Powerful

Powerful, Even Without Recognition

Just like the disciple Andrew, the pastor's wife often makes a great contribution to the pastoral ministry, even while often unrecognized.

Lucia Mapiye Gwaze is a sales and marketing manager for a household and body care manufacturing company in Zimbabwe. Lucia and her pastor-husband, Danford, are pastoring in Glen Norah District in Harare and have been blessed with two children, Anotida and Desire. As a family they enjoy taking nature walks, game viewing, and sailing on the lake, especially the sunset cruise. Lucia enjoys reading, writing, cooking, and baking. She became Shepherdess president for the East Zimbabwe Conference in June 2010.

Jesus had twelve disciples, and each of their stories can teach us powerful lessons. But I have found the story of Andrew especially interesting. Andrew means “manly,” which definitely describes his character. The Bible doesn’t mention much about him compared to Peter, John, and James, but his contribution was still great. Just like the pastor’s wife today, our contribution to the pastoral ministry is great but often very little recognition is given to our work.

He was a fisherman from the city of Bethsaida and was called by Jesus to be a “fisher of men.” Fishing was core business in that area and probably Andrew’s primary means of survival, but he left that job to follow Jesus. How many of us have left our businesses, jobs, and “profitable” professions to join our husbands in the ministry? Countless. I have learned that Jesus does not look for any special qualifications for a minister’s wife; He looks at the heart. Are you willing to serve Him? I say “hats off” to my fellow pastors’ wives for sacrificing everything in our lives to work alongside the pastor and complete God’s work.

He was the first disciple called by Jesus, and he responded positively. Before our husbands extend the call to the congregation to follow Christ, we should be the first ones to respond. Noah spent 120 years preaching, and his wife and kids were his first (and only) converts. Imagine yourself standing alongside your husband and family, listening to the call of God’s trumpet when Jesus breaks through the clouds. I’m sure our spouses will be more than happy to say to the Lord when we get to Heaven, “Here is the wife you gave me!” even before they point to the flock. The most powerful pastors succeed because of the support of powerful shepherdesses (Matt. 4:18, 19; Mark 1:16, 17).

He liked introducing people to Jesus. Andrew brought his brother Peter to Christ. Are we introducing our relatives and friends to Jesus? Have you experienced the joy when one of your family members accepts Jesus and starts walking with Him? I was born in a non-Adventist family and was the first to know Jesus and be baptized. I cannot explain how happy I was when my eldest sister and brother received Jesus into their lives. A year later, two more of my sisters were baptized. Introducing your family to a friend is simple!

Andrew was not jealous when his brother became one of Jesus’ favorites. Do you get green with envy when your sister or even a younger pastor’s wife starts manifesting the fruits of the Holy Spirit? When people we have mentored start growing and working, let us encourage them instead of envying them. We are there to help, not compete.

Andrew also told Jesus that the Greeks wanted to see Him (John 12:20-22). Are you introducing unbelievers to Christ? Often members will approach wives first before they see the pastor. How are you treating them? A true disciple has passion to draw members closer to Christ.

He was a visionary. As Jesus preached to the multitude, the crowds got hungry. It was Andrew who noticed the little boy with two fish and five loaves of bread (John 6:8, 9). It was Andrew who brought the boy to Jesus hoping for a miracle. He was more than willing to operate behind the scenes. Along with Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Olives, he asked Jesus when the destruction of the temple would occur. The pastor’s wife can help her husband by giving him insight. We see so many things that our husbands may never see. Are you helping him see it through your eyes?

He was in the upper room and received the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:12; 2-4). Often church members invite us to prayer meetings, but we turn them down. They give us prayer requests, and we promise to pray for them but never do. Prayer challenges keep us closed up in the upper room with our Savior. Andrew was filled with the Holy Spirit because he was there in the upper room. In my experience, when I accept such challenges, I find myself drawing closer to God. My spirituality has grown from strength to strength. It is also a powerful tool to draw me closer to the congregation. Being a prayer warrior not only benefits the members but also myself.

He was loyal. Andrew was there when Jesus healed the sick and cast out demons. He was there at Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. And he is one of the disciples who was crucified. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to say with Paul, “I have fought the good fight . . . I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, . . . and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Tim 4:7, 8, NKJV).

Like Andrew, many of us are obedient, resourceful, caring, loving, zealous, humble, and filled with great faith. May God be our daily source of power as we work, often unnoticed, in His vineyard. You may not get recognition now, but how powerful it will be when Jesus ushers us into His Father’s house and says, “Come in, my faithful servant!”

Lucia Mapiye Gwaze is a sales and marketing manager for a household and body care manufacturing company in Zimbabwe. Lucia and her pastor-husband, Danford, are pastoring in Glen Norah District in Harare and have been blessed with two children, Anotida and Desire. As a family they enjoy taking nature walks, game viewing, and sailing on the lake, especially the sunset cruise. Lucia enjoys reading, writing, cooking, and baking. She became Shepherdess president for the East Zimbabwe Conference in June 2010.