AUGUST 2021 BAPTIST WOMEN IN MINISTRY
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VOLUME 15, NO. 2, SUMMER 2021
a voice for women in baptist life
BAPTIST WOMEN IN MINISTRY
AUGUST 2021
OUR VISION
Baptist Women in Ministry will be a catalyst in Baptist life, drawing together women and men,
in partnership with God, to illuminate, advocate, and nurture the gifts and graces of women.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2021 VIRTUAL
ANNUAL GATHERING
B
aptist Women in Ministry hosted
its 2021 Annual Gathering
virtually on June 30! Our theme
was NEW MERCIES in reflection on
Lamentations 3:23 and the new mercies
God’s faithfulness offers us.
Participants were invited to begin
their Annual Gathering experience by
attending one of the Zoom watch parties
hosted by some of our state BWIM leaders
and others from among our partners. The
watch parties were organized as a way for
our BWIM community to reengage and
experience the connectedness we have felt
when we gathered in-person.
We wish to thank Hayes Barton
Baptist Church in Raleigh, North
Carolina for serving as our host and
allowing us to film in their sanctuary,
Parable Media (www.parablemedia.org)
for the technical production, Sharlene
Provilus (www.sharleneprovilus.com) for
providing spoken word art, and all of the
Annual Gathering worship leaders and
Zoom watch party hosts for helping us
find new mercies!
If you missed Annual Gathering, or
would like to watch it again, you can find
it on our website at www.bwim.info/2021-
annual-gathering/.
Testimonies about the BWIM Mentoring
Program were provided by (top to bottom)
Danielle Bridgeforth, Regina Johnson,
Demetrea Williams, and Tambi Swiney.
Scripture readers for Annual Gathering
ng the are pictured above. Top to Bottom: Stacy
Lynn Brinkley and Jonathan Boggs duri S. Lawton, Leslie Maccubbin Park, Erica Dorisanne Cooper offered the benediction for
s Bart on Bapt ist Chu rch
recording at Haye Crosby, Sejana Yoo, and Ashly Quintanilla. Annual Gathering.
2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Baptist Women in Ministry gives
thanks for the organizations who
partner with us by sponsoring our
2021 Annual Gathering!
ADVOCATE SPONSORS
Baptist News Global
Campbell University Divinity School
CBF Florida
Central Seminary
Sharlene Provilus with Lynn Brinkley
and Meredith Stone Cooperative Baptist Fellowship
during the recording at Hayes Barton Bapt
ist Church Fellowship Southwest
Good Faith Media
Mercer University’s McAfee
School of Theology
Northern Seminary’s
Women in Ministry Program
Perkins School of Theology
at Southern Methodist University
CONNECTOR SPONSORS
Alliance of Baptists
Baylor University’s George W. Truett
Theological Seminary
Graphics for the 2021 Annual Gathering
were provided Center for Healthy Churches
by Katie Palmer, www.kmd-designs.com
WE ARE ALSO GRATEFUL TO THE 2020-21 BAPTIST WOMEN IN MINISTRY LEADERSHIP TEAM!
Baptist Women in Ministry is led by a remarkable team of leaders, includes Anyra Cano, Ashton Wells, Ellen Di Giosia, Micah Pritchett,
who give freely of their time, giftedness, and friendship in moving Lawrence Powers, Rebecca Mathis, Tripp Martin, Ossie McKinney,
BWIM ahead. We are thankful for the way these gifted ministers led us and Courtney Allen Crump. Anyra, Lawrence, and Courtney are
through the challenges of this past year and half which included staff rotating off the Leadership Team this summer. Their support of BWIM
transitions as well as the difficulties of the pandemic. The current team and its vision has been invaluable, and their friendship has been a gift!
3
CONGRATULATIONS
TO THE 2021 THE 2021 ADDIE DAVIS
ADDIE DAVIS
NOMINEES AWARDS
OUTSTANDING
LEADERSHIP IN PASTORAL
MINISTRY
Deirdre Jonese Austin
Emory University’s Candler
School of Theology
Matrissa Bennett
Gardner Webb University
School of Divinity
Jennifer Davis
Central Baptist
Theological Seminary
LaToya F. McLean
Duke University
Divinity School
Nataly Mora Brittany Darst-Hermsen Edwards
Kristen Pierce
McAfee School
of Theology
Since 1998, Baptist Women in Ministry Garland School of Social Work and graduated
Katrina Tatum has recognized exceptional Baptist women in May 2021.
