An encouragement to Kingdom women from an apostolic statesman

I received this email in response to my first blogs on the subject of women.  Dan Hubbell has been used around the world to teach and encourage leaders.  He is a man of the Word, an apostolic father in the best sense of the term, and one whose opinion I value on any topic!

Felicity, thank you for sharing your heart about the need for the church to release and bless both the sisters and brothers to be all that our Lord called and gifted them to be and do in His Kingdom for His glory! 

As you know, I came from a very traditional Baptist background, and I am grateful for my Christian heritage.  On our spiritual journey we are continuing to learn more and more about God's giftings and ministry of both brothers and sisters. 

The most effective way I have had in encouraging the release of our sisters in ministry is to use the scripture in teaching about the role of women in the life of Jesus as well as with the disciples. 

In addressing this issue with traditional believers, I use the Acts account of what happened on the Day of Pentecost with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon all who were in the upper room which included men and women.  Both men and women were filled with the Spirit and all began to speak in languages as the Spirit gave them utterance.  

Peter, according to Acts 2:16-21, stated that what was happening was based on the fulfillment of the scripture according to Joel 2:28-32, "But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in thelast days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:  And on your handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy…" 

I believe we are a part of those "last days" and God is restoring both men and women in gifting them by His Spirit to whatever ministry He calls them.  As you know, I have traveled to many nations over the past 30 years of mission work and have seen women and men ministering powerfully in their giftings especially in China and India.  

God has, is and will continue to minister through His servants, whether men or women, for His glory in whatever role or gifting He chooses.  He is the giver of the gifts and we as men or women should receive with joy whatever gifts he chooses to bestow upon us.  We also need to learn to gladly receive and encourage one another as men and women to be all that our Lord has designed and called us to be in His Kingdom for His glory.  

So, Felicity, I want you to know that I receive you and encourage you to be all the Lord has gifted you to be and do in His Kingdom, and not allow anyone to discourage or hinder you from fulfilling His calling and gifting on your life, my dear sister!