The Association’s women ministry had undergone certain changes. Due to health concerns Nina Yurkova (she had a stroke) asked to be released from her position as the head of the women ministry.
On September 11, there was a ZOOM meeting of women from many churches who gathered to elect a new leader. There were over 50 who were the representatives from Tacoma, Minnesota, Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno, Castro Valley, Concord, Sacramento, and other churches. Five women were presented as candidates for the role of the leader and first assistant: Fatima Avramenko, Valentina Kostrikina, Alena Mileyeva, Galina Jonik, and Nicole Gorban. Every one of them presented her short biography and a ministry plan for the future of the ministry. The majority of the votes were in support for Alena Mileyev as the leader, and Nicole Gorban as her assistant.
Below is a program presented by Alena Mileyev:
- Assist the women ministry leaders at churches to attract more women into the women ministry.
- Pay special attention to attracting the representatives of the second generation who are fluent English speakers into the ministry.
- Organize small groups for young moms and help them by providing child care for the time of their meeting.
- Introduce women to popular programs and materials for women ministry.
- Cultivate partnership and assistance with the women’s leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
- Support the missionary families through prayer for them, their wives, and children
Alena has more opportunities than anyone else does to visit the churches of our Association since she could accompany her husband during his ministry visits to churches. Alena also has been a member of an American church and at that time, was a women’s Leader. That experience can be a unifying factor for the older as well as the younger women of this ministry.
Many thanks to Olga Avetisova who helped to organize a quick and effective way for voting. She created a special form with the candidate names, and the women were able to cast their votes for the one whom they wanted to lead this ministry.
Let us wish Alena and Nicole and abundance of God’s blessings and success in ministry!
Nina Yurkova