Campbell University
Divinity School seminarians through the presentation of the Her professor, Dr. Gaynor Yancey, writes
Peggy Weir
Addie Davis Award for Outstanding Leadership of Nataly: “More than any student I have
Wake Forest University in Pastoral Ministry and the Addie Davis Award ever had, Nataly is the most honoring and
Divinity School for Excellence in Preaching. The awards are an compassionate of all people with whom she
affirmation of all the women nominated as well shares her Christian centered caring...She is not
EXCELLENCE IN as recognition of the award recipients. only culturally competent, but she is culturally
PREACHING
The 2021 recipient of the Addie Davis sensitive and practices cultural sensitivity by
Yonga Choi
Central Baptist
Award for Outstanding Leadership in Pastoral moving the cultural needle from thinking of
Theological Seminary Ministry is Nataly Mora. Originally from Texas, diversity, to inclusion, and ultimately, to that
Victoria Lawson Nataly first experienced God’s call to ministry as of equity, which results in all people being
McAfee School a teenager. “When I was in high school, I began able to function and relate together! She is a
of Theology to serve in my church’s choir and taught Sunday humble servant of God who is consumed, in her
Jessica McDougald School for children.” authentic Christian life, by serving others as her
Campbell University Desiring to study religion, Nataly attended joy and privilege.”
Divinity School
Dallas Baptist University (DBU) where she In addition to a rigorous course load,
Ruby J. Wayman
majored in Christian Studies. As a student at Nataly was called to serve as associate pastor
Baylor University’s
George W. Truett DBU, Nataly was engaged in Baptist Student of Park Lake Drive Baptist Church in Waco,
Theological Seminary Ministry, local missions, and, alongside Texas, where she was also ordained in 2020.
Janine R. Williams her friends, started a homeless ministry in At Park Lake Drive, Nataly has been an active
Baptist Seminary Downtown Dallas called West End Streets minister where she developed skill sets to
of Kentucky Ministry. After finishing DBU, Nataly was led minister to individuals and communities who
Adrienne S. Young to further her studies at Baylor University. She find themselves in crisis through advocacy,
Gardner Webb University
School of Divinity
enrolled as a dual degree (MDiv/MSW) student connecting them to resources, and providing
at both Truett Theological Seminary and the spiritual and pastoral care. These skills were
4
evident when a tragedy occured on preached her first sermon when she was
church property. a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill serving as
Amos Humphries, senior pastor, a volunteer leader with campus ministry.
writes, “Nataly is our associate pastor The campus minister was so impressed
and serves our church with exceptional that he encouraged Brittany to pursue
integrity and professional equivalency. full-time ministry, and years later, she
I have grown dependent on her ability finally did. Brittany was ordained in
to tackle high volume responsibility, 2019 by Macedonia Baptist Church
she literally can be seen as the pastor of in Raleigh, North Carolina, and since
our church...Nataly’s unique ability to accepting her call, she has pursued
manage ministry in a chaotic situation chances to preach wherever possible.
was displayed this past summer as Today, Brittany is an ordained
our church navigated a local tragedy minister in the Cooperative Baptist
as a young toddler was found dead Fellowship and a school chaplain at St.
in our dumpster. Nataly immediately Timothy’s School in Raleigh. In addition
jumped into action, working on several to her studies, Brittany is also the
different levels to communicate to the founder of Magdalene Clergy Dresses for
community, minister to the grieving women in ministry.
family, manage our resources as the Brittany’s award-winning sermon,
church’s property was overrun by “Let Us Walk in the Light of the Lord,”
traumatized members of the community, is based on Psalm 123 and Isaiah 2:2-5.
and lead at several points our She preached this sermon on November
congregation’s response. In short, Nataly 10, 2020 at Goodson Chapel, Duke
is exceptional.” Divinity School as the community
Nataly best reflects her pastoral gathered for the first time since the 2020 Brittany Darst-Hermsen Edwards
ministry in these words, “I have worked presidential election concluded. Brittany
with people in all stages of life, and I see did not refrain from connecting this
Brittany’s professor at Duke, Dr. Curtis
myself doing that for the rest of my life. historic recent event to the ancient text.
Freeman, writes: “She is a remarkable
I am committed to my calling to be a “Women who fought and sacrificed so
proclaimer. She has a natural voice in
minister. I grew up in a broken home, much for equality and liberty and justice
the pulpit that is strong and dynamic.
and Christ took my brokenness and for all, including the black women who
The preaching faculty recognized her
created something beautiful.” are often, too often, overlooked but so
homiletical gifts by selecting her to be a
The recipient of the 2021 Addie often prove they are the backbone of our
student preacher for Goodson Chapel,
Davis Award for Excellence in Preaching democracy...I stand on their shoulders.
an honor awarded to only a select
is Brittany Darst-Hermsen Edwards, Thus declared Vice-President Elect
number of students each year.”
who was born in New Jersey and raised Kamala Harris in her victory speech
Brittany further challenged her
in North Carolina. Brittany on Saturday night. She
listeners at Duke by proclaiming,
wasn’t weeping, but cameras
“Isaiah’s vision includes an invitation,
showed women in the
if you remember. ‘Come, let us walk in
audience with tears on their
the light of the Lord.’ The Lord’s light is
faces, and I admit, I cried
the light of truth—truth about racism
too. And I could almost
and sexism and every other oppressing
hear us all, women across
power—but also truth about ourselves.”
