Combining missions and medical care continues to be a guiding force of Baptist Nursing Fellowship.
BNF, one of the compassion ministries of Woman’s Missionary Union, is an organization that brings together nurses, healthcare providers, missionaries, Bible teachers, worship leaders and community partners. The ministry is planning its annual summit Oct. 16–18 in Huntsville, Alabama, at a merging church whose pastor, Andy Kennedy, previously served as a missionary in Brazil and Germany.
This year’s theme is “Love Ye One Another” based on John 13:34–35. Participants in the national summit also are taking part in a community health and wellness fair at the church Oct. 18 from 1 to 3 p.m. There will be free food and door prizes as well as a variety of health screenings (blood pressure, blood glucose, vision) and a kids corner with bounce houses, face painting, games and activities.
Bring the increase
“We want to share those resources but also share Christ,” said Charlotte Wyckoff, president of BNF, whose goal is to raise attendance to more than 100 people this year. “My prayer is that God will increase. We’re asking the Lord to increase our membership, from our students to missionaries.”
Friday will kick off with registration, a silent auction, a prayer experience display and an opportunity to meet the missionaries.
Attendees will hear from Bible teacher Heather Johnson, an educator and Bible teacher as well as a curriculum writer, conference speaker and national trainer with Lifeway Women. Opening worship will include Pastor Kennedy and his family, Linda Soule and the Covenant Dancers. Missionaries scheduled to speak include Pastor Andy, Cindy and Leah Kennedy, who served in Brazil and Germany.
Candace McIntosh, Alabama executive director, will lead discussion of missionaries both Friday and Saturday.
On Saturday, worship continues with Scripture, prayer and worship songs from the Mills City Church Praise Team. Johnson will again bring the Bible study.
The missionaries scheduled to speak on Saturday are Katie Staats, a Samford student serving on mission in Peru; Sharon from Georgia; and Amang from Nigeria.
Student nurses will display their abstracts and posters, and BNF members are encouraged to bring hygiene items to put together kits for the health and wellness fair Sunday.
The Saturday evening session will include prayer time, a memorial service by the Alabama Nurses Corps and worship songs led by West Mastin Lake Baptist Church praise team. For the closing of Saturday, a special 250th celebration of nurses will be held.
Sunday morning will include a worship service at the host church, Bible study and blessing of the hands of the nurses. A free health fair and community outreach will be held from 1 to 3 p.m.
Membership
BNF has about 400 members; 32 states have members. Wyckoff joined the group in the early 90s.
Wyckoff got her start as activity coordinator and developed screening sites and health fairs with the Tennessee Valley Nursing Fellowship.
She later became assistant state team leader and then state leader before serving in a national capacity.
“As I look back, from my upbringing in my home until now, this was a part for missional work that the Lord wants me to do,” said Wyckoff, who also serves as Woman’s Missionary Union director for her church, West Mastin Lake Baptist Church in Huntsville.
“I believe that the Lord planted my husband in that church … and He led me to follow,” she said. She had previously been part of a Missionary Baptist church. “The SBC has given me a larger and a broader scope.”
Wyckoff stays busy with national and local BNF duties as well as responsibilities with her church and community. She has a heart for reaching nursing students.
Ministry opportunity
“I believe He’s given me this opportunity,” Wickoff said. “My prayer every day is to continue to be in His Will. I love it. People ask you, ‘Don’t you get tired.’ Yes, but He gives us strength. He’s the healer.”
She works with other BNF members to reach nursing students at 17 community colleges throughout Alabama through nursing fairs, goodie bags and more. As compassion ministry we can be there for each other,” Wyckoff said.
Throughout the year, BNF offers opportunities for continuing education (CE) hours along with Bible and book studies and prayer times. One CE unit is offered each quarter, and four CE hours will be offered Oct. 17 during the summit. The speakers and their topics include:
- Trish Jackson, Alabama WMU consultant, will provide a two-part session titled “Loving Gen Alpha and Gen Z Begins with Understanding.”
- Julie Dupree, a faith community nurse with OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria, Illinois, will provide a session on “Loving the community through a Faith Community Wellness Initiative.”
- Don Barger, director of innovation and artificial intelligence with IMB, will provide session on “Artificial Intelligence, Innovation, and Faith.”
The conference will be held at Huntsville Park Baptist Church and Mill City Church located at 3120 Triana Boulevard, Huntsville, AL 35805. For more information, visit baptistnursingfellowship.com. To sign up for the summit, visit baptistnursingfellowship.org/events/bnf-summit-2026. Missionaries are welcome at no charge. Email Marilyn Graves at bnfexec@gmail.com.
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