“Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10 CSB).
Many wives of ministers filled the hall at Tulsa, First.
TULSA—Ministry wives gathered from around the state at Tulsa, First on Sept. 20-21 for a retreat designed to honor and encourage ministry wives as they serve in their local churches.
These women play a valuable and unique role in the life of the church, utilizing their gifts to serve others.
The keynote speaker for the event has been a longtime friend to Oklahoma ministry wives. Founder and president of Everyday Ministries, Denise Lopez seeks to meet everyday needs in order to share the Gospel, whether that is across the street or overseas.
Lopez encouraged women to utilize what God has given them for Gospel advance. Her favorite tool to share the Gospel is her dining room table. Women were encouraged to practice biblical hospitality in their own homes. As a gift, attendees received Scripture cards to be placed around their home, a cookbook and a cake stand.
Courtney Matlock offered a talk on utilizing hospitality as a tool for advancing the Gospel.
Hospitality can also be shown in the church building. Courtney Matlock, wife of Doug Matlock, associate pastor of discipleship and worship at Chickasha, First, has been utilizing her gifts to serve her church by cooking Wednesday night meals and for special events like student camp at Falls Creek. Matlock gave the ladies tips when cooking for a large number of people. Friday night ended with women sampling four different desserts.
Eden Trentham is another familiar ministry wife to Oklahoma women who continues to steward her gifts by leading worship. Trentham’s husband, Brandon, serves as the children’s pastor at Owasso, First.
Denise Lopez encouraged the women to use whatever giftings the Lord has given them to spread the Gospel and encourage one another.
A special panel was formed on Saturday morning of the event by Julie Dilbeck, Breanna Brumley and Gayla Ligon, discussing the gifts of ministry. Dilbeck’s husband, Hance, serves Oklahoma Baptists as the executive director-treasurer of the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma (BGCO). Brumley’s husband, Cody, serves at Jenks, First as the executive pastor. Ligon’s husband, Joe, serves Oklahoma Baptists as the senior associate executive director of the BGCO.
Each ministry wife on the panel expressed a deep love and care for the local church, encouraging the women in attendance to continue serving in their gifts.
The prayer concluding the weekend event was for ministry wives to continue to serve in their God-given gifts in the work which God has called them in their homes, church and community.