America, singing this psalm
We give thanks for the gifts and
together: ‘Have mercy on
ministry of Nataly Mora and Brittany
us, O God, have mercy on
Darst-Hermsen Edwards, the 2021
us, for we have had more
recipients of the Addie Davis Awards.
than enough of contempt.’ ”
Nataly Mora
5
THE 2021 DISTINGUISHED
MENTOR AWARD Dorisanne with Maria Swearingen & Sally
Sarratt
Morgan Caruthers Fletcher, a pastor Dorisanne’s investment in others has
at Calvary Baptist Church in Denver, continued during her time as pastor of
Colorado, offered this praise of Dorisanne’s Watts Street Baptist Church in Durham,
mentorship in her life: “Dorisanne Cooper NC, and recently through BWIM’s
is the person who taught me what gentle- mentoring program.
strength leadership is within this pastoral One of the mentees in her mentoring
calling. Thanks to her I have learned what group, Emily Hull McGee, pastor of First
it is to be grounded in grace, open to what Baptist Church on Fifth in Winston-Salem,
could be, and patient to meet people where wrote: “The greatest witness she offered to
they are.” me during our time as mentor and mentee
Natalie Webb, pastor of University was that of the ‘wounded healer,’ modeling
Baptist Church in Austin, Texas, echoes for our group during her season of cancer
this affirmation: “I felt called to preach treatments what leading through suffering
DORISANNE COOPER and pastor as a teenager, but it wasn’t looks like. We saw one whose broken body
until I met Dorisanne that I actually saw a taught her (and by extension, us!) ways for
2021 Frankie Huff Granger woman doing it! Dorisanne’s preaching and the caregiver to receive, for the shepherd to
Distinguished Mentor Award pastoral care looked completely different be tended and led, and for the unexpected
than anything I’d experienced. I had gifts and graces of it all to become tender
Baptist Women in Ministry recognizes been working so hard to be like my male nourishment for the weary soul.”
and honors Dorisanne Cooper as the mentors, but watching Dorisanne made me Finally, Maria Swearingen, senior
recipient of the 2021 Frankie Huff Granger realize that I didn’t need to be like anyone co-pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in
Distinguished Mentor Award. but myself.” Washington, DC, summed up Dorisanne’s
Dorisanne has been mentoring Erica Lea-Simka, pastor of great impact with this: “Good mentors
women called by God since her earliest Albuquerque Mennonite Church is another impart their wisdom to those willing to
years as a youth minister. minister whose ministry was impacted by slow down long enough to listen. But
Jennifer Ingold Asbill, minister Dorisanne’s example. She writes, “As my the best mentors help us encounter and,
of children and pastoral care at Duke seminary field education supervising pastor, ultimately, develop deep trust in our own
Memorial United Methodist Church in Dorisanne invited me into the heart of wisdom. This is what I mean when I say
Durham, North Carolina offered these congregational life at Lake Shore. She also that Dorisanne isn’t just a good mentor;
words about Dorisanne: “There has been no invited me to be as fully myself as I could she’s the best.”
greater mentor in my life than Dorisanne be. This freedom probably helped save my For her intentional efforts to mentor,
Cooper. She was the first person I talked life as I experienced deep struggles with my nurture, and advocate for women ministers,
to as an awkward seventh grader when I personal identities in coordination with my we give thanks to God for Dorisanne Cooper.
felt God’s initial call to ministry. From that pastoral identity at that time.”
moment on, she encouraged me at every Jaime McGlothlin, pastor of First
opportunity. Even now, she is still often the United Methodist Church, Valley View and
first text or phone call when I’m in need Cayote, Texas, adds, “I grew up with the
of a safe space to process, a creative mind WWJD (‘What would Jesus do?’) bracelet
for brainstorming, and a reminder that this trend. That always seemed a bit hard to get
calling is one that matters.” my mind around. But through my years as
During Dorisanne’s time as pastor of a pastor, I return again and again to, ‘What
Lake Shore Baptist Church in Waco, Texas, would Dorisanne do?’ She nurtures with a
she mentored several women as they were warmth and gentleness that gives her the
attending Truett Seminary. power to share truth in her calm, wise way.”
