Small Things Are Great

The Church in Philippi wasn’t born in a synagogue(a coming together of at least 10 males under a teacher). It was born by a riverside — in prayer, in simplicity, and in the hands of women. If that doesn’t sound like many of our African fellowships, I don’t know what does. Sometimes the most powerful moves of God begin in circles of praying women who gather not because of titles, but because of hunger. When Paul first arrived in Philippi, he didn’t meet elders or deacons — he met Lydia, a woman of substance and prayer (Acts 16:13–15). She sold purple cloth, the kind that only the wealthy could afford. Yet she used her wealth not to show off, but to serve. Lydia opened her home to the gospel. In many ways, she’s the mother of the Philippian Church. You can tell this church had a woman’s touch. They were generous, thoughtful, and consistent. When Paul was old, tired, and under house arrest in Rome, it was the Philippian believers — probably led by women — who sent him supplies, prayers, a...