• "...to bring good news to the poor... proclaim release to the captives... let the oppressed go free..."
  • (Luke 4:18-19)
  • EVENTS:

    2024 Women and Girls Conference




     
    Women and Girls Conference
    July 18-21, 2024

    (begins with 2:00 pm registration on Thursday and end with morning worship on Sunday)

    at Roanoke College
    in Salem, Virginia
     
    Girls and women of all ages from across the US, including Puerto Rico, will gather for ABWM’s Women and Girls Conference. The conference, based on our two-year 2023-2025 Ministry Focus, “Be Strong, Be Courageous,” will create opportunities to study God's word and explore leadership.


    Location:
    Roanoke College is in located in Salem, Virginia, which is in Roanoke Valley. With more than 300,000 residents, the Roanoke Valley is the largest metropolitan area in Western Virginia. In addition to Salem, it's home to the city of Roanoke, also called the "Star City" for the 88-foot neon star that shines over the valley below. The Roanoke Valley is a world-class outdoor adventure destination with more than 1,000 miles of hiking and biking trails, not to mention charming shops, eclectic restaurants and museums, and some of the nicest people you'll find anywhere, all tucked into the breathtaking beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

    Roanoke College
    221 College Lane
    Salem, VA 24153
    Click here for a map of Roanoke College & directions.



    Housing Options

    American Baptist Women's Ministries has arranged two housing options for attendees. Stay onsite at Roanoke College or stay off-site at a local hotel. 

    Offsite Housing at Roanoke College
    Women will be staying at Maxey Hal, which has double occupancy rooms that are furnished with single beds (extra-long mattress), dressers, closets, desks, and chairs. Rooms do not have private bathrooms, televisions, or telephones. Linens and toiletries are not included. Each floor has a community bathroom, a full kitchen, and a common area. Amenities include free Wifi, secure building and rooms with key and card access, common areas, laundry facilities, and air conditioning.


    Offsite Housing at Local Hotels
    Individual conferees preferring to stay off-site are responsible for making their own housing arrangements. Here are hotels in the area:

    The Inn at Burwell 
    601 West Main St, Salem, VA
    (540) 589-0404
    www.burwellplace.com

    The Lofts at Downtown Salem
    10 W Main St, Salem, VA 24153
    www.theloftsatdowntownsalem.com

    Avid Hotel Salem
    501 Wildwood Road, Salem, VA 24153
    (855) 598-3793
    https://www.ihg.com/

    Hampton Inn Salem
    450 Litchell Road, Salem, VA 24153
    540-389-2424
    https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/roasahx-hampton-salem/



    Scholarships

    American Baptist Women's Ministries has limited scholarships for girls and young adult women, and women to attend the Women and Girls Conference. Scholarships will only be used towards the program registration fee. Applications are due on May 1, 2024. Click here to apply.

    Support a girl, young adult woman, or woman to attend by giving to American Baptist Women's Ministries. Your donation will allow women and girls to experience an American Baptist Women's Ministries conference, build a stronger relationship with God, and learn how to be strong and courageous. Give now!



    Programming Just for Girls!

    Girls, who have completed sixth grade and up, will fellowship together, participate in Bible study for girls, meet girls from all over the US, including Puerto Rico, learn how to be a DJ, explore the Blue Ridge Mountains, and workshops!  

    AB GIRLS Writing Workshop with Rev. Dr. Cheryl Price
    Rev. Dr. Cheryl Price is the Publisher of Judson Press, where she helps individuals explore, discover, and encourage the joy of reading and writing through various topics and styles. Dr. Cheryl was the vice president of Content at Urban Ministries Inc.; minister on staff at Metropolitan Baptist Church, Washington, D.C.; Mount Zion Baptist Church, Seattle, Wash.; and Lutheran and United Methodist congregations in New York and California; and has authored and co-authored several books. Click here to read Rev. Dr. Price's full bio.


    Marketing Workshop for AB GIRLS with Erin Davis
    Erin Davis is a marketing executive and serial entrepreneur. Erin serves as the social media ambassador for American Baptist Women's Ministries. She has over 15 years of experience in the marketing industry, beginning her career at Radio One of Atlanta as a Marketing Research Associate. There, she conducted marketing research studies for 61 broadcasts in 13 markets. Click here to read Ms. Davis' full bio.

     



    Speakers

    Evening Plenary Speaker:  Rev. Barbara Florvil Lavarin
    Reverend Barbara Florvil Lavarin is a poet and writer who enjoys writing poetry and plays, and training to become a Spiritual Director. Upon graduating from Tufts University with B.A. in Child Development, Rev. Lavarin worked as an Education Coordinator at the Berean Community and Family Life Center in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. Rev. Lavarin graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary with her Master of Divinity. Rev. Lavarin joyfully served as the Assistant to the Pastor for Youth at the Historic Alfred Street Baptist Church, in Alexandria, VA. Rev. Lavarin served on ABWM's Young Adult Women's Advisory Team (YAWMAT). Click here to read Rev. Florvil Lavarin's full bio.


    Evening Plenary Speaker:  Rev. Joy Martinez-Marshall
    Rev. Joy Martinez-Marshall serves as the pastor of First Baptist Church of Lincoln, NE, and as the Associate Region Minister for American Baptist Churches of Nebraska. Joy grew up in The Colony, TX. Now, she calls Nebraska home after moving from Waco, TX where she served as a Student Life Minister. She holds a B.A. in Religion from Baylor University and a M.Div. from George W. Truett Theological Seminary. Joy serves as the Vice President of the Faith Coalition of Lancaster County and on the Board of Directors of Baptist Women In Ministry. Click here to read Rev. Martinez-Marshall's full bio.

