The Women in Ministry Grant, offered in partnership with the Ministry & Mission Committee, seeks to encourage churches to create or expand opportunities for women to serve in paid gospel ministry. By providing financial assistance (one day’s salary), the grant helps churches establish ministry roles that make a distinctive contribution to the life and mission of the local church. In 2025, we were blessed to offer two Women in Ministry Grants - one to Abbotsford Presbyterian Church.

God's People, God's Gifts, God's Timing at Abbotsford Presbyterian Church

As God's people faced the threat of destruction while living under the rule of the Persian King Xerxes, Mordecai challenged his niece, Queen Esther, with these words: "And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14)

Perhaps some of the best-known and most frequently quoted words from the book of Esther, they nevertheless remind us of the ways in which God places his people in particular circumstances, with particular gifts and opportunities, to serve those around them.

For women in gospel ministry, there are times when the gifts God has given them, the opportunities before them and the needs of the church come together in unexpected ways.

Following a vacancy in its pastoral team, Abbotsford Presbyterian Church (APC) successfully applied for the 2025 Women in Ministry Grant to support the appointment of a full-time ministry worker. With funding secured, the church recruited Emma Little as Assistant Pastor – the right woman at just the right time - adapting the five-day-per-week role to draw on her unique gifts, experience and skills.

As it turns out, Emma was just the right woman at just the right time.

In her recent update to the Women’s Ministry Committee, Emma, has reflected on her first year at APC, sharing, "I feel that God has put me in this place at this time so that I can do this."

Since commencing her role, Emma has become a valued member of the pastoral team at APC, serving across children's ministry, pastoral care, discipleship and the wider life of the congregation.

In her work with Kids Church, she’s been equipping and coordinating a team of leaders, supporting them as they run the programs each week. Under her leadership, the children's ministry has also strengthened its connection with a local aged care facility, creating opportunities for the children to serve and build relationships across generations.

Beyond kid’s ministry, Emma has helped strengthen the church's pastoral care, offering encouragement, prayer and support to members navigating different seasons of life. She has also had the privilege to prepare Bible studies for growth groups, helping the congregation engage with God's Word alongside the weekly sermon series.

Reflecting on her first year, Emma shares:

"I have loved being a part of APC this year and have been really encouraged by the way the congregation loves and serves one another as they seek to grow in godliness."

Rev Darryl Soh values how Emma’s contribution has strengthened the church's capacity to care for its members, equip ministry leaders and support the congregation's growth in Christ. But beyond these contributions, Darryl particularly appreciates the perspective Emma brings to the church's leadership and decision-making.

As a member of the pastoral team, Emma contributes to staff discussions and attends Session meetings, where her experience and perspective are valued as decisions are made. Darryl reflects, “Emma always provides great counsel and perspective in all Session deliberations and all the elders love having her at Session meetings.”

We give thanks to God for the partnership between the Women's Ministry Committee, Ministry & Mission Committee and Abbotsford Presbyterian Church in bringing Emma into her role at Abbotsford, in this season and for His purposes.

As Abbotsford looks towards another year of ministry, please join us in praying that:

• Emma will continue to grow in wisdom, patience and strength as she serves.
• God will deepen relationships within the congregation and grow his people in their love and knowledge of Jesus.
• The church will continue to grow in both number and maturity in Christ.
• God will continue to provide the resources needed to sustain and develop this ministry into the future.