#WomensMonth: Life as a woman pastor
Nhanala who was ordained a deacon in 1989 said being a woman pastor is not easy as there are some people who still does not believe in women pastors.
THE Highway Mail met up with Bishop Joaquina Nhanala from Mozambique who led a women’s conference hosted by the United Methodist Church in Clermont for Women’s Month.
Nhanala was ordained a deacon in 1989 and said it was a calling as she was working as a civil servant for the government at the time.
She also coordinated women’s projects for the Mozambique church and led a World Relief HIV/AIDS programme.
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Nhanala studied for eight years and was elected as the first female United Methodist bishop in Africa in 2008.
“As a woman going into ministry was not easy, in my country, I am the third woman pastor.”
She said even after so many years it is still not easy, “there are some people who do not believe in women pastors.
“Being a woman pastor has its challenges. As a woman you are supposed to play your role as a wife and mother which is also a full-time job. But being able to organise yourself helps.”
The mother of four said she is lucky to have a partner who is also a pastor.
“My husband understands my work. We knew each other before we became pastors and we also attended ministry school together. We got our diploma together and our degree at the same time. We had separate classes when I was doing my Masters Degree.
She said she and her husband love singing. “When I am not busy with my work, I read books and I enjoy working in my garden, it gives me peace, it gives me time to connect with myself and it a nice way for me to release stress. I truly love nature and the nice part about plants is that they do not speak,” smiled Nhanala.
She added that when she still had more time on her hands, she use to enjoy crocheting.
As she and her husband are both pastors, Nhanala said they have never expected their children to follow in their footsteps and act ‘holier than thou’.
“We have made it clear to them from the beginning that they are their own beings and we have let them live their lives and choose their own careers, being a pastor is a calling,” said Nhanala.
“We have only taught them to be good citizens, respect themselves and other people and fear God.”
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