While pastors gather for their annual conference prior to the Southern Baptist Convention in Nashville (see story, this page), wives of ministers will have the opportunity to attend a morning session Monday, June 20, at the Ryman Auditorium from 8:30 to 11:45.
Donna Gaines of Gardendale’s First Baptist Church, the wife of this year’s Pastors Conference President Steve Gaines, has enlisted the help of nine other women to form a board to offer a program for ministers wives each year during the SBC Pastors Conference.
“Twelve years ago the Lord began to lay this on my heart,” Gaines said, describing a need she recognized every year she attended the SBC annual meeting with her husband.
She recalled several attempts to offer an ongoing ministry to women during the Pastors Conference but realized it was often dependent on the wife of each year’s Pastors Conference president to take the initiative in planning a parallel program for women.
Each year, the Ministers’ Wives Luncheon is offered following the SBC’s Tuesday morning session, Gaines said, praising the event that will be held for the 50th year this June.
The time constraint, however, limits the opportunity to interact and connect with other wives of pastors.
Gaines said the goal of the Monday morning session differs from the luncheon. “My desire is to have pastors’ wives minister to other pastors’ wives and provide inspiration, encouragement and a challenge.”
This year’s inaugural program will feature Bible study leader Susie Hawkins; retreat leader Barbara O’Chester; International Mission Board consultant Paula Hemphill; author Anita Renfroe; an Joyce Rogers, who will draw on 32 years of serving alongside her husband, Adrian, at Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis.
By creating a board to plan the event for pastors’ wives each year, Gaines expects this will be an ongoing ministry.
(BP)
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