On Saturday, May 25, 2019, at Mission Church in Norfolk, Virginia, women gathered to impact the next generation and to cross-cultural barriers. The one-day conference drew a diverse group of women, representing many cultures and ethnicities from all over Hampton Roads, Virginia, and the surrounding areas and offered insight from keynote speakers as well as in-depth
table conversation.
Dr. Jena Dunn delivered an overview of the Book of Titus, giving great insight into the history leading up to Paul’s letter. Dr. Dunn pointed out many similarities between the world at the time of the writing and our world today. In order to impact the generations, Christians must “participate in life, and not rely on upheaval or “cloistering ourselves away,” Dunn shared.
That is certainly true in Portsmouth, Virginia, where Women’s Ministry Director Maxine Porcher is encouraging the women of Calvary Evangelical Baptist Church to “participate in life.” By organizing the women of her church into “cell groups,” God’s love is overflowing into the community by working with the local food bank, women’s shelter, and nursing homes. Some of the eight groups are divided by age, allowing strong bonds to be made. Other groups are more interest-based, developing deep mentorship by walking through life together. As the groups have grown, they have attracted not just church members, but women from the community as well.
Pastor’s wife, mom, and Regent University student Jaqueline Shannon addressed the group of 65 women. Shannon stated, “Every woman has the charge to disciple another woman.” She reminded the group that, “We do not have to have credentials in order to be on mission.”
Donna Paulk, SBC of Virginia Women’s Ministry Strategist, commissioned the women to remember that, “You cannot teach anything well unless your life is connected to God. [We must] start out with a prayer of surrender.” As the conference concluded, it was clear that the women of Southeast Virginia know they are not alone in reaching the next generation for Christ.
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