6 Dorisanne and Erica Lea-Simka
2021 CHURCH OF
EXCELLENCE
Over the years, the many churches impetus I needed to invite Ellen Sims
who have supported Baptist Women in to preach.”
Ministry have also nurtured the faith After that year, PBC continued
of girls and women, affirmed women’s to invite women to preach as a part of
callings and giftedness, blessed and what is now called BWIM Month of
ordained women as ministers, called Preaching. The regular presence of women PINTLALA BAPTIST CHURCH,
women to serve in their midst, and sent in the pulpit resulted in consideration of HOPE HULL, ALABAMA
women out to serve in the world. ordaining women deacons.
2021 Baptist Women in Ministry
The Church of Excellence recognition So in early 2013, Gary led the
is BWIM’s way of saying thank you each church in a time of deep study and Church of Excellence
year to a church that has demonstrated conversation to consider the issue. He
what it means to work for the inclusion of planned and presented a variety of Mandy offered these words of
women’s gifts and leadership. Bible studies, wrote newsletter columns, affirmation about what PBC meant to her,
This year, with much gratitude, Baptist preached sermons, and invited other “My ordination in 2017 was celebrated
Women in Ministry honors Pintlala Baptist voices to speak about the interpretation of in every way imaginable, from inviting
Church (PBC) in Hope Hull, Alabama as scripture and cultural barriers. the entire church to attend my ordination
the 2021 Church of Excellence. At the same time, the deacon body council to hosting a cupcake reception
PBC was founded in 1960, and just reviewed the church manual, by-laws, and after the ordination service. I was the
12 years later, Gary Burton was called as constitution. They discovered that while first woman ordained to the full gospel
pastor and began a tenure of 49 years so far. the by-laws did not specify the gender of ministry in that place; it made sense that
PBC invited its first woman to deacons, the church manual did. When everyone wanted to be part of it. But
preach in 2008 as a part of Martha Stearns the revisions to the church manual went it was also because they loved me (just
Marshall Month of Preaching--the second before the congregation for a vote, a sea of as they loved so many others) and they
year of the initiative. hands went up in favor of the motion. were experts at showing it. I never once
Gary writes, “Inviting female clergy In the fall of that year, two women, doubted that I had the full support of the
to preach for the Pintlala Baptist Church Jerrie Burton and Cathy Poage, were entire congregation.”
was something I had always wanted to do, nominated, elected, and ordained as Former BWIM executive director,
but I was bound by the inertia of the past. deacons for the first time in the church’s Pam Durso, is a good friend of Gary
Cultural traditions blinded me to present history. Because of intentional leadership Burton and is author of We Proceed On:
opportunities. So the Martha Stearns and inclusive conversations, the The History of Pintlala Baptist Church
Marshall Day of Preaching became the congregation emerged stronger out of (Smyth & Helwys, 2016). Pam writes,
this process. “Pintlala is for me a beautiful example of a
Jerrie, who has also preached during congregation that has grown steadily and
BWIM Month of Preaching at PBC, faithfully into full inclusion of women in
wrote, “Striving to be more like Christ leadership and women ministers. Gary
has been my passion, and I’m so thankful Burton has long been a strong and vocal
as a woman to have had the amazing advocate for women--in his congregation
opportunity to serve Christ in the pulpit and community and in our Baptist world.”
and as a deacon at Pintlala Baptist Church.” With this award, Baptist Women
Then, in 2017, the congregation in Ministry celebrates Pintlala Baptist
ordained its first woman to the gospel Church’s commitment to the work of the
ministry—Rev. Dr. Mandy McMichael, gospel, its generous and faithful support of
who is now associate director of ministry our organization, and its affirmation and
guidance and assistant professor at support of women ministers.
Baylor University.
