KATIE POLSKI | CONTRIBUTOR and CHERYL MULLIS | GUEST

The WE ministry of PCA CDM is a growing effort to disciple Teaching and Ruling Elders’ wives across the denomination. With a vision to connect, encourage, and equip women in every season of ministry, WE is led by a team who understand both the joys and challenges of this calling.

Today, Cheryl and Katie join us to share their heart for WE and the vision behind it.

Can you introduce yourselves and tell us why you said, “yes” to leading the WE ministry?

Cheryl: I’m Cheryl Mullis, a Ruling Elder’s wife from Annapolis, Maryland. It is a joy to serve alongside my husband, Don, as he shepherds and cares for our church. I also serve on staff as the Director of Discipleship.

Don and I have been married for 41 years and are grateful for our five children, their spouses, and our growing group of energetic grandchildren.

I said “yes” to co-leading WE because God has given me a heart for other elders’ wives. When my husband was ordained, I wasn’t sure what that meant for me—what was expected, or how life in the church might change.

If I can come alongside other elders’ wives to encourage them, remind them of their identity in Christ, and help them see how God might use them to strengthen His church, it is a joy to say yes.

Katie: I’m Katie Polski, a Teaching Elder’s wife from St. Louis, MO. I work full-time for our church serving as the music director and special events coordinator and am also involved in speaking and writing. Prior to my role at the church, I was a high school writing teacher for several years where I enjoyed the great challenge of showing teens that writing can be…fun. I’m not sure I succeeded, but I enjoyed trying!

My husband and I have been serving together in ministry for over twenty-five years, and while my role has looked different through the varying seasons, I’ve been deeply grateful for our partnership in all of life’s spheres. We have three wonderful kids and a bonus wonderful son-in-law. They are soon to be spread out all over the country, and we’ll be empty nesters.

I said “yes” to co-leading the WE ministry for one main reason: God put the desire in my heart. After I was approached with the idea, I couldn’t stop thinking about the great opportunity to serve and disciple other pastors’ wives. I prayed very specifically that the Lord would allow that desire to remain if this was something He wanted me to do. And…it only grew.

What, exactly, is WE?

Katie: WE exists to connect, encourage, and equip Teaching and Ruling Elders’ wives across the denomination. WE started just a few years ago, but it grew very quickly, now reaching over 2,000 women across the denomination. Cheryl and I have the privilege of setting the vision and executing the plans that we hope will serve elders’ wives. It’s such a joy to partner with someone who “gets” the ins and outs of ministry, and who serves with such grace and humility.

Cheryl: As we step into this new season of WE, Katie and I have found so much joy in partnering together —planning, dreaming, and praying about how we can come alongside and disciple other elders’ wives.

One of the things I’ve loved seeing is how Katie serves others. As a Teaching Elder’s wife, Katie understands both the beauty and unique challenges of this role, and I’ve already seen her gently and thoughtfully encourage other pastors’ wives.

As a Ruling Elder’s wife, this ministry is close to my heart. I have a growing desire to come alongside other ruling elders’ wives and help them see how God might use them—right where they are—to strengthen the church.

How will you seek to “connect, encourage, and equip” PCA elders’ wives?

The WE mission statement reflects what we see as the three central aims of this ministry. By God’s grace, each of these serves one larger purpose: strengthening Christ’s Church by discipling the wives of its elders.

Connection

Cheryl: One of the ways we’re hoping to help Elders’ wives connect with one another is through their local presbyteries. There’s something meaningful about building relationships with women who are serving in similar contexts, often just a short distance away.

We’re excited to partner with the Regional Advisors on the Women’s Ministry National Team to help make those connections. Our hope is that, over time, these relationships will grow into spaces of encouragement, shared wisdom, and genuine care—where no one feels like they’re doing this alone.

Katie: We believe that relationships with other Teaching and Ruling Elders’ wives provide one of the richest contexts for discipleship and encouragement. With that in mind, we seek to create meaningful opportunities for connection, whether at the fall conference, at General Assembly, or through other gatherings throughout the year. Our goal is that these moments lead to ongoing relationships with women who understand and share similar experiences.

Encouragement

Katie: Encouragement often grows out of shared experience. Hearing from someone walking a similar path can lighten the weight many carry. In addition to in-person gatherings, we will provide regular encouragement through monthly emails rooted in Scripture (you can sign up here to receive updates and encouragement.)

Cheryl: We also want to encourage women to prayerfully consider how God might use them in their churches to disciple and encourage others. As they serve alongside their husbands, elder’s wives have a unique opportunity to model a life of faithful discipleship—coming alongside women, strengthening relationships, and helping cultivate a culture where believers are growing together in Christ.

Equipping

Katie: Our hope is to develop resources that serve both personal growth and discipleship. Whether you are a new Elder’s wife—or walking alongside one—we hope to provide materials that offer guidance and support in this role.

To that end, we are developing a mini-book series, which we hope to complete in the coming years. The series will include six short books covering core themes: identity, ecclesiology, calling, partnership, servant leadership, and missional discipleship.

Cheryl: Our aim with these mini books is to provide a biblical foundation for each theme, give practical examples of how we might struggle, and help us bring the hope of the gospel to our own hearts and the hearts of other women we serve with in our churches. We’ll also include some discussion questions that can be used in a small group setting with other Elders’ wives.

What if I’m in need of guidance or counseling? Will WE provide this?

We know that many pastor and elders’ wives need guidance and counseling, so we are grateful to partner with Geneva Counseling. WE is not equipped to help with individual counseling needs, but we’re thankful for places, like Geneva, which are.

Why come to something like the WE conference in October? 

Certainly, it will be enjoyable, but beyond getting away for a few days of refreshment, this is a unique time to connect with other Teaching and Ruling Elders’ wives—to be encouraged and strengthened in your ministry.

As wives of elders gather from across the PCA, we will be encouraged to Press On—rooted in Christ and held by His promises—learning to live in joy-filled community that reflects Christ and strengthens our churches. It will be a weekend of rich teaching and worship, and we can’t wait to give away our first mini book on Identity to all in attendance.

The conference is October 9-10, and we would love to see you there. You can register here.

If you have further questions about WE, we would love to answer them. We look forward to connecting with you, and with great anticipation, we look forward to all God will continue to do in and through this ministry.

Photo by Meredith Spencer on Unsplash