Rise in Strength began in 2019 when 65 women from 18 nations came together in Amsterdam for a three-day consultation.
RISE celebrates the gifting, service and leadership of women in the Church across the globe. We mourn the injustices women continue to suffer and call on christians to take steps to honour women’s leadership in family, church and community to increase the effective witness of the Gospel.
We want to be a prophetic voice. The name, Rise in Strength, refers to the prophet, poet, judge and national leader from the old testament, Deborah. Partnering with Barak, she saved her nation from enemy forces and sang of how she rose in strength to answer God's call.
We are connected to a number of church networks and christian movements, here is what a couple of them think.
Dr Michael Oh is the leader of the Lausanne Movement. He is a strong supporter of recognising each person's gifting and calling regardless of sex.
Dr Thomas Schirrmacher of the World Evangelical Alliance has written and spoken extensively endorsing the Bible's view of women and men equally called to serve and lead.
we are a committed team of women from across the globe involved in international and cross-cultural leadership in many settings.
Amanda Jackson trains and leads women across the world –teaching on Biblical equality and strengthening regional networks of women leaders. She helps men and women to work together more effectively. Amanda is the Senior Advisor on Diversity, World Evangelical Alliance. Amanda trains and serves women in leadership and is an advocate on issues impacting women – like domestic abuse, equality, Bible teaching, and women in mission. She founded the global Christian network to end domestic abuse (CNEDA). She also works with a mission agency encouraging women in the majority Moslem world and training men and woemn to see the value of co-working. Amanda is originally from Australia but moved to London over 30 years ago to particiapte in urban church planting. She has an MA in English Literature and diplomas in education and media.
Jenn Williamson, DMin, is the Director of Leadership Formation for Missio Nexus. She is passionate about equipping and encouraging Christian leaders to guide their organizations to greater effectiveness by developing and employing strategies and systems that reflect and reveal the Kingdom of God. She is a co-host of the podcast, GOING: Where God is at Work, discussing global missions. Originally from the US, she has lived and worked in Lyon, France since 2010 where she participates in church planting, mentoring pastors and emerging leaders, and training cross-cultural workers.
Aashima Samuel is a human rights lawyer, who specializes in defending the rights of women and children especially victims of trafficking. She has helped rescue more than 1500 trafficked victims, given input on prevention of human trafficking at the United Nations, and written a research paper for the British Government on aboriginals at risk. She is a strong voice against gender based inequality in India. Aashima is the Director of Ashray Refuge for the Vulnerable: which equips churches to address the issues of human trafficking and gender based violence. She advises and educates on gender and religious freedom to the Women’s Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance. She lives in New Delhi, India
Elke Werner has been a leader and advocate for women for over 30 years, encouraging women across Europe, through her speaking and writing, to fully use their gifting. Elke was the Lausanne Catalyst for "Women inEvangelism" and served on the board of Lausanne International for over 10 years. She is a mentor, author and evangelist with proChrist. She is currently the chair of "Hope for Europe-Women in Leadership" and on the women's committee of the Evangelical Alliance in Germany. Elke founded anorganisation called "WINGS- Women in God's Service", which exists toLOVE: Lead women to Christ, Open doors forwomen, Voice the issues of women and Encourage women intheir God-given ministries. Elke lives in Marburg, Germany.