Gary and Jerrie Burton
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BWIM MONTH OF PREACHING
ST CITY CHURCH PREACHER ST CITY CHURCH PREACHER
AL Auburn Auburn First Baptist Church Lauren Hooie NC Angier Neill’s Creek Baptist Church Irma Duke
AL Birmingham Vestavia Hills Baptist Church Terri Byrd NC Apex New Hope Missionary Telika McCoy
AL Hope Hull Pintlala Baptist Church Meredith Stone Baptist Church
AL Huntsville Weatherly Heights Baptist Church Madison Harner NC Benson Benson Baptist Church Felicia Fox
AL Madison Trinity Baptist Church Teresa Bowers NC Boone First Baptist Church Ellen Di Giosa
AL Pelham Crosscreek Baptist Church Jill Hudson NC Buies Creek Campbell University Divinity Meredith Stone
School
AL Tuscaloosa Woodland Forest Church Mary An Wilson
AR Fayetteville Rolling Hills Baptist Church Brittany Stillwell NC Cary Westwood Baptist Church Carolyn McClendon,
Amanda Allard
AR Little Rock Second Baptist Church Janine Williams
NC Chapel Hill HillSong Church Alicia Myers
AZ Tuscon Pantano Baptist Church Kim Brewer
NC Chapel Hill Mount Carmel Baptist Church Virginia Taylor
DC Washington First Baptist Church Alyssa Aldape
NC Chapel Hill University Baptist Church Jennifer Garcia Bashaw
FL St. Petersburg First Baptist Church Aimee Hobbs
NC Charlotte Ebenezer Baptist Church Kia Scott Hood
FL Tampa Bayshore Baptist Church Tammy Snyder
NC Charlotte Ebenezer Baptist Church Barbara Burrough
GA Athens First Baptist Church Emily Harbin, Steele Creek
Janet Cleland
NC Charlotte Greater Fellowship Baptist Church Kiya Ward Shears,
GA Athens Milledge Avenue Baptist Church Kristen Koontz Allison Henderson-Brooks,
GA Atlanta Church at Wieuca Victoria Lawson, Danielle Brown
Bethany Beall NC Charlotte Myers Park Baptist Church Tara Gibbs
GA Atlanta Northside Drive Baptist Church Emily Harbin NC Charlotte Reeder Memorial Baptist Church Kathy Bonapart,
GA Atlanta Peachtree Baptist Church Leslie Brogdon, Barbara Peacock
Kimani Francois NC Charlotte St. John’s Baptist Church Allison Benfield
GA Atlanta Second-Ponce de Leon Heather Lamb Webb Amy Chilton,
Baptist Church Daynette Snead Perez
GA Carrollton First Baptist Church Megan Doud NC Charlotte St. Paul Baptist Church Suzan Johnson Cook
GA Conyers Trinity Baptist Church Kathy Smith NC Concord McGill Baptist Church Mary Beth Beck-Henderson
GA Decatur First Baptist Church Kristen Koger NC Durham First Calvary Baptist Church Vikki Kennedy Johnson
GA Newnan Central Baptist Church Katie Faison NC Durham Hope Valley Baptist Church Emily Davis
GA Rome First Baptist Church Kristen Pope NC Durham Union Baptist Church LaTonya McIver Penny
GA Rome North Broad Baptist Church Amanda Owen NC Durham Watts Street Baptist Church Amy Armstrong
KS Lawrence First Baptist Church Cristina Adams NC Durham Yates Baptist Church Sara Adcock Wilson
KS Shawnee Central Baptist Theological Joy Yonga Choi NC Fayetteville First Baptist Moore Street Monica Lawson
Seminary NC Forest City First Baptist Church Kheresa Harmon
KY Elizabethtown Living Faith Baptist Fellowship Lesa Dae NC Gastonia Covenant Baptist Church Kheresa Harmon
KY Frankfort First Baptist Church Amanda Standiford, NC Greensboro First Baptist Church Courtney Willis,
Michelle Carroll Kyleigh Pegram,
KY Georgetown Faith Baptist Church Janine Williams Kate Messick
KY Lexington Calvary Baptist Church Ellie Adam NC Greensboro Providence Baptist Church Natalie McLean,
KY Louisville Buechel Park Baptist Church Erica Crosby Rhonda Butler,
KY Louisville Highland Baptist Church Carol Harston, Andria Williamson,
Lauren Jones Mayfield, Sabrena Lea
Angela Gorrell NC Greenville The Memorial Baptist Church Abbi Davis
KY Louisville Ridgewood Baptist Church Jessalyn Brown NC High Point Emerywood Baptist Church Miriam Kennedy,
KY Shelbyville Clayvillage Baptist Church Tara Clark Andria Williamson,
Kelley Kennedy,
LA Baton Rouge University Baptist Church Meredith Stone Lesley-Ann Hix Tommey,
LA New Orleans St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church Junia R. Joplin Sheila Earl
MA Needham First Baptist Church Daryn Stylianopoulos, NC Lumberton First Baptist Church Jennifer Garcia Bashaw
Holly Benzenhafer
NC Madison First Baptist Church Jan Walsh
MD Bowie Village Baptist Church Stephanie Willett
