Resources by Anessa Westbrook:
Anessa Westbrook
Anessa Westbrook (DMin) is Associate Professor of Bible and Ministry at Harding University. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Church Growth and a Master of Divinity from Harding School of Theology. Her doctoral research at Fuller Theological Seminary focused on the spiritual development of women.
The Use of Programs in a Women’s Ministry
The use of programs in a women’s ministry can make up a large portion of the work a women’s ministry does. A particular program could be held once a year, quarterly, bi-monthly, monthly, bi-weekly, or even weekly. Ladies’ days, craft nights, Bible studies, special seasonal events, and mentoring groups can all classify as a program....
Anessa Westbrook
The Role of Mentoring and Discipleship in a Women’s Ministry
So, what Is mentoring? The word “mentor” originally came from the name of a friend of King Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey. Mentor was entrusted with Telemachus, the king’s only son, while the king was off at war. Mentor showed wisdom, care, and commitment, which are all essential ingredients of a good mentor by today’s standards...
Anessa Westbrook
Spiritual Gifts in a Women’s Ministry
When it comes to women’s ministry, the word “intentionality” is incredibly important. In the organic, often unstructured, development of women’s ministries, this has often been one of the missing components. Part of building intentionality into a women’s ministry is having an understanding of spiritual gifts and how to incorporate them correctly. Upon our new birth,...
Anessa Westbrook
Designing and Proposing a Women’s Ministry
Figuring out how to define women’s ministry can be tricky. As a term, most people have heard “women’s ministry” used but may not have given it much thought. Is women’s ministry what women do in the church? Is it ministry to women? Or a combination of both? What is the purpose of women’s ministry? Women’s...
Anessa Westbrook
Why Women’s Ministry Matters
Why does women’s ministry matter? Not everyone’s faith develops in the same ways, and there are distinctive ways women’s faith tends to develop. Scriptures such as Titus 2:3-5 and Luke 10:38-42 point us to the importance of women’s ministry in the local church. This article explores how we can help women in church find their...
Anessa Westbrook
New Birth: Conversion and Baptism
A GUIDEBOOK ON WHY AND HOW TO BE SAVED Why do we need a spiritual “new birth”? How is it even possible? The concept sounded strange to Jesus’ audience. It can sound even stranger in our day, when many wonder…
What Does It Mean to Repent?
This is Question #3 in Anessa Westbrook and Michael Strickland’s New Birth: Conversion and Baptism.
Anessa Westbrook
Anessa Westbrook
What Does It Mean to Place One’s Faith in Jesus?
This is Question #2 in Anessa Westbrook and Michael Strickland’s New Birth: Conversion and Baptism.
Anessa Westbrook
Anessa Westbrook
Why Is a New Birth Necessary?
This is question #1 in Anessa Westbrook and Michael Strickland’s New Birth: Conversion and Baptism.
Anessa Westbrook
Anessa Westbrook
What Is Repentance and What Does It Look Like?
*Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from New Birth: Conversion and Baptism. In the first-century Jewish world, large numbers of people were drawn to the simple message of repentance. Both John the Baptist and Jesus preached, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:2; 4:17). Mark 1:4 tells us that John...