Baptist Women in Ministry News
August 2019
A Word from Pam Durso
My social media feeds this past few weeks have been filled with back-to-school photos of kindergartners and seminary students, teachers and principals. New school years are filled with excitement--sharpened pencils, clean, fresh paper, and hopes and dreams for a good seat in the room, a new friend in the class, and edible food for lunch.

New school years are also often filled with anxiety. Walking into the unknown, whether you are six years old or forty is sometimes accompanied by fear of the new, doubts about being prepared for learning or capable of succeeding, questions about fitting in or finding a welcoming space.

For most, the excitement and anxiety weave together in inexplicable ways.

As parents and teachers and churches, we send our students off to the new year with blessed backpacks, prayers, posted photos, hoping they will know that they aren't alone in their excitement or in their anxieties.
We tell them that God's love goes before them, God's love goes with them, God 's love surrounds them. God's love is there in their classrooms, on the playgrounds, in the lunchrooms, in the chemistry lab. God is with them.

The simple reassurances of God's presence that are offered in this season of newness are ones that we all need to hear--not just on the first day of school, but everyday.

There is nothing, nothing that can separate us from the love of God: not our fears for today, not our worries about tomorrow, not our desperation or anxiety, not our successes or accomplishments. Wherever we are, God is there with with us.
SUPPORTING BWIM
All the work Baptist Women in Ministry does and all the ways in which this organization contributes to the shift in Baptist culture are happening because of people like you who believe in and support our ministry and who share in our mission of affirming all those whom God has gifted for ministry. Please consider this an invitation to be part of all these good things that BWIM is doing. Your support makes all of this possible.  
LET'S HAVE LUNCH . . . OR COFFEE
Join Baptist women ministers all over the country as we share a meal or coffee during the week of September 15. These gatherings offer space for forming friendships, offering and receiving encouragement, and sharing life.

Take the initiative to reach out to just one other Baptist woman minister or gather a group! Those who are geographically isolated are invited to "brown bag it" with the BWIM staff for an online gathering via the Zoom platform on Tuesday, September 17, at 12:30 p.m. EST. Email  [email protected]  for the link to join the call.

Or if you need assistance in finding a women ministers in your area, contact Julie Long at [email protected] or contact your state and regional BWIM leaders.
MONTHLY CONVERSATIONS
DISCERNMENT RETREAT
On September 20-22, 2019, Baptist Women in Ministry and Texas Baptist Women in Ministry will co-host a retreat at Willow Meadows Baptist Church in Houston, Texas, which will include time for worship, reflection, small groups, rest, and fellowship.

The three-day retreat is free. Students will need only to pay their transportation costs to Houston and bring bed linens or sleeping bags, an air mattress, and towels. Food, snacks, showers, and sleeping accommodations will be provided.
The retreat begins at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 20 and will conclude with lunch on Sunday, September 22.

For more information or if you know college or seminary women who might be interested in attending, please email Julie Long at [email protected].
MENTORING PROGRAM
Baptist Women in Ministry’s Mentoring Program offers new ministers an opportunity to participate in intentional mentoring with a seasoned Baptist minister and a group of peers. These mentoring groups serve as communities of support, encouragement, and guidance.

BWIM’s 2020 program will be a two-year program with a three-day retreat for the entire cohort in January 2020, a second retreat for each group, and a third retreat in late 2021.
Applications are now being accepted!
ORDINATION RESOURCES
Baptist Women in Ministry has gathered ordination resources that can help with the planning of an ordination service, including litanies, poems, blessings, responses, and charges, all used in previous ordination services.

Our website also has resources for pastoral installation services. We hope these resources will be helpful to you as you prepare for your significant days of celebration.
Tarsha Banister was ordained July 25, 2019 at Union Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
THE BWIM BLOG
Baptist Women in Ministry posts blogs every Wednesday and Friday. The 2019 Wednesday blog theme has been "Find Your Voice and Use It" and has featured numerous writers. Every Friday, the blog , "THIS IS WHAT A MINISTER LOOKS LIKE," features an interview with an amazing minister. Last Friday, August 16, Robin Drake was the minister interviewed. Robin IS what a minister looks like!
MINISTRY SEARCH RESOURCES
Baptist Women in Ministry offers resources and assistance both to churches searching for a minister and ministers searching for a new position.

