Responding to the
SBC's anticipated actions
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On June 11-12, 2024 the Southern Baptist Convention will hold its Annual Meeting in Indianapolis, IN and will vote on the second reading of a constitutional amendment stating that churches which affirm, appoint, or employ women as pastors of any kind are not in friendly cooperation with the convention and should be disfellowshipped.
While the conflict surrounding the amendment will amplify loud voices that devalue, denigrate, and diminish women, we have three-fold plan to make sure a counter message of affirmation and solidarity for women in ministry is also heard.
The first aspect of our strategy is to release Midwives of a Movement on June 10 for free streaming on YouTube as we have previously announced. We hope that the story of how our foremothers midwifed our movement to rise up against Baptist patriarchy inspires supporters of women in ministry to rise up again!
The second aspect is holding our Annual Gathering as a virtual prayer vigil on June 10 at 7:00pm EDT / 6:00pm CDT. Kinship Commons is curating a powerful prayer experience which will offer lament, solidarity, affirmation, and healing. Whether you are connected to the SBC or not, this is a chance to gather together and experience prayer as a personal way of experiencing God's love and affirmation, and also as a communal act of advocacy and resistance. You don't want to miss it.
We plan to reveal the third aspect of our strategy on Wednesday! Please be on the lookout for this accessible and powerful way to add your voice to the movement!
It is our prayer that in the face of denigrating messages and actions, Baptist women might be able to know that they are beloved of God and that there are NO LIMITS to how they can follow Christ and serve the church. May God make it so!
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Addie Davis Scholarship Recipients | |
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Jessalyn Brown
Jessalyn is a preacher and poet from Lexington, Kentucky. She is a graduate of Georgetown College where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in American Studies and Theatre & Film Studies. Jessalyn is going into her final year at Baylor's Truett Seminary where she is pursuing a Master of Divinity. At Baylor she also serves as a resident chaplain for undergraduate students in Heritage House, a fine arts residential community.
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Keneshia Bryant-Moore
Keneshia is pursuing a Master of Divinity from Central Baptist Theological Seminary. She is a professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in the College of Public Health. In this role, she led the development of the Faith-Academic Initiatives for Transforming Health (FAITH) Network. She co-owns Mariposa's Place of Wellness located near Hot Springs, Arkansas. Keneshia is a member of Second Baptist Church - Little Rock and the mother of four daughters.
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Maggie Clark
Maggie, a North Carolina native is a third year at Wake Divinity, she earned a BA in Philosophy from UNC-CH and a Masters in Philosophy from the University of Edinburgh. Called to congregational ministry, she is an advocate for inclusive communities reflective of Christ's teachings, whose focus is on embracing all individuals, regardless of their background or identity. As a queer, disabled woman in ministry, Maggie believes her role as pastor is to journey alongside those she is called to lead, creating space for theological exploration, while supporting and guiding others as they seek understanding to grow in their faith and spirituality.
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Makala Carrington
Makala is native of Fort Bragg, North Carolina and is completing a Master of Divinity degree at Duke Divinity School. She is a Theology, Medicine, and Culture (TMC) Fellow and Baptist House of Studies Scholar. She is devoted to uplifting others through faith, community work and fostering inclusivity and leadership in ministry. She received her Master of Public Health (MPH) from UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and has served as an injury and violence prevention public health researcher for the past five years while serving as a United States Air Force Public Health Reserve Officer.
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2024 BWIM Annual Gathering
Virtual Prayer Vigil
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June 10, 2024 | 7:00 PM Eastern | | |
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The 2024 BWIM Annual Gathering Virtual Prayer Vigil will be a time of reflection, affirmation, and solidarity. In a moment when negativity and darkness tries to reign, the prayer vigil will be a way to infuse light and affirmation.
Join us as Kinship Commons leads us through an experiential and meaningful worship time together.
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While you're thinking about Tee shirts, we encourage you to also consider purchasing a tee shirt from the "I am Claudia" collection. This exclusive Collection, by Dr. Gina M. Stewart, is inspired by her sermon preached on Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 at the National Baptist Joint Board Session entitled "What Will You Do with Jesus of Nazareth?" | | | |
2024 BWIM Luncheon
at CBF General Assembly
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June 21, 2024 | 11:30 AM- 1:00 PM | |
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We are excited to see many of you at the 2024 BWIM Luncheon at CBF General Assembly in Greensboro, NC!
