Vickey Banks speaks at Leadership Collective on Saturday, Feb. 8. (Photos by Cassidy Higgins/ABSC)
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – More than 100 Arkansas Baptist women’s ministry leaders on Saturday gathered at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention in Little Rock to be encouraged and refreshed in their leadership journeys.
At Leadership Collective, a one-day workshop for women’s ministry leaders in Arkansas, attendees not only received training to help serve the women in their church but also found encouragement and support from other women’s ministry leaders around the table as they engaged in intentional ministry conversations together.
“It’s really nice to be in a room full of women who do the same things, care about the same things and you can have this great exchange of ideas and a chance to learn with people that care about and love the same demographic at your church,” Indian Springs Baptist Church Connections & Women’s Ministry Director LeeAnn Holley said.
“It’s not very often you get to be in a room with people that also lead women’s ministry. It’s just a really good chance to remember that you’re in this with a group of people who also are doing the same thing you do and learn and grow from each other. And sometimes your purpose to be here is just that you got to be a word of encouragement to someone else.”
The guest speaker this year was Vickey Banks, who is not only a women’s ministry leader in the local church, but also as a Bible teacher, author, inspirational speaker, and disciple-maker.
Banks’ training was divided into two sessions. In session one, Banks shared helpful insights on “3 Secrets to Deeper Intimacy with God” – how to deal with discouragement as a women’s ministry leader. In session two, Banks shared “5 Keys to Revitalizing Your Women’s Ministry.”
In addition to the sessions, one of the highlights of Leadership Collective is the time around the table. This interactive process allows attendees to fully engage with other leaders as they spend intentional time together in discussion around the topics presented.
New this year were three breakout options. They covered practical tips like event budget, event timeline, event promotion and how the event ties in with the overall ministry plan. Additionally, sessions focused on meeting women’s ministry leaders where they are, developing a spiritually healthy women’s ministry in their church context, and exploring Jesus’ Great Command in Mark 12:30 and how it applies to women who lead other women.
Leadership Collective is designed specifically for women’s ministry leaders who serve in churches all over Arkansas.
“It’s workshop oriented. It’s interactive. They’re not just taking in knowledge, they’re finding encouragement and then processing what they are taking in with other women around the table,” said Shari Edwards, who serves as the Arkansas Baptist Women Network Coordinator. “We really try to tailor this to where it is going to meet them in their church context. And we just want to show that we value and honor the women who are serving in their local church and who are serving other women. That is what this day is about.”
Arkansas Baptist Women’s Ministry Networks are positioned in 11 areas of the state. Over the past four years, the network team has worked to cultivate relationships among women’s ministry leaders that not only equip them in their roles but also provide opportunities for friendship and support through regional network gatherings.