Southwestern Women connect with alumni, ministry wives during SBC

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Southwestern Women connected with females at the 2022 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting and auxiliary events in Anaheim through the Women’s Expo held on June 13-14 and the Ministers’ Wives Luncheon held June 14.

The Women’s Expo “is a great time for us to connect not only with our Southwestern alumna and hear where they are and what God’s doing in their lives, but also to tell the story of what we’re doing now for the future and for future students at Southwestern,” said Terri H. Stovall, dean of women at Southwestern Seminary. 

In addition to connecting with Southwestern alumni, prospective students learned more about the Master of Arts and Master of Divinity degree programs that offer concentrations in women’s ministry and women’s studies, as well as the Doctor of Philosophy degree with a minor in women’s ministries. Visitors also learned about certificate options for women, including the certificate in ministry studies offered in Spanish that will launch in August.

Stovall said she hoped women who stopped by the Southwestern Women’s booth understood the “influence” they have “where God has placed them and where they are serving.”

“If they’re in a very small church, if they’re on the mission field, if they’re home with their children, or they’re out in the marketplace, they have influence and if they have influence, they need to be prepared to give biblical answers to this culture that we’re living in,” Stovall said. “Southwestern wants to encourage women to steward the place God has them together well and to also take advantage of opportunities to continue to prepare themselves to engage this role for Christ.”

Southwestern was also represented by female faculty, faculty wives, trustees, and female staff at the annual SBC Ministers’ Wives Luncheon that was hosted on June 14. Focused on the theme “Take Courage,” attendees heard testimony from Jennifer Rothschild, a Bible study teacher and author who lost her sight as a 15-year-old.

Hope Queen, wife of Matt B. Queen, professor of evangelism and L.R. Scarborough Chair of Evangelism (“Chair of Fire”), said the time at the luncheon allowed for connecting with other ministry wives.

“I think that it’s important for ministers’ wives to be here because we’re part of our husband’s ministry,” Queen said, adding “it’s nice to see the other wives here because it reminds us that we’re not alone.”

Jamie Green, a member of Southwestern Seminary’s board of trustees and a retired speech-language pathologist from Katy, Texas, attended the luncheon to represent the seminary.

On the morning of the luncheon, messengers heard the testimonies of missionaries preparing to leave for the mission field through the International Mission Board’s commissioning service. Green noted the connection between the missionaries and Southwestern.

“I realize so many of those missionaries are the products of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary,” Green said. “That’s what we’re all about” noting the seminary is about “equipping” the called.

Green said she enjoys “coming to the luncheon” because the time allows for “connection” and “fellowship.”

More information about Southwestern Women can be found here.