Churches and candidates in need of assistance may now submit information, job descriptions, and resumes online via BWIM’s Ministry Search Registration Forms. BWIM’s assistance is provided as a ministry, and there are no fees for these services. 
SAFE CHURCHES and MINISTERS:
CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE RESOURCES
The Clergy Sexual Misconduct Task Force, a joint partnership between Baptist Women in Ministry and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, have released two significant resources developed for use by churches, seminaries, and partnering organizations.  "Safe Churches and Ministers"  is an educational video that introduces this tough topic and provides much-needed definitions, statistics, and stories that are designed to help churches, students, and leaders take seriously their responsibility in preventing abuse. The video is accompanied by a leader guide and a discussion guide and is available in both English and Spanish.

"Clergy Sexual Abuse Prevention Recommendations for Churches"  is a collection of prevention guidelines and documents intended to prompt congregations to create their own policies, procedures, processes and covenants.  This resource will assist churches in holding clergy and lay leaders accountable and will prepare churches to respond appropriately if abuse is reported.  

The release of these two resources marks an important milestone in the work of the Task Force and we are committed to continue forward in our efforts. We ask that you pray for the task force as we keep working to bring attention to and educate those in our Baptist circles about clergy sexual abuse.
STATE AND REGIONAL NEWS
BWIM of Heartland
Baptist Women in Ministry of the Heartland hosts monthly lunches for ministers in the Kansas City area. Visit the Baptist Women in Ministry - Missouri Facebook page for more information.
BWIM of Georgia
BWIM of Georgia and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Georgia will host a celebratory dinner on Sunday, November 3 at 5:30 p.m. followed by worship at 7:00 p.m. The dinner and worship will be held at First Baptist Church, Columbus, Georgia, and the preacher for worship is Emily Hull McGee. Both BWIM of Georgia and CBF of Georgia will present their annual awards and recognitions during the dinner.
Texas BWIM
Texas Baptist Women in Ministry will host its 2020 conference on February 18, 2020 at Truett Seminary in Waco, Texas.
BWIM of North Carolina
Congratulations to the 2019-2020 BWIM of North Carolina Scholarship Recipients:
Tarsha Banister, Wake Forest University School of Divinity
Liz Britt, Campbell University Divinity School
Brittany Darst , Duke University Baptist House of Studies
Regiani Pereira, Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity
RESOURCES FOR WOMEN MINISTERS
Women at the Wellsprings
Women at the Wellsprings is a new program sponsored by the Benedictine Sisters at Sacred Heart Monastery in Cullman, Alabama.

They will host five eight-day sessions over two and a half years for twenty women ministers, who will engage in theological, scriptural and experiential reflection in addition to simply having time to rest, renew, and experience community with other women ministers. Applications are now open for this program.
Women in Ministry Conference-Princeton
The Women in Ministry Initiative of Princeton Theological Seminary is pleased to offer "Leadership in a Time of Division and Fear" for women leaders of the church, both clergy and lay, who work within the church and beyond.

The conference will be held October 23-25 and the cost is $175 before August 1, and $195 between August 2 and October 18.
Red Letters Jobs
RedLetterJobs.com is a Christian ministry job listing website, which focuses on connecting the people of God to their ministry calling. It seeks to pioneer in transforming the ministry recruiting industry with advanced technology, using intelligent digital, social and mobile solutions, including the flagship website and a vast array of products and services. Through state of the art technology Red Letter Jobs helps churches and Christian organizations hire the best candidates and help people of God connect with their call.

Offer: Partners and supporters of BWIM may receive a 100% off code to use on any plan to post positions available. Use code:  BLESSING  to get 100% off your plan (limited time offer). 
ORDINATIONS
Tarsha Banister was ordained July 25, 2019 at Union Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Gwen Lamprecht Craig was ordained on July 21, 2019 by First Baptist Church, Gonzales, Texas.
ON THE MOVE
Jillian White Andrzejewski  is pastor of Westhunt Baptist Church, Richmond, Virginia.

Sarah Boberg is minister of spiritual formation, children and families at Ox Hill Baptist Church, Chantilly, Virginia.

Lynn Brinkley is the director of church, alumni, and student relations, Campbell University Divinity School, Buies Creek, North Carolina.

Michelle Carroll is graduate chaplain fellow, Franklin College, Franklin, Indiana.

Mary Kate Deal is the minister of music at Royston Baptist Church, Royston, Georgia.

Kaylee Godfrey is minister of youth and outreach, First Baptist Church, Clemmons, North Carolina.

Nataly Mora is Spanish and ministry outreach pastor, Park Lane Drive Baptist Church, Waco, Texas.

