Archive for BGCO Women’s Events
Between a Rock and a Grace Place
Posted by: | CommentsHow do you respond when you discover that your only son has been arrested for the murder of his wife’s ex-husband?
It’s very difficult to put myself in that situation, but it’s exactly the story you have the opportunity to hear next week when Carol Kent comes to the Women’s Emphasis of the State Evangelism Conference. Watch the following video to hear a small portion of her story.
The most amazing part of Carol’s story is that God has touched the hearts of many people because she has turned a parent’s nightmare into something that has revealed God’s amazing glory and love. While the world may not understand, both Carol and her husband, Gene, have been able to minister to many who would never have heard about God’s grace.
In fact, all of us have a story. It may not be as dramatic as the Kents, but every believer lives each day writing not only our life book, but living out His story–a story of redemption and forgiveness leading to eternal life.
I hope you are planning to attend the Women’s Emphasis next Tuesday, January 25, at First Baptist, Moore. The general session begins at 9 a.m. and will conclude at 11:30 a.m. There will be afternoon sessions beginning at 1:30 p.m. to help equip you to share your faith with those you encounter each day. You’ll learn how to make your story a part of His story. It can make an eternal difference. For more information, go to www.bgco.org/women.
It’s Going to Be SWEET!
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One of the most important aspects of the Women’s Missions and Ministries Office is equipping women to reach women through their local church and community. We know leadership skills are vital to a healthy ministry. When leadership thrives, so does your ministry.
That’s why our office conducts annual SWEET events. SWEET is an acronym for Statewide Women’s Enrichment and Education Training. Sometimes these events are held on a Saturday and are conducted as a statewide conference. But, we’ve also realized the value of regional events every other year. So…this year we’re coming to five locations around the state! These are evening events designed especially with ideas to help you reach women with God’s word and to reach others with the Gospel of Christ.
Dates and locations for 2010 include:
- Oklahoma City, Quail Springs, August 10
- Guymon, Grace Southern, August 12
- McAlester, First Baptist, August 31
- Lawton, First Baptist, September 2
- Inola, First Baptist, September 9
We have six learning lab leaders who will be teaching at most locations. They are the best teaching team our state can offer, so you don’t want to miss hearing from them. In fact, you will have the opportunity to attend two learning labs out of the 12 offered. (one reason you need to bring your entire ministry team!)
Learning Labs include:
- Unhindered: 2010-11 WMU Emphasis (this is especially for WMU Directors and Women on Mission Leaders)
- Cracking Creativity: Creativity in Ministry
- Beginning, Balanced and Blooming: How to Begin a Women’s Ministry and Keeping It Balanced
- Leading to Change Lives: How to Develop a Leadership Team
- Inspiration to Application: Applying God’s Word in Bible Studies (as groups and as individuals)
- Connections and Conversations: Bridging the Generations In Ministry
- More Than a Billion Reasons to Pray and Go: Learning about our Partnership with East Asia
- Recycle, Reuse Resources: How to Do Ministry On a Dime
- I Feel Like a Woman…Let’s Go Girls: Biblical Womanhood
- In the Company of Women: How to Develop Community in Your Ministry
- A Life Set Apart: Pursuing Personal Holiness
- Electronic Gospel: Using Technology in Ministry
In addition, we are offering a special teen girl’s track in Guymon and Baby Boot Camp training at three locations. Patsy Sanders, who has coordinated Baby Boot Camps around the state, will give women the opportunity to learn how to begin this type of ministry in your area.
The cost is only $15 which includes resources and dessert. More details are on our website, so plan now to attend!
What’s Your Interruption?
Posted by: | CommentsI love to think I’m a great multi-tasker. When I’m at home you can sometimes find me working on laundry, checking emails, finishing a writing assignment and baking cookies in the oven. I always feel like Super Woman in those moments.
I also love to make lists. It’s not uncommon for me to start my day by making a list of everything I need to accomplish. There’s an even better feeling each time I take my pen and mark through the list. It’s a feeling of a job well done.
What I don’t always love are interruptions. When I have my day planned and have planned it well, the last thing I need is for something or someone to “mess” it up! I’m not always a happy camper when the unexpected visitor stops by my office to chat for 30 minutes or I get a text message from my daughter saying she needs me to check her out of school RIGHT THEN because apparently there’s an emergency (like forgetting lunch or a book at home).
But doesn’t God often have a sense of humor when it comes to interruptions? Our well made plans are not always the plans He has for us. In fact, many times–no all times–His day for me is a gentle reminder that our successes are not built on the number of projects we complete. It’s not in the number of things we can do at one time. Often, life interruptions are His gentle way of reminding us He is in control and His plan is better than our own.
So what’s been your interruption today? Did someone show up unexpectently at your door? Remember the importance of relationships. Did you get an unexpected assignment at work? Remember it could be an open door for God to do something new in your life. Did you get bad news today? Remember you can trust in the hope of the One who made you and created you.
And if you’re in need of a pleasant interruption, attend the 2010 Oklahoma Ladies’ Retreat at Falls Creek coming April 16-17. Our theme is “Interrupted” and we promise to take you on an adventure in faith.
I am the Women's Missions and Ministries Specialist for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. Our purpose is to encourage women to embrace and echo God's heart for the world.
