Humbleness

Dear Sisters,

Sorry I have missed a few weeks of writing and sharing. Two weeks ago, I was in Valley Forge at the ABC General Board Meetings and then the Thanksgiving holiday was here. I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday with family and friends that also provided a time of relaxation and restoration.

Over the holiday weekend, I was relaxing at home and watching TV. On Friday, I tuned into the CBS Morning Show and stopped to listen to Susan Boyle sing her signature song, "I Dreamed A Dream". Less than a year ago, Susan Boyle was a nobody, singing in her church choir, and today everyone knows her story of stardom. When being interviewed, Susan was asked, "How do you feel now that you have achieved your dream?" She quietly looked up and said,
"I feel humbled". It was the last thing that I expected her to say. This woman of faith was certainly was not a "nobody" in Christ's eyes and is living out Ephesians 4:2, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

God has given Susan an incredible gift which she has used for his glory for many years in church and at the age of 48, God decided to use Susan in a new and big way and she is humbled by this.
She has been patient and waited upon the Lord and look how this quiet, unasuming faithful woman has reached a new destination for God's purpose. What an example she is for myself and others.

I am also truly amazed at the opportunities that God has given me and am humbled by the way he has utilized me for his ministry. It was no accident that God placed the issue of human trafficking in my heart and as I stepped out in faith, he has used me in ways I would have never dreamed. I am also humbled to be National President of AB Women's Ministries and I am grateful for all the challenges and blessings that come with it. As we humble ourselves before Christ, we will receive the dreams that he has planned for us which continue to mature us as Christian leaders who are, Women... Destined for God's Purpose.

Blessings to you and your ministry until we connect again,

Barbara

What Kind of Leader Are You?

Dear Sisters,



Fall is flying by and the holiday season is soon upon us. On Saturday I attended my local AB Women's Association meeting being hosted at my home church. It was nice to fellowship
and chat with friends and not have to lead a meeting. At the end of the meeting, I instinctively headed to the kitchen and started drying dishes and cleaning the kitchen. Something I am sure that is familar to all of us. As I was chatting with a friend who was washing dishes, someone came in and commented that the National President was drying dishes. I just smiled and laughed but the comment stuck with me throughout the day and made me think about what a leader is and what kind of a leader I want to be.

When I think of Christ, his life and leadership style modeled being a servant. He washed the disciples feet at the last Passover meal. This is the type of leader that I strive to be. It is natural for me to want to serve others and when you need a hand in the kitchen, then that's where you will find me. As Christian leaders, we serve wherever God calls us to serve - no matter what the task may be. Granted, some tasks are better than others but all are equally important. We lead by example and I hope that as I lead AB Women's Ministries I will be a good example for others, especially to my daughter and other AB GIRLS who are on the pathway to becoming leaders themselves.

As National President , I have many opportunities to grow and serve others using the gifts that God has given me. In addition, I will also experience many challenges along the way. When my term as President is completed, I will hopefully be a more skilled and confident leader but I also know that being a servant leader will always be at my core and at the end of the day, when I have finished drying dishes at church, I will still continue to be a Women, Destined for God's Purpose.

I pray that God will be with you as you lead this week and continue down your pathway of being a Women, Destined for God's Purpose.

Blessings,

Barbara

The Power of Prayer across the Waters

Dear Sisters,

Yesterday was Baptist Women's World Day of Prayer. I have never participated in this event before so I decided to have a prayer service this past Sunday evening on the eve of this event. What a special and powerful evening. I hosted the event at my church and about 18 women attended, mostly from other churches. The youngest attending was thirteen and the oldest was in her nineties.

I had women pray for specific prayer requests from our Baptist Sisters around the world. An Asian Sister and friend prayed in chinese for our Asian Sisters. I set-up a prayer walk in my church sanctuary, one station for each of the 7 Baptist Women's Unions, and as music played in the background, we walked around the sanctuary praying for our sisters. We created a paper prayer chain with our prayer requests that we held at the end of the service when we closed in a prayer circle. I was so moved praying with my sisters but also to know as we were praying for Baptist women around the world, they were also praying for us. I realized that prayer not only connects me to Christ but it also connects me with women around the world that I do not even know but we are bonded through the love of Christ.

As I prayed for our Sister Unions, many of them had the issue of human trafficking on their prayer list - a horrible and violent issue that bonds us in sisterhood as we work together to break the chains of human trafficking one link at a time. Another issue that was similar to our concerns was women and children in poverty. It's clear that no matter where we live in this world there is always a need and Christian women unite to answer God's call to assist those in need wherever they call home.

I want to continue to feel the connection of women praying for women so I have decided that every Sunday evening at 9:00 pm - wherever I may be - I will be praying for my American Baptist Sisters around the country, for our Region Presidents and Officers and for our National Board and Staff. I invite you to pray with me during that time also and feel God's presence but also know that I am praying for you - Women.... Destined for God's Purpose.

Your Sister in Christ,

Barbara