Bishop R. C. Lawson, Establishmentarian of the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ
(COOLJC) of the Apostolic Faith, Inc. prayed to God for ten years for a national
organization and program which would include all of the women of COOLJC. His
prayers were answered in 1952 when God gave the late Mother Delphia Perry a vision
for an Auxiliary which would included every woman in the organization. The purpose
of the Auxiliary would be to "help foster the gospel, educate and help mankind at home
and in foreign lands."
Prior to this time, the only International Women's Organization of COOLJC was the Missionary Department which was limited in membership because of the qualifications
which should be inherent in a Missionary. A Missionary in the service of the Lord
should have spiritual depth, and be of a chronological age to have had experience and wisdom in God, and experience and wisdom in life. Since the younger women did not
always qualify as Missionaries, they often felt left out and powerless.
An International Women's organization was therefore needed, which would include not only Missionaries, but other women who desired to work for the Lord in COOLJC. Also, there were areas of service to be performed which did not fall within the scope of Missionary work.
The International Women's Council (IWC) is composed of all women who are members of any legally constituted local church in COOLJC. The IWC is an auxiliary which includes every woman in COOLJC regardless of age or marital status. Missionaries and non-Missionaries are a part of this auxiliary. Ministers and Deacons Wives and non-Ministers and non-Deacons Wives are a part of this auxiliary. Whatever your calling, you can work.
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