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MINISTRY FOCUS

Join American Baptist Women's Ministries in embracing strength, courage, and resilience through our "Be Strong, Be Courageous" ministry focus for 2023 - 2025.

persistent in love, grace, justice, and mercy.

Championing Women’s Equity, Wellness,
and Wholeness.

In 2019, the American Baptist Women’s Ministries (ABWM) national board deeply reflected on the Ministry Focus for the next few years. They desired to implement a Ministry Focus that expressed our hopes for ABWM to thrive as a transformational space for spiritual growth and unity. The focus needed to be broad enough to inspire our sisterhood, challenge us to take necessary risks to move forward, and help us grow internally and externally. We wanted our witness to be kingdom-building and life-affirming. We considered our history the need to continue championing women’s equity, wellness, and wholeness. 

In 2019-2021, after prayer and discussion, the board decided the Ministry Focus would be Sister Seeking Wholeness. During this time, our webinar series and other resources centered on wellness and wholeness. In 2021-2023, the board selected a new exciting focus, Let the Walls Fall Down, understanding the need to remove internal and external, spiritual, emotional, and physical roadblocks and walls that keep us divided and disconnected as the body of Christ. 

We are creating spaces for a better today and future for ABWM. We were passionate about removing walls that blocked our wholeness and wellness collectively and individually. We strive to be a Christ-centered sisterhood, engaging and empowering women from the inside out. We are prayerfully determined that our 32 region/states will enjoy a sisterhood that is growing deeper in our individual and collective spiritual and faith journeys. We know that it is essential that we are aligned, transparent, unified, respectful, discerning, and persistent in love, grace, justice, and mercy. 

And with these ideals in mind, the national board moves our 32 region/states forward with our new 2023-2025 theme, Be Strong, Be Courageous, as we walk shoulder to shoulder, connected heart to heart in God’s call on this ministry to lift up women and in doing so we lift our denomination. We continue to seek holy wholeness, divine discernment to Let the Walls Fall Down removing all spiritual, emotional and physical walls, and now we will be bold and courageous with love. Consistent with Joshua 1:9, God has commanded us to Be Strong and to be courageous. We will not be afraid or discouraged For the Lord our God is with us, wherever we go. 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9

Scripture Verses

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged. For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
― Joshua 1:9

“Joshua said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.’”
― Joshua 10:25

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.”
― 1 Corinthians 16:13-14

“Arise, for it is your task, and we are with you; be strong and do it.”
― Ezra 10:4 (ESV)

“But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”
― 2 Chronicles 15:7

“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”
― Isaiah 40:29

“…those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
― Isaiah 40:31

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God…”
― Ephesians 6:10-12

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
― Philippians 4:13

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you… In God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
― Psalm 56:3-4

“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”
― Psalm 27:1

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
― Psalm 46:1

“Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!”
― Psalm 32:11

“These things I remember as I pour out my soul… Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
― Psalm 42:4-5

“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
― James 1:5

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”
― Philippians 2:3

“To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace… the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”
― Romans 8:6, 10 (NRSV)

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
― Romans 8:1

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
― Philippians 4:19 (ESV)

Resources

Biblical Women Showing Strength and Courage by Joy Choquette

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Karla Rivera Avilés, Director of Programs at American Baptist Women’s Ministries, smiling joyfully and showcasing faith-led leadership for women and girls.

Karla Rivera Avilés
Director of Programs

Karla Rivera Avilés serves as Director of Programs for American Baptist Women’s Ministries. A devoted Puerto Rican attorney with 18 years of experience, she has centered her career on advocating for survivors of domestic violence and sexual aggression. Her work reflects a strong commitment to justice, faith, and community service. Karla brings valuable experience from ecumenical work in Puerto Rico and Peru, particularly in championing the rights of women and children. At ABWM, she is dedicated to creating programs that empower women and girls to thrive through faith and courage.

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Portrait of Erin Davis, Director of Marketing at American Baptist Women’s Ministries, smiling confidently and representing empowered Christian women in leadership.

Erin Davis Marketing & Communications Director

Erin Davis began her journey at ABWM as a social media ambassador and now serves as the Marketing and Communications Director. With over 15 years of experience in the marketing industry, Erin brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Her work at ABWM focuses on developing effective communication strategies, enhancing the organization’s visibility, and engaging with the community through innovative marketing efforts.

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Rev. Dr. Christine Smith of American Baptist Women’s Ministries, wearing pearls and smiling, symbolizing Christian leadership, wisdom, and women’s empowerment through faith.

Rev. Dr. Christine Smith
Associate Executive Director

Rev. Dr. Christine A. Smith begins as Director of the Rudd Empowerment Center in October 2024, bringing extensive experience in leadership development, ministry, and advocacy. Rev. Dr. Smith is passionate about empowering women in ministry and providing them with the tools and resources to excel in their calling. Her leadership at the Rudd Empowerment Center focuses on advancing education, mentorship, and advocacy initiatives that support women both within and beyond the faith community. Committed to ABWM’s mission, she works to elevate the voices of women and girls globally, fostering an environment where their leadership can thrive.

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Rev. Armstrong, Executive Director of American Baptist Women’s Ministries, representing visionary leadership and faith-based empowerment for women and girls.

Rev. LaThelma Armstrong
Executive Director

Reverend LT Armstrong began as Executive Director of ABWM in July 2024, bringing a breath of experience to the role. Rev. LT Armstrong is dedicated to the spiritual, educational, and social growth of women and children, particularly girls. Her leadership focuses on innovative programming, strategic partnerships, and fostering a community where women and children can thrive. She is committed to advancing ABWM’s mission, ensuring that every woman and child is empowered through faith to advance beyond any obstacles or barriers they face.

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Rev. Dr. Cassandra Foster, Outreach Coordinator at American Baptist Women’s Ministries, modeling strength, service, and Christian leadership.

Rev. Dr. Cassandra Foster
Outreach Coordinator

Dr. Cassandra Foster began her journey at ABWM in 2022 as a content creator. In her new role as Outreach Coordinator, she brings her expertise and passion for connecting with and empowering communities. Reverend Cassandra focuses on building outreach strategies, representing ABWM at various conferences, and engaging women and girls in the organization’s mission. Her work ensures that every woman and child can connect, grow, thrive, and find a sense of belonging within the ABWM community. We invite you to connect with Reverend Cassandra to learn more about ABWM’s initiatives and explore ways to get involved. She is eager to engage with and support our community.

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Lianne Quaynor — Program Coordinator

Lianne Quaynor
Program Coordinator

Lianne Quaynor began as our Program Coordinator in October 2024 focused on developing and coordinating programming to promote human rights, women’s empowerment and faith based advocacy at American Baptist Women’s Ministries. She brings experience working on global issues regarding women and girls rights and human rights for various non-profits and international organizations as well as with youth ministry in making spaces of faith more inclusive and intergenerational. She is passionate about education, volunteering, and social justice but most importantly being able to empower, elevate and equip women and girls to be leaders in making their dreams and aspirations a reality and the world a better place.