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Women’s Ministry Around the World: Interview with Deborah Prisk

IMG_3098In June of 2015, about 20 women gathered in London for a meeting to discuss women’s ministries in complementarian contexts around the world. Our hope was to learn from one another and encourage each other in our task.

We heard from women in Australia, South Africa, Europe, UAE, and the USA. Led by the Proclamation Trust, we first met at The Evangelical Ministry Assembly (EMA) and enjoyed excellent teaching and fellowship. Afterwards, we traveled to The Oast House Retreat Center to debrief, discuss, and get to know one another.

It was one of those gatherings that left me wanting to share with others the kingdom work being done by women in a variety of settings. I’ve asked these ladies to tell us a bit about their ministries, so that we can all glean from their wisdom and prayerfully support their labors around the world.

Today, we’ll get a glimpse into the ministry work of Deborah Prisk.  She lives in France and for the past 4  years has ministered at Eglise Baptiste de Lagny (Lagny Baptist Church) about 20 miles to the East of Paris.
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Can you share with us a little about the culture where you live and the work you are doing?

If you come to France from the US, or the UK, you may be surprised by how similar things feel – people dress similarly, use the same technology, like some of the same sports, some of the same films and the same TV programmes. But the similarities can be deceptive, particularly when you delve into the deeper layers of the culture. Some aspects of  French culture are well known to those from outside: the importance of good food, for example. What is perhaps less well known is the high value placed on spending quality time with those you love, and so meals are not just about eating, but about discussing all kinds of things and sharing your views (sometimes very forcefully!). France is a post-catholic country, where the default position of so many is to be very sceptical about God. Sharing the Gospel can therefore be a very slow process, where building up trust and sharing your life are key.

One of my main roles in Lagny church is to encourage women to come to know Jesus and keep their eyes fixed on Him, through one-to-one discipleship, group Bible study, and teaching events. I am also involved in leading the church youth programme, and the day-to-day organisation of church life.

I am also on the planning team for a regional Christian women’s day conference, Chrétiennes Engagées. At the launch event in March 2015 over 200 women gathered from churches across the Paris region to hear teaching from Philippians 2 and 3: “What must I lose in order to gain Christ?”

What are some of the challenges of your ministry in Lagny? What are some of the joys?

One of the biggest challenges we face is one that is shared by churches in big cities all over the world: people are so busy. And so, developing deep fellowship within church, where we share our lives together and remind each other of the Gospel, often feels so difficult. The same goes for developing deep friendships with non-believers where the Gospel can be shared.

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The greatest joy in my work is seeing women and young people discover truths in the Bible for the first time: whether it is a teenage girl who has never previously understood the Gospel, or an older lady who is learning for the first time how the Old Testament points to Jesus.

Another great joy for me is to be involved in the training of French women for ministry amongst women and young people. In France, there are so few women working for churches in these ministries in a paid capacity. And so it is wonderful to be a part of seeing things start to change. A previous intern of mine is currently training for ministry at a Bible college in Belgium, and another young woman has recently joined us for two years as part of her studies at a Bible college in Switzerland.

In what ways have you seen the Lord at work?

In church, I have been privileged to see the Lord save teenage girls, and now be making them into godly women whose desire is to please Jesus in all things, even when that costs them. I have been privileged to see older women trust Jesus in ways that they haven’t before. I have been privileged to see people who used to be conflict-makers now becoming peace-makers.

We have seen God at work in so many ways in the organisation of the Chrétiennes Engagées event: over 200 women coming from 47 different churches (of all types and sizes); excellent talks centred on Jesus; women built-up and encouraged to live more wholeheartedly for Him; difficult situations wonderfully resolved in the run-up; and very generous financial gifts. We are looking forward to see how God is going to work as we start planning next year’s conference (for April 2016).FullSizeRender

How have you been encouraged or supported in your ministry by pastors and elders?

The two pastors of Lagny church, and the council of elders, are very supportive of my work, in particular by valuing the ministry of women teaching and discipling other women. They take the time to listen to my questions and requests, and to consider my ideas. They are supportive in maintaining what I believe to be a biblical model for men and women in ministry.

Our core values as a church are Gospel, Community and Mission – and it is a joy to be a part of the team as we seek to encourage these values in every member of the church: men and women, young and old. And I am always touched to see how they care for me personally (which of course should be the case, but not to be taken for granted!).

I am also very grateful for the support that I receive from the pastors, elders and leadership team of my sending church, Christchurch Mayfair, London, as well as that of the other churches and individuals who support me.

For those reading this today, what are two specific ways we can pray for your work?

Please pray for all of the women and young people at Lagny church to be living out Gospel, Community and Mission: for them to be amazed everyday at the wonderful news of Jesus dying for us on the cross, and for their whole lives to be centred around it as they seek to have a deep love for one another, and for those who don’t currently know Jesus.

Please pray for more churches in France to place high value on the role of women teaching and discipling women, and as a result for more paid opportunities for such ministries to open up .

 

IMG_0432Having loved France from a very young age, Deborah Prisk (Debs) is delighted to be able to live there in service of the Gospel. Partnering with UFM, Debs works alongside women and young people at Lagny Baptist Church (East of Paris) to help them fix their eyes on Jesus. She enjoys running and cooking (the former ensuring that the latter doesn’t add too many inches to her waistline). Debs is currently free to be concerned about the Lord’s affairs (1 Co 7.34), and is grateful to God for the many families in which He has included her. Debs has two nephews and five godchildren.

 

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