Women in NEWIM - Interviews
Interviews with women who are part of the Network of Evangelical Women in Ministries. Women who were pioneers in Womens Ministries in evangelical churches in southern California.
Women in Ministry
Susan Kimes, Founder, NEWIM
Susan Kimes, Founder of the Network of Evangelical Women in Ministry (NEWIM), shares how she came to know Christ, her call to lead womens ministries, and the early days of the modern women’s ministries movement in evangelical churches in southern California. Susie also tells the history of the Chosen Women Stadium events and how God used those weekends to strengthen women to be lights in their communities, homes, and jobs. The interview concludes with Susie sharing her heart for women today. (See the menu in the description of key segments during the interview.)
Points of Interest during the Interview
30 sec. Susie's testimony - How she came to know Christ
14:37 What discipleship looked like for women in evangelical churches in the late 1970
16:00 The early days of womens ministries (1970s-80s)
23:33 Challenges in the early days of womens ministries
25:26 Networking evangelical women leaders in Los Angeles, Riverside and Orange County
28:40 Conferences on Leadership with Carole Sherman
30:14 Network of Evangelical Women in Ministry (NEWIM), a new nonprofit organization began. Leaders from Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside countries drove to attend quarterly meetings, including: Long Beach Grace Brethren (Betsy Stowe), Sierra Madre Congregational (Janice Marshall), Rolling Hills Covenant (Pearl Hamilton), Evangelical Free Church, Huntington Beach (Ginger Bertoni), among many others.
35:32 Hosting Conferences for Women in Ministry. Anne Graham Lotz, a teaching leader with Bible Study Fellowship, was invited to be the keynote speaker at NEWIM's first conference (Lotz on Leadership), held at Biola University.
43:39 Susie's call to host stadium events for women
57:54 Message of revival at Chosen Women Stadium event at the Rose Bowl
1:00 A story about how the Lord gave Susie a picture from childhood that helped to guide her as she sought to follow him.
1:07 Concluding Thoughts - Susie's message for women today
Jackie Rettberg, President of NEWIM 2009-2016
Jackie Rettberg, president of Newim 2009-2016, shares how she came to know Christ at the age of 30 through Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), a journey that began and continues to be a journey of love.
03:48 call to serve as BSF teaching leader.
09:11 reflections on Ms. Johnson (founder of BSF) who had "steel in her soul."
12:00 first involvement in NEWIM as prayer coordinator
13:00 designing NEWIM's first contemplative half-day retreat called The Oasis.
16:28 called to lead NEWIM, "Come and sit with me."
18:30 Jackie shares the two things that she is learning from the Lord as she is now in a different season of life.
22:55 Jackie's encouragement to other women as she looks back on following the Lord for 55 years.
Bev Amsbary-Davenport, Director of Womens Ministry, Emmanuel Faith Church
Bev was a pioneer in women’s ministries, serving for 18 years as the Director of Womens Ministries at Emmanuel Faith Church in Escondido, California, 1988-2006. Bev shares her heart for Jesus and love for the ministry.
During the interview we talk about feeling unqualified to serve, dealing with criticism, the value of having a team of women, being a mentor and having mentors, what brought her joy, and how they were always being innovative in how they sought to bless others. Throughout the conversation, you'll see Bev's deep love for the church. Bev models what we've been taught: serving Jesus doesn't stop when we retire. 30 min. www.newim.org
Tammy Tkach, Grace Communion International
Tammy and her husband, Joe Tkach, Jr. were senior leaders (Joe’s dad was the President of the Worldwide Church of God, the cult started by Herbert Armstrong) when the Holy Spirit showed them that they were not following Scripture. Listen to Tammy’s testimony of how the Lord never gave up on them. She tells how the Holy Spirit led them into the truth and they were faithful to follow, even though it was excruciating on many levels to lead through such change and loss. During those difficult days, Joesph Sr passed away and Tammy’s husband became President. (You can read more of their history or the report in Christianity Today magazine (1996) of their move from cult to evangelical Christianity.) They lost dear friends and had people threatening their lives. It was during this time that Tammy found NEWIM. She came to a Springs retreat and was overwhelmed by the love and welcome she experienced. Tammy served on the NEWIM Board of Directors for many years.
Today, the denomination has changed its name to Grace Communion International. Tammy is now ordained to pastoral ministry, serving as an assistant pastor in their church. After so many years of living under legalism, she says she has no bitterness; she is just overwhelmed by God’s grace. “Even when you think God has given up on you, he hasn’t….just keep saying Yes to God.”