The inaugural Korea Nazarene Women in Leadership (K-NWL) executive committee meeting took place on 4-5 May 2025, near Mt. Gwangdeok in Cheonan, South Korea. Pastors, leaders, and visionaries gathered together around a shared call for restoration and renewal.
Powerful reflections from Elder Yeonhee Song, Mark Louw, and Lynne Bollinger framed NWL’s role through stories of reconciliation, including the inspiring testimony of the Nazarene Church in Rwanda. District Superintendent Choi Hyung-young shared a devotional on Deborah’s bold leadership (Judges 4), while Jeon Eun-kyung and her husband ministered through music. Jeremy Budd brought wisdom from across the East Asia Field, emphasizing the need for context-sensitive leadership development.
Participants engaged in open dialogue exploring topics like mentoring young leaders, generational collaboration, and shared ministry between spouses. Everyone left with renewed purpose and a sacred sense that this moment marked a new beginning in God’s unfolding work.
Just days later, on 8 May 2025, Shilin Church in Taipei hosted a tea fellowship on “Women in Leadership,” bringing together 40 participants from seven churches across the Taiwan District. Male and female pastors, church staff, and leaders from partner ministries gathered around a central theme of harmony in leadership.
Lynne Bollinger once again offered a Spirit-filled challenge, drawing from Psalm 133 to describe unity as holy and life-giving, like Aaron’s anointing oil and the nourishing rains from Mount Hermon. She urged the Taiwanese church to dismantle cultural hierarchical strongholds and rigid mindsets, and instead nurture a community marked by mutual respect, humility, and transformation through the Holy Spirit.
The Church of the Nazarene’s commitment to women in church leadership is a vision not only to be imagined but cultivated.
Both gatherings illuminated the vital ministry needs of women leaders across East Asia, including theological training, discipleship, relational support, and missions engagement. Taiwan’s event highlighted practical steps forward, including women’s retreats, leadership courses, short-term missions, and cross-cultural learning.
–Church of the Nazarene Asia-Pacific