Winter gathering draws women from across state

JACKSONVILLE—(FBC) At the first of three meetings held across the state, 275 women from northeast Florida learned they were, "Born to Be the Ultimate Me," Saturday, Jan. 17 at the Women’s Winter Gathering on the campus of Deermeadows Baptist Church, Jacksonville.

FBC photo by Ken Touchton

To emphasize the theme drawn from Psalm 138:13-14, keynote speaker Edna Ellison urged the women of all ages and from all walks of life to seek a better understanding of who God made them to be.

As the author of several Bible studies and books on friendship and mentoring, Ellison addressed the women boldly, "If you are not where you want to be or where you know you need to be, let today be the day you become the godly women God made you."

Light-hearted, metaphoric stories balanced Ellison’s candid testimony and spiritual challenge to the women.

"The keynote speaker reflects from her life experience and writing to pull together what is taught in the break out sessions. When one shares her experience like that, it opens a door to give more strength to others," said Rindetta Stewart of Clay Hill Baptist Church, Middleburg.

"Today was a day of growth in Christ, teaching us to walk as Christian women," Stewart said.

Seminars held in conjunction with the general sessions encouraged the Florida Baptist women to strive to achieve their spiritual potential. These seminars addressed daily living as a form of worship, mentoring and self-discovery topics like discerning and applying spiritual gifts.

"Conference leaders with expertise in very specific areas were enlisted to help the women gain new insight into the Biblical truth that we are all uniquely and wonderfully made," said Linda Miniard, assistant director of the Women’s Missions and Ministry Department and the event’s coordinator.

FBC photo by Ken Touchton

Rindetta Stewart, a member of Clay Hill Baptist Church, Middleburg, listens intently to a seminar at the Women's Winter Gathering.

The Women’s Winter Gathering began as a weekend conference, but became a one-day event in 2003 to reduce registration cost and increase participation of young mothers and women unable to attend an overnight function.

Kisha Law, 24, of Antioch Baptist Church, Live Oak was one of the young mothers able to attend the gathering.

"This conference is a lot of women getting together to focus on how to make life better for themselves, to find out about God and to learn to daily live out God’s will," said Law.

"As I stay at home with my children, I want be an example for them and teach them to desire to be godly women. The break out sessions helped me to discover my spiritual gifts and find out how to use those gifts in the church and in life," Law said.

Members of the Women’s Ministries Advisory Board and the Women on Mission Leadership Team spent many hours praying about the event’s direction and leaders, said Miniard.

"We want Florida Baptist women to know God loves each of them unconditionally and every person is uniquely gifted for the purpose of a specific mission for which He has already equipped them," Miniard added.

The final one-day Women’s Winter Gathering is set for Jan. 31 at Glendale Baptist Church in Miami. Registration cost is $20 per person and covers basic conference materials and lunch.

The Florida Baptist Nursing Fellowship will meet as part of this event. Attendance will require an additional cost of $15 to hear author Angela Payne lead a session on "Finding Spiritual Renewal in Life’s Quirky Moments."

For additional event information, call 800-226-8584, ext. 8280 or email Lisa Ford, lford@flbaptist.org.