Eve and Monique are sisters—each discovering their gifts and using them to God’s glory.

God has given each of us strengths and skills, not to make us important—we are already important to God! We have been given strengths and skills because God has important kingdom work for us to do. We are an important part of God’s mission.

One of the foundational principles in PLI is that God designed women as leaders, too. Husbands and wives learn and grow alongside one another, discovering their strengths and passions and how God has uniquely called them to engage in His mission.

Eve Bameka (Uganda) and Monique Donkoh (Ghana) are just two of the women deeply impacted by PLI’s investment in them. They, in turn, are impacting and multiplying leaders in their communities, throughout their countries, and beyond. 

Eve’s Journey

Eve and her husband Bishop Charles Bameka encountered PLI at a pivotal point in their journey as leaders in the Ugandan church. The impact PLI had on their ministry and marriage was so profound, they became PLI trainers themselves. They travel regularly with other PLI trainers to lead trainings throughout Uganda and, most recently, in Ghana.

“Eve has flourished…she feels seen and valued by God… she speaks, she leads… All she needed was someone to invite her in.” -Beth Schult, PLI Africa Development Leader

Through PLI, Eve discovered her strengths and skills. She learned she was a valuable part of God’s kingdom work, and embraced her role as a leader. “I’m happy to be a Christian. I am happy to be a pastor’s wife… I’m not scared of preaching the Word, making disciples… I learned to work together with my husband for God’s mission…I’ve learned to be faithful, to be available, teachable… I’ve learned that we need to keep learning, learning, learning.” (Eve) 

Now, Eve shares, “women and pastors work together…for these trainings…We know who does each piece best. It has created togetherness.” Eve is thankful to be using her gifts and training alongside her husband, multiplying disciples for the sake of God’s mission. And she is seeing transformational growth in other women.

“The region I come from [in Uganda], these women could not stand up, read, speak or give answers. But now, when I am teaching, I have leaders I am sure I can train to [lead others].”  -Eve Bameka

When Eve talks about training alongside other leaders—knowing each other’s gifts and allowing each other to lead in their giftedness—it’s more than the beauty of recognizing the body of Christ and how each person has strengths and skills. It is women having a place to lead and empowering other women to do the same.

Monique’s Journey

Because Eve and Charles said ‘yes’ to training in Ghana, Monique and her husband Bishop John Donkoh received PLI training. 

Monique has learned she is a gifted nurturer. As the Bishop’s wife, she says “[other pastor’s wives in Ghana] really view me as a model… When they see me, they’re always smiling because I’ve given myself a low profile… I don’t need to raise myself because I’m a servant.” She serves quietly and faithfully in the background counseling women, helping women who are struggling and need capital to start a business and support their family, and discipling the youngest in the community as an early childhood educator. 

Monique shared insight into her journey with PLI: “At first, women were really shy, uncomfortable, and they were not speaking up… Then the second year, they were still a little bit timid. The third year, [they] opened up. Then the fourth year they opened up very well and…everyone was really comfortable and proud that they are a pastor’s wife and they were speaking freely.” 

Beth Schult, PLI’s Africa Development Leader, reflected on this same transformational growth. She recalled one woman who just two days into their first year of training in Ghana stood with tears in her eyes and shared, “This is the day I became someone.” She was seen, valued, and invested in. 

Now, these once timid women are leading with joy and confidence, taking what they have learned back to their churches and communities. Monique shared how women are returning home, helping others find peace and hope in the struggles of life through a God who loves them. 

You have gifts, too!

Your natural strengths and skills are the “gifts” God has given you to serve Him and effectively lead others for the mission of God. Because of generous PLI kingdom partners, women and men across the globe are discovering how God has gifted them and learning to lead with joy and confidence.