Blessed be God who brought us together for our 9th international conference this past August in Manila, Philippines! 21 of the 24 members were able to attend in person, as well as 4 guests. The Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon (Joy of the Lord) Community was the most stupendous host, spoiling us with their hospitality and support. 

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Making Connections

Ligaya hosted pre-conference events for young professionals, university students, and their pastoral workers. Monse Arellano and Rebeca Sastre shared their testimonies, answered questions about living single for the Lord, and made Bethany more visible and accessible through meaningful interactions with the 120 women who enjoyed these events. It was a great joy to join Ligaya for a Sector Assembly, where Mae Legaspi presented us, and Monse gave a testimony. We were welcomed with loving generosity and enjoyed fellowship with many old and new friends.

 

During a celebration of the Lord’s Day Closing with coordinators, senior women leaders, and Servants of the Word brothers from Ligaya, we were able to share what God is doing in and through the Bethany Association around the world. What a gift to be able to communicate and celebrate with Sword of the Spirit leaders! We later joined Ligaya members in their outreach to the poor, Tahanan ng Panginoon (Home of the Lord). Seeing their faith and building relationships with them was a blessing which greatly edified us.

 

Unity & Hope

Luz Morales, a senior woman leader from Ligaya, led us through a session on unity. We practiced listening and dialoguing. This is important for us as a multi-cultural, multi-generational, and international group of unique (and strong-willed!) women. God really met us there with healing and enabled us to open our minds and hearts to one another more deeply. Praise Him! We believe this unity is not just a gift for us, but that it will bless the whole Sword of the Spirit. A brainstorm of hard conversations (that we are often too afraid to have) was kept so that we can work through those together in the coming years. 

 

Members of Ligaya came and put on a mini "Power from on High Retreat" for us. What a grace to be able to simply attend and be ministered to. They did the music, the talks, the prayer ministry – everything for us. And God came with such power and love! We were greatly refreshed. Hope for our future was revived in us and confirmed by prophetic words throughout the conference about the good He has in store for us and the good works He will do through us for his people.

 

Celebrating

No one celebrates like the Filipinas! One session was devoted to honoring and celebrating Magdalena Aray and Amalia Rojas, who both made their Lifelong Commitments just prior to the Conference. We also looked forward with joy to two more sisters who will make their Lifelong Commitments this coming year: Len Perez and Lourdes Ponce. When we gathered as Bethany for a Lord’s Day, our worship and fellowship (or “sister-ship” as we sometimes call it - a mix of “friendship” and “sisterhood”) was a delight to the soul! One of the guests said, “when you worship together, it is like heaven”. How good it was to express our love for Jesus together in person as a group.

 

Council Elections

We have a new Council! A prayerful election was held during the Conference with the assistance of one of our dear brothers from the Servants of the Word, Jim Orbe. Starting in January 2027, these lovely ladies will be serving the Association as Council members for the next 4-year term: Sherry Snyder (as Presiding Sister), Monse Arellano, Ann Marie Farren, Faye Borbon, and Rebeca Sastre. To read more about our leadership and the beautiful spiritual foundations of our call, request a copy of our newly adopted "Foundational & Governing Documents" through the "Contact Us" form below.

 

A Gift

In one of our reflection sessions, we opened our hearts to the question, “Why this waste?” which was spoken on the occasion of Jesus’ being anointed with precious oil by a woman who loved him (Matthew 26:6-13). Why do we live our lives for Jesus in this way? He reminded us of the tremendous worth of continuing to pour our love out to him and to you in the Sword of the Spirit. We do this for him, to be with him, to trustingly witness to his love, and to draw others into his loving presence.

 

We are a gift of love to the Sword of the Spirit. And we are important to his plan. God clearly confirmed this through the prophetic word. We might be the smallest clan in the Sword of the Spirit (disorganized, weak, and little), but we are mighty in the Lord! We are a gift of love for you, a blessing at the heart of this people.