There are still a few days to grab your ticket and hear from keynote speaker Rev. Angela Denker, author of Red State Christians: A Journey into White Christian Nationalism and the Wreckage It Leaves. Rev. Denker will provide invaluable insights into the intersection of Christian nationalism and gender dynamics. With a specific focus on the Southern Baptist Convention’s recent actions to disfellowship churches with female pastors, Denker will illuminate the broader influence of Christian nationalism on gender within our Baptist community.
Rev. Denker will also lead a Learning Lab right after the luncheon to continue the conversation and answer questions.
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June 11th is the last day to purchase a ticket or table. | |
If you are arriving to CBF General Assembly early, we invite you to join us for a screening of BWIM's documentary Midwives of a Movement on Tuesday, June 18th at 7:00 PM Eastern at College Park Baptist Church in Greensboro. | |
Mark Your Calendars for June 10th!
FREE Release of BWIM Documentary
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During a time when women in ministry among Baptists are hearing negativity surrounding their call and service to God, BWIM will join in solidarity with all women who serve among Baptists to share a positive message of affirmation and hope. One that proudly demonstrates that when women are pushed down and marginalized, we always rise up!
The release for free streaming will come after 30 successful in-person screenings across the country.
Mark your calendars for the release and begin thinking about how you can use Midwives of a Movement within your congregation and community to advocate for the full affirmation of women in ministry and leadership in Baptist communities.
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Become a Monthly Donor!
Though Salome was among the most faithful of Jesus’ disciples and one of the first evangelists sent to proclaim the news of Jesus’ resurrection, she is often overlooked.
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Much like Salome, countless women who serve in ministry today also experience being overlooked or even feeling invisible.
As a Salome Community monthly donor, you enable us to make more women visible and you participate in BWIM’s tireless pursuit to ensure that women in ministry and leadership among Baptists are not limited.
Learn More About the Salome Community of Monthly Donors
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BWIM partners with Baptist News Global (BNG) to celebrate and promote the strong writing voices of women! BWIM is advocating for women's equal representation in Baptist media by uplifting women's writing and encouraging women's increased participation in shaping Baptist life, culture, and theology.
To find out more about BWIM's partnership and to read articles written as the result of the partnership, click below. If you are interested in becoming a potential writer for BNG, email Laura Ellis for more information at lauraellis@bwim.info
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Elizabeth Bailey, called to Fredericksburg Baptist Church in Fredericksburg, VA as the Minister with Youth and Young Adults.
Jennifer Graham, called to First Baptist Church of Christ in Macon, GA as Interim Director of Youth Ministries.
Aimee Hobbs, installed on May 6th as Pastor of First Baptist Church Rutherfordton, NC.
Elisabeth Kincaid, to the Institute for Faith and Learning at Baylor University, Waco, TX, as director. She will also serve as associate professor of ethics, faith and culture in Baylor’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary.
Carol McCann, called to Indian View Baptist Church in King William ,VA as Pastor.
Anita Thompson, called to First Baptist Church Wadesboro, NC as Pastor.
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We Want To Celebrate Your Ordination!
If you know a Baptist woman who has been ordained or will be ordained, please email names and pictures (if possible) to heatherdeal@bwim.info. BWIM wants to share in celebrating congregational affirmation of all women in ministry, and it helps us to keep records of all of the women in Baptist life who are ordained.
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RECENT ORDINATIONS:
Rev. Amelia Britt (pictured second from left), ordained to the Gospel ministry on Sunday, April 21st by First Baptist Church Greensboro, NC.
Rev. Dr. Debbie Strickling-Bullock, ordained to the Gospel ministry on Sunday, April 14th by Canaan Baptist Church in Newcastle, DE.
Rev. Anna Beth Cross, ordained to the Gospel ministry on Sunday, April 28th by Greystone Baptist Church in Raleigh, NC.
Rev. Maggie Kennedy Morey, ordained to the Gospel ministry on Sunday, April 14th by Emerywood Baptist Church in High Pointe, NC.
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BWIM posts information online for any church/organization who contacts us directly to advertise their open position so that candidates can have access to a current list of open positions. | |
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New positions posted online since the last newsletter include:
- Senior Pastor (Full Time): Westwood Baptist Church, Cary, NC
- Director of Chancel Choir (Part Time): Broadway Baptist Church, Fort Worth, TX
- Worship Pastor (Full Time or Part Time): Gayton Baptist Church, Henrico, VA
- Executive Director/Treasurer (Full Time): Women's Missionary Union of Virginia, Richmond, VA
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Associate Pastor of Children, Youth, and Young Adults (Full Time): Ox Hill Baptist Church, Chantilly, VA
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Be sure to connect with your state or regional BWIM group for
events happening near you!
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