Around the World
INTRODUCTION Women’s Ministries is an integral part of the mission of the international Salvation Army. We endeavour to focus on the mission of Women’s Ministries, which is to: • bring women into the knowledge of Jesus Christ; • encourage their full potential in influencing family, friends and community; • equip them for growth in personal understanding and life skills; • address issues which affect particularly women and their families in the world.
Membership and attendance have increased in a number of territories. This is proof that women want to have that strong feeling of belonging and acceptance. The outcome of providing programmes that are relevant, inspiring, educational and spiritual is evident in the overall statistical records that indicate that women are finding a welcome at our Salvation Army women’s ministries programmes and events. While statistics don’t always reflect the complete picture of all that is happening, they do give an excellent reflection of the growth and strength of this significant ministry.
Everyone has As the 2015 worked hard to annual reports provide statistics have arrived from that are more all parts of the accurate and Salvation Army realistic in the world, we 2015 report. celebrate that our mission is in Women’s action on the Ministries is a front lines as powerful leading women’s force and we give ministries reach all glory and out with the love Worldwide Women’s Ministries Membership 2011-2015 praise to God for and compassion the great things he has done! of Christ to women of all ages, their families and their communities. Much is being accomplished in and through the strong name of Jesus.
MEMBERSHIP & ATTENDANCES There are countless reasons for us to celebrate the many women and young girls who are connected to Women’s Ministries groups in all parts of our Salvation Army world.
Total Women's Ministries Membership
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Africa
298,666
304,056
327,917
393,682
415,438
Americas & Caribbean
84,700
87,418
91,850
89,232
96,149
Europe
76,347
73,919
78,200
72,837
67,638
South Asia
104,799
103,034
109,941
113,961
113,702
South Pacific and 58,167 East Asia
60,100
60,649
64,738
52,148
TOTALS
628,527
668,557
734,450
745,075
622,679
Left: 2015 membership; Top: total membership 2011-15 Below: Zonal membership growth 2011-15 Africa
SPIRITUAL RESULTS
Americas Europe
One of the strengths of Women’s Ministries is found in the emphasis placed on the outcome focus on spiritual results as they unashamedly share the gospel message of transformation and freedom in Jesus in all of their programmes and events.
S Asia SPEA
450,000 400,000
Africa
350,000 Americas &Caribbean
300,000 250,000
Europe
200,000 150,000
South Asia
100,000 South Pacific and East Asia
50,000 0 2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
As a result of women meeting together in spiritual meetings, retreats, conferences, rallies, camp meetings, women’s weekends and Bible studies they are exposed to God’s Word and readily respond to the invitation to seek Jesus and to follow him in wholehearted commitment.
Attendance Total - By Zone 6000000
5000000
4000000
3000000
2000000
1000000
0 2011 Africa
2012 Americas and the Caribbean
2013 Europe
2014 South Asia
2015
South Pacific and East Asia
Attendance All Other Groups - By Zone 3500000 3000000 2500000 2000000 1500000 1000000 500000 0 2011 Africa
2012 Americas and the Caribbean
2013 Europe
2014 South Asia
2015
South Pacific and East Asia
ZONES
Seekers all who come forward to pray
First time decisions for Christ
New families
New adherents
New soldiers
New young people linked to the corps (through Women's Ministries)
Africa
91,800
11490
12,145
2,378
6,643
10,805
Americas and the Caribbean
42,040
2414
4,158
1,989
863
977
2,555
393
179
95
36
117
18,063
2170
874
773
1,901
3,018
2,442
861
3,152
230
780
2,171
156,900
17,328
20,508
5,465
10,223
17,088
Europe South Asia South Pacific and East Asia TOTALS
100000 90000 80000 70000 Africa
60000
Americas and the Caribbean
50000
Europe
40000
South Asia
30000
South Pacific and East Asia
20000 10000 0 2011
2012
Top: Seekers 2015, by Zone Above: Seekers, growth 2011-2015
2013
2014
2015
PROGRAMME
PROJECTS
We are meeting the needs and interest of women and young girls and we give thanks to God for his hand of blessing on the wide variety of programmes and events that are reaching out to women of all ages. We celebrate that the Home League is very strong and still growing in a number of countries, while in other places focus groups and monthly women's events are attracting women of all ages, cultures and religions.
