Jesus the feminist?

I just recently joined a worship team at Tyndale and led our Chapel service for the first time on Tuesday. The funny thing is, this team is all guys. And I'm the only girl. That's never happened to me before..and it'll take some getting used to, but we play well and have a blast at practices..so it's all good :)

This morning (Weds) I had my Foundations in Youth and Family Ministry class. After that class, a fellow band member approached me and asked for my personal opinion....regarding women in [youth] ministry. It seems that he has come across some female [youth] pastors that have been outright turned down for pastorial positions..simply based on the fact that they were a female. This...doesnt shock me...just saddens me. Did Jesus come to save only the male population? Was He specific about which gender should carry forth the Great Commission? Did He not give leadership positions to Mary and Martha...and were THEY not the ONLY ones who stayed during Christ's crucifixtion and visit the tomb in the days to follow? How DARE anyone tell me that I should not lead His people, how DARE anyone suggest that I cannot be a servant to Christ, and how DARE anyone deny me of the opportunity to serve my Lord full time?

I am glad to say that I have never experienced any opposition in my leadership at church. Not one has ever told me that I cant do this because I am a woman, or that I cant lead this because I was not born a man. I know I've said this before, but I feel amazingly blessed that the Lord has given me the opportunities that I have had thus far, and am so thankful that the leadership at my church has recognized my passion for the youth and allowed me to be a part of their lives. I can only pray that my sisters in Christ who have experienced such oppression would rise up against those wrongs and prove that we too, can become the leaders that Christ desires us to be. Not in the same way as male leaders can do...but with the same heart. May you plant seeds and may the Lord bless them to grow roots.