At The Table: The Podcast of the SBC Women's Leadership Network

Today Katie Orr joins us to discuss the need for Biblical literacy within the church. She also shares how to grow and develop as a woman with the gift of teaching. We discuss practical tips on fighting the desire to be 'known' as well as tools to use while you are teaching your women.

Katie Orr is passionate about equipping busy women to experience God daily. She is a gifted writer and speaker, and her innovative Bible study methods are used by thousands around the country. She is the author of Secrets of the Happy Soul: Experience the Deep Delight You Were Made For, seven Bible studies, and contributes regularly to online and print publications, including LifeWay Voices. Katie and her husband and their three children live near Orlando, Florida. Learn more at www.katieorr.me.

Today Bekah Stoneking shares with us about her journey to becoming the Research Specialist and Content Editor for Explore the Bible: Kids at LifeWay Christian Resources. She encourages us on to engage big theological questions for little hearts and to bring kids alongside us in the big truths of God as we all live on mission for His Kingdom.

You can follow her on Twitter at @BekahStoneking

Bekah Stoneking serves as the Research Specialist and Content Editor for Explore the Bible: Kids at LifeWay With experience as a children's minister and elementary school teacher, Bekah is passionate about teaching, learning, making disciples, and equipping others to do the same. She holds a master of arts from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently completing her doctoral dissertation on mind, brain, and education research, also at SEBTS. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee and teaches first and second graders at The Church at Avenue South.

We welcome apologist, teacher, and author Mary Jo Sharp to the show to share her story of conversion as an atheist and her journey into the field of apologetics. She also talks about her new book, "Why I Still Believe: A Former Atheist’s Reckoning with the Bad Reputation Christians Give a Good God."

A former atheist who came to faith, Mary Jo Sharp has experienced two worlds of American culture: the post-Christian culture of the Pacific Northwest and the evangelical culture of the Bible Belt. She first encountered apologetics in her own spiritual search while seeking answers. Mary Jo is now an assistant professor of apologetics at Houston Baptist University and the founder and director of Confident Christianity Apologetics Ministry. She has been featured in Christianity Today’s cover story “The Unexpected Defenders” and is an international speaker on apologetics, focusing on love and logic to uncover truth. She lives with her husband and family in Portland, Oregon. Connect with Mary Jo at confidentchristianity.com.

Jess Archer joins us to discuss what ministry in an urban context looks like. She talks about how to go into a new ministry context and the importance of listening well, learning the city, and making roots where the people are. She also shares how she overcame a fear of public speaking and how to fight insecurity as a leader.

Jess Archer is a 2010 graduate of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and was born and raised in South Louisiana. She received her Master of Divinity degree with Specializations in Urban Missions. She currently serves as the Children/Youth Missions Education Strategist for Louisiana Baptists and lives in Alexandria. She loves serving through her church, Family of Grace, in the area of Children’s Ministry and leading a Lifegroup for young women. In her leisure time, she enjoys reading, traveling, dining, exercising, and going to festivals.

Listen in as Dr.Tara Dew shares her story of coming to faith at a Billy Graham crusade as a young girl to now being the new first lady of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary alongside her husband Jamie Dew.

Tara also gives us some practical advice on how to steward and balance being a mom and leader in ministry.

Tara holds a Doctorate from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently teaches in the Ministers Wives Institute at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Her and Jamie have 4 kids, two sets of twins, who go by the "Dew Krewe."

She loves all things hospitality and the opportunity to homeschool and spend time with their kids.

You can follow Tara on Twitter @TaraBDew.

Listen in as Sara Beth Fentress, Executive Director and Founder of 127 World Wide shares her heart for bringing hope to the poor and marginalized in Africa and Central America and what it is like to dream up and start up a non-profit ministry. She also shares some encouragement on how we can encourage single women leaders.

Sara Beth Fentress is the founder and executive director of 127 Worldwide, a non profit organization that helps Christians tangibly live out James 1:27. God has grown a passion in her heart for orphan care, advocacy, education and discipleship. In what little free time she finds, Sara Beth loves to travel, read, and write. She is also not ashamed to admit that she has quite the collection of international toiletries, office supplies, and Starbucks mugs. Sara Beth lives in Raleigh, NC and is a covenant member of Imago Dei Church.

You can follow Sara Beth on Twitter @sarabeth127.

Angela Swain join us at the table to talk about being a woman in worship and music ministry. We also tackle how to battle the comparison and envy trap that comes with being a woman in leadership.

Angela C. Swain serves as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Voices of Midwestern in the Department of Worship Ministries where she contributes to the musical preparation of musician-theologians who are called to serve, build, strengthen, and lead the church’s corporate worship among her generations, no matter her cultural song.

You can follow her on Twitter @TheWorshipMama

Lynette Ezell joins us at the table to talk about her story of adoption and how she brings awareness through NAMB for foster care and adoption. She discusses some of the barriers that keep people from pursuing adoption, and how we just have to be faithful in small steps forward.

Lynette and Kevin Ezell have been journeying together for 34 years. They have been blessed with six children and six amazing grandchildren. The Lord built their family biologically and through the miracle of adoption. After 25 years as a Pastors wife, Lynette now serves with the adoption/foster ministry with SendRelief. She also co-hosts the “Adopting and Fostering Home” Podcast at NAMB. Lynette spends her days advocating on behalf of the Fatherless and desperately desires that all children would know the love of a family and the relentless love of Jesus.

SendRelief.org

Follow Lynette On Twitter @Lynezell.

Kelly King of LifeWay Women joins us at the table to discuss how to start well as a new leader in a new ministry. She shares some of the struggles that come personally with transition & how to create change as a new leader.

Make sure to check out all the resources Lifeway Women has to offer at http://Lifeway.com/women.

You can follow Kelly on Twitter @KellyDKing.

Mary Kassian joins us at the table today to discuss the influence of feminism in culture and the church throughout the past few decades. She also shares about her new book "The Right Kind of Strong" that just released highlighting 7 healthy habits of strong women.

Mary Kassian is an award winning author, internationally renowned speaker, and a distinguished professor at Southern Baptist Seminary.

You can follow her on Twitter @MaryKassian and you can purchase her new book at https://www.marykassian.com/