SOPHIA, N.C. – During this year’s North Carolina Baptist Ministers’ Wives (NCBMW) retreat, more than 75 women explored the question of “Where is Your Path Leading You?” which also served as theme for this year’s event.

The 61st annual event drew a total of 76 women – including 12 first-time attendees – from all across the state to Caraway Conference Center near Asheboro for times of worship, teaching and fellowship from July 10-12.

Jodi Aiken, a minister’s wife from Englewood Baptist Church in Nashville, N.C., served as the keynote speaker for the event. Leah Willis, worship leader at Salem Baptist in Lincolnton, was the events worship leader.

Attendees also heard from representatives from Woman’s Missionary Union, Never2Scarred ministries in Spruce Pine, and Energize Ministries based in Winston-Salem.

“This year’s retreat was an anointed time of fellowship, worship and teaching that enabled me to connect on a heart level with other like-minded ministers’ wives while seeking my Savior individually,” said Angela Brady, an attendee from The River Community Church in Fayetteville.

Amanda Berryhill from Union Grove Baptist Church in Clinton, added: “The retreat is a great time to reconnect with fellow sisters in Christ, make new friends, share our burdens that no one else would understand and pray for one another, all while growing closer to God through worship and His Word.”

Berryhill also served as one of the event’s co-chairs along with Michelle Saffell of Colerain Baptist Church in Colerain.

New NCBMW officers were also presented during the retreat. Officers were elected during the NCBMW meeting held last November in conjunction with the N.C. Baptist annual meeting in Greensboro.

Current officers are:

• President: Joy Townsend, Fall Creek Baptist Church, Bennett

• Vice President: Angela Brady, The River Community Church, Fayetteville

• President Elect: Teresa Benfield, Altapass Baptist Church, Spruce Pine

• Vice President Elect: Jennifer Beck, Little Rock Creek Baptist Church, Spruce Pine

• Treasurer: Harriet Lovett, Bonlee Baptist Church, Bear Creek​

• Assistant Treasurer: Joy Townsend, Fall Creek Baptist Church, Bennett​

• Secretary: Megan Knight, Dublin First Baptist Church, Dublin.

• Publicity Chair: Kelly Self, Center Road Baptist Church, Bladenboro.

• 2024 Retreat Co-Chairs: Amy Harmon, New Salem Baptist Church, Pittsboro; Jenny Sears, Shepherd’s Baptist Church, Sanford.

• 2025 Retreat Co-Chairs: Sandy Cooper, South Fork Baptist Church; Barbara Murdock, God’s Will Missionary Baptist Church, Sparta.
• Regional Representatives: Michelle Saffell, Colerain Baptist Church, Colerain (region 1); Emily Jones, Halifax Baptist Church, Halifax (region 2); Amanda Berryhill, Union Grove Baptist, Clinton (region 3); Christina Lutz, Pineywood Baptist Church, Cameron (region 4); Robin Duncan, Sharon Baptist Church, Reidsville (region 5); Lisa Miller, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Monroe (region 6); Talitha Gwaltney, Holly Springs Baptist Church, Hiddenite (region 7); Chrissie Redding, Salem Baptist Church, Lincolnton (region 8); Teresa Halford, Mountain View Missionary Baptist Church, Hendersonville (regions 9 & 10).