On February 12, Commissioner Rosalie Peddle, World President of Women’s Ministries, launched a new international vision for The Salvation Army’s women’s ministries during a livestreamed event at International Headquarters (IHQ).

“Women’s ministry is a strong force in The Salvation Army internationally,” noted Commissioner Peddle. “I want to challenge all women leaders to reimagine women’s ministries in their own context, to discover what new things we can be doing to speak into the challenges that women and girls are facing today. We have to stop doing what’s not working and start doing new things.”

This new vision "helps us celebrate what God is doing and will do among women in the Army," says Commissioner Tracey Tidd

Commissioner Tracey Tidd, territorial president of women’s ministries, says, “This is more than just a one-time event; it’s a vision that helps us celebrate what God is doing and will do among women in the Army. It gives women in this territory and around the world the freedom to design unique programs that meet the needs of people in their communities and share the love of Jesus in creative ways.”

The launch event featured many exciting initiatives, including:

• a fresh logo and vision statement, developed in consultation with women from around the world
• a photo gallery of women in ministry, unveiled in Café 101 in the IHQ lobby
• a new book of 24 Bible studies, Time to Be Holy, written by Salvationist women
• new social media channels exclusively for international women’s ministries

A praise and worship team sang as IHQ officers and employees streamed into the chapel to learn more about the announcement. Videos were shown to demonstrate some of the innovative programming that embodies the new vision, including:

• a microcredit scheme in Kenya entitled The Worth Project, where women are being educated and empowered
• a running and exercise group in Australia where women are studying the Bible together and sharing the gospel
• sewing and computer studies classes that are assisting many migrants in Brazil with skills needed to integrate into the culture
• a tree-planting initiative in the India Central Territory
• a shelter in London, England, that runs a program called TLC to reach out to women fleeing domestic violence

General Brian Peddle offered his congratulations and commendation for the reimagined vision. To demonstrate the power of social media, the General captured a selfie with the congregation and tweeted it on his feed.

Then he encouraged everyone watching by livestream to take a similar picture of the women’s ministry they are engaged in and share it on social media using the hashtag #WMreimagining. “Let us know what you are doing so that we can celebrate the accomplishments of women and girls.”

The new international women's ministries logo

In conclusion, Commissioner Bronwyn Buckingham, world secretary for women’s ministries, remarked, “We have been involved in ministry to women for about 135 years. We’ve done amazing things through the years—by women, for women and with women. But any organization sometimes needs a shakeup. Commissioner Rosalie Peddle has heard the Lord speaking into her head and heart that it’s time for women’s ministries to be reimagined. There are women out there who are doing amazing things, and we are just saying, ‘We want more, we want better.’”

The new Vision Statement for International Women’s Ministries:

We envision women who are:

• Transformed and empowered by the gospel to lead a Christlike life
• Enriched mutually through local and global connections and support
• Equipped to fulfil their potential through lifelong learning and development
• Engaged in justice and action to positively impact the world

The new international women’s ministries social media platforms:

• Facebook.com/groups/SalvArmyWomen
• Twitter.com/SalvArmyWomen
• Instagram.com/SalvArmyWomen
• Salvationarmy.org/women