The Asia-Pacific Region’s Nazarene Women in Leadership Council led an online worship celebration with the theme “Thriving Together” 4 March 2023. Over 150 men and women from across the region attended the worship service. 

During the event, guest speakers Albert Hung, superintendent of the Northern California District, and his wife, Christine Youn Hung, talked about the issues and struggles of women in leadership not just in the Church of the Nazarene but in other denominations as well. 

They also shared how the Church today is making progress in affirming women in leadership.

“God intends for men and women to serve side by side, each using their God-given gifts without limits or restrictions in the full freedom and power of the Holy Spirit for the sake of the world,” Albert said.

A Fiji worship team led the praise and worship, and the Korea National District presented a special song. 

Lynne and Larry Bollinger were the masters of the ceremonies, joining virtually from the United States to be part of the event. Janary Suyat also stirred the fun by welcoming the participants and giving away shirts to the winners.

The council members and Lynne Bollinger, NWL coordinator, produced a video campaign called Thriving Together. Thriving Together was a video campaign that featured stories of women in leadership from AP Fields on regional platforms for the past five months. 

“The purpose of the Thriving Together campaign is to point others to this work in our world and to acknowledge that when we hear the stories of Asian and Pacific Islanders and the stories of women in leadership in the Church, that is a sign of the Kingdom come,” Lynne Bollinger said.

This event served as the culmination of the video campaign that, which reflects where the region is today when it comes to affirming women in leadership.

“May there be many more as we participate in God’s mission in the world, all of us shaped by the stories of those who have been marginalized, to transform us and to make all things new,” Lynne Bollinger said.

--Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific