured
Physical Nurture
Luke 2:40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Religious Observance (Luke 2:39-41)
Mary nurtured Christ physically, and religiously. She faithfully attended to the religious customs of the Jews attending the synagogue on the sabbath, keeping the calendar feasts, and ceremonial rituals. Mothers today should ensure that their children are exposed to the things of the Lord by taking the children to church, and getting them involved when and where possible.
She Observed
The Prophecies Concerning Christ
Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
His Words and Actions
Luke 2:51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
A wise mother will take note of God’s working in the life of her child to see where God may be leading that child.
She Acknowledged
His Supernatural Acts
His Authority
John 2:5 His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.
Because Mary was observant of the purpose of Christ, she recognized his authority, and fully acknowledged it.
She was Devoted to Him
Stood with Him at the Cross
John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
Even in the darkest hour, despite the risk of ridicule, Mary stood with Jesus at the cross.
She Followed
Disciple of Christ
Acts 1:14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.
Received the Gift of the Holy Spirit
Example of Eunice
Sincere Faith
2 Timothy 1:5 I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
Not Duplicitous
Not hypocritical
Real
For the ministry of a mother to be effective, she must be a woman who is true in her faith in all arenas of life - at home, at church, at work.
Teaching the Scriptures
2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
The mother with an effective ministry will take the time to teach their children the scriptures. Teach them to memorize and understand the foundational doctrines of the faith.
Impactful
Acts 16:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek.
The faith and devotion of Timothy’s mother had a great impression upon Timothy. He became a pillar in the ministry.
Elizabeth
She Believed
Luke 1:24 - 25 And after those days his wife Elisabeth conceived, and hid herself five months, saying, 25Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men.
She Declared
Luke 1:60 And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John
She Prophesied
Luke 1:42 - 25 And she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. 43And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.
Mama Collins
Overseer Carmelita Collins, affectionately called Mama Collins by many, had a tremendous impact upon my life and ministry. She often spoke of the hand and call of God upon my life. During a trying time in my mother’s life, Mama Collins adopted her, and took her in as her own daughter. Through the ministry of Mama Collins many have been raised up to preach the gospel. Many of her own children are actively involved in the ministry. The following are some characteristics of her ministry:
Every morning before the sun rose, Mama Collins, as she was often called, was on her knees making supplication to God for the church, community, country, and particularly unbelievers.
Mama Collins is a dynamic woman of God with an unusual anointing for street ministry. Her ability to pray and divinely connect to the throne of God caused great and troubled men to seek her. She preached the gospel wailing like a woman in pain as she cried for the souls of men as if it was the last call. Thousands of souls have been won to the Lord.
One night a thief broke into her home. He tied her up, pulled out a gun and ordered her to give him her money. With his hands on the trigger, he proceeded to urge the woman of God to submit to his order. She looked into his eyes and with the fire of God said to him "in the name of Jesus you cannot shoot me." He started to shake and tried to pull the trigger! She spoke a second time again "in the name of Jesus you cannot shoot me." Angered by her boldness, he tried to pull the trigger a third time. She again warned him and said, "In the name of Jesus you cannot shoot me." Uncontrollably, the man continued to shake as the gun fell out of his hands and he took flight into the night.
Marilyn Hickey
https://www.marilynandsarah.org/
Since 1960, Marilyn Hickey along with her husband pastored a church in Denver, Colorado. When Hickey and her husband started the church they had 25 members; by mid-80s it grew to over 2,000 thousand members. Today the church is one of the largest churches in Denver, Colorado. They eventually gave the pastorate over to her daughter Sarah Bowling. Today at an old age she continues to do ministry. Marilyn has had open doors to minister in over 136 countries. The following are some of the characteristics of her ministry following the call of God on her life.
Marilyn was often in consistent prayer for the countries of the world. She wrote down the name of every country and daily would be in prayer for each one. But as she prayed God started to press on her concerning the Muslim nations especially Pakistan.
Today Hickey is considered the “Mother of Pakistan” as many continue to flock to her meetings in a country where it should of being impossible.
God has anointed her feet to crossover dangerous territories. Hickey confessed that most times the radicals Muslim left her alone because she was an old, stupid, weak and harmless woman that is just talking foolishly. They saw her as no threat until she received threats from 30 suicide bombers that threaten to kill her in her meetings. These threat only worked to her advantage.
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