Women from diverse Christian organisations met for the first time to explore the future needs of girls' ministry in the UK. The meeting of the Girls' Ministry Vision Group UK was hosted byThe Girls' Brigade England & Wales (GBEW) and The Sophia Network in Didcot, Oxfordshire on 8 November. The aim of this first meeting was to inspire, support and equip one another for the challenges of ministry.

Representatives from the two host organisations attended and others included those from G:em, RUBYGIRL UK, Scripture Union, Ignite Be and local youth workers.

GBEW's national director Ruth Gilson commented: "We're very diverse but the common denominator is our passion to see girls discover how to live life to the full, with Jesus at the centre. It was a privilege to co-host this event with The Sophia Network."

The group shared vision and challenges and prayed together. One of the biggest challenges discussed was going beyond the stereotype of the "pink" message and getting the balance right between celebrating girlhood and seeing that we're all made in God's image - so that any pampering and self-esteem initiatives are part of a holistic approach.

Ruth indicated that "The phrase that resonated for me during the meeting was raising aspiration. What are the nation's girls aspiring to be and do? We prayed at the end that it would be to be Esthers in their generation - women of courage who understand being beautiful is knowing who they are in God."

Jenny Baker, director of the Sophia Network, added: "We're hungry to see young women develop a living and radical relationship with God which will enable them to unlock their potential to be part of His mission."