VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 7/10/17)—American Baptist Women’s Ministries announces the national officers elected for the 2017-2020 term. The election of officers was held during the annual meeting of American Baptist Women’s Ministries on Friday, June 29, 2017, at Women’s Day in the Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Ore.
Treasurer Colleen Charsky, of Pulaski, New York, has served the American Baptist Women of New York State as Treasurer (2014-2017), as chair of the Finance Committee (2008-2014), and as a leader in her region’s Oswego Association. With educational degrees in Molecular Biology and Plant Pathology, she is a researcher and attributes that skill to being a problem-solver and a detail-conscious person. She operates her own tax preparation business. She is married to an American Baptist pastor and they have three children. Colleen has organized mission trips for her family to volunteer in the Dominican Republic. With a son who has autism, Colleen has become a trained and passionate advocate for persons with disabilities. She is a member of Pulaski Baptist Church.
Coordinator of Young Adult Women’s Ministries Rev. Yana J. C. Pagán teaches as an adjunct faculty member at Esperanza College of Eastern University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She currently serves as pulpit pastor at Gulph United Church of Christ. She is a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Norristown, Pennsylvania. Yana is a Judson Press author, has written Sunday school curriculum for Judson Journeys, and was a contributing author for AB Women’s Ministries resource, Hope in the Midst of Depression. She was the speaker at AB Women’s Ministries Intergenerational Retreat held at Green Lake, Wisconsin, in 2014. Yana is a consultant for conflict transformation training. Focusing on topics of living with the reality of disability, effects of stress, self-care, trust, living an authentic life, justice, and empowerment, Yana has a desire to work with women and young people, sharing her story and giving them hope.
Coordinator of the Western Section Jackie Arnold of Loveland, Colorado, is a person whose faith and friendship are contagious. She enjoys watching women grow in Christ, and she loves her role as mentor. Jackie served on the national AB Women’s Ministries board in 2010-2013 as Secretary and Conference Registrar. Prior to 2010, she served AB Women’s Ministries of Colorado as president. A seasoned leader, she is retired from full-time employment in Human Resources for a large company. She is a member of First Baptist Church, Loveland, Colorado, where she sings in the choir.
“I celebrate the spiritual gifts and skills that these newly elected leaders will bring to American Baptist Women’s Ministries during the next three years,” said ABWM Executive Director Virginia Holmstrom. “Such experiences prove to be extraordinarily fulfilling for the organization and for those who serve in volunteer leadership.”
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 approximately 5,000 congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.