Two friends, one South African and the other Romanian, unpacked the power of women as builders of reconciliation in a recent All Things Reconciled podcast.
Anke Hiestermann and Bethany Serengheru share the calling of prayer for reconciliation with women in their separate contexts. They recounted stories of hope as they, “just housewives,” gather for prayer.
Hiestermann leads The Esther Group, a South African network that includes women from all social places and ethnic groups. Its purpose is to pray for people to practise forgiveness of hurts and trauma that often go back to apartheid years. “It was the intentionality of forgiving,” she shares, “that a wonderful relationship in reconciliation was formed.”
Serengheru leads Elibera, a Romanian word that means “to break free.” This is a group of women from different ethnic groups and denominations who gather for sharing and prayer. They share their stories, then pray for the difficult situations many face, “allowing the [Holy] Spirit to work through us.”
In both Romania and South Africa, churches are beginning to come together on the common ground of reconciliation in Jesus to impact the community. “I have hope for our nation,” Hiestermann says.
Listen to the full podcast episode at TheEFC.ca/All-Things.
The World Evangelical Alliance Peace & Reconciliation Network
does its work through the generosity of donors. Connect with the PRN or donate. Invite Canadian director Joel Zantingh of Guelph, Ont., or global director Phil Wagler of Kelowna, B.C., as a speaker. Read more of these blog posts at FaithToday.ca/AllThingsReconciled.