The heartbeat of Women’s Ministries around the world in the area of projects is outstanding. The amount of time given, the monies raised, the compassion of meeting needs, and the joy of those who receive cannot be measured or recorded. Women are passionate about supporting those who are in need no matter what part of the world they live in.
The variety of Women’s Ministries focus groups and programmes are amazing and countless. There is a deliberate intention to continue to build on the fourfold aims (or pillars) of Women’s Ministries and the programmes and focus groups reflect the qualities of Education, Service, Fellowship and Worship. There is a positive trend happening among our younger women as they search for meaningful connections, friendships and fellowship. Younger women’s groups are springing up throughout the international Salvation Army that are particularly focused on life skills, educational programmes, social justice issues and Bible studies as they search for a solid foundation to build their lives upon so they can make a difference in the world. Younger working women find it difficult to commit to weekly programmes but are attracted to focus groups and events that will fit their interest and their busy schedules.
Even those who live in the poorest areas of the world see the needs of those around them. They give of their time to fundraise, giving from the little they possess so that others might have a better quality of life. Different kinds of creative fundraising schemes are taking place in all places such as: Helping Hand, rice collection, handicrafts, ‘least coin’, thrift clubs, charity shop income and walking/ running events. The amount raised in 2015 for projects totals US$2,617,829. As a result of the faithful work in the raising of funds for projects, schools have been supported, hospitals helped, children and families in refugee camps have been ministered to, food and clothing distributed, needs at children’s homes have been met, washing machines and play equipment for training colleges have been provided; funds have also been used for development of women’s ministries, to name a few.
CHALLENGES Every territory/command/region presented their challenges and this helps us to support, pray for and encourage our leaders. There are some common challenges that run like a thread through all Women’s Ministries throughout the world. It is very inspiring to see how some places have turned their challenges into projected goals for 2016.
Challenges include: economic conditions, natural disasters, man-made disasters, wars, tribal clashes, ethnic violence, sickness, death and poverty, human trafficking, sexual abuse, domestic abuse, sexual harassment, child brides, child marriages, self-esteem, corps conflicts, lack of funds, financial viability, leadership, attracting younger women, poor reporting, anti-Christian elements, geographical distances for travelling and building bridges to welcome new people into the corps family.
WEBSITES
The challenge with the recording of statistics appears at the top of the list this year. With the continued monitoring and adapting of the new system, there is hope that it will give us a better grasp on our statistical reporting especially as we approach the 2016 report. Statistics are definitely important to help us have a panoramic view of the trends around the world in critical areas of our work. It challenges us to focus on areas of decline as well as celebrate areas of growth and strength.
A growing number of territorial websites that freely share Women’s Ministries materials, stories and events, are now available to everyone around the world. Materials are free to take and use at one’s choosing.Connections to some of these can be found through the international Women’s Ministries webpage www.salvationarmy.org/womensministries or through individual territorial websites where you can pull them up through the internet. And, in addition to websites, there are Facebook connections that are shared from around the world. The Salvation Army’s international women’s ministries publication – Revive magazine – is available through mail-order subscription and is also online via the international Women’s Ministries website or at sar.my/revive.
WOMEN’S RALLIES, CAMPS, WEEKENDS, SEMINARS & CONFERENCES The attendance at these special events are presently at an all-time ‘high’ in all parts of our Salvation Army world. Reporting shows that these events are filled to capacity with often a waiting list should there be any cancellations. These events have become the ‘heartbeat’ of Women’s Ministries. The themes, creativity planning, preparation and prayers that go into these events are commendable and extremely motivating. The spiritual outcomes from these events are overwhelming and inspiring.
Most territories/commands/regions are engaged in leadership development and specific training for women officers and women leaders which will be a significant investment in the present and future of The Salvation Army’s mission and ministries. We need to celebrate our women’s ministries around the world with confidence because as women leaders are faithful to God’s mission in the world, God is providing resiliency, courage, wisdom and his Holy Spirit to achieve much more than we can ever think or imagine. The stories in the reports have demonstrated that many women and families have found a safe place of refuge at the Salvation Army Women’s Ministries gatherings and lives are being transformed as women feel accepted, loved, valued and connected not only to each other but to Jesus who provides life and wholeness to all who come to him in faith. How we thank God for women whose hearts are filled with passion, love and grace and who, with the compassion of Christ reach out to help other women to be all that God has created them to be. We salute their dedicated service to God and to The Salvation Army in this significant and energising ministry. God bless you!
have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.�
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Ephesians 1:16-21 (NIV)