My dear colleagues in women’s ministries,

These are days of change generally in our denomination. At the Biennial Meeting in June at Bethel University in Minnesota, it was announced that the Baptist General Conference will be called Converge Worldwide. It will move ministry offices to Orlando, Florida, within the next couple of years (though financial and communications operations will remain in the Chicago area).

This is also a time of change for me personally. This newsletter marks the end of 16-plus years as director of women’s ministries for the Baptist General Conference. I am retiring effective September 15 even though most days I don’t feel old enough to retire. (Some days I feel older than my years!) Because some have asked, you may want to know, at this time, Converge Worldwide has no plans to continue the women’s ministries department or hire a replacement for me as women’s ministries director.

A friend rightly defined my new reality as “sort of retiring” because I’ve been asked to continue working part-time. My work will focus strictly on two specific tasks: providing oversight and training to the School of Women’s Ministries and working with the National School of Leadership. This should involve no more than three days a week and not even that much time every week.

We currently have a SWM going in the Pacific Northwest and in Minnesota. A third is to begin in our Mid-Atlantic district in Hyattsville, MD in October. Another district is exploring the possibility of holding a SWM in their area. As God continues to supply good health and energy, I eagerly anticipate continuing to help women develop competence and confidence in serving God and women. In addition, we roll out two National Schools of Leadership in the Chicago area and anticipate at least three more within the next eight months. So, my retirement doesn’t mean I’m coming to a dead halt! (Those of you who know me understand how impossible I would find that.) In some ways, I’ll be more available to do conference and retreat speaking and teaching than I’ve been in the last few years.

It’s been a high privilege to serve the women of the Baptist General Conference and many outside the denomination as well. I’ve had a front row seat in watching God do more in and through BGC Women’s Ministries than I ever dreamed. I’ve made some of the dearest friends I’ve had in my almost 66 years—especially wonderful because I came into the BGC mostly unknown back in 1992 and was warmly welcomed into a spiritual family. This “family,” these friends have prayed me through many a hard time and rejoiced with me in the good times; they have blessed me beyond words. I’ve loved meeting, learning from, and sharing with leaders in other denominations and organizations as a result of my position in the BGC. I’m deeply grateful to God for putting me in a place where I had such fun expressing my spiritual gifts.

Now it’s on to the next chapter. In that new chapter, I will relinquish writing and sending “Leadership Letter.” This is the final copy you will receive from me. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed connecting with you through the years on issues related to serving God and leading women to become more like Jesus for the sake of others and His kingdom.

With wonderful memories and warmest wishes for God’s best to you,