Called to Serve

Liz Johnson was ordained at 60 years old. She served as a chaplain with assisted living and in her community. She talks about the importance of listening in pastoral care and her ministry emphasis on love.

Dr. Melody Maxwell shares "Faithfully Feminist?", a paper she presented this summer at conferences in Quebec and North Carolina. This is one of several avenues of research she has been working on using Called to Serve interviews. Listen to her share this paper, which explores the complex relationship between ordained Atlantic Baptist women and feminism.

You can keep up with our project's research and events on our website: calledtoserve.ca

Called to Serve is a Canadian podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches within the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada. Between 1950 and 2020, over one hundred women were ordained to ministry in Atlantic Baptist churches and around the world. Our project shares and preserves these women's experiences--the joys and challenges they faced, and the impact they've made through their ministries.

Called to Serve is funded in part by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and is led by Rev. Dr. Melody Maxwell of Acadia Divinity College. Learn more at calledtoserve.ca.

Sylvia Hagerman was ordained in 2008 and has served in

Called to Serve is a Canadian podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches within the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada. Between 1950 and 2020, over one hundred women were ordained to ministry in Atlantic Baptist churches and around the world. Our project shares and preserves these women's experiences--the joys and challenges they faced, and the impact they've made through their ministries.

Called to Serve is funded in part by a grant from the Social

Sarah Stevens was ordained in 2014 and has pastored at Bethany Memorial and Harmony Baptist Church. Sarah talks about coming to faith at the age of nineteen, the powerful youth ministry she led at Bethany, and the way that the Covid-19 pandemic affected her as a minister and a mother.

Audrey Carter was ordained in 2001 alongside her husband Jack. Some of the churches they pastored together were in Digby Neck, Barrington, and Woodville. Audrey talks about the advantages of team ministry and the ways she noticed she was treated differently as a female pastor.

Called to Serve is a Canadian podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches within the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada. Between 1950 and 2020, over one hundred women were ordained to ministry in Atlantic Baptist churches and around the world. Our project shares and preserves these women's experiences--the joys and challenges they faced, and the impact they've made through their ministries.

Called to Serve is funded in part by a grant from the Social

Margo MacDougall was ordained in 1997. She has worked in several positions, including as a counsellor, a probation officer, and a pastor to several Atlantic Baptist churches. Margo talks about the challenges she experienced serving in ministry as a single woman, her current ministry focus on supporting wounded pastors, and how she's currently enjoying a very supportive church home at a church that does not ordain women.

Called to Serve is a Canadian podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches within the ⁠Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada⁠. Between 1950 and 2020, over one hundred women were ordained to ministry in Atlantic Baptist churches and around the world. Our project shares and preserves these women's experiences--the joys and challenges they faced, and the impact they've made through their ministries.

Called to Serve is funded in part by a grant from the ⁠Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada⁠ and is led by ⁠Rev. Dr. Melody Maxwell⁠ of ⁠Acadia Divinity College⁠. Learn more at ⁠calledtoserve.ca⁠.

Rhonda Britton was ordained in 2002 in the United States. After moving to Nova Scotia, she pastored at Second United Baptist Church in New Glasgow, and New Horizons Baptist Church in Halifax. Rhonda describes being called to ministry in her forties and how she went on to lead New Horizons Baptist Church through its historic name change. She shares her ministry focus on ecumenical and community relationships, and how she identifies more with womanist theology than with feminism.

Stick around to the end of today’s podcast to hear a short update from Dr. Melody Maxwell about her ongoing research with the interviews we’ve collected and where she’s been presenting that research so far.

Called to Serve is a Canadian podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches within the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada. Between 1950 and 2020, over one hundred women were ordained to ministry in Atlantic Baptist churches and around the world. Our project shares and preserves these women's experiences--the joys and challenges they faced, and the impact they've made through their ministries.

Called to Serve is funded in part by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and is led by Rev. Dr. Melody Maxwell of Acadia Divinity College. Learn more at calledtoserve.ca.

Renée was ordained in 2009. She has pastored at North and South Alton, RiverCross, and Hillside Baptist churches. Many listeners will be familiar with Renée through her role as the Executive Minister for the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada. She is the first woman to serve the CBAC in this position. Renée describes her journey to faith and call to ministry. She shares some of the ministry experiences she’s had, and discusses several themes that have been important to her, like community engagement and how play provides a taste of the kingdom of heaven.

Make sure you stick around to the end of this episode to hear a conversation between Renée and one our research assistants, Taylor Anstey, in which they discuss her experience being nominated for Executive Minister and what it’s been like to serve the CBAC in that role.

Called to Serve, the book, is now available for purchase through our website, as well as on Amazon and other stores! Find your copy at ⁠⁠calledtoserve.ca/the-book⁠⁠ and leave your honest review on Amazon or Goodreads!

Called to Serve is a Canadian podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches within the ⁠⁠⁠Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada⁠⁠⁠. Between 1954 and 2024, over one hundred women were ordained to ministry in Atlantic Baptist churches and around the world. Our project shares and preserves these women's experiences—the joys and challenges they faced, and the impact they've made through their ministries. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠calledtoserve.ca⁠⁠⁠.

Kayla was ordained in 2018 and now serves as a military chaplain. She talks about serving in chaplaincy as a woman and the importance of knowing where her true identity lies.

Called to Serve is a new podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches within the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada. Between 1950 and 2020, over one hundred women were ordained to ministry in Atlantic Baptist churches and around the world. Our project shares and preserves these women's experiences--the joys and challenges they faced, and the impact they've made through their ministries.

Called to Serve is funded by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and is led by Rev. Dr. Melody Maxwell of Acadia Divinity College. Learn more at calledtoserve.ca.

Janet was ordained in 2014. She has served in several churches including Bridgewater Baptist and Greenfield United Baptist Church. Janet talks about leading an active rural youth ministry and how it’s possible for spouses to pastor in two separate congregations.

Called to Serve is a new podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches within the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada. Between 1950 and 2020, over one hundred women were ordained to ministry in Atlantic Baptist churches and around the world. Our project shares and preserves these women's experiences--the joys and challenges they faced, and the impact they've made through their ministries.

Called to Serve is funded by a grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada and is led by Rev. Dr. Melody Maxwell of Acadia Divinity College. Learn more at calledtoserve.ca.