Ruth and Esther Ministry inducts 12 new members as it continues to empower women

The Mount Zion’s Mission’s Barbados Foursquare Church is using one of its developmental programmes to uplift and empower women.

It is called the Ruth and Esther Ministry and it provides a safe space for single women, widows and divorcees to overcome emotional challenges and helps them find their spiritual purpose so they in turn could be sources of strength and encouragement for those in the community.

Following a special service at the Rock Dundo St James church on Sunday, president of the ministry Pauline Lowe said the organisation has been touching lives over the past 27 years since its establishment.

President of the Ruth and Esther Ministry Pauline Lowe.

“It is a ministry that caters to single ladies, divorcees, widows, and women that are aged 18 to 55. The main purpose of the ministry is to fulfil the plan of God and in doing so as single women, we can also engage each other in educational and motivational aspects. It could be spiritually or anything that is wholesome that still can impact the kingdom of God,” she said.

Lowe added that the organisation played a major role in the community.

“When you come to church as a single person, you need to find your balance and find your way and you want to belong to a ministry or something that you are comfortable in and I find this ministry caters to that need.

“We just want to encourage people in the Lord. Being single is not a burden, you get to enjoy your singleness and you can do it wholesomely. You can do it in the presence of God and you can still fulfil whatever calling that God has for you,” she said.

There are more than 20 members of the Ruth and Esther Ministry.

During the service, 12 new members were inducted and received certificates by the patron of the ministry, President of Barbados Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason. 

Dame Sandra told the new inductees that it was important for them to read the books of Esther and Ruth in the Bible and try to emulate their qualities.

President of Barbados Her Excellency The Most Honourable Dame Sandra Mason. 

In the sermon, Apostle Dr Lucille Baird said there was a lot of “craziness” taking place in the world, pointing to the LGBTQ movement.  She told the congregation that while living the right way was now seen as strange or funny it was important that Christians stood firm in their principles of what was righteous and Godly.

She also told the worshippers that they should believe in God at all times even when they face trials and tribulations and they should believe in the power and abilities that God gave them.

Apostle Dr Lucille Baird

Baird added that self-belief was also important and encouraged the congregation to trust that they were capable of doing anything they put their minds to as God gave them the wherewithal to be successful in their goals. 

The theme of the service was Elegant Hat Sunday and both men and women were invited to wear a special hat or fascinator and parade for all to see.

After the service, Dame Sandra had lunch with the churchgoers. (sheriabrathwaite@barbadostoday.bb) ]]>