The Arkansas Baptist Women’s Conference was held Sept. 23 at First Baptist Church in Russellville. (Ethan Dial/ABN)
RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Andrea Lennon, women’s ministry consultant at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention, welcomed approximately 900 women to First Baptist Church in Russellville on Saturday, Sept. 23. Lennon told the women that the night before, she and the leadership team had prayed over every seat in the worship center. Those prayers were felt as the women raised their hands in praise and worship led by Cory and Stephanie Epps, worship leaders from Central Baptist Church in Jonesboro.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Tara Dew of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, asked, “Are you flourishing right now? In relationships, in ministry?” She went on to say that many women in America today are hurting, feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Even though Satan wants to steal, kill, and destroy we have a Savior who wants to capture our hearts.
Focusing on John 15, Dew reminded that pruning is necessary in our lives to remove the unnecessary and that God the Father is a loving gardener.
National Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) Executive Director Sandy Wisdom-Martin was introduced. As she recounted to the audience special memories of her time in Arkansas, she also reminded them of her gratefulness for the role that the Cooperative Program has played in her ministry.
During the hour before lunch, the group separated into five connection groups in addition to a group of 50 students, 100 Arkansas Baptist Women in leadership, and a group of 60 ministers and church planters’ wives. These groups were encouraged to find new friends and make connections as they broke into smaller groups to discuss a set of connection questions.
Meanwhile, in the fellowship hall 155 WMU members held their annual meeting which included hearing words of encouragement from Wisdom-Martin, reports from a group of Hispanic WMU ladies and students about their trip to Peru and a report from Natalie Burk who had traveled with her daughter to minister with a group of moms and daughters to Muslim women. A business session included hearing how an endowment from Arkansas WMU had recently been instrumental in the opening of a clinic in Nigeria.
All the groups reunited after lunch to hear from a panel made up of the nine Women’s Ministry Leadership Team members. As Lennon moderated the discussion, the women discussed how daily rhythms of speaking to God each morning helps them to flourish. They also talked about how to overcome barriers to flourishing. One of those barriers can be when women compare themselves to others. Team member Nancy Hannon from First Baptist Church in Conway noted that it is hard to feel that comparison when one is being thankful. She noted how she keeps a gratitude journal that helps her to flourish in thankfulness.
Before Dew took the stage for a final session, Lennon shared the exciting news that this annual meeting is being renamed as Arkansas Baptist Women’s Conference. The new branding will allow the team to highlight a different theme each year. Women were encouraged to follow Arkansas Baptist Women on Facebook and #ARBaptistWomen on Instagram.
After another time of worshipful music, Dew closed out the day with exhortation from John 15 to abide in His presence. As we abide in His presence, we remain in His love, show our dependence on Him, and can persevere in His commands.
Mark your calendars for Sept. 21, 2024, and make plans to meet at First Baptist Church in Benton for the 2024 Arkansas Baptist Women’s Conference.