BWIM-NC celebrates 25 years of ministry

By Steve DeVane

BR Managing Editor

A "Cloud of Witnesses" quilt honors N.C. Baptist women in ministry.

Photo by Steve DeVane

Biblical Recorder

Baptist Women in Ministry of North Carolina (BWIM-NC) marked its 25th anniversary on April 11 with a convocation and luncheon in Raleigh.

A "Cloud of Witnesses" quilt with the names of people who have inspired N.C. Baptist women ministers was displayed at the front of the church. Each year, the quilt will be presented to the winner of the BWIM-NC church award.

The 2008 award was presented to Ridge Road Baptist Church in Raleigh, host of the convocation. Ruby Fulbright, executive director of Woman's Missionary Union of North Carolina, received the Anne Thomas Neil Award, which is given each year to someone who has exhibited courage and leadership.

BWIM-NC leaders also announced that the Kay Simpson Memorial Scholarship fund had grown to almost $23,000. The fund, which provides scholarships to women training for ministry, is named for Simpson, who died unexpectedly in November 2006 and was a strong advocate for women in ministry. She was minister of music at Memorial Baptist Church in Buies Creek at her death.

Pam Durso, associate executive director of the Baptist History and Heritage Society, presented the homily at the convocation, preaching from Joshua 3:1-4, which includes instructions for the Israelites to follow the Ark of the Covenant when crossing the Jordan.

Durso pointed out that verse 4 says, "Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before." She talked about the many N.C. Baptist women ministers who courageously went down paths that had not been walked before.

"Just as they were being watched, we are being watched," Durso said. "We are a cloud of witnesses in the making."