Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial

Sold-out Abide ’23 women’s conf. inspires women to live ‘missionally’

  • February 8, 2023
  • New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary
  • Alabama, Arkansas, Conferences, Latest News, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, Utah
(Photo courtesy of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary)

Sold-out Abide ’23 women’s conf. inspires women to live ‘missionally’

The voices of 1200 women from 15 states and 250 churches — a sold-out crowd — filled the chapel at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary as they gathered to praise, learn and fellowship at the Abide Women’s Conference. 

Kelly Minter, Lifeway author, Bible teacher and podcaster, headlined the third annual event that came days before the launch of her latest book, the 90-day devotional “The Blessed Life.”

“It has been our prayer that God would ignite a passion in the hearts of all that came for His glory,” said Tara Dew, wife of President Jamie Dew and one of three plenary speakers, during the Feb. 3–4 event. “Whether in our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, or among the nations, God wants to use His children as missionaries so that all may know Him.” 

“Women Living Missionally” was the conference theme. Co-sponsoring aspects of the event with NOBTS and Leavell College were the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board. The partnering entities provided exhibits, door prizes, swag items and other gifts. 

Other partners and exhibitors included: Lifeway; WorldCrafts, the compassion ministry of the national WMU; the Woman’s Missionary Union of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions; the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board WMU; and the Women’s Missions and Ministry team of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. 

Among the 10 breakout session leaders were Sarah Farley-Beall, IMB’s Southeast/Gulf Coast regional mobilizer and Next Gen strategist on the student team, and Kay Bennett, Send Relief missionary and executive director of the Baptist Friendship House in New Orleans. 

“We are grateful for the partnerships of other entities and state conventions in this great event,” said Jamie Dew, NOBTS president. “It is exciting to be a part of a conference that is encouraging and equipping women to be all God has called them to be.”

Worship was led by NOBTS assistant professor of music and worship Nate Jernigan with guest vocalist Jaleesa McCreary, worship leader and worship team manager at The Austin Stone Community Church, Austin, Texas.  

Jesus changes everything

Kelly Minter pointed to Matthew to highlight that Jesus lived out what he preached. 

In Matthew 8 and 9, Jesus restored the “unclean” and marginalized in society, a reminder for what it means to live “missionally,” Minter said. 

“Jesus’ touch makes clean the unclean,” Minter said. 

In her Saturday morning plenary address, Minter drew from Matthew 6 to remind listeners that in order to reach “the last, the least, and the lost,” believers must treasure God’s Kingdom over earthly possessions. 

Minter urged listeners to remember that God will provide for their needs.

Minter told of her work with Justice and Mercy International in the Amazon jungles of Brazil and showed a video clip of a Brazilian family who recounted having no food in the house one Sunday morning. Rather than going out to find food, the husband insisted they go on to church, though hungry. 

In the video, the husband grinned as he related that as they boated over the swollen, flooded river a three-pound fish jumped out of the water and into their boat. The fish was big enough to feed his family not only that Sunday, but for the whole week. 

“To seek God’s kingdom is to know God’s provision,” Minter said. “It is to experience the provisions of God. 

Urgent 

Stephanie Lyon, NOBTS Women’s Life coordinator and a plenary speaker, challenged listeners to remember they are ambassadors for Christ in world of need. 

“Why the theme ‘Women Living Missionally?’” Lyon posed to the crowd. “Because there is an urgency. There is epic lostness all around us, hopelessness all around us … But He is alive. He has risen from the dead.” 

Lyon, wife of Larry Lyon, associate professor of ethics and vice president of business administration at NOBTS, reminded listeners that their lives were a testimony to the “power of His resurrection” and encouraged them to use every opportunity to reach out to others with the gospel.  

“Many women are hungry to be used by God ‘as they go’ (Matthew 28:18–20) in their daily spheres of influence,” Lyon said reflecting back on the conference. “We are praying that our lights (Matthew 5) will shine more brightly in the spheres of influence of the 1200 women … and for God’s Kingdom to be eternally impacted by our time in worship and fellowship together.”

People in need

Kay Bennett, in a breakout session, shared stories of Baptist Friendship House’s work among the homeless, people in poverty, and trafficked individuals. 

One man who had lost his family in a house fire and was angry at God slowly came to faith as BFH workers loved him and walked beside him as God worked in his heart. 

Bennett also told of a nightclub dancer who came to BFH for help and found new life. The woman asked to cut up her dancing clothes in front of her new friends, a moving moment Bennett described as depicting that “old things are passed away” and a new life had begun. 

Bennett encouraged listeners to remember they can “meet a need, build a relationship, and change a life for Christ.” She added, “It takes all of us, with all our gifts, to change the world.”

‘What if?’

In the closing plenary Saturday afternoon, Tara Dew challenged the women to consider a question. 

“What if this is more than just a two-day conference? What if this is more than just a theme of ‘Women Living Missionally?’” said Dew, wife of NOBTS President Jamie Dew. “What if God wants to transform our homes, our families, our neighborhoods, and our workplaces, and the nations through you? What if this weekend conference is the beginning of a missional movement?”

Dew urged listeners to leave the conference devoted to the task God called each to do.   

“God wants to use you, His power is greater than your own, your King is coming back,” Dew said in her closing charge to listeners drawn from Acts 1:4-11. “Let’s get to work.”

“Women of Prayer” is the theme for next year’s Abide Women’s Conference, Feb. 23–24.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Marilyn Stewart and originally published by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Nashville school shooting: multiple victims reported
    Nashville school shooting: multiple victims reported
    March 27, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • 27 Christians killed in two separate attacks in Nigeria
    27 Christians killed in two separate attacks in Nigeria
    March 27, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Explore the Bible Sunday School Lesson for April 2
    Explore the Bible Sunday School Lesson for April 2
    March 27, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Nashville school shooting: multiple victims reported

Police are investigating a deadly shooting reported Monday morning (March 27) at a private Nashville school. According to media reports, there were “multiple” victims. Police

27 Christians killed in two separate attacks in Nigeria

Fulani herdsmen and other terrorists killed 27 Christians in two attacks this month in Kaduna State, Nigeria, Morning Star News reported. Both attacks took place

Explore the Bible Sunday School Lesson for April 2

Remain in Me John 15:1–17 Viticulture is an interesting year-round business. My contacts in the vineyard business testify to the hard work involved as well

Children’s ministry leader shares helpful practices for teaching gospel to kids

Talking to her eight grandchildren about Jesus comes as naturally as breathing for Jenni Carter. “I pray for them to have authentic relationships with Jesus,”

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel