Arkansas Baptist Women Podcast

We are excited to bring the second session of Leadership Collective to you! In this episode, Kelly King shares practical nuts and bolts of leadership for ministry to women. Topics include:
    1.    Ministry Surveys
    2.    Ministry Covenants
    3.    Running an effective meeting
    4.    Leadership Assessments
    5.    Budgeting

This information will help you to lead with efficiency and excellence. If you are looking for a budget-friendly way to invest in the women in your church, please bring a group to Arkansas Baptist Women Conference! We are excited to gather on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at First Baptist Church in Benton for a day of powerful worship, dynamic teaching, and meaningful times of connection. Learn more and register at www.absc.org/abwconference.

We are excited to share a three-part series from Leadership Collective. Leadership Collective is a one-day workshop for women's ministry leaders in Arkansas that took place on Saturday, April 20, at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. We enjoyed a focused time for women's ministry leaders to receive ministry training as they connected with one another in an interactive setting. Over 100 leaders gathered for a day of encouragement, ideas, inspiration, and friendship to strengthen their leadership journey. 

In this episode, Kelly King shares why ministry to women is not just nice, it is necessary. This deep dive into the role of women in leading and serving other women in the local church will encourage and equip you! Be sure to listen to all three episodes! Connect with Arkansas Baptist Women leadership resources at www.absc.org/abwnetworks.

Today we are asking and answering the question, “Who is an Arkansas Baptist Woman?”  The answer. Women who worship, grow, connect, serve, and share... together! In this episode, Andrea shares 5 Keys for Effective Growth that can be applied to our individual lives and ministry settings. As you listen, consider which area of the ministry model will help you grow in faith and obedience. Download your free copy of the 5 Keys for Effective Growth at www.absc.org/abw.

Andrea is excited to welcome Tara Dew to the podcast. Tara is married to Dr. Jamie Dew (current president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary). Together, they have two sets of twins. Tara loves teaching women to know and love the Word of God. Tara joins Andrea on the podcast to talk about her new book, Overflowing Joy! Whether you’re facing the ordinary, daily pressures of squaring away today’s to-do list or an unexpected season of suffering that seems to have no end, it sometimes feels like Jesus’ promise of “overflowing joy” is simply not within reach for your real life. But it does not have to be that way! Tara shares three pathways to joy: God’s pruning, God’s presence, and God’s commands. All have the power to deliver not just a taste of joy as a fruit God is developing in you but an overflowing bushel of it! The question is, Are you willing? Let’s talk about it on today’s episode! Purchase your copy of Overflowing Joy through Lifeway or anywhere books are sold.

We are so excited to welcome Kelly King to the podcast and to Leadership Collective! Kelly brings a wealth of life experience not only as a women’s ministry leader in the local church, but also from her experience serving as the Women’s Ministry Specialist for Lifeway in recent years. She has also served as the past Women’s Ministry Specialist for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. Kelly has a heart for equipping women who serve in churches of all sizes and she shares practical and foundational principles for ministry in her book, “Ministry to Women: The Essential Guide for Leading Women in the Local Church.” On the podcast today, Kelly shares her leadership journey. You will be encouraged as you hear her story of God’s calling, provision, and work in and through her life. At Leadership Collective, Kelly will share helpful insights on the value that women’s ministry brings to the local church and also practical tips and principles on how to implement ministry objectives in your ministry setting. We are so glad to have Kelly spend the day with Arkansas Baptist Women’s Ministry Leaders! You do not want to miss out on Leadership Collective 2024! Join us on Saturday, April 20th at ABSC in Little Rock! Learn more and register and register today at absc.org/abwcollective.

Today, we wrap up our three-part series with Catherine Renfro from the North American Mission Board. In this episode, Catherine shares four important elements for creating a culture of evangelism. We need to examine, embrace, engage, and encourage! Learn practical ways to implement each step from this live teaching during the Women’s Ministry & Ministers’ Wives Lunch + Workshop at ECON. Connect with Catherine and download her free ebook at https://www.namb.net/resource/womens-ministry 

This week, Catherine Renfro from the North American Mission Board is back on the podcast! In this episode, Catherine shares with Arkansas Baptist Women during the Women’s Ministry & Ministers’ Wives Lunch + Workshop at ECON. Catherine’s teaching will inspire you as she challenges Arkansas Baptist Women to ask and answer two questions. “Why do we exist?” “Why do our ministries exist?” Asking and answering these questions will lay a solid foundation for creating a culture of evangelism in our lives and ministry settings. Connect with Catherine and download her free ebook at https://www.namb.net/resource/womens-ministry 

This week Andrea welcomes to the podcast Catherine Renfro. Catherine is a church planter’s wife, a mom, and serves as the National Director of Women’s Evangelism at the North American Mission Board. She and her husband, Chris Renfro, have two awesome kiddos. In 2021, they began the church planting journey and launched Hope Church in Alpharetta, Georgia, where Chris is the lead pastor. Catherine graduated from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2010 with a master’s degree in Christian Education and Biblical Counseling after being called to ministry at 22 and has served in full-time ministry ever since. She is passionate about seeing lost people come to know Jesus and for believers to live out their purpose of making Jesus known. In this episode, Catherine shares about her life and the importance of intentionally looking for simple ways to share Jesus with others. Evangelism is a privilege and responsibility. Catherine helps us understand this and not be afraid of gospel opportunities. Connect with Catherine and download her free ebook at https://www.namb.net/resource/womens-ministry 

Welcome to the Arkansas Baptist Women Podcast! This year, we are focusing on what it means to be Arkansas Baptist Women! Women who love the Lord, live on mission for the gospel, are trained and equipped to lead, and are sold out to Jesus. In the process, we are unveiling a new look, new names for our events, a new leadership team, and new website pages for our resources. I can’t wait to share all the exciting updates with you! 

