Oklahoma City, Northwest hosted the annual Ministry Wives Weekend, Sept. 25-26, providing an opportunity for refreshment and support for wives of Oklahoma Baptist ministers.
More than 140 ministry wives gathered for fellowship and to worship. Photos by Julie Towery
More than 140 ministry wives attended, representing more than 90 churches from across the state. The theme of the weekend retreat was “Gift of Sisterhood,” which Amy Petersen said helped ministry wives know they have a special bond.
“Feeling alone is one of the most prevalent challenges that ministry wives face,” said Petersen who serves as Oklahoma Baptists’ ministry wives ministry partner. “This weekend provided opportunity for ministry wives to make connections, as well as offered practical tips for growing friendships—a sisterhood—in ministry. But before we can reach out to others, we need to reach up to Jesus because He is the source of everything we need.”
Jacki King taught lessons from Genesis and Philemon at the weekend retreat. Photos by Julie Towery
Jacki King was the speaker for the weekend. Her husband is Josh King, lead pastor of Conway, Ark., Second. She leads a women’s ministry at their church and hosts a podcast called “At The Table,” which focuses on sharing stories of women leaders in the Southern Baptist Convention.
King taught from Genesis 2-3, during the Friday night session, identifying shame and deception common among church life. King emphasized the freedom that comes from resting in the truth that God “chases us in love and uses our brokenness to bring about His glory.” On Saturday, King taught from Philemon on how to find community or “grow a sisterhood in ministry.”
“We dove in deep,” King said about the lessons she taught for the weekend. “We sought truth to our lies, and we decided to fight for the beauty of the bride of Christ. It’s not always easy, but it is absolutely unwaveringly worth it.”
Courtney Tice who currently leads worship at Broken Arrow, BattleCreek, led times of worship through music at the weekend retreat. Tice teaches high school and middle school vocal music at Inola Public Schools.
The event included a panel conversation on Saturday morning, featuring Petersen; Julie Dilbeck, wife of Hance Dilbeck, executive director-treasurer with Oklahoma Baptists; Samantha Gardner, wife of Eli Gardner, pastor of Mannford, Lakeside Southern; and Simi John, wife of Jayson John, pastor of Norman, New Life Bible. The panel discussed struggles and triumphs in growing friendships in ministry.
Comments were seen on Facebook from those who attended the weekend retreat. One attendee said, “This was one of the more poignant Ministry Wives Weekends for me. The Word was timely, and the Lord knew exactly what I needed to hear. I’m thankful for this ministry to ministry families in our state.”
Others said the weekend event “was just so perfectly timed…amazing,” and “…was a beautiful event that meant so much! It refreshed, challenged and encouraged me so much!”
For more information on the Oklahoma Baptists’ ministry wives ministry, visit oklahomabaptists.org/ministry-wives.
