We are active people – life is too short to for us to be aimlessly passive. However, we do know how to relax and be refreshed so that, out of that rest, we can do our work with energy.

How can I be further activated?

• Training may be available to you through mentoring, coaching 1-on-1, topical group seminars or larger conferences. For details, ask at your local church, your national office/website.
• Partners in a vision join hearts and hands in common purpose to achieve their stated aims. You may wish to partner in a specific project (ask your church or your national office). As we partner together across the nations of the world, we can become much more effective and experience greater fulfilment.
• Mission trips are planned regularly, offering opportunities* to go beyond the borders of our own community or nation with the goal to improve the lives of others. These improvements are accomplished through meeting people’s needs in a very practical way – spiritual, social, material and medical needs.

*Note: As you would expect, specific selection criteria apply to any application for a mission trip. A church pastor’s reference is also essential, so be sure to be engaged in a local church where you are known and the fruit of your involvement is visible.

How much are you embracing your stretch zone?

• If you knew you could not fail, what would you do for the glory of God?
  
• What are your top three spiritual gifts?
  
• What are the three or four ministry activities that you enjoy most and feel most effective doing?
  
• Invite input from a few other people you trust.
  
• Then, in view of the above, describe what you feel God has called you to do.

________________________________________________________________________

A Call to Action

Want to be a woman of influence?

Just like Queen Esther, we are called to be women of influence. We are challenged to take every opportunity that comes our way, even if we did not see it coming. A very small step taken by us can achieve mighty things when it is combined with God’s timing and great faith!

Whether we are looking after the home, juggling family and career, involved in our local church or all three, we are exposed to opportunities every day where we can be women of influence!

This could be as simple as being a smiling face and open to share your unique story with the checkout operator or the Mum at the school gate.

If you are able to provide more time, it could be any of the below:

• Get involved with your local women’s refuge – provide toiletries and Christmas gifts to women and their children who are fleeing abusive relationships.
• Become a mentor to young vulnerable women.
• Commit some time to be a parent reader at your local school.
• Sign up to become a school governor.
• Sit on one of your local community groups, showing them that God is interested in their (and your) local community too!
• Become a foster parent – changing the world, one child at a time.

Whatever opportunity that you take…

Choose today to say, “God, I want to be a woman of influence!”

Choose to share your supernatural God with people who need a supernatural intervention!
_____________________________________________________________________________

Some useful websites to get started…

Women’s Aid – the UK national charity working to end violence and abuse against women
www.womensaid.org.uk

Refuge – a charity for women and children against domestic violence (opportunities to get involved)
www.refuge.org.uk

POPPY Project – an organisation set up to provide accommodation and an outreach service to women all over the UK who have been trafficked into prostitution and who are in need of short-term support.
www.Eaves4women.co.uk

Fostering and Adoption
www.baaf.org.uk

Local Government – serve your community through your local council.
www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment

_____________________________________________________________________

Becoming involved in your local community (advice on funding, setting up a project and volunteering opportunities)
www.direct.gov.uk/en/HomeAndCommunity/Gettinginvolvedinyourcommunity/index.htm

Applying to take on a public appointment – a public appointment is an appointment to the board of a public body or to a government committee. In the UK around 18,500 men and women hold a public appointment. Find out more about public bodies and public appointments, about what appointees do and about the benefits of holding a public appointment.
www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/UKgovernment/UKpublicappointments/DG_067071