Laughter and tears seem to be key ingredients for a successful women’s meeting. That combination was demonstrated at the North Carolina Baptist Ministers’ Wives 56th annual meeting Nov. 7.
“You all are part of a really exclusive club,” said Allison Speer, a singer from Nashville, Tenn. Speer has performed with the Gaither Vocal Band and Gaither Trio as well as other Christian artists.
Raised in Kentucky, Speer shared stories of her mother and grandmother with the 50 ladies who were part of the event.
“We are called to bear another’s burden,” Speer said, sharing of her dad’s struggle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Speer stayed with her father and cared for him several months before he died. “I kept thinking, ‘God, why have you sent me off to war?’”
Speer spoke of faithful Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) ladies from a local church who brought food every day for nine months. At first, Speer’s father refused the food. He also didn’t want to see the pastor when he visited, but the pastor continued to come regularly.
BR photo by Dianna L. Cagle Some of the new leadership of the North Carolina Ministers’ Wives posed for a photo Nov. 7 during their meeting prior to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. From left: Jennifer McClure, Susan Troutman, Harriett Lovett, Lisa Miller, Gina Powell, Chrissie Redding and Renea Henderson. |
“That little country pastor led a dying man to Jesus,” said Speer, whose father accepted Christ about six weeks before he died. “Ya’ll don’t get weary in your doing good.”
Speer encouraged the women to “keep the faith,” even when they might not know how to pray.
During the meeting Deedee Whray, outgoing president of the group, presided. Whray, whose husband leads Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Bladenboro, said Speer’s songs and words “truly blessed” the ladies present.
The group is working on a master list of associations and churches to try to spread the reach of the organization.
Whray passed the gavel to new president, Renea Henderson, at the end of the meeting.
“We have a special calling,” said Henderson, who is a member of Cross Road Baptist Church in Asheboro. She asked the ladies present to share with other pastor’s wives in their area about the group.
Other officers (2011-’12)
Vice president: Vickie Parker, Baton Baptist Church, Granite Falls; president elect: Chrissie Redding, Hull’s Grove Baptist Church, Vale; vice president elect: Dakota Spurling, Freedom Biker Church, Hickory; secretary/treasurer: Gina Powell, Cross Road Baptist Church, Asheboro; publicity: Penny Church, Union Grove Baptist Church, Albemarle; retreat chairperson: Lisa Miller, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Marshville; vice retreat chairperson: Harriett Lovett, Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Mount Pleasant; 2013 retreat chairperson: Marlene Hampton, Calvary Baptist Church, Mocksville; 2013 vice retreat chairperson: Judy King, Emma’s Grove Baptist Church, Fletcher.
Regional representatives (2011-’12)
Western 1: Susan Troutman, Fallstown Baptist Church, Troutman
Western 2: Judy King, Emma’s Grove Baptist Church, Fletcher
Central 1: Jennifer McClure, New Home Baptist Church, Vass
Central 2: Amy Harmon, Pittsboro Baptist Church, Pittsboro
Eastern: Beverly Spears, Stedman Baptist Church, Stedman