New World Visions

Christian Women Are Rising to Places of Leadership
By Barbara Wentroble

The Lord is calling his apostolic women to rise up to fulfill God's purpose in their lives and to reach a lost and dying world.

A small wave washed up on the shore. It lingered a while and then escaped back to the sea. Wave after wave came ashore. Each wave was a little higher than the previous one and like the first wave each lingered for some time before returning to its source. Suddenly, the largest wave I have ever seen formed. That colossal wave circled the globe and covered the nations of the world!

“What am I seeing?” I asked the Lord at the conclusion of this vision. He told me each wave was a previous move of His Spirit. Each move carried a measure of revelation that was higher than the previous move. Then He explained that a move of His Spirit is coming that would be greater than all the previous moves, with increasing levels of revelation.

That vision was opened up to me 15 years ago during a time of worship. But it is as clear today as it was all those years ago. The recent tsunami that devastated Asia reminded me of that vision once again. Scientists tell us that a tsunami occurs when a shift in the plates of the earth cause an undersea earthquake. Just as those plates shifted under the sea, a shift is taking place in the Church. Women are arising – not only in America – but also in other nations to work alongside men to take the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth.

In the same way that the tsunami impacted many nations, women are being called to impact many nations. With a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit, apostolic women are rising up and entering into partnership with men to fulfill their divine mandates. Once-oppressed women are supplying their joints to the work of the ministry in the framework of the apostolic reformation and the result is more souls coming into the Kingdom, more believers launching forth into ministry, and much more to come.

It all started when several apostles banded together to launch the Apostolic Women Arising Movement in Jakarta in January 2005. Indonesia is the fourth largest nation in the world and the largest Muslim nation. We believe the meeting date, which was immediately after the tsunami, was a prophetic action to declare a new season for women to arise. Think about it. On the heels of a mighty destructive force the Lord is calling His men and women together in unity to bring transformation to the nations.

Apostolic-prophetic women are a major part of a reformation that is taking place in the Church.
It is a restoration of a cultural mandate to humanity issued by God in the Garden of Eden: “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’” (Genesis 1:27-28 )

The human race – both male and female – was created to be God’s representative in the earth. The enemy has tried to abort God’s plan since the days of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3). However, God has not changed His mind concerning the partnership of men and women. Setting women free to fulfill their purposes is actually a restoration of God’s original plan.

Deborah, a female prophetess, counselor, and military leader, was the judge over the nation of Israel. Barak would not go against the Canaanites without Deborah. Together they delivered the nation of Israel. This is but one example of God’s intent for men and women to work together in the Kingdom of God to advance His purposes.

Unfortunately, many people have lost the understanding of authority in the Kingdom of God. True godly authority seeks to release the gifts and anointings of both men and women. Traditions and cultures, however, frequently oppress people instead. But when women are willing to rise up in an apostolic anointing, then nations can be changed.

The Bible offers example after example of God anointing women and giving them opportunities and leadership positions that changed history. Take Esther, for example. Esther lived in oppression with her people, the nation of Israel. But the Lord placed her in a position that changed the nation. Then there are the five daughters of Zelophehad, who actually had the Law of God changed (Numbers 27:1-9). Let’s not forget Rahab, who is a direct ancestor of David and Jesus who is in the Faith Hall of Fame (Hebrews 11).

A Great Host of Apostolic Women
Historically, women in the Bible had powerful personal revelations and ministries, and in this season the Lord is raising up a mighty army of women throughout the earth who have no interest in being spectators only. “The Lord gives the command; the women who proclaim the good tidings are a great host” (Psalms 68:11 NASB).

The Church of Jesus Christ needs an Issachar anointing for this new outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The sons (and daughters) of Issachar understood God’s strategic times and seasons (1 Chronicles 12:32). They had wisdom to know what they should do. We, too, need an alert spirit during this season as women rise up into their callings.

An Issachar anointing will help us recognize that the Lord is bringing change. This is not a change created by a group of women, but rather is one that is orchestrated by the Lord. Traditions often fail to recognize when God is bringing the Church into a new season. Traditions prefer to continue in the older more familiar ways of the Church. Many times those who follow after the old traditional ways persecute the new move of God. However, God looks for hungry hearts.

We must pray as Paul prayed, “that the eyes of our hearts may be enlightened, so that we may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe” (Ephesians 1:18-20). The Lord will give us wisdom, revelation and favor as we press forward in the Kingdom. We will have victory over the enemy’s plan to keep women oppressed and inactive. The Lord has given us the birthright to receive our inheritance.

The tsunami disaster has provided opportunities for the Good News of Jesus Christ to go forth in oppressed nations. Now God has given His women the breaker anointing. “The breaker goes up before them; They break out, pass through the gate, and go out by it, so their king goes on before them, and the Lord at their head” (Micah 2:13). A mighty wind of the Holy Spirit has enabled us to pass through the gates and reach out to those who are lost. God stirred up the seas so His voice can be heard. Now is the time to bring in nations. “For I am the Lord your God, who stirs up the sea and its waves roar (the Lord of hosts is His name)” (Isaiah 51:15).

Apostolic women are arising! After spending a week ministering at the Apostolic Women Arising Movement in Jakarta in January 2005 with Indri Gautama from Jakarta, Naomi Dowdy from Singapore and Prophet Ong Sek Leang from Malaysia, we witnessed thousands of women as they determined to enter into their destinies in the Kingdom. Men wept as they agreed with the Holy Spirit to stand in partnership with the women. This fresh move of God is not only being released in Indonesia but also around the world. A moment in history is happening!

Transformation of cities and nations is occurring as this mighty army of men and women, side by side, move into every area of life. Oppression and cruelty toward women and children is being broken. God is empowering a new generation of His people to press through to greater levels of victory and authority than ever before. That new generation includes apostolic women around the world who are willing to rise up to fulfill God’s purpose in their lives and take the Gospel to the nations.

Barbara Wentroble is founding apostle of International Breakthrough Ministries (IbM), an apostolic network. Barbara has authored Prophetic Intercession, A People of Destiny, You Are Anointed, God’s Purpose for Your Life, Praying With Authority, and is a contributing author of Women’s Destiny Bible.