VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 3/18/13)—American Baptist Women’s Ministries is hosting three concurrent events for women and girls this summer at the Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort in Phoenix, Arizona. The National Women’s Conference and the National Gathering for Girls will occur Saturday, July 27, through Thursday, August 1. The National Young Adult Women’s Conference will be Saturday, July 27, through Monday, July 29.
The National Women’s Conference, “Designed to Serve/Diseñados para servir”, based on Ephesians 4:12-13, features Bible study leader Rev. Dr. Adalia Gutierrez Lee from Northern Baja California, Mexico. A commissioned missionary of International Ministries/ABCUSA, as well as a popular speaker and writer, Adalia spreads the story of Christ’s love for all women everywhere she goes. Dramatist Sharon Johnson of Kingston, Rhode Island, will bring the theme through moving and interactive drama experiences. There will also be opportunity for hands-on mission, and education and advocacy opportunities on immigration reform available.
The National Gathering for Girls, “IT Girls: Inspired, Transformed,” based on 1 Corinthians 12, is for girls who have completed 6th grade through their senior year in high school, and their adult leaders from home. “IT Girls” gives girls the opportunity to explore their purpose in Christ and build their community of faith with other girls from all over the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Bible study leader Rev. Karen Yee and worship leader Rev. Mona Bagasao will bring the theme to life for participants. This event features two days of hands-on mission at Rainbow Acres, an American Baptist-related residential community for adults with developmental disabilities, as well as a celebration of the 20th birthday of AB GIRLS.
New this year, the National Young Adult Women’s Conference, for women ages 18 (post high-school) to 40, is three days long in order to respect the busy schedules of women in this time of their lives. Also with the theme “Designed to Serve/Diseñados para servir,” Bible study leader Elder Jamilla Calhoun from Oakland, California, will lead participants in an exploration of how God has called them and shaped them to serve Christ.
In addition to the individual conference schedules, there are intergenerational activities across these three events to give women and girls the opportunity to both connect with their peers as well as learn from one another.
Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort is a family-friendly location, with an excellent children’s program, recreational opportunities, onsite spa, and housing options for families of any size. Located on the outskirts of Phoenix, the resort is near museums, the Phoenix Zoo, golf courses, sports arenas, and hands-on mission opportunities for family members while women are in conference sessions.
For more information, visit www.abwministries.org and click on “Events.” Online registration is available, as well as downloadable registration forms. Flyers and bulletin inserts are available on the website for use in promoting these events in churches; call the AB Women’s Ministries office to request brochures at (610) 768-2288, or order through the website store at www.abwministries.org/store.
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.