Celebrating a Decade of EMPOWER
May 18, 2022
EMPOWER, the international leadership development certificate program for women, has reached double digits!
A celebration gala was held recently at the Hyatt Regency in Jersey City, NJ for the program established in 2012 through a partnership between the C&MA Metro District and Alliance Theological Seminary. Milestones reached over the past ten years speak volumes about the program’s success.
“Hundreds of EMPOWERed women now confidently live out Kingdom impact in their homes, churches, workplaces, and communities throughout the world and across generations,” commented EMPOWER Director, Dr. Wanda Walborn.
• In 2012, a single track of study was offered to 43 women. Today, EMPOWER is the prerequisite course that qualifies students to enroll in two other tracks of study—Engage for mentor training, and Proclaim for sharing the Word. A total of 412 women are being spiritually formed by this dynamic program which leads to earning six transfer credits that can be applied toward undergraduate programs at Nyack College or graduate programs at ATS.
• A group of 12 mentors in 2012 has grown to 137 mentors. The advanced tracks of study are supported by 18 Engage facilitators and 21 Proclaim coaches.
• What began as one site at Alliance Theological Seminary in Nyack, NY is now available at 15 sites in New York, NY; New City, NY; Manahawkin, NJ; Princeton, NJ; Aliquippa, PA; York PA; Toledo, OH; San Joe, CA; Bakersfield, CA; and via livestream EST, CST, PST and internationally.
Dr. Walborn and Rev. Nash
Though the students are all female, one thing is undeniable: Men are also impacted by EMPOWER as women return to their families and faith communities living revolutionized lives. Rev. Robert Nash, pastor of Main Street Church in Manahawkin, NJ, is known for encouraging and supporting the women in his church to participate in the program. As a tribute to his egalitarian stand for women in leadership, Rev. Nash was honored during the gala.
Dr. Amy Davis Abdallah, Nyack College professor of Bible and Theology, a member of the original leadership team of EMPOWER, was honored for her contributions to the creation of the program. Dr. Abdallah, author of The Book of Womanhood and founder of the rite of passage
Dr. Walborn and Dr. Davis Abdallah
program at Nyack College called Woman, is also an EMPOWER instructor who teaches New Testament Survey.
Dr. Wanda Walborn emphatically declares, “With generous financial partnership and prayerful support, EMPOWER will keep launching women into “the more” and “the next” in their God-given identity, gifting and calling!”
Congratulations to Dr. Walborn and her extraordinary leadership team!
Photo credit: Andres Valenzuela
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