VALLEY FORGE, PA (4/21/20)—On Thursday, April 16, 2020, American Baptist Women’s Ministries (ABWM) hosted a Courageous Conversation with youth ministers and college chaplains from around the nation. The webinar discussed the challenges and opportunities for ministry with youth and young adults during COVID-19. Examining ways to do youth and young adult ministry during a pandemic has left many youth workers with more questions than answers. Participants learned effective practices to engage young people’s theological, social, and emotional needs. Also, participants learned self-care practices that they can implement as they seek to empower young people in their communities. Participants noted that they left the webinar with a new awareness and resources to help young people navigate the impact of COVID-19 in their lives. Rev. Gina Jacobs-Strain, executive director at ABWM, stated, “while COVID-19 brought us together, I am optimistic that the Courageous Conversation webinars will begin something that
we can continue beyond this season. American Baptist Women’s Ministries believes in the power of collaboration and the collective wisdom of the village.”
Panelists included Minister Barbara Florvil, Assistant to the Pastor for Youth, Alfred Street Baptist Church, Alexandria, VA; The Rev. Werner Ramirez, Associate Pastor for Youth and Young Adults, Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York, NY; Minister TauVaughn Toney, Minister to Children, Teens, & Young Adults, Trinity Baptist Church, Columbus, OH; The Rev. Beatrix Weil, Chaplain of Rhodes College Parish Associate of Evergreen Presbyterian Church, Memphis, TN; The Rev. Julia Sprague Wright, University Chaplain for Student Affairs, Muskingum University, New Concord, OH; and The Rev. Susan Fair, Board-Certified Chaplain, C.P.E. Supervisor, and a Community Chaplain, Jersey City Police Department, Jersey City, NJ. American Baptist Women’s Ministries is committed to equipping youth workers in churches, universities/colleges, and community organizations with the resources they need to Reset and Reimagine ministry with young people.
To view the webinar recording of Courageous Conversation: Youth and Young Adult Ministry during a Pandemic webinar www.abwomensministries.org/webinars. The next Courageous Conversation will be Thursday, April 30th, at 7:00 pm. The panelists comprised of chaplains will address pastoral care during COVID-19 and beyond.
American Baptist Women’s Ministries (ABWM) is a diverse community of American Baptist women and girls serving in ministry in Christ’s name in the US including Puerto Rico as well as internationally. With local, area, region/state, and national levels of ministry, American Baptist Women’s Ministries creates and sustains communities of passionately faithful, mission-minded women and girls engaged in worship, service, and friendship. Our ministries include domestic violence and sex trafficking prevention and education, building beloved community, and developing leaders. To learn more about American Baptist Women’s Ministries, visit our website at www.abwomensministries.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.