WOODWORTH – Hay bales, handcrafts and all manner of livestock – stuffed, of course – combined to set the stage for a “down home” kind of annual gathering for ministry assistant professionals in Louisiana Baptist life.
By Karen L. Willoughby
Managing editor
WOODWORTH – Hay bales, handcrafts and all manner of
livestock – stuffed, of course – combined to set the stage for a “down
home” kind of annual gathering for ministry assistant professionals in
Louisiana Baptist life.
The day-long “State Fair” event hosted by the
Louisiana Baptist Ministry Assistants fellowship – LABMA – took place
in the activities building at Tall Timbers Conference Center, less than
an hour south of Alexandria.
“It’s a time to get away from the office and hear
about new things going on, and to see what’s going on with other
ministry professionals,” said Kathy Wallace of Calvary Baptist in
Ruston. It was her third year to attend the event, she said.
“For me, this event is encouraging and refreshing,”
Wallace said. “It’s just good to talk with other women and see
they have similar frustrations, and we can talk here about
different ways we can deal with different situations.”
The day’s featured speaker was Cindy Townsend,
women’s missions and ministries team leader for the Louisiana Baptist
Convention.
Stress, Power Point, Finances and Personal Safety were among several break-out sessions.
During a business session, Karen Gillen of Pineville
Park Baptist in Pineville, who coordinated this year’s LABMA February
event, was elected president of the group.
Debra Hull of Broussard Grove Baptist in
Prairieville was elected 1st vice president; Earline Vinyard of
Immanuel Hammond, 2nd vice president; Lisa Picou of Highland New
Iberia, secretary; Ruth Hernandez of LBC missions, treasurer; Rita Mann
of First Pineville, Historian; Phyllis Prejean of First Jennings,
member-at-large; and Kathy Wallace of Calvary Ruston, member-at-large.
“I’m kind of a shy person but I feel very
comfortable here,” said Robbie Boyett of Salem Baptist in Stonewall. “I
met some nice ladies I wouldn’t have met if I hadn’t come to this
event.”