During this year’s N.C. Baptist Ministers’ Wives (NCBMW) retreat, over 70 attendees were encouraged around the theme of being “Centered in Christ” at Caraway Conference Center near Asheboro from July 8-10.
Sharie King, with Clayton King Ministries in South Carolina, was the speaker at this year’s retreat. Using Psalm 139, King focused on God’s omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence. Worship was led by the mother-daughter duo of Evelien Vanekert Smothers and Lia Smothers from New Salem Baptist Church in Pittsboro. On Monday night, attendees were treated to a worship-filled concert by The Smothers Family.
Attendees also heard from representatives from Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU), The Potter’s Clay Ministry in Seagrove and Every Nation Education based in Columbus County.
The mission of NCBMW is to be fully devoted to Jesus while supporting the ministers’ wives in North Carolina as they support their husbands and their churches. Each year, NCBMW offers a retreat, which serves as an opportunity for ministers’ wives to relax and recharge to carry out the group’s mission. The 62nd annual retreat drew a total of 72 attendees from across the state — 21 of which were attending for the first time.
“I felt welcomed and loved from the very beginning,” said Maleah Fraley, a first-time attendee from Euto Baptist Church in Marshville. “Spending time worshiping, praying and studying the Word with other pastors’ wives was refreshment for my soul.”
As attendees wrapped up their time at the retreat, they were given steps to help them stay centered in Christ as they go back to their families and their churches.
“I was able to meet heart to heart with other pastors’ wives walking through the same things as I was,” said Stacy Duncan, an attendee from Webbs Chapel Baptist Church in Macclesfield. “I left refreshed [and] encouraged with a renewed sense of just how much my awesome God loves me.”
New officers who were elected at last fall’s NCBMW annual meeting were also presented during this year’s retreat. Current officers are:
• President: Teresa Benfield, Altapass Baptist Church, Spruce Pine
• Vice President: Jennifer Beck, Little Rock Creek Baptist Church, Spruce Pine
• President Elect: Jennifer Beck, Little Rock Creek Baptist Church, Spruce Pine
• Vice President Elect: Jenny Sears, Shepherds Baptist Church, Sanford
• Treasurer: Harriet Lovett, Bonlee Baptist Church, Bear Creek
• Assistant Treasurer: Joy Townsend, Fall Creek Baptist Church, Bennett
• Secretary: Megan Knight, Lebanon Baptist Church, Eastover
• Publicity Chair: Kelly Self, Center Road Baptist Church, Bladenboro
• 2025 Retreat Co-Chairs: Sandy Cooper, South Fork Baptist Church and Barbara Murdock, God’s Will Missionary Baptist Church, Sparta
• 2026 Retreat Co-Chairs: Carolina Baptist Association
• 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); April Charland, Jonesboro Heights Baptist Church, Sanford and Lauren Rayfield, Hickory Mountain Baptist Church, Siler City (both region 4); Robin Duncan, Sharon Baptist Church, Reidsville (region 5); Maleah Fraley, Euto Baptist Church, Marshville (region 6); Talitha Gwaltney, Holly Springs Baptist Church, Hiddenite (region 7); Beverly Honeycutt, Faith Baptist Church, Iron Station (region 8); and Teresa Halford, Mountain View Missionary Baptist Church, Hendersonville (regions 9 & 10).
This fall, the N.C. Baptist Ministers’ Wives will hold its annual meeting Nov. 4 at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro. The meeting will be held in conjunction with the N.C. Baptist pastors’ conference and annual meeting.
The 2025 NCBMW retreat, with the theme “More Than Conquerors,” is planned for July 7-9, 2025.
