what we are?

from Dianna Cook

 American Baptist Women’s Ministries 

How we are connected

 

National-- Three Sections-- Eastern, Midwestern, and Western.  We are part of the Midwestern.  Sets a ministry focus and theme for the year

 

Region-- Nine Regions in the Midwestern.  We are part of Central Region (Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas)  Summer Conference is held first Fri and Sat of June each year with all women invited.  It Includes speakers and workshops and lots of good fellowship

 

Association-- Eight Associations in Central Region.  We are part of Luther Rice Association.  It includes about 14 active churches .  We have 2 board meetings -Fall (Sept)and Spring(Mar) - with local officers or representative of local churches attending.  We have 3 Rallies each year Fall (Oct) , Summer (July- evening with men invited) and Spring (April)  Rallies have a program with speakers and short business meeting and a meal

 

Local-- Currier Circle  (some churches have more than one circle)  Usually meets monthly.  They oversee the local mission work of their church and well as developing friendships and growth through retreats and fun activities.

 

Each of these areas include the following

Personal Development-- Devotions, Bible Book of the Month, Day of Prayer and Love Gift

                  Love Gift is an over and above offering started in 1932 .  It is given out of a sense of love, faith and gratitude to God for all of God’s blessings.  This offering is divided up as such--15% comes back to ABWM, 65% returns to our region to help support our denomination schools and institutions, the rest is divided among International Ministries, National Ministries and general office.

 

Church and Community-  Builds relationships within the church and as part of community outreach.  Scholarship-- Usually 1-3 Students are given scholarships to attend an American Baptist college or seminary or to pursue a Christian vocation. 

 

Mission and Service-   Includes Mission Education within the church and support for Special Interest Missionaries.  American Baptist Missionaries are divided up at the region and association level and finally at the local level.  

                  White Cross is a program to provide needed supplies to both International and National Ministries.  Quotas are set for Regional, Association and Local divisions.  This year we are also advocating doing more local mission work, including the whole church.  

                  Special Project-- Each year a project  is chosen for Central Region.  This year’s project is money for building another floor onto the Antioch Baptist School in Liberia.  

                  

ABGIRLS  (American Baptist Girls in Relationships, Leadership and Service) is supporting the spiritual growth of school age girls, through local and regional meetings and activities.  This includes a summer praise weekend