Arkansas Baptist Women Leadership Team

Network Gatherings

At Arkansas Baptist Women, we want you to know you are valued as a women’s ministry leader. We want to come alongside you and invest in your leadership journey. One way we do that is through Network Gatherings that offer an opportunity for leaders to gather in regional groups to share ideas, discuss strategy, and get to know one another. Join the Network Gathering in your regional area on Thursday, February 8, 2024, and Thursday, October 10, 2024. Learn more and register to secure your spot HERE!

Leadership Collective

Once a year, women’s ministry leaders come together for a special time of training. Leadership Collective is a one-day workshop for women’s ministry leaders in Arkansas. It will occur on Saturday, April 20, at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. This will be a focused time for women's ministry leaders to receive ministry training as they connect with one another in an interactive setting. Learn more about Leadership Collective HERE!

One of our favorite days is when we gather as Arkansas Baptist Women for Conference. You may notice the new name, but we promise the same great experience as in the past. Conference offers an exciting day for all Arkansas Baptist Women. This day is designed for women of all ages and stages of life. You can expect powerful worship, dynamic speakers, and meaningful times of connection that will bless, challenge, and equip you! This year our theme is a fun one! We are asking the Lord to teach us MORE! More of Jesus and less of me! Learn more HERE!  

Arkansas Baptist State Convention Annual Meeting + Ministers’ Wives Conference

On October 22nd and 23rd, Arkansas Baptists will gather for a time of business, inspiration, and celebration of God’s faithfulness at the Annual Meeting. On Monday, October 21st, the Ministers’ Wives Conference will offer a wonderful lunch and a special time of encouragement. This year’s Annual Meeting will be held at Immanuel Baptist Church in Little Rock. Save the date and stay tuned for more details, as well as a registration link to secure your spot. Check out all the great resources for Arkansas Baptist Ministers’! Wives HERE!

Arkansas Baptist Podcast

We are excited to unveil a new name for our podcast while providing the same great content. Drumroll…. let’s get excited for the Arkansas Baptist Women Podcast. This podcast will replace Inspire on the Go. Don’t worry. You can still access all the great episodes from the past, and you do not have to resubscribe to follow.

This year on the podcast, we are focusing on what it means to be an Arkansas Baptist Woman! Subscribe to Arkansas Baptist Women on any podcast platform or access the episodes HERE!

What a year! Let’s celebrate all the ways God moved in 2023 as we focused on growing together. We slowed down, deepened our roots, and made space for spiritual growth in and through our lives. Along the way, we took advantage of resources and opportunities to grow in our leadership skills and networking opportunities. God showed up and moved in powerful ways. We give Him all the praise. Let’s look back and celebrate together!

ECON Ministers’ Wives and Women in Ministry Lunch + Workshop took place on Tuesday, January 24th. Emily Freeman shared her story and encouraged us to grow during times of adversity. With remarkable transparency, Emily recounted the accident that nearly took her son’s life. Doctors gave Caleb little chance of survival. But when Emily and her husband, Jeremy, turned to prayer---and asked other believers to join them---God performed a miracle. Listen to the meaningful content in a two-part series on Inspire on the Go. Be encouraged in your challenging circumstance to know God and experience hope and healing no matter the outcome. Listen to the content HERE and HERE!  

2023 was an exciting year of networking for women’s ministry leaders across Arkansas. On February 9th and October 12th Network Gatherings took place with over 200 leaders in attendance. Meet our amazing Network team HERE!

On April 22, Thrive Collective took place. Thrive Collective is a one-day interactive workshop for women’s ministry leaders. Thrive Collective offered leaders encouragement, ideas, inspiration, and friendships. Session topics included: creating ministry environments for women to thrive (Lori McDaniel), creating pathways for young leaders to thrive (Shari Edwards), and an interactive women’s ministry panel. We also heard leadership stories about thriving in discipleship from Traci Smith and reaching the next generation from Emily Watson. Enjoy the content HERE and HERE and HERE!

Arkansas Baptist Inspire was an exciting day for Arkansas Baptist Women! This one-day conference designed for women of all ages and stages of life is a highlight each year for Arkansas Baptist Women. There is something special about a sold-out event filled with women who are ready to worship and grow in the Lord. Cory and Stephanie Epps led our time of worship. Dr. Tara Dew opened God’s Word with us. Tara shared from John 15 about flourishing in Christ. The day was special as we talked about God’s willingness to prune as we persevere in Him. The outcome? We will grow! The times of connection were meaningful as we enjoyed conversations around the table with sweet friends from across Arkansas. We celebrate 70 life-change decisions made on September 23rd! Enjoy the content from Inspire HERE and HERE! Enjoy the recap video here!

On October 24th and 25th, Arkansas Baptist gathered for a time of business, inspiration, and celebration of God’s faithfulness at Annual Meeting. On Monday, October 23rd, the Ministers’ Wives Conference took place. Once again, Cory and Stephanie Epps led a special time of worship. Then, it was my honor (Andrea Lennon) to open God’s Word and share about God’s hope, peace, and power from Romans 15:13. Enjoy the content from the day HERE! Check out all the great resources for Ministers’ Wives HERE! If you would like to start a Fellowship Group in your area, be sure and contact Vickie Lee, Ministers’ Wives Equipping Coordinator.