Transformed 2021 is happening! Two events are planned:

   March 13 – Graceland Baptist Church, New Albany

   April 10 – Northside Baptist Church, Marion

This year’s events will be very different in structure in order to meet COVID-19 restrictions. 

The one-day events will be main stage only with no breakout sessions. “Awestruck” is the theme and guest speakers and virtual breakout leaders will address the Psalm 140 theme scripture.

Virtual breakouts will be available for viewing to those who attend the live event or elect to attend virtually. A list of topics will be posted on the SCBI website. Go to scbi.org/Transformed to register and for specific information about the events.

Transformed Registration Scholarships for SEIBA Women:

Three registration scholarships are available for the southern event held March 13. The deadline to apply is February 24. Contact Linda Clark at lclark1213@hotmail.com for information.

Wives of senior pastors are given free registration. Visit the SCBI website for more information.

Woman’s Missionary Union has an amazing legacy and unwavering focus of making disciples of Jesus who live on mission. Many words could be used to describe this missions arm of the Southern Baptist Convention. Here are just a few:

*trustworthy      *compassion ministries     *committed         *community       *tell about Jesus  *Mission Friends    *evangelism    *creative     *Acteens     *connected   *biblical worldview    *encouraging    *gospel-focused   *Girls in Action   *diverse      *pray for missions     *relative   *Royal Ambassadors             *Women on Mission    *do missions      *teach missions     *support missions    *Pure Water,Pure Love    *faithful    *leaders     *online learning      *Adults on Mission    *mentors   *church-based       *cultures    *Children in Action    *mission projects      *relevant      *invested

You get the idea, don’t you? WMU has focused on creating missions awareness in Southern Baptist churches for 131 years. Just as many churches are reflecting on their ministries in the face of COVID-19, WMU has been impacted by the restrictions caused by the pandemic. While methods have changed, the laser focus on making disciples has not. WMU remains committed to sharing the good news with the world, it is dealing with the financial impact the pandemic has had.

This crisis has negatively affected WMU’s bottom line but has positively amplified its mission. WMU has responded with children’s online missions sessions, online leadership training, podcasts on current issues, and resources to help churches continue educating members about missions. WMU has never received funding through the Cooperative Program, but has promoted giving throughout its history as an auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention.        

With sharply reduced income, the need is critical. Please consider giving to the WMU Vision Fund to support national WMU above and beyond your current tithes and offerings. Pray about joining others with a contribution of $100, or any amount God leads you to give. Your gift will help WMU get beyond this financial crisis as it seeks to continue the current level of kingdom work in every state and 39 countries.

You can give online at wmufoundation.com/vision or by mailing your check to: WMU Foundation Vision Fund, 100 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, AL 35242

WMU has urgent needs…will you give to advance God’s mission?

Elizabeth Morris, Mt. Vernon, IN, has received one of the first grants from the Candy P. Phillips WMU Endowment established in 2018 in honor of the WMU missions leader by her husband and family. The endowment’s purpose iss to identify and support emerging female leaders for future roles within Woman’s Missionary Union and its ministry partners. The grant to pursue the Christian Women’s Leadership Center Leadership Certificate consists of nine four-week courses in the area of Leadership Foundations, Formation, and Skills. Participants invest 3-5 hours each week to complete activities with a group of participants who watch instructional videos, converse on lively forums, and complete online reflections, quizzes, and reading assignments.

Beth serves alongside her pastor husband Don at Mt.Vernon Baptist Church. We are so proud of Beth for receiving this award. Congratulations!

Listen to engaging conversations that will inspire you to go deeper in your Christian faith walk. These podcasts are designed for women who want to develop a missional lifestyle. The podcasts are available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

Podcasts thus far include:

“10 Ways God Encourages to Give and Receive Hope”

“Hope for Anxious Women in Anxious Times”

“Committed to God’s Call”

“Loving God with All Your Mind”

Go online to watch these timely podcasts and join Sandy Wisdom-Martin and guests. When you download the podcast, be sure to subscribe and leave a review if option is available.