NC Monroe First Baptist Church Sara Spahr Stubbs
MO Kansas City Crossroads Church Abby Pratt
NC Mount Airy Calvary Baptist Church Megan Gentry,
MO Kansas City Englewood Baptist Church Cassie Buhlig Jessica Simandle,
MO Kansas City Holmeswood Baptist Church Shannon Greene Stephanie Hawks,
MO Liberty Second Baptist Church Andrea Huffman Beth Church,
Carol Lowe
MS Clinton Northside Baptist Church Alyssa Aldape,
Linda Snell McCombb, NC Murfreesboro Murfreesboro Baptist Church Mary Wiles and
Tiffany Stubbs, Lou Ann Gilliam
Lesley-Ann Hix Tommey NC New Bern First Baptist Church Ka’thy Gore Chappell
MS Starkville University Baptist Church Brandy Mullins NC Raeford Leach Springs Missionary Lynn Brinkley
NC Angier Angier Baptist Church Kim East Baptist Church
8
ST CITY CHURCH PREACHER ST CITY CHURCH PREACHER
NC Raleigh Baptist Grove Church Cynthia Jacko-Wise TN Knoxville Central Baptist Church Ellen Price,
NC Raleigh Hayes Barton Baptist Church Kristen Muse Fountain City Christine Jones,
Ellen Di Giosia,
NC Raleigh Martin Street Baptist Church Towanda Garner, Naomi Brown
Marionna Poke-Stewart,
Tracy Ross, Andrea Singleton TN Memphis First Baptist Church Julia Goldie Day
NC Raleigh Millbrook Baptist Church Meredith Stone, TN Memphis Second Baptist Church Dianne Young
Claudia Grainger TN Murfreesboro First Baptist Church Missy Ward Angalla
NC Raleigh Mount Peace Missionary Teresa Taylor, TN Nashville Glendale Baptist Church Kelley Doyle,
Baptist Church Telika McCoy Kelly Moreland Jones,
NC Raleigh Redeeming Love Missionary Denise Dobbin, Lauren Plummer,
Baptist Church LaTonya Penny, Molly Williams
Latonya Agard, TN Nashville Immanuel Baptist Church Stephanie Wyatt
Teresa Jones-Hardy,
TN Oak Ridge First Baptist Church Ellen Di Giosia
Wanda Stroud
TX Austin The Church at Highland Park Masyn Evans-Clements
NC Raleigh St. John’s Baptist Church Liz Britt
NC Raleigh Trinity Baptist Church Lydia Tatum TX Coppell Valley Ranch Baptist Church Amy Wilkins
NC Raleigh Watts Chapel Missionary Carolyn Ann Knight, TX Dallas Royal Lane Baptist Church Joslyn Henderson
Baptist Church Sequoia Wright TX Dallas Wilshire Baptist Church Leanna Coyle-Carr,
NC Roxboro New Mount Zion Baptist Church Chelsea Yarborough, Leigh Curl,
Kanisha Billinsgley, Ashley Robinson,
Telika McCoy Jenna Sullivan
NC Rutherfordton First Baptist Church Annie Deaton TX Elm Mott First Baptist Church Sarah Becke
NC Salisbury Mount Zion Baptist Church Telika McCoy TX Fort Worth Agape Baptist Church Alena Vaughn
NC Shelby First Baptist Church Annie Deaton, TX Fort Worth Broadway Baptist Church Lynn Spencer
Jennifer Jennings TX Fort Worth Iglesia Bautista Victoria en Cristo Ruby Wayman
NC Shelby Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Jennifer Jennings TX Harker Heights Trinity Baptist Church Ruby Wayman
NC Sylva First Baptist Church Carol Cloer TX Hudson Oaks Lakeshore Baptist Church Susanna Watson
NC Wake Forest Heritage Baptist Church Sandy Stillman-Alvin TX Lewisville Westside Baptist Church Rosalind Spenser
NC Weaverville First Baptist Church Chelsea West TX Richardson First Baptist Church Ivy Lassiter
NC Wendell Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Colette Parker TX Round Rock Peace of Christ Church Fran Pratt,
NC Wilmington Macedonia Missionary Baptist Telika McCoy Kyndra Frazier
Church TX San Antonio Covenant Baptist Church Caren Goodman
NC Wilmington Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church Barbara Cooper TX San Antonio Trinity Baptist Church Debbie Potter
NC Wilmington Winter Park Baptist Church Eliza Burgess TX San Antonio Woodland Baptist Church Wyndee Holbrook,
NC Wilson First Baptist Church Ka’thy Gore Chappell Diana Bridges,
NC Winston-Salem Ardmore Baptist Church Lee Ritchie and Nora Lozano
Gina Brock TX Temple Meadow Oaks Baptist Church Hannah Brown
NC Winston-Salem First Baptist Church on Fifth Amanda Tyler TX Waco Calvary Baptist Church Jenni Chilton,
NJ East Orange Calvary Baptist Church Suzan Johnson Cook Ali Chappell DeHay
OH Columbus Trinity Baptist Church Janet Sheppard, TX Waco Park Lake Drive Baptist Church Nataly Mora
Adrienne Freeman VA Annandale Ravensworth Baptist Church Alexis Kassim,
OK Ardmore Northwest Baptist Church Carrie Nault Theresa Thames
