A New Framework
God doesn’t reveal the entire plan for our lives all at once. As Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.” He gives us direction for what’s next, not a vision of our entire lives.
When I began recognizing my gifts and realizing I had a call to ministry, I didn’t have a good framework for what that would look like. I grew up in a church culture where women served primarily with other women or children, and I had never seen a woman serve as a student minister. For a long time, I thought God was calling me to be a youth pastor’s wife because that was the only example I knew. Much to my surprise, I didn't get married in my 20's or 30's, and I wondered if I missed something along the way.
But God had a different plan. He called me to disciple students, lead in ministry, train young adults, and speak at camps and conferences. I might have missed those opportunities if I hadn’t been open to the possibility that God was calling me to something I had never seen modeled.
The question for women isn’t, “Do I have a place in God’s mission?” The question is, “Where is my place in God’s mission?”
Meet Phoebe: A Woman Who Made an Impact
Romans 16:1–2 introduces us to Phoebe:
“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.”
Phoebe appears in a chapter many of us skim past—a long list of names with little explanation. Yet Paul thought her service was significant enough to commend her publicly in his letter to the Roman church. Although we know very little about her, we know she faithfully served the early church with her time and resources. More specifically, Paul asked the church to "help her in whatever she may need from you," implying that she was in a position of influence.
Paul calls Phoebe a “servant” of the church. The ESV includes a footnote explaining that this word can also be translated “deaconess.” We see the importance of practical service in Acts 6:1–3, when the early church appointed faithful believers to help meet the community’s needs.
“Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, ‘It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.’”
As the church grew, the disciples recognized that they couldn’t meet every need on their own. They appointed faithful followers of Jesus to care for the practical needs of the community. This model still shapes the church today as believers serve alongside one another in meaningful ways.
The Beauty of What We Don’t Know
We don’t know Phoebe’s marital status, her job, or her specific responsibilities. What we do know is that Paul trusted her and publicly affirmed her service. As a woman called to vocational ministry, I find that incredibly encouraging. God’s call isn’t dependent on my status, season of life, or résumé. There’s no specific mold I have to fit into to serve Him faithfully.
Instead of focusing on what we don’t know about Phoebe, we can focus on what we do know: she served faithfully, generously, and in a way that pointed people to Jesus. Scripture doesn’t highlight her limitations; it highlights her impact. Her example reminds us that we can serve God and His people in ways that leave a lasting legacy—not for our own name, but for the name of Christ.
There’s no requirement to be married, hold a certain title, or reach a particular level of influence to serve the church. God desires willing, obedient, and faithful hearts.
Where Is Your Place in God’s Mission?
Is there something God is calling you to do that you don’t believe you can do? Maybe you don’t feel equipped, or perhaps someone has told you that you’ll never be able to do it. What is God asking you to believe wholeheartedly and act on?
Phoebe’s story reminds us that our faithfulness matters, even when we don’t know how our service will make an impact. My prayer is that women will be encouraged to pursue the calling God has placed on their lives and help the next generation recognize their own potential to serve Him.
Let’s be part of a movement that helps women do more than believe they belong in God’s family; let’s help them live out their purpose in His mission.