Women ministry gathering explored discipleship via video and scripture discussion.

Ministry Study Overview
Weekly video call introduced The Good Gospel discipleship study with available workbook resources.

Creation and Relationship
Discussion on page 10 focused on God desire for personal relationship and redemption through Jesus Christ.

Romans and Boldness
Participants examined Romans 1 regarding grace, obedience, and living out faith boldly in daily life.

Details

• Meeting Opening and Introductions: Mandie Buesgens opened the call and introduced Google Meet features, such as live closed captions. Mandie asked participants to introduce themselves and share their viewing locations. Kelly Bailey, Panyapat Mapobsook, Natalia, Danielle Theophilus, Melody Tesoro, Joy Livingston, and Ynah Rellorta shared their names and where they were watching from.

• Women’s Ministry Study Overview and Resources: Mandie Buesgens explained the purpose of the weekly video call to foster fellowship and connection among women. Mandie introduced the discipleship study titled The Good Gospel and noted that a PDF workbook and videos were available in the Line group chat for optional daily devotions and study. Mandie and Kelly Bailey discussed the accessibility and utility of the workbook resources, followed by an opening prayer led by Mandie.

• Video Presentation on the Gospel and Creation: A video presentation detailed the gospel as good news, explaining that God created humanity out of love and for relationship in the Garden of Eden. The presentation addressed the problem of sin entering the world through Adam and Eve’s disobedience, leading to death, but highlighted God’s promise of redemption through Jesus Christ in Genesis 3:15 and Romans 5 . Panelists Jamie and Jackie shared personal testimonies of coming to saving faith at ages 21 and 17, emphasizing the revolutionary and life-changing nature of the gospel and the Holy Spirit opening their eyes .

• Discussion on God’s Creation and Relationship with Humanity: Mandie Buesgens led a discussion using page 10 of the workbook regarding God’s desire for relationship. Natalia shared that knowing God knows their name makes the relationship personal, while Kelly Bailey noted that God provides an enduring covenant relationship compared to temporary earthly connections . Mandie shared a personal reflection on feeling small yet loved while viewing the vast universe at a camp. Joy Livingston and Panyapat Mapobsook discussed how realizing personal brokenness or transitioning from a Buddhist background brought peace, hope, and joy through the gospel. Kelly Bailey read Genesis 1:26-31, and Panyapat Mapobsook and Kelly discussed how God prioritized and blessed humans with deep love and creativity .

• Discussion on Romans and Boldness in Sharing the Gospel: Melody Tesoro read Romans 1:1-6, after which Joy Livingston highlighted the balance between receiving grace and maintaining the obedience of faith. Mandie Buesgens read Romans 1:16 regarding not being ashamed of the gospel. Danielle Theophilus and Kelly Bailey discussed what it means to live out the gospel boldly in daily life and workplaces, with Kelly expressing pride in God’s holiness and work . Mandie reflected on Paul’s radical encounter with God, prompting participants to consider how they live out their faith publicly.

• Study Format Review and Future Meeting Plans: Mandie Buesgens reviewed the ongoing structure of intended study sessions, noting that larger groups in the future could utilize breakout rooms for smaller discussions. Mandie addressed the pacing of the meetings, mentioning that future calls might start slightly earlier and run until approximately 9:15 to allow adequate time for discussion and prayer requests. Participants shared their hopes for the study, with Mandie seeking new insights, Kelly desiring continued personal growth, Victoria Walter valuing fellowship, Natalia seeking boldness, and Joy Livingston hoping for consistency in reading the word .

• Setting Intentions and Hopes for Life Groups: Mandie Buesgens discusses the practice of setting personal intentions and journaling hopes for life groups to prevent walking away dissatisfied from interactions due to unclear expectations. Mandie encourages participants to identify and share their desires, stating that they believe God will show up for those specific hopes. Furthermore, Mandie invites participants to share prayer requests throughout the week either publicly or privately.

• Availability of Staff for Prayer Requests: Mandie Buesgens and Kelly Bailey address participants’ hesitation to bother busy staff members, explicitly reassuring everyone that they welcome prayer requests twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Mandie emphasizes that making time for people is a favorite part of the week, taking precedence over paperwork or planning. Additionally, Mandie acknowledges a prayer request submitted by Joy during the session.

• Future Meeting Logistics and Church Invitations: Mandie Buesgens outlines logistical plans for upcoming weekly calls, noting that sessions will start closer to eight in the evening to maximize available time. Mandie encourages attendees to share the meeting link and invite other women from the church to pack out the group, stating that they are open to maintaining one giant group or breaking into smaller groups for question-and-answer segments.

• Group Prayer and Closing: Mandie Buesgens leads a closing prayer to conclude the session, focusing on encouraging participants to live boldly as followers of God. Specifically, Mandie prays for Joy as they navigate the start of university and new roommates, and prays for Ynah Rellorta regarding the complete healing of a wrist sprain and stress. Finally, Mandie prays for the safety, community, and presence of God among the women of Agape church before concluding the meeting with farewells from Mandie Buesgens, Ynah Rellorta, Victoria Walter, Kelly Bailey, Panyapat Mapobsook, and Natalia.

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1. Remember what God has done—but keep moving forward.

Past experiences can remind us of God’s faithfulness. But we cannot live only on what God did at youth camp, years ago in church, or during a previous season of life. Stones of remembrance should strengthen us for the journey ahead, not become places where we stop growing.

2. Seek Jesus for who He is—not merely for what He can provide.

The crowd wanted food, miracles, and political deliverance. They approached Jesus with an unspoken condition: “Show us what You can do, and then we will commit.” We can make the same mistake when we wait for Jesus to solve our problems before we fully trust Him.

Jesus has already proven His love. He invites us to come, believe, trust, follow, and obey.

3. Only Jesus can satisfy the soul.

Physical food meets a real but temporary need. Success, possessions, relationships, and experiences can also bring temporary enjoyment—but none of them can fill the deepest void within us.

Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life.” He does not merely give us bread; He is the bread. Whoever comes to Him will find the spiritual nourishment, peace, strength, and eternal life that nothing else can provide.

4. Coming to Jesus is simple—but it changes everything.

Coming to Jesus means turning away from sin and turning toward Him. It means talking with Him, trusting Him, obeying Him, and expecting to encounter His presence.

The invitation is not complicated: come to Jesus and believe in Him. Receive what He is offering instead of demanding something else.

5. Those who receive the good news are called to share it.

On the cross, Jesus declared, “It is finished.” The work of redemption was completed, and its results continue for everyone who believes. Because Christ. Because Christ has won the victory, we now carry that good news to a world that desperately needs it.

The central question is not simply, “What can Jesus do for me?” It is, “Will I come to Jesus for who He is?”

Scripture: John 6:30–35
Speaker: Pastor Bob Bailey
Agape International Church Taiwan