In modern parlance, church planting is a core value. What is church planting if not making disciples? Even in denominations that ordain women, the majority of church planters are men. The notion of a female church planter has become an oxymoron. But this was not the case in the beginning.
One might easily assume that the Apostle Paul would not be favorably disposed to women serving as church planters.
After all, he was a Pharisee by training and a former hardcore religious terrorist. Expectations had to be riding high when Paul and his all-male church planting team arrived in Philippi.
What would anyone expect after such an incredible vision? Yet instead of a stadium packed with Philippians eager to hear the gospel, Paul and his cohort found a group of praying women. The Holy Spirit moved. The women, beginning with Lydia, embraced the gospel.
A church was planted, and history made. The first Christian church in Europe was establishedβwith a team of believing women. Later, from a Roman prison cell, Paul penned a letter to the Philippian church.
