VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 1/8/2020)—American Baptist Churches USA and American Baptist Women’s Ministries (ABWM) are partnering to present a unique conference, Celebrating Ministering Women: Radical. Redeemed. Ready., to be held June 16-19, 2020 at the Green Lake Conference Center in Green Lake, Wis. Registration for the conference will open later this month.
From the pioneering women of long ago to the trailblazing leaders of today, the movement of women into ministry has involved the whole family of faith from all across ABCUSA. With women serving in a multitude of ways and a variety of roles nationally and internationally, American Baptist Women in Ministry (ABWIM) and ABWM are joining together to celebrate ministering women across the Unites States, Puerto Rico, and around the world.
Held at Green Lake Conference Center where the first Women In Ministry conference took place in 1980, out of which the Women in Ministry Project was birthed, and where American Baptist women have gathered for many years, the conference will feature inspiring speakers, creative worship, engaging workshops, and opportunities to converse and connect.
“As a young seminarian, I attended the 1980 Green Lake gathering for Women in Ministry. While it seems impossible to imagine that forty years have passed, I look forward to the opportunity to gather in June to celebrate the leadership ministry of so many women within our American Baptist family across the years,” said Rev. Soozi Whitten Ford, executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Indiana and Kentucky and co-chair of the Planning Team along with Rev. Dr. Tom Wiles.
The conference will celebrate women leaders, past and present, their myriad journeys into ministry and their many ways of ministering. The 40th Anniversary of the birth of the Women in Ministry Project will also be a part of the celebration.
“I’m thankful to partner in planning this unique event with Rev. Gina Jacobs-Strain, Executive Director of American Baptist Women’s Ministries as together we celebrate the 40 Anniversary of American Baptist Women in Ministry and the rich legacy of ministering women throughout our American Baptist family. This will be an historic gathering you won’t want to miss!” said Rev. Dr. Patricia Hernandez, associate general secretary for American Baptist Women in Ministry and Transition Ministries.
Radical – ABCUSA has carried out a radical witness and radical witness is still needed.
Redeemed – When all God’s gifts in all God’s people are fully accessed, embraced and utilized, churches flourish and our world is transformed. We are all redeemed.
READY! We are READY. Are you?
All are welcome: Women and men, young and seasoned, clergy and lay leaders. That means YOU! Join Us!