Why Women Are Vital to Reaching the Nations

Across generations and around the globe, it is often common for women to be more religious than men, particularly when it comes to Christianity. But do we, as the church, often look at the fact that women make up the majority of our congregations as a blessing and an opportunity to spread the gospel? Or do we not view women as vital to reaching the nations?

There are various opportunities for women to serve, and various ways women are particularly gifted to do so. The heart of womanhood is nurturing. This fundamental aspect of her nature adorns the world with life, and even in her gentleness, she is “clothed with strength and dignity” (Proverbs 31:25). The Great Commission is for all disciples of Christ, and God equips and strengthens us all, in our uniqueness, to share the gospel.

She Bears the Image of God

Genesis 1 reveals to us a God who creates a beautiful world and introduces two unique creatures with whom he trusts the responsibility of stewarding it. Unlike the rest of creation, these two humans bear God’s image equally and are invited to enter a relationship with him. God calls both men and women to fulfill his mission (Genesis 1:26–28). Unfortunately, this staggering truth, in many cultures, is often downplayed, and women are relegated to the status of “other,” or equality is assumed to mean sameness, negating the unique differences between women and men.

But thankfully, Scripture corrects both errors. Women have been dignified uniquely and are equally responsible for fulfilling God’s mission. Christ exemplifies this through his ministry by sending them on mission, receiving their adoration as ably as he did his male disciples. Later, in the establishment of the church, we read about many women at work advancing the gospel (John 4:39; Luke 7:50-8:1–3; Philippians 4:2–3; Romans 16:1–2). 

Kira Nelson puts it well in her article “The Investment Your church Women Need” when she writes,

God made us male and female and has given us the charge together to make his glory known in all the earth. When pastors and elders come alongside sister saints and empower them for ministry, they reflect their chief Shepherd, who called women to sit at his feet, follow him, and declare the good news of the Gospel to the world. And as History bears out, when the gifts of both men and women are meaningfully employed in ministry, the entire church is built up for the glory of God.

Her Influence Extends in Places Further Than We Dare Imagine

Although she may hold no office of authority, godly women will set the world on fire for Christ wherever they stand. History has laid out many examples of their remarkable feats, from Perpetua, the North African Christian martyr in 203 AD, to Elisabeth Elliot in the 19th century. Their quiet, yet resilient, faith exhibited the strength of women who dared to build a legacy for the gospel.

Moreso, while the woman’s role of the primary nurturer of the next generation in the home has fallen on hard times today, many accounts tell of godly women whose attentive discipleship of their children set the foundation for them to be bold and staunch gospel ministers. Think of Monica, mother to the North African church Father, St. Augustine, whose prayers and counsel for him bore fruit in him after her death. Or Susanna Wesley, mother to John and Charles Wesley, whose counsel was lifelong and precious to them. 

Tim Challies writes, 

History tells of women whose love for the Bible shaped its earliest and most prominent teachers and women whose unceasing prayers led to the long-awaited salvation of their wayward sons. It tells of women who were great theologians in their own right, yet whose only students were their own children, whose only classroom was the kitchen. It tells of women who laid an early foundation in the lives of their sons that, despite their best efforts, they could never undermine.

Any evangelism and discipleship efforts are incomplete if they do not include the ordinary woman whose God-given influencing powers will inevitably touch the next generation. Whether it’s their own children or those they build relationships within their community, godly women, with their gifts of nurturing and wisdom, can share the gospel and disciple the next generation.

Her Commitment to the Church

In many contexts, the church often has more female than male members, which comes with its combination of pros and cons. While it shows the amenability women have to turn to God, this tendency is often taken advantage of, in my context, where women are often easy prey to any capricious doctrine. Follow the success of any cultic movement, you will find this true. 

A lack of Christocentric leadership in fending off false doctrine often leaves many wounded women who resolve never to look to the church, which is ironic because the church is supposed to be the beacon of truth (1 Timothy 3:15). The church must take responsibility in training women in the gospel so that they do not slide into detrimental teachings that hinder them from participating in God’s mission to reach others. Whether male or female, having a solid theological foundation and understanding of Scripture is important before moving overseas to share the gospel. With that solid foundation, believers are equipped for gospel conversations and discipleship efforts.

Imagine the extent of the advancement of the gospel we would achieve if we understood that in reaching every woman, the opportunities to touch many other people double because she is the mother of living and nurtures the nations, one person at a time (Matthew 28:18–20). The harvest is plenty, so let us eagerly use each worker. One way to go to all nations with the gospel is by teaching and equipping women whose influence knows no bounds.