VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 10/11/18)—American Baptist Women’s Ministries announces the 2018-2019 Mission Focus, Domestic Violence. This critical topic has impact upon women, men, and children across all demographics, in all communities, and in all congregations. Thirty percent of women globally experience intimate partner violence. Nearly 75 percent of Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence. AB Women’s Ministries emphasizes that a women’s ministry and a congregation could be a powerful place of safety, healing, and recovery for those experiencing or having experienced domestic violence.
AB Women’s Ministries has provided resources on its website at www.abwomensministries.org/missionfocus and will continue to update the page throughout the year. There will be webinars for discussion on the topic, and other opportunities for raising awareness, learning, and sharing ideas about how to engage in this crucial conversation locally.
“We encourage everyone to know the statistics about domestic violence in their state, county, and city and, especially, to be well informed about the resources that are available to help victims,” states Rev. Gina Jacobs-Strain, executive director of American Baptist Women’s Ministries. “Several years ago, ABWM initiated Sacred Safe Spaces Ministry with American Baptist Churches of New Jersey, wherein churches covenanted to be a safe space for domestic violence victims. Church leaders within these churches were educated about the resources in their county and the ways to be responsive. There is no greater witness of the Gospel than to stand in the gap for those that are marginalized, abused, and silenced. American Baptist Women’s Ministries plans to come alongside churches and denominational partners to deepen and broaden our response. We need to be ever mindful that domestic violence victims are sitting right next to us at church, in our work places, and in our classrooms. Our response must be informed, discerning and discreet.”
American Baptist Women’s Ministries is a Christ-centered ministry with a commitment to encourage and empower women and girls to serve God in their churches, communities and throughout the world.
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.