Brittany Stillwell is minister with students and families, Second Baptist Church, Little Rock, Arkansas.
NEWLY ENDORSED CHAPLAINS
The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship's newest endorsed chaplains are:

Grace Powell Freeman --CPE Resident, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia

Sara Hunt-Felk e--Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, Florida

Stephanie Patterson --CPE Resident, Prisma Health, Greenville Memorial, Greenville, South Carolina

Raquel Webb --Manager of Spiritual Care and Chaplain, St. Joseph Health, Bryan, Texas
OPEN POSITIONS
Positions are listed by state, city, open position, church name. BWIM collects these openings from a wide variety of sources, and the degree of openness to women ministers among the listed churches varies. In its effort to advocate, network, and connect, BWIM provides this list as a resource to those searching for ministry positions. 

CALIFORNIA
Vallejo-Executive Pastor-Friendship Missionary Baptist Church

FLORIDA
Jacksonville -Pastor-Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church
Jacksonville -Pastor-Riverside Baptist Church
Orlando -Minister to Children and Families-Church on the Drive

GEORGIA
Alpharetta- Youth Pastor-Johns Creek Baptist Church
Athens -Pastor-First Baptist Church
Cartersville - Associate Pastor for Youth/Families and Outreach-Heritage Baptist Church
Dalton- Minister of Children and their Families-First Baptist Church
Dahlonega -Associate Pastor of Family Ministries-Dahlonega Baptist Church
Gwinnett County -Pallative Care Chaplain-Gwinnett Medical Office
Harlem -Minister of Music and Media-Harlem Baptist Church
Macon -Associate Pastor of Children and Congregational Life- First Baptist Church of Christ

ILLINOIS
Springfield -Worship and Family Ministries Director-Central Baptist Church

INDIANA
Columbus -Worship Pastor-First Baptist Church
Various -Multi-Bi-vocational Positions-ABC of Indiana and Kentucky

KANSAS
Shawnee -President-Central Baptist Theological Seminary

KENTUCKY
Corbin -Associate Pastor to Youth-First Baptist Church
Corbin -Pastor-First Baptist Church
Eminence -Pastor-Eminence Baptist Church
Lexington- Minister to Children-Versailles Baptist Church
Louisville -Director of Operations-Broadway Baptist Church
Louisville -Pastor - Highland Baptist Church
Louisville- Pastor-Ridgewood Baptist Church
Louisville -Youth and Young Adult Minister-Woodland Baptist Church
Paducah -Minister of Music-Immanuel Baptist Church

MARYLAND
Arnold -Student Minister-College Parkway Baptist Church
Ellicott City- Minister of Youth-Bethany Church

MASSACHUSETTS
Melrose -Pastor-First Baptist Church

MICHIGAN
Detroit- Pastor-Second Baptist Church

MISSOURI
Miller -Associate Pastor of Children and Worship-Round Grove Baptist Church
Ozark -Student Pastor-Firsts Baptist Church
Tiff City -Pastor-Buffalo Creek Baptist Church

NEW JERSEY
Haddonfield -Minister of Music-First Baptist Church

NEW MEXICO
Hagerman -Pastor-First Baptist Church

NORTH CAROLINA
Chapel Hill- Minister of Children-Mount Carmel Baptist Church
Clayton- Director of Music-First Baptist Church
Edenton -Youth and Children's Minister-Edenton Baptist Church
Elizabethtown -Pastor-Elizabethtown Baptist Church
Enfield- Pastor-Enfield Baptist Church
Henderson- Pastor-Island Creek Baptist Church
Hickory Rock -Pastor-Hickory Road Baptist Church
Hudson - Chaplain and Faith Community Liaison -Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care
Kannapolis- Minister of Children-First Baptist Church
Louisburg -Pastor-Hickory Rock Baptist Church
Morehead City -Associate Minister of Children and Youth-First Baptist Church
Murfreesboro -Associate Minister to the University-Chowan University
New Bern- Associate Pastor for Youth and Family Life - First Baptist Church
Newton- Pastor-Trinity Baptist Church
Pendleton -Pastor-Roberts Chapel Baptist Church
Raleigh -Minister to Youth-Forest Hills Baptist Church
Raleigh -Youth Minister-Millbrook Baptist Church
Raleigh - Fund Development Coordinator -North Carolina Council of Churches
Raleigh- Pastor-Swift Creek Baptist Church
Rowland -Pastor-First Baptist Church
Shelby -Pastor-First Baptist Church
Smithfield -Minister of Youth and Education-First Baptist Church
Statesville -Minister of Youth and Young Adults-First Baptist Church
Valdese- Pastor-Cornerstone Baptist Church
Wilson -Pastor-Jackson Chapel First Missionary Baptist Church
Weaverville -Director of Church a Community Ministries-First Baptist Church
Windsor -Pastor-Cashie Baptist Church
Winterville -Pastor-Winterville Baptist Church

