BWIM'S MENTORING PROGRAM

BWIM's Mentoring Program offers new ministers an opportunity to participate in 18 months of intentional mentoring with a seasoned Baptist minister and a groups of peers. These mentoring groups serve as communities of support, encouragement, and guidance. The BWIM Mentoring Program is open to Baptist women who have served in their current area of ministry for less than three years and are ministering in churches, chaplaincy, non-profit work, and other non-congregational ministry settings.

Applications close September 15

BWIM'S PEER COMMUNITY GROUPS

BWIM's Peer Community Groups provide an opportunity for Baptist women in congregational or non-congregational ministry to connect with and learn from one another. BWIM's Peer Community Groups program aims to offer women in ministry a chance to connect with peers, combat the isolation that significantly contributes to clergy burnout, and provide a safe space for examining aspects of their overall well-being.

Applications close September 15

2025-2026 LUNCH & LEARN SERIES

Beginning Tuesday, September 2, and continuing on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 pm ET / 5:30 pm CT, BWIM will host a new Lunch and Learn series exploring how ministers can honor the imago dei—the image of God—in diverse communities. Together, we will seek more equitable and inclusive theology and ministry practices.

We are excited to welcome Rev. Dr. Jessica Lugo, Executive Director of the Association for Hispanic Theological Education, to kick off the series on September 2.

2025 FALL BOOK CLUB

Join us for BWIM’s Fall Book Club on Khristi Lauren Adams' latest book, “Womanish Theology: Discovering God through the Lens of Black Girlhood.” Whether you’re new to theology or a seasoned member of the faith community, this fall’s book club offers a unique opportunity to deepen your spiritual journey and celebrate the voices of Black women in the church. This virtual event will take place every Monday in September, starting September 8, at 6:30 pm ET / 5:30 pm CT.

Registration Deadline: September 1

2025 BWIM ANNUAL GATHERING

NOVEMBER 6-8, 2025

SECOND-PONCE DE LEON BAPTIST CHURCH

ATLANTA, GEORGIA

Join us at BWIM’s 2025 Annual Gathering for a time of connection, rest, rejuvenation, and worship. Hear from keynote speaker Rev. Cynthia Hale and join us as we unveil the 2025 State of Women in Baptist Life Report.

BWIM ON THE ROAD

MINISTRY TRANSITIONS & ORDINATIONS

Have you transitioned to a new role? Have you recently been ordained? Let us know so we can celebrate you!

If you know a Baptist woman who has transitioned to a new ministerial role, been ordained or will be ordained soon, please send information nikkihardeman@bwim.info. Please also include pictures from ordinations as well! BWIM wants to share in celebrating congregational affirmation of all women in ministry, and it helps us keep records of all of the women ordained in Baptist life.

Rev. Mari Wiles accepted a call to be the next Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Fayetteville, NC

Rev. Katrina Tatum accepted a call to be the Executive Pastor of Baptist Grove Church in Raleigh, North Carolina

Rev. Paula Womack was called to be the next Associate Pastor of Umstead Park UCC in Raleigh, North Carolina

Hannah Brown was called as pastor of The United Church (American Baptist & Disciples of Christ) in Moscow, Idaho.

Rev. Abby Villagrana (pictured) was ordained at First Baptist Church in Temple, Texas on August 17, 2025.

Rev. Lily Wood was ordained at Pelham Road Baptist Church in Pelham, South Carolina on August 17, 2025.

Rev. Nora Crouch was ordained on August 10, 2025 at Ardmore Baptist Church in Winston Salem, North Carolina.

Rev. Holly Strother-Waller was ordained on August 17, 2025 at First Baptist Church in Aiken, South Carolina.

OPEN POSITIONS

BWIM posts information online for any church/organization that contacts us directly to advertise their open position so that candidates can have access to a current list of open positions.

New positions posted online since the last newsletter include:

• Associate Pastor of Music and Adults (Full Time): Westwood Baptist Church, Cary, NC
• Associate Pastor (Full Time): First Baptist Church of Christ, Macon, GA
• Senior Pastor (Full Time) First Baptist Church, Ann Arbor, MI
• Minister of Music (Full Time): First Baptist Church, Carrollton, GA
• Pastor (Full Time): First Baptist Church, Gretna, VA
• Senior Pastor (Full Time): University Baptist Church, College Park, MD

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