WNAC update

Women Nationally Active for Christ (WNAC), an auxiliary arm of the denomination, has coordinated the collaborative efforts of Free Will Baptist women since 1934.

Shine! Conferences Tackle Cultural Issues for Teens

Antioch, Tennessee—WNAC recently hosted two conferences for girls between the ages of 12-18. The first was held October 24, at Fairview FWB Church, Spartanburg, South Carolina. The second met November 21, at First FWB Church, North Little Rock, Arkansas.

The conference answered tough questions faced by today’s teen girls with biblical truth and practical plans for making good decisions in a difficult world. A separate track for moms and youth leaders examined issues that confront teens today, providing helpful resources for meeting the needs of the young ladies they influence.

The conference featured four speakers (pictured above). Beth Bryant is a pastor’s wife from Olive Branch, Mississippi, who teaches teen girls at Cross Creek Christian Academy. Ana Batts is a full-time mother expecting her sixth child. She serves alongside her husband Craig, senior pastor at Cross Timbers FWB Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Rachel Bryant is a registered nurse in a busy OB/GYN practice in Memphis, Tennessee. She also works with teen girls at Cross Creek FWB in Southaven, Mississippi. Sarah Sargent is the youngest WAC state president and WNAC Board member. She has served 11 years as a mentor and camp counselor for tweens and teen girls.

Attendees shared their thoughts on anonymous conference evaluations:

• “I was reminded of my worth and learned a lot about my body.”
  

• “I value myself more because I’m God’s girl.”
  

• “As a Mom raising two girls, 11 and eight, this conference provided guidance on where and how to start talking about sexuality.”
  

• “[Shine] gave me some tools to use to connect with the girls in my life and a renewed urgency to pray for and with them.”
  

• “I had no idea of all the things they face and temptations they try to endure.”
  

• “I would love to see this information taken into local churches to inform them of these real but scary facts.”
  

• “It’s great to see WNAC is just as concerned about our girls as they are about foreign missions. Thank you!”
  

• “I learned that my body is a temple and I need to be more respectful of what I do with it.”
  

Host Pastor Tim Hackett expressed his thoughts about the Shine! conference in an email:

I just wanted to let you and the Shine Conference Committee know how much I appreciated the conference being held at our church. I listened to Beth and Rachel talk to the girls from the hall and was very impressed with the caliber of discussions these ladies had with the young ladies. They were informative, instructional, and inspirational. I am very thankful that our church was the first church to host the conference.

For more information about the Shine! Conferences, or how you can become involved in WNAC, visit www.wnac.org.