American Baptist Women’s Ministries became a national organization 1951, with the formation of the National Council of American Baptist women. But women’s ministries in our denomination began long before 1951. For well over a century, women have been strong partners in the American Baptist family- raising money for missions at home and abroad, sending missionaries, and ministering in local churches and communities.
Through the years, women have shaped their ministries to meet emerging needs. The Woman’s Baptist Society, organized in 1871 (the forerunner of the Woman’s American Baptist Foreign Mission Society), focused on women in other lands. The Women’s American Baptist Home Mission Society, formed in 1909, centered on evangelism in the United States. The World Wide Guild was established in 1915 to train, inspire, and empower girls for Christian ministry and leadership; it became a program of Educational Ministries. In 1992, AB Women’s Ministries affirmed and accepted all responsibility for the girls’ ministry and organized it as AB GIRLS.
(NOTE: ABWM is made up of both lay women and women who are professional church leaders. If you want information aimed solely at women in professional ministry, then you need to search on “ABWIM” – American Baptist Women in Ministry – instead.)
Greetings from Jean Langdon, ABWM of IN/KY President
Since November 1, 2022, I have been serving as ABWM of IN/KY President. I am excited to serve alongside many women who have ABWM hearts. I look forward to meeting you in person, learning from you, and growing together with you as we serve our Lord and Savior. American Baptist Women’s Ministries is a vital, MUST HAVE organization in all churches.
I am sure some of you are wondering who in the world is Jean Langdon?
My husband, Bob, and I live in Columbus, IN. We have two grown children, five grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter who will be five in January. We are fortunate to have our entire family living within two miles of each other. My husband is a retired minister, and I am a retired elementary school teacher. We were teenage sweethearts, and never dated anyone else. I knew a good man(boy) when I saw one and kept him. Hopefully, he thought the same of me. 🙂
Bob and I have had the privilege of going on several mission trips including to China, Tibet, the Republic of Georgia, Chile, and Brazil. The trips have opened our eyes and given us just a glimpse into the work done by our missionaries in other countries while balancing their own families’ needs. My challenge for you is to pray for our missionaries by name and pray for your American Baptist Women’s Ministries organization in your local church. If you do not have one, I pray that you will seriously consider starting this vital ministry organization. If your church would like to form an ABWM circle, please email me HERE for information. I look forward to hearing from you!
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others…” 1 Peter 4:10a
For a complete list of 2024 ABWM of IN/KY Officers, goHERE.
If you would be interested in serving as an ABWM Officer/Committee Member in the future or have somebody else to suggest, please download and print/fill out this 2024 Nominating Committee Form HERE and return it to Janice Mott. If you need Janet Mott’s contact info, contact Jean Langdon or another current ABWM of IN/KY Officer, or your Association ABWM President for her email address or US Mail address. It was also in the packet of materials shared at the 2023 Women’s Day in Anderson.
To read or review the newly-revised ABWM of IN/KY Bylaws, which were also adopted on Women’s Day, wonderfully hosted by Anderson FBC (Oct. 14, 2023), go HERE.
Upcoming ABWM dates to track on:
June 28-29, 2024 – ABWM of IN/KY Summer Conference at Franklin College (stay in local hotels if coming overnight!) – Open to ALL American Baptist Women of IN/KY!
July 18-21, 2024 – ABWM National Conference in Roanoke, VA – Open to ALL American Baptist Women (nation-wide)!
October 12, 2024 – ABWM of IN/KY Women’s Day at First Baptist Church of Greenwood, IN!
The 2025 ABWM of IN/KY Scholarship Application is also now available: HERE!(Annual Deadline: February 15th)
