Motivation Monday - The Reason For Gather
“Gather is committed to see the voices of women represented in equal value and strength in all kingdom conversations taking place across our nation and beyond. Gather is committed to see the presence of women in equal value and strength in every area of influence including the local church. ”
In 2021, Joyce Chang, 28, was doing a google search for Christian women leaders that could provide mentoring when she came across Gather Women. She applied for the DevelopHer Internship program, and in her words:
“Gather changed my mind set about myself. It helped me to grow in confidence in my skills and my strengths. I found women who supported me, encouraged me, not just within Gather but outside. I learned my worth is not how much I produce, but my identity is completely rooted in God who He says I am.” Watch her story here https://youtu.be/3phIE3m9Q6s
A few years back, as I flew home to Canada from yet another American women’s conference, I asked, “where are the women?” Pastor Eugene Cho had offered the challenge: “the grass is always greener on the other side. You need to go home and water your own grass.”
I knew I was being called to cultivate the soil, the mission field, between my two feet, which was the work of raising and releasing Christian women in Canada.
Gather organically grew to become the network that leaned into powerful questions that were being asked in the hearts and minds of others.
What would it look like if Canadian women of faith coast to coast
were stronger together through a connected network?
If they were championed in their callings,
unified in their geographically, generationally,
denominationally and culturally diversity?
A gap existed in Canada for a national woman's initiative that linked women of faith to each other and offered opportunities to connect face to face and virtually; a gap not filled by any existing organization. A poverty mindset poverty existed, evidenced by the ever-increasing influx of and reliance on imported resources, conferences and speakers from outside Canada. Who was committed to the work of investing in our national ‘talent’ by identifying and developing potential in our own women?
Gather exists as a catalyst to connect, equip and mobilize women of Canada
so they are empowered to influence their world for Jesus Christ,
by offering internship, development cohorts and opportunities for service
in all spheres of influence.
Gather connects women.
Gather equips leaders.
Gather mobilizes the female church.
Gather is committed to see the voices of women represented in equal value and strength in all kingdom conversations taking place across our nation and beyond. Gather is committed to see the presence of women in equal value and strength in every area of influence including the local church.
What we believe about the value of women is of vital significance. What message does the Canadian church offer women in the 21st century? What message are we sending to the world by how we value and mobilize our daughters? What is it costing when half the church’s gifts go untapped?
We believe in the value of the local church and that we must elevate its impact,
as the bride of Christ,
designed by Jesus to change the world.
We believe in the value of the whole body of Christ, both female and male.
We believe in the church in all her glory.
Gather is called to serve those women that are currently under-served and under-represented in the Canadian church.
The Woman Who Influences
Feedback is consistent across our nation; female Christian leaders are looking for a place to be connected and equipped, where they can receive valuable resources to assist them in the role they have been called to. Although not exclusive to those leading within a church context, women serving in church or ministry roles often face opposition because of theological perspectives, gender bias, and lack of self-confidence.The Next Generation Woman
The research is clear: traditional church and women’s gatherings do not reach, nor do they appeal to Millennials. Yet, this population is hungry to find their place in the church. Something compelling to this age group must be made available, to ensure that this key generation of women stays engaged in their faith, and we have access to the expertise that they bring to the table. In Faith for Exiles, David Kinnaman shares that the church dropout rate among 18–25-year-olds has increased from 59 percent to 64 percent in the past decade. In the same report, despite being part of the most digitally connected generation, only two third of young adults are prone to feelings of loneliness and anxiety. We believe that gathering in order to create real connection between women, it is possible to reconnect a generation to the destiny God has for them.The Woman Looking to Belong
Many women consistently remain unreached by traditional women’s gatherings and church offerings, including: those that don’t feel they fit in or belong; those that are new to Canada and are displaced; those that are in remote areas with little to no access to community; those that are in marginalized people groups and excluded because of socio-economic status, oppression or inequity; those who have been hurt by the church, or wounded and feel “less than” in comparison. These women are image-bearers of God and deserve to be treated as such. These women are us.
Gather is an invitation.
To champion a culture of support as we walk out our callings; unified and diverse.
To connect us all regionally and nationally
through a robust network on the ground and online.
To call forth a national voice for Canadian Christian women, coast to coast.
Do you see yourself in the story of Gather? We see you. We love you. We are here to serve you. To raise you up. To come alongside you in your journey. We are inviting you to see yourselves in the greater story of God being written on your hearts, and in our churches and across our nation.
The story is not and will never be complete, without you.
Join us in Calgary, February 4 and gather with women from across Canada. Be reawakened to genesis moments that God is preparing for you. There is strength in being in the company of women who, as the female church, is being called to influence our world for such a time as this.
I don’t believe you want to risk missing this opportunity to gather with us. We are expecting nothing less than a stunning and powerful experience in God’s presence. Find out more here https://www.gatherwomen.com/gather-rise-2023
I believe in you!
Cathie