VALLEY FORGE, PA (ABNS 9/10/13)—Nominations are being accepted now for the 2014 Shine the Light Award. The award, established by American Baptist Women’s Ministries, American Baptist Churches USA, serves to recognize a woman or a women’s ministry group that serves as outstanding light-bearers for Christ. The award highlights a specific ministry project or projects that best demonstrate how the individual or group receiving the award have spread the light of Christ through their congregation, their community, or the world.
In 2013, Rev. Barbara Jim-George of Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland, California, was recognized at the National Women’s Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, in July 2013, for her work with girls as founder and director of the Girls’ Rite of Passage Program. The Rite of Passage Program seeks to protect teen girls from commercial sexual exploitation through spiritual growth and the building of self-confidence. Rev. Jim-George has built community coalitions and been deeply involved in raising awareness about the issue of human trafficking in the Oakland area. Darlene Pennington was also recognized, posthumously, for her ministries at the First Baptist Church of Norfolk, Nebraska, and in her community. Darlene had served in multiple leadership roles at the church and she and her husband had also served as foster parents and foster parent trainers. Darlene’s family was present at the National Women’s Conference in July as her son accepted the award on her behalf.
“There are American Baptist women who are serving as the hands and feet of Christ in extraordinary ways. Their inspiring stories and experiences can encourage others to be light-bearers for Jesus Christ. I invite you to nominate a woman or women’s ministry group for the Shine the Light Award,” said AB Women’s Ministries Executive Director Virginia Holmstrom.
The deadline for nominations for the 2014 Shine the Light Award is January 31st, 2014. For more information, criteria, and to submit a nomination, visit the AB Women’s Ministries website at www.abwministries.org, or contact the AB Women’s Ministries office at (610) 768-22288 or info@abwministries.org.
American Baptist Women’s Ministries is a Christ-centered ministry with a commitment to encourage and empower women and girls to serve God. Additional American Baptist Women’s Ministries resources are available at www.abwministries.org.
American Baptist Churches 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.