OUTLOOK editor Brenda Dickerson recently sat down with Nancy Buxton, long-time director of women’s ministries for the Mid-America Union, to learn more about this unique ministry.
Brenda Dickerson: I understand that women’s ministries for the North American Division actually started right here in Mid-America. Please tell us about its beginnings.
Nancy Buxton: In 1983 the NAD asked all the unions to have a representative for women. Evelyn Glass was Mid-America’s and she organized a meeting at College View Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. A lot of women came and they just talked about things they wished would be different in our church. Elder George Timpson from Mid-America Union was there and he went back to Elder Joel Tompkins, who was our union president at the time, and told him that we needed to do something for women. Before long, the NAD called those representatives back together, and that’s how women’s ministries started.
Very interesting. Nancy, how would you define women’s ministries now?
Women’s ministries is designed to give women confidence, and to also help women have a better relationship—or begin a relationship—with Jesus. But it’s more than that. Friendship is so important to women. Some time ago, there was a study done in Minnesota called the Nurses Study. And it showed how important women’s friendships really are. Our friendships make a difference in both our mental health and our physical health. I’ve always thought if you can help a woman, you make a difference in a family, in a church, and in a community.
What has kept you involved with women’s ministries for so long?
Yes, 21 years is a long time, but you know what? It seems like yesterday that I began. When I go to a retreat or a training I see the difference it makes in women’s lives. One time I was in Minnesota and I watched two older women who, when they saw each other, were so delighted. They gave each other a big bear hug and they held each other for a length of time. It just thrills my heart to watch how women’s ministries brings women together.
Can you share a specific story about a woman whose life was impacted by women’s ministries?
Brenda, I could tell many stories. But I think especially of one person. She felt so unequipped to do anything. And when she was asked to work in the children’s division–now we’re talking two and three year olds—she was so nervous she could feel the hem of her dress hitting her leg as she stood up there because she was shaking so much. She got involved in women’s ministries and I watched her blossom. She turned into a dynamic leader, and it was really all thanks to women’s ministries. I heard her tell her story, and she has such a story to tell! It made a difference to the women when she told it, and it made a big difference to her.
That’s really beautiful. In your opinion, Nancy, what is your greatest accomplishment in women’s ministries?
I truly do not feel that I have done any great accomplishment. But we together, as women’s ministries people, have done a lot. I feel like my job has been to be the cheerleader for my team, the cheerleader for other women. When I think about women’s ministries I look at the “end it now” initiative and the importance of just bringing that forward so people realize love should not hurt. And abuse—physical abuse, spiritual abuse, sexual abuse—needs to end now. In addition, I think about all the wonderful resources we have developed. We have great resources. And I think all of those are huge accomplishments.
Watch the full video interview with Nancy Buxton at youtube.com/MidAmericaOutlook
For women’s ministries resources visit www.nadwm.org
