By Lindsey Williams
Writing Specialist
CLINTON, Miss. — Springtime brings new beginnings, yet uncertainties often loom on the horizon, too.
At this year’s Ministry Assistants Conference & Training, held March 17–18 at Garaywa Camp and Conference Center, many women arrived carrying burdens. The widespread storms and tornadic destruction of March 15 devastated communities and took lives. Other women drove onto the Garaywa grounds burdened by church crises or office tensions awaiting them back home. Some were unable to attend due to pressing family needs. When death and devastation — or deceit and drama — hit close to home or the church office, it can be difficult to remember the promises of God.
Months earlier, without knowledge of what the weekend would hold, officers of the Mississippi Baptist Ministry Assistants Association (MBMAA) chose the theme for the 2025 meeting: “Always Faithful: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” The two days of training, discipleship, and fellowship served as a refreshing reminder of God’s faithfulness — past, present, and future.
The 2025 MBMAA officers are:
– President: Lisa Fortner
– Vice President: Bridgett Peeples
– Secretary: Becky Combs
– Treasurer: Sarah Kirby
– Chaplain: Naomi McCaffrey
– Communications Director: Sandi Komurke
– MBCB Representative: Elizabeth Lindigrin-Hancock
Each year, the group supports a special mission project. This year, attendees gave toward rebuilding efforts for O’Zion Church in Meadville, which was destroyed by a tornado on Dec. 28, 2024.
One of the most notable features of the conference is the laughter and camaraderie among attendees. With shared faith, like-minded ministries, and often similar difficulties, the women find both help and humor in community.
The two-day event began with a regional meet-and-greet, where women from different areas of Mississippi connected through an icebreaker activity and learned fun facts about each other. Worship followed, led by Kris Smith, Mississippi Baptist Convention Board (MBCB) director of worship ministries, and Wyndy South, MBCB consultant for keyboard and children’s music.
Dori Rushing, pastor’s wife at Puckett Church and a gifted Bible teacher, led the group in a comprehensive study of God’s faithfulness to Abraham.
“In our lifetime, God is faithful. Beyond our lifetime, He is faithful. We are to be faithful in all that we do,” Rushing said.
“When somebody comes into your office, whenever you have the opportunity, speak of God’s faithfulness. Tell them, ‘I know a man named Abraham who was just as human as you and I. At first he just obediently followed God. Then he received the breath of God, and as he moved throughout his life, he testified to the faithfulness of God. But not only did he say it with his mouth, he worked it out in his life. And God was always faithful to him, passing His promise from generation to generation.’”
After worship, Angie Boydstun, MBCB consultant for children’s ministry in the discipleship and Sunday school department, led a session titled “Ministry in Times of Crisis.” This challenging but crucial training focused on sexual abuse awareness and response. Boydstun offered clear and guided instruction for prevention, victim protection, and appropriate, supportive responses to reports or disclosures. Though no church wants to face such a crisis, all need to be prepared to respond with calm and care.
Following lunch at Garaywa, church and associational ministry assistants split into Q&A sessions. John Pace, MBCB director of church leadership, led one session, and Jon Martin, MBCB chief strategy officer, led the other. Pace referred to Lindigrin-Hancock as his “ministry partner.”
Ministry assistants are vital to Kingdom work. Their efforts are sometimes overlooked or mistakenly credited to others, but they press on when their service is unto the Lord. For them, it’s more than a job — it’s a calling. That’s why MBMAA hosts this annual conference: to equip these women and refresh their hearts through fellowship and fun.
Breakout sessions included:
– “Maintaining Church Membership Rolls” with John Pace
– “Unlocking Volunteer Potential in Your Church” with Dwayne Parker, MBCB director of discipleship/Sunday school
– “Verse Mapping” with Sunday Holmes, teacher and ministry wife
– “Events — Hints and Help” with Sandi Komurke
– “Social Media Strategies for Churches” with Lorie Hanson, director of communications at First Church Madison
The MBMAA business meeting was held Monday afternoon.
Each year, Monday evening features a special group activity. This year’s surprise guest was a former International Mission Board (IMB) missionary who led a mission-themed, timed escape room. In “The Great Pursuit,” women teamed up to solve puzzles and challenges aimed at equipping them and their churches for fulfilling the Great Commission. The room buzzed with laughter and lively chatter as each team tried to beat the others.
As always, the Ministry Assistants Conference & Training invited ministry partners to step away from their desks just long enough to be refreshed in God’s Word and renewed through fellowship with like-minded sisters in Christ — then return home ready to continue as He leads.
Mark your calendars: The next Ministry Assistants Conference & Training is scheduled for March 16–17, 2026, at Garaywa Camp and Conference Center in Clinton.
For information about sexual abuse awareness and response, visit https://mbcb.org/saat/.
For details about the Mississippi Baptist Ministry Assistants Association or the 2026 conference, contact Elizabeth Lindigrin-Hancock at elindigrin@mbcb.org.
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