VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 8/4/16)—American Baptist Women’s Ministries announces the election of the following officers for the 2016-2019 term.
Coordinator of Mission with Women and Girls is Frances Bryant-Lowery. A member of Friendship Baptist Church, Atlanta, Georgia, Frances’ mission experiences have included ministry at a homeless program, a women’s correctional facility, and with a college-based program funded by the Justice Department to stop violence against women on college campuses. She has traveled internationally on mission trips. On a mission trip in rural Appalachia, she worked side-by-side with youth from Atlanta’s suburbs to repair the home and property of an elderly couple, and she reflected that in working together, they transcended differences of age, race, gender, and socioeconomic challenges. Frances has earned degrees and certifications in business education, theology, pastoral care/counseling, psychotherapy, mental health, mediation, and domestic violence prevention training. She is an experienced Bible study leader and workshop designer and presenter. Described as being open, approachable, and an encourager, Frances actively listens with compassion, and motivates and inspires people to work together to make a difference for God.
Coordinator of AB GIRLS Deneen M. Ray can’t remember a time when she wasn’t involved in the life of the church: singing in the children’s choir, ushering, in Sunday school; and now as the youth pastor at Granada Hills Baptist Church, Granada Hills, California, where she is a member today. “No child will be left behind on my watch” reflects the commitment that Deneen Ray brings to her 20 years of experience in youth and young adult ministry. It is her heart’s desire for every young person to have a growing relationship with Jesus. Currently the Regional Coordinator of AB GIRLS in American Baptist Churches of Los Angeles, Southwest, and Hawaii (ABCOFLASH), Deneen has also served her region as a facilitator/leader/mentor for its discipleship/leadership training program. She has a B.A. in child development, a Masters of Divinity degree, and is pursuing a M.A. in Biblical Counseling from Trinity College & Theological Seminary. AB GIRLS and leaders have gotten acquainted with Deneen at recent national AB GIRLS events. Additionally, she participated at the Immerse National Gathering for American Baptist Youth in D.C. (2012), the BWA Youth Conference in Singapore (2013), and with AB GIRLS at the ABHMS-sponsored “Home Mission: Til the Work is Done” work week in New Orleans (2014).
Coordinator of the Midwestern Section is Rosalyce Grubbs of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Rosalyce cites AB Women’s Ministries as having turned her life around. With a story that mirrors those of many American Baptist women, Rosalyce received leadership training, confidence in her abilities, and opportunities to serve God through this organization. She has coordinated conferences for crowds of 450 women, led the ABW Ministries of Indiana as president, served as the national secretary for our organization (2007-10), and volunteered in many other positions in her church and region. Rosalyce’s professional career included nursing, bookkeeping, and administrative work. She retired in 2007, bringing to her ministry work strong gifts of organizational skills and compassion for persons. She is a good listener and enjoys doing hand crafts, puzzles, and traveling. An active member of Faith Baptist Church, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Rosalyce spends the winter season in Lakeland, Florida, where she is part of the congregation of the American Baptist Church of Lakeland.
The election of officers was held during the annual meeting of American Baptist Women’s Ministries on Friday, July 22, 2016, at the national women’s and girls’ event Dwelling, Discovering, Discipling/Dedicando, Descubriendo, Discipulando at the Hilton Washington Dulles Airport Hotel in Herndon, Virginia.
“Our organization’s mission and ministry with and for women and girls is empowered by its volunteer leaders. I look forward to seeing great things happen through the leadership of these newly-elected officers,” said Virginia Holmstrom, executive director of American Baptist Women’s Ministries.
For more information, contact Virginia Holmstrom, 1-800-ABC-3USA extension 2284.
American Baptist Women’s Ministries is a Christ-centered ministry with a commitment to encourage and empower women and girls to serve God. For more information about American Baptist Women’s Ministries, visit www.abwministries.org.
American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with over 5,200 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.