Go and Tell: Why Women Belong in Church Planting
This blog post is a summary of what was shared by Dr. Tammy Dunahoo in her workshop Women as Church Planters at IFCMC24. This workshop was shared at all conference locations and serves as a reminder that we all have a place to plant churches. To access past conferences, find the link here or in the menu.
When Jesus rose from the dead, He didn’t appear first to a man. He appeared to Mary.
She was weeping outside the empty tomb (John 20), confused and grieving. And then Jesus came. He said her name. And He gave her the command: Go and tell.
This wasn’t a random moment. It was intentional and powerful. Jesus, the Second Adam, meets a woman in a garden—not to bring judgment, but to launch a new creation. In Genesis, a woman first hears the lie. In John, a woman is the first to proclaim the truth.
From the very beginning of the Church, women have been central to the story of redemption.
Women Have Always Been Part of the Mission
Throughout the New Testament, women served as leaders, apostles, hosts, prophets, and teachers. Phoebe carried Paul’s letter to the Romans. Junia was called “outstanding among the apostles.” Priscilla taught Apollos, one of the early Church’s most gifted communicators.
But let’s be honest—these women are often overlooked. Instead, the Church has gotten stuck arguing over a few tricky passages, and in doing so, we’ve missed the bigger picture: God’s mission was never meant to be a one-gender job.
We Need the Whole Image of God
Genesis 1 says men and women were created in the image of God—to reflect Him, to co-labor, to create, to lead. But Genesis 3 shows what happens when that partnership breaks down. Too often, the Church still lives in that broken story.
Jesus came to redeem it.
When women lead, plant, and disciple, we see something of God we wouldn’t see otherwise. We experience a fuller, richer, more beautiful picture of what the Church is meant to be.
But What About the Barriers?
The biggest obstacles to women in church planting aren’t theological—they’re cultural. From unspoken expectations to old-school gender roles, too many women have been told they’re not called, not qualified, or not welcome. Men, you play an important role to be allies to these women who are bold enough to step into what God has called them into.
And let’s name this: the most powerful lies are often internal. Many women never step into leadership because they’ve internalized the idea that they’re “not enough.” But the gospel says otherwise.
The Great Commission wasn’t given to men only. Women were never excused from planting the gospel and making disciples.
Psalm 68:11 puts it like this: “The Lord gave the command, and a great company of women brought the good news.”
Let’s be part of that company.
What Could It Look Like?
Church planting doesn’t have to mean launching a megachurch or renting a building. It can start at your kitchen table, in your workplace, at the local food bank, or in your community garden. It’s wherever the gospel takes root and grows.
There is one growing church is led by a woman who baptizes new believers and sets the communion table with the tender strength of a mother. It’s powerful. It’s Spirit-led. It’s church.
So What’s Next?
If you’re a woman sensing a call to plant the gospel, start with this question:
God, how have You made me? What are You inviting me into?
Then take a step. Ask a mentor. Start a small group. Host a meal. Share your story. Plant the gospel where you are.
Jesus is still saying, Go and tell.
The only question is: will we run with the news?
