VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 12/9/11)—The “Shine the Light” award, established in 2011 by American Baptist Women’s Ministries, recognizes outstanding light-bearers for Christ. The award honors exemplary women from local American Baptist churches for how they shine Christ’s light in the world. The award may be given to an individual American Baptist woman or to a group of women from an American Baptist church.

The award highlights a specific ministry project that best demonstrates how the individual or group is Christ’s light-bearer, taking into consideration four criteria: creativity, commission (following the “Great Commission” of Matthew 28), collaboration, and communication.

“We want to recognize and celebrate American Baptist women doing significant and creative ministries with women and girls in their churches and communities. The Shine the Light Award honors them as light-bearers, reflecting the light of Jesus Christ to a world in need,” said Virginia Holmstrom, executive director of American Baptist Women’s Ministries.

One award will be granted in a year; the 2012 award presentation will be made at the National Women’s Conference sponsored by American Baptist Women’s Ministries, July 21-26, 2012, in Nashville, Tennessee. In addition to the presentation, information about the recipient will be included in the event materials, a letter of announcement will be sent to the pastor of the recipient’s church, and a letter of announcement will be sent to the executive minister of the region.

AB Women’s Ministries presented the first annual Shine the Light Award in July 2011 to the American Baptist women of Selma First Baptist Church, Selma, California.

The deadline for nominations for the 2012 award is March 30. For more information about the Shine the Light Award and to download a nomination form, visit the American Baptist Women’s Ministries website at www.abwministries.org.

American Baptist Women’s Ministries, related to American Baptist Churches USA, is a Christ-centered ministry organization with a commitment to encourage and empower women and girls to serve God.

American Baptist Churches USA is one of the most diverse Christian denominations today, with 5,500 local congregations comprised of 1.3 million members, across the United States and Puerto Rico, all engaged in God’s mission around the world.