The Rocky Mountain Conference (RMC) is pleased to welcome Marlene Poole [MP], the new Women’s Ministry director, as she steps into this important role of service and leadership. RMCNews [RMC] recently had the opportunity to meet with her in person and hear firsthand about her ministry background, what led her to this role, and her hopes for women across the Conference.
[RMC] You are currently in studies for ministry. Tell me about that.
[MP] Yes, I am two years into the pastoral ministry program at Andrews University for my Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry (MAPM), and my focus for that has always been to excel in women’s ministries. They have really good studies for communicating with people, studying the Bible, and all the tools that I could use.
[RMC] You are doing your professional studies right now, but I believe you’ve had a long history in ministry in various capacities. What is your history with women’s ministries?
[MP] I couldn’t even tell you exactly how many years I’ve been in women’s ministries. I would say 9 to 10 years between helping plan retreats and serving on the leadership team for events and trainings throughout the Rocky Mountain Conference and sometimes on the North American Division (NAD) level.
I was working with DeeAnn Bragaw, NAD Women’s Ministries director, on the Passionate Leader Summit that was held in Denver last year and at the Adventist Ministries Convention in Kentucky this January. I have also completed the training for NAD’s EndItNow® Initiative on domestic violence at the Advocate level.
[RMC] What called you to women’s ministries? What pulled you to this ministry when there are other ministries out there?
[MP] I’ve always been interested in helping people on what I would call “the fringe.” For instance, the person in the corner who isn’t talking to anybody or the single mom who needs help and nobody seems to understand or newcomers to the church. I realized over time that I can be much more effective focusing on women. Men and women are different, and it’s easier for women to reach women. That is really what I have discovered.
And God led me to the Rocky Mountain Conference Women’s Ministries director at the time, who invited some ladies and myself to help on the leadership team and with training. I became really involved and realized what a joy it is to help women.
[RMC] Have you had any experiences that really validated this calling, or have you seen God’s hand in your ministry work?
[MP] Oh, definitely. I’ve been leading some women’s Bible studies for a number of years. It started as individual Bible studies, and then I realized there were so many that we should do a group Bible study together. Bringing together these ladies “on the fringe” into a community of women led to them going to church again, starting to read their Bibles again, and finding God. That community builds with just getting women together.
[RMC] Going into this new role, what do you plan to do in the ministry throughout the year?
[MP] We will be bringing back the RMC Women’s Ministries Retreat this year, and I also plan to travel to other women’s retreats in the conference. So, by all means, reach out to me. I’d love to come and visit and connect with people and help encourage them with their women’s ministries efforts at their local church.
I know that funds are tight to host events, but there are also ways to locally raise money to do women’s retreats, and I can be a good resource for ideas on fundraising. I want to encourage women to continue to reach the women in their community.
[RMC] So tell me more about the upcoming RMC Women’s Ministries Retreat. What can attendees look forward to?
[MP] We live in Colorado, Wyoming, and parts of New Mexico, so people love going to the mountains for retreat and revival. This year, we’re going to be going to the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado, October 16-18. They have completely remodeled many of the buildings, and it really has a beautiful campus with great access to the outdoors. Plus, the buildings that we will be staying in will have elevators so everyone will have the opportunity to come and not worry about access.
Because we are staying at the YMCA, however, we will have to close registration on August 6, 2026. There will be a registration fee due at that time, so we encourage everyone to start planning now.
But they won’t want to miss our speakers this year’s event “Renewed in the Rockies.” We have DeeAnn Bragaw from the NAD and Donna Brown, our new Mid-America Union Women’s Ministry director. It will be great.
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength.
(Isaiah 40:31, KJV)
Be watching the announcement’s page at RMCSDA.org for more information on this year’s RMC Women’s Ministry Retreat “Renewed in the Rockies.”
* This content has been adapted from the original interview for length and format.
—RMCNews. Photos supplied and Pieter Damsteegt | North American Division.