OK Norman NorthHaven Church Leah Lucas VA Arlington Alfred Street Baptist Church Teresa Fry Brown
OK Oklahoma City Spring Creek Baptist Church Kristin McAtee VA Bristol First Baptist Church Leigh Clark
PA Pine City Pine City Baptist Church Abigail Fell-DeWalt VA Chantilly Ox Hill Baptist Church Sarah Boberg
SC Anderson Boulevard Baptist Church Lucy Cauthen VA Charlottesville Belmont Baptist Church Dana Peebles
SC Anderson First Baptist Church Amy Brown VA Danville First Baptist Church Jenny Simmons,
SC Columbia Emmanuel Baptist Church Alyssa Aldape Angela Zimmerman,
Karen Zimmerman,
SC Greenville Augusta Heights Baptist Church Christine Powell Kellett
Bethany Busby
SC Greenwood First Baptist Church Lane Riley
VA Martinsville First Baptist Church Aisha Davis
SC Pendleton First Baptist Church Lynn Brinkley
VA McLean McLean Baptist Church Meg Thomas-Clapp
SC Rockhill Oakland Baptist Church Janee Angel
VA North Chesterfield Huguenot Road Baptist Church Megan Strollo
SC Seneca Trinity Baptist Church Caroline Self
VA Richmond Grace Baptist Church June Joplin
SC Spartanburg Fernwood Baptist Church Clare Conway Johnson
VA Richmond Richmond First Baptist Church Allison Collier
TN Chattanooga First Baptist Church Ellen Price,
Christine Jones, VA Richmond River Road Church, Baptist Anna Perry Miller
Ellen Di Giosia, VA Roanoke Journey Church Rhonda Hooper
Naomi Brown WA Lynwood Good Shepherd Baptist Church Denise Aanenson
TN Jefferson City First Baptist Church Christine Jones WI Fond du Lac Memorial Baptist Church Carolyn Dugan
TN Knoxville Ball Camp Baptist Church Tina Collins,
Katie Stamps,
Andrea McCoig
9
KEEPING UP WITH
BAPTIST WOMEN IN MINISTRY
Month of Preaching are on the BWIM
website—including video resources, worship
BWIM BOOK CLUB suggestions, and bulletin inserts that tell the
Over 4 weeks in April stories of these four preaching women. Two of
BWIM BLOG the bulletin inserts are available in Spanish.
Baptist Women in Ministry invites you and May, we hosted a
book club in discussion
to read, enjoy, and share our blogs. Our
of Joanne Lipman’s MENTORING PROGRAM
2021 blogs will continue to feature While the 2020-2021 cohort of BWIM’s
That’s What She Said:
amazing Baptist women ministers Mentoring Program is nearing the end of
What Men Need to
and engage issues pertinent to women their time together, the 2021-23 cohort began
Know (and Women
in ministry throughout various days Need to Tell Them) in July with a retreat at the Sacred Heart
of each month. The BWIM blog is a About Working Together Monastery in Cullman, Alabama. The new
chance for us to learn together and (William Morrow, 2018). Nearly 30 women cohort has five groups: one for pastors, two for
celebrate the work of Christ that is participated in at least one of the book club associate pastors, one for women of color in
taking place through women in ministry gatherings on Zoom. Stay tuned for news ministry, and one for out-of-the-box ministers.
in Baptist life. If you know of a Baptist about more book clubs in the future! Mentors for the 2021-23 cohort are Katrina
woman in ministry whose story needs to Brooks, Linda Bryan, Bethany Molinar Rivera,
be told, please contact Lynn Brinkley at MINISTRY SEARCH RESOURCES Sarah Shelton, and Carrie Veal. This fall we
lynnbrinkley@bwim.info. BWIM offers resources and assistance both will be accepting applications for the 2022-23
to churches searching for a minister and cohort which will begin January 2022!
ministers searching for a new position.
Included in the monthly enewsletter is a list of DISCERNMENT COHORT FOR COLLEGE
BAPTIST WOMEN current openings, and resources are provided & SEMINARY WOMEN
IN MINISTRY STAFF on the BWIM website for both churches and This spring BWIM hosted a virtual
candidates. Additionally, BWIM is glad to Discernment Cohort for college and seminary
offer personalized guidance and counsel to women which convened over a ten-week period
search committees as they include women via Zoom. The cohort provided intentional
among their candidates. Both churches and space for reflection on God’s calling through
candidates in need of assistance may submit large group presentations and activities, small
information, job descriptions, and resumes via group discussion, and individual reflection.
