The following was originally published on the Lake Union Herald website October 30, 2024.
DANNI THAW OCTOBER 30, 2024
Deborah Egger Appointed Women’s Ministries Coordinator
It was early morning at Camp Wakonda in Wisconsin, the sun barely breaking through the trees, when Deborah Egger stepped into the old white wooden chapel. Inside, it was quiet, save for the gentle creaking of the rickety screen doors. Only one other person had arrived as early that morning—an elderly woman named Anna, sitting alone, reading aloud from Psalm 119. When Deborah entered, Anna turned and invited her to read along.
“We took turns, reading section by section,” Deborah remembers. “It was such a beautiful moment, just the two of us, sitting in that old chapel in the woods. It felt like a God thing.”
That was nearly 10 years ago, when Deborah was a member of the women’s ministries committee for the Wisconsin Conference. Now, as the newly appointed women’s ministries coordinator, moments like that continue to inspire her to help women connect with each other and with God.
Deborah’s journey into women’s ministries was unexpected. Born and raised in San Diego, she never imagined her path would lead to Wisconsin, much less to ministry leadership. “It all started with a simple offer to help,” she recalls. At a camp meeting years ago, the former coordinator, Pat Antonine-Norton, asked for volunteers.
“I told Pat, ‘If you ever need help, let me know.’” That offer soon turned into years of service, as Deborah found herself drawn deeper into Women’s Ministries, eventually stepping into the coordinator role in August of this year, following Pat’s sudden and unexpected passing.
“Losing her was hard,” Deborah admits. “Pat was more than a leader—she was a mentor and a friend who brought me into this work. It was difficult knowing she would have been leading.”
Though her passing was a difficult loss for the women’s ministries community, Deborah remains determined to carry on the work they shared. “I’m grateful for the way God has led my life, and for the chance to honor her legacy by serving in this role.”
Gratitude has been a central theme for Deborah as she reflects on her journey.
“When I received the news that I’d been approved for this role, I thought, ‘Who would’ve known that I would be here today, leading this ministry?’ I’m just so thankful for how God has guided me from my childhood in Pathfinders to this moment.”
This past October, the Women’s Ministries Fall Retreat focused on the theme of faith the size of a mustard seed and discovering one’s identity in Christ. In preparing for the event, they wanted every detail to align with the theme, including the gift bags they were assembling for attendees.
“We had the idea to include jars with mustard seeds,” Deborah explains, “but the bags felt like they needed something more.” During a planning meeting, one of the committee members, Tammy, remembered she had some scripture cards that might work. She promised to find them.
“When she brought the cards to our next meeting, we were all amazed,” Deborah says. “On the back of each card, it said ‘I AM,’ which tied in perfectly with the message we wanted to share about identity in Christ and embracing who God says you are. It was one of those little moments where we felt God had been guiding us all along.”
For Deborah, her passion for women’s ministries is rooted in the desire to support and encourage women where they are—just as Jesus does. “I think one of the most important responsibilities for me in women’s ministry is meeting women at their point of need,” she says. “Like Jesus meets us where we are.”
As Deborah looks ahead, the memories of both Pat and that quiet morning with Anna in the chapel stay with her—a reminder of the simple, sacred connections that form the heart of women’s ministries.
Danni Thaw is a freelance writer.