The Dynamic Deborahs Conference in Arlington Texas, set out to help the women of God "Be Strong in the Lord, and in the Power of His Might" Ephesians 6:10. The three-day Conference sponsored by the Church of God, Dallas-Fort Worth did exactly that for dedicated women and men that came from eight different states, North Carolina, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, Arizona, and Florida as well as Texas. The Conference examined women leaders in the Bible, understanding of the words of Paul concerning teachers, and also leadership, evangelism and outreach. All received beautiful notebooks with papers to back up the presentations and other information.

After an opening prayer and welcome, Dianne McDonnell presented a power point presentation called "Paul and Women Teachers." The presentation highlighted the six years of research she has done into the words of Paul regarding women teaching and "usurping authority". There were scenes from Ephesus, insight into the religion of Artemis and how all the content of 1 Timothy chapters 1, 2 and 3 all fit together. "The Bible doesn't contradict itself" she stated, "Paul wouldn't tell all women not to teach and then praise so many women who were teaching both men and women." A question and answer session followed.

On Saturday morning services were opened with prayer and Ronda Oprean led the song service and gave special music. The visual presentation "Women Bearing Torches" revealed scriptural insight into Deborah-- a prophet and leader who had "dominion over the mighty" Judges 5:13, and other little known details from the Greek passages revealing leaders Priscilla, Junia, Nympha, Eodia and Syntche and Phoebe, a "prostatis" meaning a woman set over others. Dianne laughed in explaining that if Phoebe was only a "helper" then Bill Gates is only a computer nerd. Everyone ate lunch together after the morning session, and then resumed for the afternoon presentation of Ronda Oprean's "Feed My Sheep" urging each one to be a living sacrifice in God's hands. June Narber, vice-president of the Bible Sabbath Association, followed with "A Diamond in the Rough" about each person developing a means of helping evangelizing the world. "Leadership and Spiritual Gifts" led by Dianne McDonnell was the day's last workshop.

Sunday's session started with John Currier's relaxed and engaging presentation on "Practical Evangelism" that detailed how to get started in personal evangelism. At the close of his presentation two women who are long time members of the Church of God and are already leading churches, Patsy Adams from Tennessee and Jeanette Flowers from Ohio, were formally ordained as elders and ministers. The three ministers who ordained them stressed that they were ordaining them into the "servant" ministry of Jesus Christ which is leadership based on selfless service to others as in Matt. 20:25-28. One has led her group of believers for seven years, and the other has a ministry to homeless teenagers and has five new converts awaiting baptism following the conference. The session ended with prayers and a masterfully done solo rendition of the Lord's Prayer. Joyful conversation dominated lunch at a local restaurant as the women and men of the Dynamic Deborahs Conference enjoyed each other's company one last time until the next conference..

A DVD showing two of the main presentations is planned for later in the year. To request a copy of the DVD, call voice mail 972-601-9032 ext. 3777 or write
The Church of God
Dallas-Fort Worth
P. O. Box 152544
Arlington, Texas, 76015

Due to an increasing avalanche of unwanted spam, we are not currently accepting email. You may contact the Church of God, Dallas-Fort Worth, by calling our voice mailbox at 972-601-9032, Extension 3777. You may also send snail mail to Post Office Box 152544, Arlington, Texas 76015-8544.