BWIM’s Ministry Search Registration Forms, 25 women representing 6 states and Canada
and contact Meredith Stone (meredithstone@ participated. Each participant who completed
bwim.info) for additional assistance. the cohort received a $200 SCHOLARSHIP
at the end of the ten weeks. We are grateful to
MONTH OF PREACHING our mentors and leaders for the Discernment
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR BWIM sponsored the first Martha Stearns Cohort: Lauren Brewer Bass, Laurel Cluthe,
Meredith Stone Marshall Month of Preaching in 2007, and Lauren Efird, Cynthia Insko, Julie Long, and
meredithstone@bwim.info 54 churches participated Natasha Nedrick.
by inviting a woman to
preach during February
of that year. In 2019,
BWIM redreamed and
renamed this emphasis
by widening its circle
to feature, in addition
to Martha, three other
significant Baptist
preachers: Ella Pearson
Mitchell, Helen
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR Barrett Montgomery,
Lynn Brinkley and Edna Lee de
lynnbrinkley@bwim.info Gutiérrez. In 2021, 165
churches participated!
10 Resources for BWIMFROM WORDS
TO REALITY
by Meredith Stone
“
W
e support women in ministry, but we’re just not
ready yet.”
This phrase, or some version of it, is quite
common among moderate and progressive Baptist churches.
Because of that, I am convinced the next challenge for women
in ministry will be moving from verbal and intellectual Meredith Stone preaching at Alsbury Baptist Church in Burleson, Texas.
affirmation of women in the leadership of the church, to
putting those words and thoughts into action.
Indeed, change in an institution like the church is difficult SEARCH COMMITTEES
and tends to happen slowly. But as we’ve seen in the past year and Challenge your fellow committee members to view the experience
a half, change can also happen quickly and can sometimes even of women candidates with equity. More often than not, male
reveal opportunities. In the midst of it all, perhaps this moment candidates have had opportunities for more formal experience,
is an opportunity for the church to grow toward the elevation and more education, and more engagement in community and
full affirmation of women’s gifts and callings. denominational relations. So if you compare resumes side-by-side
So as you are in the process of reconfiguring your ministry and “equally,” the male candidates will tend to prevail. Instead, amplify
leadership post-pandemic (or almost post-pandemic), what is the the experiences women have had (they often had to work twice-
next step you can take to move your congregation, institution, or as-hard to get half-as-much experience), and consider how those
leadership toward being more ready to turn words into a reality? experiences, whether in the church or not, have contributed to the
Here are a few suggestions: development of their ministerial identity and gifts.
MALE PASTORS SEMINARY PROFESSORS
BWIM has been encouraging you to elevate women’s voices Almost every seminary program has supervised ministry
in places like the pulpit for years (and you should keep doing experiences for students. Though it may be difficult, find women
that), but another step would be to consider your congregational supervisors for these experiences (for both female and male
leadership structures, policies, and procedures. Is the selection students) even if it means altering the internship requirements so
process for deacons, elders, committee members, and committee students can have the opportunity to work with women ministers.
chairs in your congregation equitable to women or was the process WOMEN IN MINISTRY
designed when only men were eligible? Is the language in your Amplify the gifts and callings of other women. When you need
church by-laws open to leaders of any gender or does it use male- to turn down a request for your resume, a speaking engagement,
specific language? Are committee meetings held in ways that are or a board position, recommend another woman. If you are on a
sensitive to the time and needs of women as well as men? board or committee with women, make sure their ideas are heard
INTERIM PASTORS and valued by the group. Take time to mentor women with new
If you are a retired senior pastor from a church with significant callings or in new positions.
resources, perhaps you can consider sponsoring a woman so These ideas and suggestions are just starting places. Let us not
that she can receive the same interim training that you have. grow weary in working toward an expression of the church in which
Women with ministry experience have likely not been employed all people are affirmed and valued as created in the divine image.
at churches with significant resources and so have less income to
invest in continuing education. Advocate among congregations Meredith Stone is the executive director of Baptist Women in
with whom you have connections for this woman you sponsor, or Ministry, Abilene, Texas.
other women, to be hired as interims.
11BAPTIST WOMEN IN MINISTRY
P. O. Box 207 Non-Profit Org.
Abilene, TX 79604 U.S. POSTAGE
Address Service Requested
PAID
Permit No. 11
Athens, GA
HELP US IN OUR WORK TO SUPPORT
BAPTIST WOMEN IN MINISTRY
BECOME A BWIM MONTHLY DONOR TODAY! NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL!
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