Elizabeth Richards has served with CMS since 1987, both as a missionary with her husband Malcolm in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and as a Regional Mission Director (RMD). Elizabeth officially finished her role as RMD in May 2025. Here, Elizabeth reflects on Christ’s church, and shares how she has seen God’s work in and through women across the world.

What a delight to write about women in ministry around the world. 

While cultures and contexts differ, it is exciting to see and hear about women who have responded to opportunities that God has given them to reach their communities, disciple and train, and be further trained themselves. 

In the July edition of Checkpoint, you will find many stories of how God is shaping and preparing women from a range of backgrounds to serve him with the gifts and skills he has given them. 

Members of Christ’s body

The task of growing a church across languages, nations and throughout centuries seems unbelievable and impossible. Yet all things are possible for our God, and he has used his people throughout the ages to play their part in building a church of believers. God calls us all to be obedient, to serve him with our whole lives, to follow Christ’s example of servanthood and humility, and to live cross-shaped lives.

The book of Ephesians contains powerful images that help us to see the church as the body, with Christ as the head. In his kindness, Jesus builds up his body—the church—through leaders engaged in the work of evangelism, discipleship, teaching, caring, and encouraging others. 

As members of Christ’s body, we are all being knitted together and growing to maturity, and in love and service. What a blessing to be part of the body of Christ, to be heirs of his kingdom. And what joy to hear stories of our fellow believers standing firm and using their gifts for the building up of the church.

Serving God with their whole lives

In my role as Regional Mission Director (RMD) for the last 11 years, I have had the privilege of being introduced to many amazing Christian women. From remote Indigenous communities in North Australia, to large European cities, to isolated villages in Africa and small island nations—I have loved the opportunity to meet women who are seeking to serve God with their whole lives.

I will never forget the stories of the women who were part of the church I attended as a young missionary in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly known as Zaire). These women knew first-hand the reality of war, poverty and trauma. I saw how difficult it was to be involved in ministry to others when life is all about survival and finding enough food for the family to eat that day.

Yet, God powerfully worked in these women’s lives, and a group of women committed to studying the Bible each week using Theological Education by Extension (TEE). How wonderful to see many years later that some of these women still use what they learnt to lead, teach and train others.

Elizabeth Richards (far right) visiting a diocese in DR Congo.

It has also been a great joy to witness our missionary women—whether single or married—moving through the CMS process from enquirer, to applicant, to missionary in training, to missionary on location. Seeing these women grow in faith and confidence as they learn language, work out their role, and build relationships has been a great highlight for me. 

Under God, their active role in cross-cultural ministry is making a difference in the kingdom. One Anglican bishop told me recently that having a missionary couple who are both involved in ministry sends an important message in a location where the status of women is very low. Their example is showing others in this location that women can have a role and place in church life.

We know that discipleship and obedience are not without cost. Both CMS missionaries and the women in these locations face the cost of discipleship—giving themselves so that others can have the opportunity to hear the message of Christ. 

As followers of Jesus, their lives are being continually transformed by him, and they are compelled to share their hope in whatever circumstance they are in. There are many stories of tragedy, loss, alienation and rejection, but despite this, these godly women are choosing to focus on what lies ahead, so that they can share the hope they have in Jesus.

Stories of God at work

In the July edition of Checkpoint, you will find a variety of stories about the women our missionaries have met, trained, discipled or worked with. Some of our missionaries tell their own stories of how God has led and guided them as they have stepped into cross-cultural ministry.

There are stories of women using their God-given gifts to help build up the church through song, prayer, counselling, Sunday school, or discipling others. Stories of women who actively look for opportunities to share their hope in Christ and are growing in their passion to share God’s Word. Women who have discovered that we are all precious in God’s sight. Women who have a thirst to be equipped with the Bible so that they can explain the gospel to others. And women who are trying new roles and experiencing the joy of serving and growing a ministry.

It is my hope that you will be deeply encouraged and challenged as you read these stories. Let us give thanks to God for bringing these women into his kingdom, for their obedience to do the good works he has prepared in advance for them, and for the power of his Spirit at work in us all.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…

 

(Ephesians 3:20)

GIVE

Praise God that he is equipping and enabling women to serve his body, the church. You can be directly involved in this kingdom work through regular prayer and financial giving. Go here to find out more.

This article was originally printed in Checkpoint July 2025. Would you like to receive physical copies of Checkpoint? Contact your branch to sign up!