Keynote speaker Susie Hawkins shared about Authentic Connections during the weekend.
EDMOND—Ministers’ wives from 50 churches across Oklahoma gathered Oct. 3-4 at Edmond, Henderson Hills for the 2014 Ministry Wives Weekend: “Honest Conversations, Authentic Connections.”
The theme of travel, making connections and arriving at destinations was woven throughout the conference. Kelly King, Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO) women’s ministry specialist, said, “Our expectation is that we want wives to be refreshed and renewed in their ministry calling. I think one of the most unique things about the weekend was the number of wives, probably 80 percent, who had never attended this (annual) event. We love connecting with new wives.”
Keynote speaker Susie Hawkins is an author and seasoned ministry wife. She and her husband, O.S. Hawkins, live in Dallas, where he serves as president of GuideStone Financial Resources.
Hawkins shared from Titus 2, and emphasized the connections a minster’s wife has with the women in her church. She said a ministry wife is crucial to her church, and should view the church as a spiritual family and seek to develop friendships and relationships. She added that ministry, spiritual leadership and influence are a gift.
Hawkins also emphasized the marriage connection.
She stressed that a ministry wife has an unusual calling as a partner alongside her husband. It is shared ministry. Hawkins stated that a wife influences her husband like no one else, and should not be a drain, but a source of encouragement.
Micah Kersh, left, led worship
Practical advice was shared on how a ministry wife can encourage her husband to be his best. She emphasized that the most important thing is to cultivate one’s own spiritual life with Christ because “character brings respect, and respect brings influence.”
Each attendee received a copy of Hawkins’ book From One Ministry Wife to Another: Honest Conversations about Ministry Connections.
There was a good mix of teaching, combined with elements of fun at the conference. The 165 ministry wives attended four breakout sessions centered on making connections. Sessions on navigating turbulent times, balancing family and ministry, prayer and tips on discovering various destinations across Oklahoma on a limited budget were offered. A time of prayer for two specific ministry wives in Oklahoma was a time of connecting ministry wives who are going through difficult circumstances.
Worship was led by Micah Kersh, pastor of worship at Henderson Hills.
An offering totaling $1,146.93 also was received for a ministry project through Henderson Hills to help fund a new school in a poverty stricken part of Nicaragua.
Women may continue to stay connected with the latest women’s ministry information at bgcowomen.org, or through Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Search “BGCO Women” to make the connection.
