W.I.L.D. Women

North Highland Assembly of God
Columbus, Georgia

The women of North Highland are W.I.L.D—Women in the Lord’s Direction! Headed by coordinator Wylena Fountain, this women’s group is unique in that they have close ties to Teen Challenge International, as well as nearby Fort Benning.

In addition to hosting a Bible study and support group for women whose husbands are deployed in the military, W.I.L.D. in May hosted “Operation Cookie Drop.” Yellow ribbons were tied to every tree on the property to welcome the 3rd brigade home from Iraq, and returning soldiers were met at the airport and given a package of home-baked goodies. A short memorial service on May 25th honored soldiers who died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

An annual Teen Challenge Christmas party provides food, a personal gift, and door prizes to women currently enrolled in the program. The 2007 party feted approximately 125 women. The women of North Highland also sponsor programs to assist the local chapter of Teen Challenge. This year, Teen Challenge International relocated to Columbus.

At Christmas, W.I.L.D. throws a party for the Angel Tree program, which provides gifts to children of those who are incarcerated. Each recipient receives about $50 in gifts, chosen from their wish list. North Highlands sends a team of men and women to visit Georgia prisons at least once monthly, to teach, lead worship and preach.

Women rarely need to be encouraged to be involved in ministry at North Highland. National Women’s Day covers all the ministry opportunities available, as does a membership class that includes filling out a spiritual gifts profile. Should a woman have difficulty finding her niche, she is invited to a couple of different activities to help her decide what ministry suits her talents.

W.I.L.D. promotes the Georgia district missions project L.I.F.E. (Ladies Investing for Eternity), which helps missionaries both at home and abroad. World missions are also promoted through Taste of Missions, an event where various groups in the church sponsor booths and serve foods from various countries. “Dimes to Dollars” is a district program that provides funding for appliances and other home needs for missionaries on furlough; a percentage of this fund is contributed to the national Women’s Department Touch the World Fund.

Finally, the women at North Highland support Sound Choices, a local crisis pregnancy center, with an annual offering as well as counseling through some of their members. In 2007, newborn items were given as gifts to Sound Choices via a baby shower.

Ongoing ministry groups offered to women in the congregation include a grief class, weekly intercessory prayer, Library Fund, morning Bible studies, and visitation of shut-ins and those hospitalized.