Femmes 2000

Eliane, Edith and Arla blowing out the candles

Transitions ...

10 years ago, 2 women, Edith (French) and Eliane (Swiss), were inspired to start a French-speaking Christian Women's movement. They called it "Femmes 2000" - "Women 2000" as in the year 2000. They had been very impressed by the Women in Leadership congress during Hope for Europe.

Their vision was quickly taken up by a number of women particularly around the Paris Region and by Arla, a Belgian woman. They made up the first team which organised a big conference for women in leadership in 2001. It was a first in French terms. Not only was the conference ministering to women, it was drawing women from different church families, and they invited a couple of women from French-speaking Africa and from the Eastern European countries. 180 women were able to participate over 3 days (one of those women was me!!! and what a God-send that conference was for me at a time when I needed spiritual mothering and time out with God.) The 4th day was a big gathering catering for 2000 women! These ladies started out with a vision, a conviction, a heart to encourage Christian leaders and NO budget. And God provided!

This event was such an encouragement that other groups sprang up and organised half or full day events on a much smaller scale. And each time there have been many blessings. It's like a ripple effect...

Last week 30 of us met together at a special retreat to talk about leadership, to change over leadership and to celebrate our 10th anniversary.

 The 'old guard' prayed over 'the new guard':

Left to right: Anne, Anne (Vice-President), Cécile (Président), Chantal (Vice-President), Mama Leke, Véronique (others were  out of photo).

I am now part of the National Committee and am active (inspite of the distance) with the South-East regional group which meets at Montélimar.

My aim is to see women encouraged in the ministries God has called them to, for them to be a blessing to others and to help their church grow spiritually.

I particularly appreciate the fact that Femmes 2000 is building up a list of gifted women speakers from French-speaking countries. We are weaning ourselves off Anglo-Saxons!!