    Evening Plenary Speaker:  Jasmine Turner 
    Jasmine Turner is an Emmy-award-winning anchor and reporter for NBC 12 News in Richmond, Virginia. Jasmine leads NBC12’s On Your Side Investigators team. Outside of the newsroom, Jasmine is a certified yoga and meditation teacher. She is passionate about helping others live well, offering support along the way. Volunteering with the youth ministry at Liberation Church brings Jasmine joy. Jasmine served as the Convenor of the National Leadership Team of AB GIRLS (2010-11). Click here to read Ms. Turner's full bio.
        
     
    Sunday Morning Preacher: Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain
    Reverend Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain is the executive director for American Baptist Women's Ministries (ABWM) and is a member of the National Executive Council for American Baptist Churches, USA. Rev. Dr. Gina served as the Transitional Pastor for First Baptist Church of New Market in Piscataway, New Jersey; Interim Pastor of St. Paul Baptist Church, Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey; Associate Regional Pastor for Women in Ministry for American Baptist Churches of New Jersey (ABCNJ); and is an Associate Minister of Christian Education at St. Paul Baptist Church in Montclair, New Jersey. Click here to read Rev. Dr. Jacob-Strains' full bio.




    Leadership Panel

    Driana Arceneaux
    Driana Jamila-Lesan Arceneaux graduated Reynold's Community College with her associate degree in Psychology (2021) and from Norfolk State University with her bachelor's degree in psychology (2023). She is currently working as the Community Outreach Manager with Benay’s Creative Counseling, LLC where she facilitates groups geared towards the rehabilitation of those formerly incarcerated and individuals with substance abuse disorder. Click here to read Ms. Arceneaux's full bio.


    Rev. Dr. Christine Smith 
    Rev. Dr. Christine A. Smith is the National President of American Baptist Women's Ministries and the senior pastor of Restoration Ministries of Greater Cleveland, Inc. in Euclid, Ohio. Since 1993, Rev. Smith has been engaged locally with American Baptist Women’s Ministries of Greater Cleveland. She has served as workshop leader, keynote speaker, Bible study leader and host for AB Women annual days and retreats. Click here to read Rev. Dr. Smith's full bio.
      


    Workshops

    Financial Workshop with Ania Norori
    Ania Norori's professional career path has taken her through some of the major banks, Lehman Brothers, Barclays Capital, Morgan Stanley, and Merrill Lynch, where she has served in both business operations and financial advising. Ania is delighted to be serving now as Director of Lilly Programs at The Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board (MMBB), where she is integrating her financial education and experience with Christian ministry. Click here to read Ms. Norori's full bio.


    Can You be Strong and courageous When Life Hurts? Workshop with Dr. Sharon Siler
    Dr. Sharon Siler is the Executive Director of The Healing Place Center for Counseling and Spiritual Formation in Mechanicsville, Virginia and has provided care for persons experiencing death and non-death losses for a number of years. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Virginia Commonwealth University, and the College of William and Mary and a Master of Science in Thanatology (the study of death, dying and bereavement) from Marian University. Sharon is an ordained minister, a trained spiritual director, and a certified thanatologist.


    Book Discussion with ABWM's Young Adult Women's Ministries Advisory Team (YAWMAT)
    The Young Adult Women's Ministries Advisory Team (YAWMAT) invites you to read Real Connections: Ministries to Strengthen Church and Community Relationships by Joy Skjegstad and Heidi Unruh, and join them for a book discussion. The YAWMAT will lead a discussion on why it is important for women's ministries to build relationships, especially with young adult women. Real Connections is available for purchase on Judson Press' website and Amazon



    Registration


    Register by April 1, 2024, to get the best deal! There are three registration packages: 

    • Offsite Package - $200.00 Fee if postmarked before April 1; $230 after April 1
      This package is for attendees who live locally or who will be staying at a local hotel. Included in the package fee is registration and all meals (Thursday dinner through Sunday breakfast).
       
    • Onsite Package - $320.00 fee if postmarked before April 1; $350 after April 1
      This package is for attendees who will be staying at the dorms at Roanoke College. The package includes housing in a double occupancy dorm room (3 nights starting on Thursday), registration, and all meals (Thursday dinner through Sunday breakfast). 
       
    • >Onsite Package with linens - $390.00 fee if postmarked before April 1; $420 after April 1 
      This package is for attendees who will be staying at the dorms at Roanoke College and need towels and bedding. The package includes housing in a double occupancy dorm room (3 nights starting on Thursday), towels (2 washcloths, 2 hand towels, and 2 bath towels), bedding (pillow, comforter, pillow cover, fitted sheet, and flat sheet), registration, and all meals (Thursday dinner through Sunday breakfast).
    Cancellation Policy: Refunds forfeit a $50 processing fee. Refunds will be issued at the discretion of American Baptist Women's Ministries. Written cancellation notice must be received by July 1, 2024. No refund notification requests will be honored after July 2, 2024. Written cancellation notice may be emailed to info@abwomensministries.org.



    Po Box 851 · Valley Forge, PA · 19482-0851
    (610) 768-2288 · info@abwministries.org