Because the second Transformed event in northern Indiana was canceled, “Tuesdays at 2” is being offered online providing a selection of the seminars that were to have been given there. Every Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. a leader will present her seminar followed by a live Q and A chat. The first Tuesday at 2 was held on May 5 on Facebook. Go to Facebook next Tuesday and participate! Oh, and it’s free!

“Be Still and Know” is the theme for Transformed 2020 which is an annual event for all Indiana women. The event will include motivational missionary and keynote speakers, seminars on a wide variety of topics,, and many opportunities for fellowship.

It will be held in two locations:

   March 6-7 – Eastern Heights Baptist Church, Jeffersonville.

             Keynote Speaker:   Dana James

       Registration:  $55 if paid in full by February 6

                                $65 if paid in full by February 21

   April 17-18 – Northside Baptist Church, Indianapolis

             Keynote Speaker:  Elizabeth Woodson

   Registration: $55 if paid in full by March 17

                           $65 if paid in full by April 3

  Great News!   Any senior pastor’s wife receives free general registration if she registers using a discount code PWS20 by March 17.

Ministers’ Wives Breakfast  Enjoy a special break for the wives of State Convention of Baptists in Indiana and other vocational ministers. Select the 8:00 a.m. Ministers’ Wives Breakfast option in registration by February 6.

Go online to scbi.org/Transformed for more information about housing and conferences being offered. 

The annual women’s Transformed events were held in March and April. Approximately 600 Indiana women gathered for a time of learning, inspiration, and fellowship. Keynote speakers and seminar leaders focused on the theme for 2019: Endless Joy. Joy was in the hallway! And, in the worship  sessions! And, in the conference sessions!

One hour-long track on Saturday featured various missions-related topics ranging from missionaries sharing about their place of service, ministering to victims of human trafficking, finding your missions/ministry niche, counseling those in need, praying for political leaders, and beginning missions in churches. Special guest, Kay Bennett from Baptist  Friendship House in New Orleans, lead sessions on ministry to women who have come out of human trafficking and homelessness.

Two missions projects were sponsored by Transformed this year. Donations of shampoo, lotion, diapers, and other supplies were given at the Seymour Transformed event for the Jackson County clothing center. The Marion Transformed event collected gift cards for backpacks that will be given to women coming out of trafficking in the New Orleans area.

Indiana women are blessed to have these statewide events. Encourage the women of your church to plan to attend the 2020 Transformed events!

If it’s been a while since you went to the Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) website, you will be surprised at what you find! Remaining relevant is critical for any organization in our society today. In light of our changing needs and culture, WMU has redesigned its website and introduced many exciting options for involvement in missions. Ministries, blogs, news articles, and resources have been designed with Southern Baptist life and churches in mind.

Visit the website soon and discover how you can lead your church, small groups, and all ages toward a lifelong journey that will further God’s kingdom work and bless your life! Go to www.wmu.org

Transformed, an annual event for Indiana women, is coming to our area on March 9-10 at First Southern Baptist Church, Clarksville. The event will feature guest speakers and missionaries, and music led by Sarah Scarborough. Seminars focusing on heart, soul, mind, and mission will be featured – something for everyone! A special breakfast for pastors’ wives will be held Saturday morning. Registration is only $55 if paid by February 9; $65 if by February 23. Cost includes registration, bag, coffee connection on Friday and lunch on Saturday.

Don’t miss this event that has been planned with Indiana women in mind! Bring your friends and experience two days of fellowship, inspiration, and discovery. Go to www.scbi.org/transformed  for more information and to register.

If you are looking for a new Bible study resources, I have several to recommend. Katie Orr has designed 4-week studies for women who crave more from their devotional time. The series is excellent for gifting or individual purchase.

Everyday Faith – will help women discover how to draw near to God as they explore Hebrews 11, the hall of faith.

Everyday Hope – explores the book of Romans and other passages to lead women to hold fast to God’s promises amidst feelings of hopelessness.

Everyday Love – will show how women can give witness to God’s purpose in their lives as they study 1 Corinthians.

Everyday Obedience - is a new study just released in summer 2017 and shows women how to walk purposefully in God’s grace.

Go to www.newhopepublishers.com to order these studies.