Equipping young women leaders
A new discipleship and leadership opportunity for young women aged 18-30 called the Esther Collective has been launched by Girls’ Brigade Ministries
Over the course of nine months, The Esther Collective aims to foster a community of women, both in person and online, that disciple, encourage and mentor one another. It wants to equip this generation of women leaders to serve God in the world.
Through a series of five Saturdays over the course of a year, members of The Esther Collective will have the opportunity to meet other women, have a Q+A session with Christian women from a range of backgrounds, share food, develop their faith, and more.
Members will also have access to an online hub filled with blogs, articles and resources. They will be encouraged (and supported) to find a mentor, and to commit to reading the Bible in a year.
There is also the opportunity to take part in The Esther Collective+ and give a whole year, perhaps in their local church, or whatever else God is placing on their hearts.
A press release stated that in the five Saturday events, between November 2014 and July 2015, members of The Esther Collective will join together to be:
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Equipped - developing their leadership gifting, learning from the example of Esther
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Inspired - interviewing Christian women role models from a range of vocations
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Challenged - reflecting on live, 21st century issues, and how our faith can relate to these
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Mentored - both by one another, and by pairing with an adult friend
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Fed - sharing food and conversations and building a sense of community.
The Esther Collective Project Leader Charlotte Hendy said, ‘If you want to develop your leadership gifts; if you could commit a year to deepening your faith; if you’d like to be part of a mentoring community that loves each other and loves God, then The Esther Collective is just for you.
‘It’s my prayer that young women who are part of The Esther Collective will grow as women of faith and that in five, 10, even 50 years’ time, they’ll be influencing the world around them. I hope that they’ll be taking on things that are currently unimaginable, and leading others by example as they live a life of integrity, following in the steps of Jesus.
‘We’d love for you to be a part of The Esther Collective, and discover what God is calling you to do “for such a time as this”.’
The initiative draws from the Book of Esther, which relates the story of a Jewish woman who becomes Queen of Persia and risks her life to save her people.
Baptist Times, 23/09/2014