From Texarkana to Jonesboro, Arkansas Baptist Women’s (ABW) Ministry Network Gatherings will take place on Thursday, April 24 in regional areas around the state.
The gatherings offer an opportunity for leaders to gather in regional groups to share ideas, discuss strategy, and get to know one another. Network Coordinator Shari Edwards said the goal is to help grow a strong network of leaders who offer friendship and serve as a resource and encouragement to one another.
“Churches are not meant to be in competition with each other. When you network with other leaders you realize we are all in this together. It’s amazing how you walk away not only encouraged but also with real ideas on how to reach women better,” said Melissa Fikes, a women’s ministry leader in Conway.
Arkansas Baptist Women’s Ministry Networks are positioned in 11 areas of the state for the purpose of providing resources and connecting women’s ministry leaders, creating a community of women ministry leaders in that area so that they can help each other and find encouragement and support and find strategy and ideas to help the women in their ministry.
“It’s so encouraging to get to know and learn from one another,” said Nancy Hannon of First Baptist Church in Conway.
Edwards said the networks enable ministry leaders to “be equipped and trained and encouraged and supported to effectively help the women in their churches grow closer to Jesus and to walk out the calling that He has on their lives and in their churches.”
“Spiritually thriving women’s ministries help shore up and strengthen the local church,” Edwards said.
Janna Maxwell of Highland Drive Baptist in Jonesboro said Network resources have been a blessing to her as a women’s ministry leader, as well as a Network leader for Northeast Arkansas.
“After going through the 5 Keys for Effective Growth for Women’s Ministry, I found it to be eye opening and heart changing in the way I was approaching ministry. I immediately took it to my Women’s Ministry Team, and we went through it together, as a team, on a weekend planning retreat. They all agreed that it was such a wonderful tool not only to use in growing ministry, but also in growing our own personal spiritual journey,” Maxwell said.
“As a Women’s Ministry Network leader, I pray I can be a blessing and an encouragement to our Women’s Ministry Leaders in Northeast Arkansas. I will do everything I can to help and encourage them as they lead women in their own churches, but I will always point them to the resources of ABW, especially the 5 Keys for Effective Growth. As I prepare to lead our Network Gathering in Northeast Arkansas next week, I look forward to meeting the women right where they are in their ministry. Leadership in the church can be hard, and we need one another to lean on, share with, and pray with as we do ministry together.”
For the information on Arkansas Baptist Women’s Ministry Networks and gatherings, visit absc.org/abwnetworks.