Around 400 women gathered April 13 at First Baptist Church Trussville for Renew, Alabama WMU’s annual conference for women.
“Jesus really has one main job for us to do … make disciples,” said Rondie Wilks, who led the Bible study portions of the day. “Disciple-making is our supreme purpose … [and it] is a simple process to follow.”
Wilks has worked closely with her husband, Bill, pastor of NorthPark Church in Trussville and author and co-founder of D-Life, a strategy that equips disciples of Christ to make more disciples of Christ. Together, the Wilks have traveled extensively to teach disciple-making using D-Life, and Rondie Wilks shared her heart for fulfilling the Great Commission of Matthew 28:19–20.
Five keys
Making disciples involves fellowship, teaching, prayer, ministry, multiplication and accountability, Wilks said.
She encouraged participants to find five people to meet weekly and study Scripture.
“We’re going to have to start spending time with some people,” she said. “Pray for God to put those women in your life.”
Noting that disciples make disciples by talking to people, praying with them and serving alongside them, Wilks emphasized that “disciple-making has the spiritual power to change our lives.”
During a panel discussion in the afternoon session, Wilks, along with Pat Ingram, missions and ministry consultant for Alabama Woman’s Missionary Union; Trish Jackson, Alabama WMU’s NextGen consultant; and Stephanie Newton, lead strategist for adult and multicultural audiences for national WMU, shared stories of women who had invested in them and changed their lives.
‘Supreme purpose’
“Disciple-making is our supreme purpose,” Wilks said, and Jesus makes it simple for us: “Come and follow Me.”
All we have to do is obey, she said.
“Teach them to read the Bible,” Wilks said, “It’s a living Word.”
Wilks encouraged the women to ask SPACE questions as they study Scripture:
- Do I have a sin to confess?
- Do I have a promise to claim?
- Do I have an attitude I need to change?
- Do I have a command that I need to obey?
- Is there an example I need to follow?
‘God-confidence’
It’s not a matter of self-confidence, but God-confidence, Wilks said. “Remember Who you belong to.”
As part of Renew, participants were able to shop in the WMU WorldCrafts store to help support fair trade in the U.S. and around the globe.
Author and blogger Alicia Boyce also spoke about a new book, “Liturgies & Laments for the Sojourner,” written by three women living overseas. The book leads readers through prayers specific to concerns of people living overseas — for packing, for an international move, for traffic, for language learning, for cross-cultural neighbors, culture fatigue and more.
Nathan and Brooke Dodd, a singer-songwriter duo based in Decatur, led worship.
Next year’s Renew conference is scheduled for Feb. 22 at Heritage Baptist Church in Montgomery. Find more information on Alabama WMU and upcoming events here.
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