THEME: “CARE FOR CREATION – THE ROLE OF WOMEN”

VENUE: EPCG, BETHEL CONGREGATION, ANLOGA

DATE: FRIDAY, 5^TH SEPTEMBER, 2025

1. INTRODUCTION

Before the beginning, there is only God. The story of creation is the story of God – Who He is, What He does, and How He interacts with His creation. By God’s hand, everything came into existence out of nothing. He builds it with grandeur, forming each creature with attention and care, and declared everything good. The creation story reveals how deeply God loves all that He has made. This is the beginning of the grand narrative – God’s story, told throughout the Bible (Genesis 1:1–25).

From the very start, God’s design for humanity was intentional. He created man, yet saw that man needed a partner, a helper, a companion – not an afterthought, but a divine complement. The creation of woman was God’s way of revealing that His image is fully expressed in both male and female together (Genesis 1:26–27).

Today, as we reflect on the theme “Care for Creation – The Role of Women”, we should be reminded that women are not only part of God’s creation but are also central to His purposes for the family, the community, and the church.

This theme requires stewardship and responsibility towards the environment conservation and sustainability. It is of paramount interest to care for the earth and its resources. This must be done with cautious efforts for preserving the Earth for the future generations.

Why does this theme focus on women? It is because, women embody the nurturing heart of God. In Isaiah 66:13, God says; “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you.” Women’s love mirrors God’s care for creation. Every day you sow seeds of hope.

In Genesis 2:15, God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden, “to tend and keep it”. This divine mandate to care for creation is not just a task. It is a calling to love and nurture the world God so beautifully created and who are better to lead in this calling than women?

Women are the heartbeat of homes, our churches and the community at large.

You are God’s appointed stewards for His creation.

2. GOD’S STATUS FOR MEN AND WOMEN

Equal Image (Genisis 1:27) The Bible taught us that “In the image of God He created them” Male and Female. He created them equal in value, dignity and purpose.

This therefore means that, since creation God has never discriminated in anything He does. Even though, Gensis 21-23 tells us that, a woman has been created from a man, God in His own wisdom has given both the man and the woman equal status in value, dignity and purpose.

3. ROLES OF WOMEN

Biblical Examples

The bible is filled with women who nurtured and lead in faith and in caring for creation.

• Eve – Mother of all living, representing the gift of life-giving.
• Hannah – In I Samuel 1:27-28, Hannah dedicated her son Sameul to God’s services. Her devotion teaches us that women can dedicate not only their children but also their talent to God’s purposes including caring for his creation.
• Deborah – Judge and Prophetess who led Israel to victory (Judges 4–5).

The tribes of Israel occupy Canaan the land God promised to them and their ancestor Abraham. The Israelites have a highly structured religious society but lacks a unified national identity. By the time, the third generation since the Exodus grew to adulthood, many of the people have forgotten the Lord. Their judges usher in few centuries of regional leadership using a very loose governing system. These leaders helped ward off enemies and bring the people of Israel back to God. After Joshua’s death, a new generation grew up who never knew Joshua, but Judges rose amongst them to rule and lead Israel and one of such was Deborah.

• Ruth – Example of loyalty, faith, and sacrifice (Ruth 1:16; 2:8–9).

Ruth was another example in the bible known for her loyalty, faithfulness, courage and sacrifice. She was a Mobite but decided to stay with Israelite’s mother-in-law after tragedy, widowed the two of them. Ruth’s heritage outside the people of Israel showed that God is God of the whole world, but not simply of a particular individual or Nation. God rewarded Ruth for her faithfulness to him by blessing her with a husband, Boaz and a son.

Through Ruth, God also blessed Naomi (Mother-in-law), with grand-children.

Ruth’s great-grandson David became the greatest King of Israel.

Ruth’s story demonstrated the importance of kindness, generosity and God’s blessings.

• Mary, Mother of Jesus – Chosen vessel through whom God brought salvation into the world.
• Priscilla – Teacher of the Word alongside her husband (Acts 18:26).
• Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna – Women who supported Jesus’ ministry (Luke 8:1–3).
• These examples show that in God’s creation plan, women have played – and continue to play – spiritual, leadership, supportive, and transformational roles.

4. THE ROLE OF TODAY’S WOMEN

The scripture taught us that women are not only part of God’s creation but are also central to God’s purposes for the family, the community and the church.

Dear mothers, how can you lead in caring for God’s creation? Let me offer some practical and inspiring ways to embrace this calling.

At Home:

• Nurturing children in godliness, passing on values and faith (Proverbs 22:6).
• Prayer and advocacy. Mothers, never underestimate your power of prayer. Your voice is rooted in faith and can move mountains. As Jesus said in Mathew 17:20, “If you have faith as small as a master seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘move’, and it will move.”
• You are also required to provide condusive atmosphere at home.

In the Church:

Some of the vital roles that women are expected to provide for in the church are;

1. Nurturing Faith
   1. Providing Care
   1. Women are to lead their various ministries in the church and support outreach programs. Serving in music, teaching, intercession, ushering, hospitality, and mission.
   1. Mentoring the younger women in faith. (Titus 2:3–5).

In Society:

Advocating for justice, compassion, and moral values. Using your God-given gifts in education, healthcare, governance, and community development.

Key Point: When women give out their God-given roles, communities flourish, the church is strengthened, and God’s name is glorified.

5. OTHER ESSENTIAL ROLES

From creation until today, women have been God’s partners in His work on earth. Women’s roles are not an appendix in history but a vital chapter in God’s story.

To you our Mothers

• Recognize your divine worth and calling in creation
• Use your gifts to serve God, your family, your community, and your nation.
• Strive to be like the Proverbs 31 woman — a woman of noble character, wisdom, and fear of the Lord.

Today’s Environment

Discussions on the theme, “Care for Creation” may not be fully exhausted if we fail to consider today’s environment.

• Water bodies
• Land and forest degradations

Caring for the environment is crucial for our planet’s well-being. We need to play a significant role in promoting sustainability, conservation and eco-friendly practices through the following means.

• Leading environmental initiatives
• Educating communities about sustainability
• Implementing and advocating for environmental policies and sustainable practices in our daily lives.

Closing

In closing, I thank God for creating you women in His own image and for the unique roles He has assigned you in His plan for creation.

May you be strengthened to fulfill your callings with Courage, Wisdom, and Grace.

May God help us as a community to honor, support, and partner together to protect and care for all His creations to His glory.

Thank you for your attention.

REV. SYLVANUS YAO KPODONU