President, First Lady Evelyn Smith
The New Life Community Women’s Department was designed for the specific purpose of reaching, teaching, encouraging, equipping and unifying women; until we all attain oneness in faith, maturity in Jesus Christ, being ready for every good work according to Ephesians 4:12.
OUR VISION for this department, as the name implies, is to “Empower Women for Purpose” to help them become “Vessels Unto Honor.” God is calling for Spirit-filled and Spirit-led women who are well-informed, equipped, driven and inspired by the Word of God. To this end we will be mature women endeavoring to totally depend on God.
OUR PURPOSE is to go ―Back to the Basics‖ according to Titus 2:3-5, by providing teaching, training, fellowships and activities that will minister to the total woman of all ages.
OUR GOAL is to create ―a unified women‘s department, because ―where there is UNITY, There is STRENGTH!
MONTHLY WOMEN’S INSTITUTE
New Life Community Monthly Women’s Institute
This is the training arm of the Women‘s Department. This institute conducts training periodically throughout the year and is available to women of all ages. On the third Friday of each month, the women's department is in charge of the service. We lead praise and worship, intercessory prayer and are given the opportunity to give a short message or expound on the Word of God in creative ways. Prior to worship service, workshops are conducted to focus on the spiritual development of women. Topics include spiritual gifts, walking in your calling, church protocol and saintly decorum, finding my place in ministry and the local church, history of the COGIC Department of Women, and more!
The Missionary Board (or Circle) is a group of mission minded women called of God and recognized as missionaries by the church who perform in the home, community and the church and other duties that aid in the edification of the body of Christ. They also may be called on to expound the word of God. The three (3) types of missionaries are Evangelist Missionaries and Deaconess Missionaries which are licensed, and Aspiring Missionaries, which are under the watchful eye of the pastor as he monitors their qualifications with respect to becoming a licensed missionary.
These “silent evangelists” are anointed to usher you to a place in the sanctuary where you can enjoy the presence of the Lord. The basic function of the Usher Board is to make contact with individuals entering the sanctuary and to assist in locating a suitable and comfortable seat. The usher Board also ensures each visitor is welcomed and are given a visitor's card to complete.
The Hospitality Unit was developed with the primary purpose of accommodating the growing needs of the National Women’s Department in the Church of God in Christ. The function of this unit began in earnest in 1951 when the first national Women’s Department Convention was organized. Today, the Hospitality Unit should consist of people dedicated to the Ministry of HELPS.
The Hospitality Unit is vitally important to the support of the church ministry. Members of this ministry serve as an extension of the love of God, while ministering to your natural needs while at New Life. Our workers not only have a love for the ministry of helps, but also possess the necessary skills to effectively accomplish the goals outlined in the local, state, or national COGIC mission statement.
The major functions of the Hospitality Unit are as follows:
Local: To provide hospitality support in anniversaries, special services, and programs as designated by the Pastor. (i.e., Founder’sDay, Women’s Day, Youth Day, and Appreciation Services, etc.).
District: To provide support for all functions as requested by the District Superintendent, District Missionary or the designee.
State/Jurisdiction: To be directly responsible for serving guests, coordinating meals when needed and providing gifts or flowers as requested by the State/Jurisdictional Supervisor during State/Jurisdictional meetings Generally, Hospitality presidents are appointed by their State/Jurisdictional Supervisor and approved by their Bishop. It must be understood that the president along with her workers should be ready, willing, and able to serve the needs as outlined by her leader. However, it is imperative that all workers know and understand that they must meet the needs of the jurisdiction that they are selected to serve before becoming involved nationally.
Executive Hospitality: This ministry is an extension of hospitality from leadership and focuses on providing premier service to ministerial and special guests.
Nurses’ Unit: Licensed nurses are not only on-call and available during services, they take the lead in imparting instruction to God’s people about living a healthy lifestyle.
Pastor’s Aide Society:This ministry takes the lead in the Biblical principle of loving and caring for the Pastor and first family as God has instructed His church to do.