Prior to the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma Annual Meeting, the Women’s Missions and Ministries Office will host a special symposium on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how churches can minister to those affected by it.
The event begins Mon., Nov. 9, at 2 p.m. in the chapel at Oklahoma City, Southern Hills. The two-hour event will feature Captain Michael Coleman, U.S. Army Chaplain. Coleman is the chaplain for the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Knox, Ky. The symposium is open to anyone who wishes to attend at no cost.
In addition to Coleman speaking, a panel discussion will follow. Panelists include Ruth Stevens, former International Mission Board (IMB) missionary, Debra Johnson, former military wife and Joe Williams, retired FBI Chaplain.
“Most people associate PTSD only with military personnel, but the reality is that there are many people sitting in our pews who have some form of PTSD,” said Kelly King, BGCO Women’s Specialist. “For instance, missionaries living in secure areas often suffer, as well as people affected by natural disasters, such as tornadoes we experience in our state.”
King continued, “PTSD is currently the critical issue national Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) is addressing. Our desire is to educate pastors, staff and lay people in regards to understanding and ministering to those who suffer from it.”
In addition to the symposium, two other events will take place that afternoon. The first is the annual Missionary Parents Fellowship in the Parlor of Southern Hills at 3:30 p.m. This gathering is only open to parents of current IMB personnel.
The Missions Celebration concludes with an annual dinner that is open to anyone. Current, past and emeritus missionaries are special guests for this event that begins at 4:30 p.m. in Hoskins Hall. Gayla Parker, former missionary, will be the guest speaker at the dinner. Parker has served with the Maryland/Delaware Convention and is currently serving with Arkansas WMU. She is the author of Active Compassion, the theme of the event.
No registration is required for the symposium, but reservations are required for the dinner. To register, visit www.bgcowomen.org and visit the Missions Celebration page.
