by Lillian Wong

Empower is an eight month, online course offered by Nyack College/Alliance Theological Seminary, specifically designed for women. We meet at SJCAC once a month for the live stream class. The majority of the class work is done on our own. There’s an online community of professors and classmates on the forum that can offer assistance. There’s an average of 2 books to read and 2 papers to write per month. This certificate program equips, motivates and prepares women to engage in ministry in the local church and beyond.

My first thoughts were “No thanks, I don’t want to put in all that work.” After praying about this opportunity, God said that I should enroll. I asked God to grant me the strength and brain power for the reading and writing course work. I was glad I enrolled early to get a head start on the reading. As I immersed myself into the course work, to my surprise, I really enjoyed it. I was challenged, but the Holy Spirit invited me to deal with deeper things in my heart. The professors and authors made certain concepts of the Christian disciplines clear. The class teaches us how to care for the health of our souls. It gave opportunities for me to sit before the Holy Spirit and totally enjoy the Trinity’s love, soaking into the cells of my being. By sitting in the stream of Living Water and being refreshed by the Holy Spirit, His Living Water helps me relate to people. The class has an actual practical aspect where we are engaged with people in ministry and we are mentored by Godly women. I am so pleased to have written my first New Testament theology paper and am now working on my first Old Testament theology paper.

We had a class reunion/retreat on the East Coast in January. It was held at a beautiful Bible conference center. We met women from all nationalities, walks of life, ages and personalities from different places. We had good sessions, interactive and personal scheduled times. One activity was to identify family lies we’ve been believing. For example, a family lie is that worrying means that I care about my family members. The truth is that worrying means I don’t trust God. We then claimed Jesus’ power to break the lie and live from God’s truth and love.

This course is showing me that I barely started to experience all the love Abba Father has for me. My relationship with Jesus is a daily journey to something extremely and eternally good. God has so much to tell me and loves it when I include Him in all aspects of my life. Why not include Him? Only He can manage all my complexity.

If you have been thinking and praying about this Empower One course, here is your chance to experience more in your journey with our Lord Christ Jesus. Come to the Open House, which includes a free course, on April 13, from 8:30AM – 12PM and check it out. Or come celebrate with us on May 25, 3PM – 5PM, for completing our first course.