D.D.,

I totally agree.

Did you notice that the pastor who challenged the group to pray was a woman? I take that as confirmation that your gender doesn't matter to God, just your willingness to follow Him and be used by Him. 

What amazes me in gift-based ministry is the many ways we can improve the lives of others and draw them closer to God without having to say a word about Him. No Bible study. No doctrinal discussion. Just loving them and feeling God's power warming each person's heart. I've long since lost count of the times I've done a repair at someone's home, or led a team doing a bigger job, and at the end heard the owner praising God for the blessing we had given them. Those are the days I go home feeling like I may have received a greater blessing than I delivered and utterly humbled knowing God used me to bless someone else. It is a blessing I wish more people would allow God to give them.