“Doing this program, a doctor of ministry for women, is my legacy to the women and to my denomination,” Williams said. “There are so many talented women who could run a conference, run the GC, run a union. They are not prepared with the inner things, with background knowledge. I want to leave that legacy.”

Williams, who currently serves as a pastor, professor, director and speaker, is pursing her own doctorate in leadership through Andrews University’s education department. 

“I believe that leadership and preaching cannot be separated,” she said of her decision to continue her own studies. “Women are taught preaching but not leadership with it. I wanted to know how I could make the connection in a simple way.”

Williams invited Dr. Janet Ledesma, associate dean of the College of Education and International Services at Andrews University to lead the first cohort. Ledesma, who holds a doctoral degree in leadership, has taught leadership at Andrews since 2011. She also coordinates educational leadership programs for the Adventist education system’s K-12 principals, superintendents and other administrators. She says the new D.Min. program will feature women presenters and the required reading will focus on women authors. 

“I wanted it to focus wholistically on what it means to lead as a woman mentally, physically and socially and include spirituality,” she said. 

Program topics include organizational conflict, creativity and innovation, women in the Bible.

Ledesma believes the spiritual component is often missing from most leadership degree programs. She wants women to embrace their calling as spiritual leaders. 

“There has been such a divisive approach to women and their calling,” Ledesma said. “God has embraced them. God has chosen them and God has put an ability in their hearts to lead like Him.”

— Michele Joseph, managing editor, Adventist Women Leaders newsletter