OHIO
Middletown -Associate Pastor of Worship and Discipleship-First Baptist Church

OKLAHOMA
Altus- Pastor-Emmanuel Baptist Church

RHODE ISLAND
Middletown -Bi-Vocational Pastor-Middletown Baptist Church 

SOUTH CAROLINA
Anderson- Minister to Students and Families-Boulevard Baptist Church
Anderson -Staff Minister (Administration plus Senior Adult or Children's Ministry-First Baptist Church
Conway -Next Generation Pastor-First Baptist Church
Darlington -Associate Youth Pastor-Black Creek Baptist Church
Greenwood- Associate Pastor and Minister of Students-First Baptist Church
Lakeview -Pastor-First Baptist Church
Piedmont -Pastor-First Baptist Church
Rock Hill -Associate Minister for Spiritual Formations and Missions-Oakland Baptist Church

TENNESSEE
Erwin -Pastor-First Baptist Church
Knoxville -Chaplain-Amedisys Hospice of Knoxville
Knoxville -Associate Minister of Worship and Arts-Central Bearden

TEXAS
Bryan -Pastor-Trinity Baptist Church
El Paso -Executive Director-El Paso Baptist Association
Irving -Pastor-Ben Washington Baptist Church
Levelland -Associate Pastor of Youth-Second Baptist Church
Orange -Pastor-First Baptist Church
Perryton -Pastor-First Baptist Church
San Antonio -Pastor-Covenant Baptist Church
Snyder -Minister of Music-Colonial Hill Baptist Church
Temple -Minister of Missions-First Baptist Church
Victoria -Youth Pastor-Northside Baptist Church
Waco -Minister to Children, Youth, and Families-Lake Shore Baptist Church

VIRGINIA
Blackridge -Next Generation Pastor-Olive Branch Baptist Church
Burkeville -Pastor-Burkeville Baptist Church
Chesapeake- Minister for Family Ministry and Media-Churchland Baptist Church
Chester- Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults-Chester Baptist Church
Clifton Forge -Pastor-Clifton Forge Baptist Church
Franklin -Pastor-Sycamore Baptist Church
Glen Allen -Associate Pastor for Students-Mount Vernon Baptist Church
Glen Allen -Minister of Children and Families-Mount Vernon Baptist Church
Hampton -Youth Pastor-Hampton Baptist Church
Kenbridge -Pastor-Kenbridge Baptist Church
Lebanon -Associate Pastor-Green Valley Baptist Church
Lebanon- Minister of Children and Youth-Green Valley Baptist Church
Lowesville -Pastor-Piney River Baptist Church
Nathalie -Pastor-Clover Bottom Baptist Church
Nathalie -Pastor-Mulberry Baptist Church
Palmyra -Family Minister-Effort Baptist Church
Red House -Pastor-Providence Baptist Church
Richmond -Worship Leader-Branch's Baptist Church
Richmond -Associate Pastor for Music and Adult Ministries-Central Baptist Church
Richmond -Student Pastor-Bon Air Baptist Church
Scott Hill- Pastor-First Baptist Church
Smithfield- Minister of Youth and Children-Smithfield Baptist Church
Springfield -Pastor-Westwood Baptist Church
Warrenton -Pastor-Warrenton Baptist Church

WASHINGTON, DC
Washington, DC -Executive Pastor-First Baptist Church

WEST VIRGINIA
Princeton- Pastor-New Zion Baptist Church
Wardensville -Pastor-First Baptist Church

Alliance of Baptists -Communications Specialist (remote position)
State and Regional BWIM
Contact Information
Alabama
Terri Byrd


Arkansas
Megan Pike


Florida
Christy Correll-Hughes

Rachel Gunter Shapard


Georgia
Jessica Asbell


Heartland (Kansas/Missouri)
Laurel Cluthe

Robin Sandbothe


Kentucky  
Alix Davidson Keller 

Emily Holladay
North Carolina
Ka'thy Gore Chappell


South Carolina
Anna Burch

Mary Frances Thompson 


Tennessee
Eileen Campbell-Reed


Texas
Anyra Cano


Virginia
Nancy McDaniel 
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