“I think the barrier is still tradition. But I think also we [women] could be part of the problem by not allowing God to move us in His timing, by us not being mature enough.
“I talk to and mentor a lot of women. They go to seminary and they get a degree. And they think that it’s [the seminary] that anoints you. You are no more anointed when you get that degree than when you went.
“I think that the discouragement is that they tell women ‘to prepare.’ We prepare ourselves--there are more women in seminary than there are men. [So] women are becoming more prepared, just in terms of studies. But that doesn’t mean you are anointed to do what you are stepping out there to do.”
What advice would you give to a woman being called into full-time ministry?“The first advice I would give a young lady is. ‘Seek the face of God. Spend time in prayer. Spend time in the Word of God. If God leads you to go to Bible school, you should go.’
“Apostolic ministry is really for mature leaders. And so therefore, I think that young women need to start out first of all by learning how to serve, loving to serve.
“Allow the Holy Spirit to begin to teach, lead, direct and groom them over a period of time. I think the first thing is for them to have a very wonderful, intimate relationship with the Lord. Because that is the only basis through which you can build a ministry without getting into … emotions, popularity and adorations.
Beverly Crawford is founder and senior pastor
Bible Enrichment Fellowship International Church
Inglewood, CA
Web site
Phone: (310) 330-4700
