Report of EBWU Conference,
Lisbon, Portugal 10-13th October 2024

Report by Ruth Madarova

About 60 ladies, from 21 countries of Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia, gathered in the Centro de Acolhimento Seminário Torres Dáquilla in Sao Domingos de Rana near Lisbon. The conference was arranged by the EBWU for women of EBWU region, for teaching, encouragement, sharing, praying and fellowship.

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The theme of the conference was “Living in Victory” taken mainly from 1 Cor 15:57 – “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!”

The main speaker was Grace Fox from Canada, who arrived to Portugal together with her husband.

On Thursday evening Siham Daoud, EBWU President, opened the conference and together with Noémia Fernandes, President of the Portuguese Baptist Women Union welcomed everyone.

Siham Daoud, EBWU PresidentSiham Daoud, EBWU President

Noémia Fernandes, President of the Portuguese Baptist Women UnionNoémia Fernandes, President of the Portuguese Baptist Women UnionSubsequently, Nadia Morokhovets and Ruth Madarova led a Roll call, when they gradually called the representatives of individual countries (some dressed in their beautiful national costumes) to the front to say “Hello” in their language and one sentence about their country. Finally, we had prayers for each participating country.

On Fiday morning Didi Oprenova from Bulgaria brought a devotional with a reading from Romans 8:37 – “In all these things we are triumphantly victorious due to the One who loved us” followed by a time of corporate prayer.

Didi Oprenova, BulgariaDidi Oprenova, Bulgaria

Prayer timePrayer timeBiblical teaching by Grace Fox was divided into four sessions, during which she pointed out some precious names of God and encouraged us how we can overcome because of who God is.

Grace Fox, CanadaGrace Fox, Canada

  • 1. Victorious Because God Shepherds Us – Psalm 23:1 says: “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” The LORD – “Yahweh” is wise, good and strong and this God is my shepherd. I am in the best care and protection. Charles Spurgeon says: “The sweetest word of the whole is that monosyllable, “My.” He does not say, “The LORD is the shepherd of the world at large, and leadeth forth the multitude as His flock,” but “The LORD is my shepherd; “if He be a Shepherd to no one else, He is a Shepherd to me; He cares for me, watches over me, and preserves me.”
  • 2. Victorious Because God ́s Soveregnty Rules Over Us – Psalm 57 describes David in his crisis, hiding in a cave so Saul can ́t find and kill him. “El Elyon” – “God Most High” is highest in authority and power, He has the final say. He is the One who fulfills His purpose for me. We can experience victory in crisis when we take action: reframe our view, remember to give thanks, regain perspective, recall God ́s presence and refocus on eternity. Kay Warren says: “Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright and the determined choice to praise God in every situation.”
  • 3. Victorious Because God Fights For Us – “Yahweh Tzevaot” – “LORD of hosts”. 1.Samuel 17:45, 47 says: “Then David told the Philistine, “You come at me with a sword, a pear, and a javeli, but I come to ou in the name of the LORD of the Heavenly Armies, the God of the armies of Israel whom you have defied, ..., and this whole congregation will know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or spear. Indeed, the battle is the LORD ́s and He will give you into our hands.” Christine Caine says: “God is faithful. He ́ll fulfill every promise He ́s made. There is no disease God cannot heal, no heart He cannot mend, no bonage He cannot break, no enemy He cannot defeat, no mountain He cannot move, and no need He cannot meet. And because that same Spirit lives inside each of us, we move forward undaunted we are unstoppable; and we live unshakeable. Focus on our unshakeable God instead of the chaos around you and He will carry you through the challenges and on to victory.”
  • 4. Victorious Because God Sees Us – “El Roi” – “the God who sees me” is caring, understanding and gazing; shepherd. It is not just about physical sight; it ́s about understanding, caring and providing. We can meet this “El Roi” in Genesis 16 in the story of Hagar. The word “sees” refers to something more than God merely looking at us. He longs to be so profoundly personal to each of us, calling us “daughter” or “My little one” addressing our deepest need for love and acceptance.

How can we live victoriously in those seasons when we feel alone and invisible? Remember and apply these two truths:-

  • Satan seeks our defeat. 1 Peter 5:8 says: “Be clear-minded and alert. Your opponent, the devil, is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
  • God desires our victory. 2 Chronicles 16:9 says: “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughtout the earth so that He may support those whose heart is completely His.”

He knows whether we need a little push to set us moving in the right direction, a pause to let us rest, a challenge to help us grow, or a heavenly hug to help us heal. Good sees. He knows, and He cares.

Meanwhile, we had a lot of opportunities to share and pray together.

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Friday afternoon was reserved for two workshops. One of them was led by Karina Liepina from Latvia, where we were talking together about the importance of finding rest in our busy lives. It can be found through silence, solitude, sabbath, simplicity and slowing down. We realized the urgent need to deepen an intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus, without whom true rest is not even possible.

Karina Liepina, Latvia,Karina Liepina, Latvia,

Another workshop was practical. It was led by Alcina Souza from Portugal. We could make a flower of colorful fabric and pin it on our jacket.

Practical workshopPractical workshop

On Friday evening Fabienne Seguin from France brought a devotional with a reading from Matthew 18:21-35. She emphesized that we need to consider others higher than ourselves. To bring mercy and concern rather than criticism and condemnation.

Fabienne Seguin, FranceFabienne Seguin, France

The evening was taken up with sharing, testimonies and prayers. We could hear testimonies from personal life as well as from ministry. All these testimonies pointed to the fact that our God is alive and powerful and He leads us in His good way.

Friday ́s program was ended with a fun time, when we were divided into groups and played a small play on various women biblical characters. We had a lot of laughs.

On Saturday morning Esther Amorim from Portugal brought a devotional. She said that our weapons for victory are obedience, prayer & fasting, shout of joy and praise & worship.

Esther Amorim, PortugalEsther Amorim, Portugal

Saturday afternoon was reserved for a bus trip to the ocean as well as beautiful downtown Lisbon. The weather was very pleasant, so we could enjoy it and take nice pictures.

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At the end of the conference, during the Saturday National Evening, it was so great to dive into Portuguese culture, to know more about their history and country and to taste their local delicious desserts that the Portuguese sisters had prepared for us. Everyone had a lot of fun, all ladies received a small souvenir and enjoyed the friendly atmosphere.

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On Sunday morning, our final session was celebrated in the local church – Igreja Baptista de Tires in S. Domingos de Rana. After the praise and worship time led by the local worship team, Cristina Pokidko, the Vice President of EBWU, brought the sermon. The conference was concluded with a prayers for the EBWU committee.

Cristina Pokidko, Vice President of EBWUCristina Pokidko, Vice President of EBWU

Our hearts are full of gratitude to our loving God who has prepared for us a rich table of His blessings during these days.