Leadership Collective is a one-day workshop designed for Women’s Ministry leaders in Arkansas that will take place at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention on Saturday, April 20. Over the past two years, women from churches all over Arkansas have attended this event and have found encouragement and a renewed spirit in their leadership journeys.
Monica Brown serves as the women’s ministry leader at Gospel Light Baptist in Hot Springs, “Last year‘s leadership event lit a fire in our women’s ministry. After hearing speaker Lori McDaniel and her passion for having purpose in every ladies’ activity with the ultimate goal of discipleship, our team was motivated to act. In the ensuing months, we organized and launched a dozen Titus 2 mentoring clubs in our church’s two campuses at the beginning of 2024. It’s only March, and we are already encountering deep growth and discipleship as our older ladies mentor the younger ones. There is an excitement in the air, and we can’t wait to participate in the next Collective event!”
Shari Edwards serves as network coordinator for Arkansas Baptist Women and has seen how vital it is for women to find connection and encouragement among other women who serve in the same capacity. “This event is uniquely designed for women’s ministry leaders who serve in the local church. We know that all over Arkansas, women are faithfully serving in leadership, yet it can often feel isolating, overwhelming, and hard. We want you to know that we have planned this day with you in mind!”
In a recent State of Ministry to Women Survey from Lifeway Research, one in 10 women’s ministry leaders say they have not received any training in ministry. Two in five women’s ministry leaders express their own need for development in vision and direction. Leadership Collective offers opportunities for women to not only connect with each other, but also to receive practical training to take back and implement in their local church.
Dr. Kelly King will serve as the trainer for Leadership Collective this year. Kelly has served as the Women’s Specialist for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma and recently retired as the Women’s Ministry Specialist for LifeWay Christian Resources. She currently serves as Women’s Minister at Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Kelly holds a Master of Theology and Doctor of Ministry degree from Gateway Seminary. She is the author of Ministry to Women: The Essential Guide for Leading women in the Local Church. Kelly will share the following sessions: “Ministry to Women: It’s Not Just Nice – It’s Necessary” and “Putting It into Practice: The Nuts and Bolts of Ministry to Women.” There will be time for networking, table conversations, an interactive leadership panel and Q & A.
It is the desire of the Arkansas Baptist Women Network Team to help churches develop a Gospel-centered, discipleship-driven ministry to women that encourages women to grow in their spiritual journey with Christ. At Leadership Collective, attendees will not only receive training to help them serve the women in their churches but will also find encouragement and support from other women’s ministry leaders around the table as they engage in intentional ministry conversations together.
Andrea Lennon serves as the Women’s Ministry Specialist for the ABSC (Arkansas Baptist State Convention) and has been instrumental in the growth of this event, “I am so excited about Leadership Collective. This training has the potential to impact individuals, women’s ministry leaders and teams, churches, and entire communities for the sake of the Gospel. We see throughout Scripture that it honors God when we pray and prepare. Arkansas Baptist Women desire to equip women’s ministry leaders with practical tools for their vital role in the local church. As I meet leaders from across Arkansas, I hear the same thing from them. ‘We want to serve, but we are unsure of the best way to serve.’ With this in mind, we are excited to welcome leaders from across Arkansas for a day of training and leadership development. I encourage all leaders and potential leaders to join us!”
Find out more and register at absc.org/abwcollective.