Serving Women’s Ministries International these last 10-plus years has been a great joy. Traveling to more than 20 countries, teaching in leadership conferences, mentoring and encouraging women have been amazing. Meeting new people, making lasting friendships, raising awareness and funds for women’s issues have been an honor and privilege.
But it’s time to spread the blessing and to pass the torch.
God brought Alma Jasinski — an ordained Free Methodist elder and the North Central Conference administrator — and me together a few years ago, and I learned what an amazing woman and great leader she is. When I approached her about joining the WMI board a couple of years ago, she was already committed in many areas. But last year, when I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit to ask her about leading WMI, she agreed and said she and her husband, Michael, would pray about it.
I expected to get back with Alma in a week or so, but the next morning she walked up to me and said, “Yes!”
I said, “Does that mean what I think it means?” And she said “yes” again.
I was so excited. I jumped up and hugged her. She joined the board as associate president in October 2016.
For the last many months, Alma has been shadowing me, learning about WMI’s current activities and involvements. This great organization has been around more than 120 years and continues to reinvent itself while at the same time championing women and their causes.
The WMI board had a wonderful time in October as we installed Alma as our new president. Alma — a native of Mexico who now resides in Wisconsin — feels the Lord is leading her to emphasize WMI in the United States as well as mobilizing and working with bringing WMI to the Hispanic community.
I have agreed to assist Alma as she feels it would be beneficial. Being in the background and cheering her on will be a joy.
For me, recovery from double knee surgery, a heart attack and quadruple bypass surgery in June continues to be a slow but sure process. Thank you for your prayers for my total recovery. The specialists say that by December and surely next June, I will see a return to good health. In the meantime, I’m in cardiac rehab three times a week and working up to walking six days a week. I’m so thankful for a great team.
Please pray for Alma and the WMI executive board as they go forward. We’re all excited about what God has ahead for WMI and are praying for wisdom and help from heaven to fulfill His plan and purpose, making an impact for eternity.
LaWanda Bullock is the former executive president of Women’s Ministries International — a Free Methodist women’s organization uniting and empowering the global sisterhood through discipleship, education and ministries of compassion and social justice.
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