What a year for Arkansas Baptist Women! Let’s celebrate all the ways God moved in 2023 as we focused on growing together. We slowed down, deepened our roots, and made space for spiritual growth in and through our lives. Along the way, we took advantage of resources and opportunities to grow in our leadership skills and networking opportunities. God showed up and moved in powerful ways. We give Him all the praise. Let’s look back and celebrate together!
On January 23-24, the 2023 Statewide Conference on Evangelism + Church Health took place. This conference helps Arkansas Baptist churches and leaders get focused on reaching our state with the good news of Jesus. We enjoyed powerful worship, dynamic speakers, and practical workshops with lunch that blessed, challenged, and encouraged us.
The Ministers’ Wives and Women in Ministry Lunch + Workshop took place on Tuesday, January 24th. Emily Freeman shared her story and encouraged us to grow during times of adversity. With remarkable transparency, Emily recounted the accident that nearly took her son’s life. Doctors gave Caleb little chance of survival. But when Emily and her husband, Jeremy, turned to prayer—and asked other believers to join them—God performed a miracle.
Listen to the meaningful content in a two-part series of Inspire on the Go. Be encouraged in your challenging circumstance to know God and experience hope and healing no matter the outcome. Listen to the content HERE and HERE!
2023 was an exciting year of networking for women’s ministry leaders across Arkansas. On February 9th and October 12th Network Gatherings took place with over 200 leaders in attendance. This year we expanded our networking leadership team by welcoming Shari Edwards as the network coordinator. We are also blessed to have ten network leaders strategically placed across the state to serve as a resource and encouragement in their regional areas. Meet Shari and connect with our amazing network team HERE!
On April 22, Thrive Collective took place. Thrive Collective is a one-day interactive workshop for women’s ministry leaders. It was exciting to welcome 75 leaders to Thrive. Thrive Collective offered leaders encouragement, ideas, inspiration, and friendships. Session topics included: creating ministry environments for women to thrive, creating pathways for young leaders to thrive, and an interactive women’s ministry panel. We also heard leadership stories about thriving in discipleship and reaching the next generation. Enjoy the content HERE and HERE and HERE!
Arkansas Baptist Inspire was an exciting day for Arkansas Baptist Women! This one-day conference designed for women of all ages and stages of life is a highlight each year. There is something special about a sold-out event filled with women who are ready to worship and grow in the Lord. Cory and Stephanie Epps led our time of worship. Dr. Tara Dew opened God’s Word with us. Tara shared from John 15 about flourishing in Christ. The day was special as we talked about God’s willingness to prune as we persevere in Him. The outcome? We will grow! The times of connection were meaningful as we enjoyed conversations around the table with sweet friends from across Arkansas. We celebrate 70 life-change decisions made on September 23rd! Enjoy the content from Inspire HERE and HERE!
On October 24th and 25th, Arkansas Baptist gathered for a time of business, inspiration, and celebration of God’s faithfulness at Annual Meeting. On Monday, October 23rd, the Ministers’ Wives Conference took place with one hundred women in attendance. Once again, Cory and Stephanie Epps led a special time of worship. Then, it was my honor to open God’s Word and share about God’s hope, peace, and power from Romans 15:13.
Ministers’ Wives play a unique and important role in Arkansas Baptist life. It is always a joy to love on and encourage this special group of women who wear many hats and fill many gaps. We always want this special group of women to know they are loved and no matter what, they can be refreshed in life and ministry! Enjoy the content from the day HERE! Check out all the great resources for Ministers’ Wives HERE!
This year on the Inspire on the Go Podcast we talked about growing together! It’s exciting to know that we can grow in our relationship with Jesus and our friendship with one another. Daily as we abide in Jesus and invite His Word to abide in us, spiritual growth takes place in and through our lives. This year we asked and answered the question, what does “growing together” look like for us in our lives and ministry settings? Let’s celebrate together that we had 19,000 downloads in 2023! God is good and we love to provide meaningful resources for you. Subscribe to our podcast on any podcast platform. Enjoy the episodes HERE!
No doubt, 2023 was an amazing year. We look back and praise God for every life, family, and church touched and changed. God is moving and we are grateful. I invite you to join us for all the exciting things to come in 2024. We are going to focus on what it means to be Arkansas Baptist Women. You will see lots of new and exciting changes in 2024. Let’s ask the Lord to help us be ready for even more of His movement through our lives as we enter a new year filled with new opportunities!