Kendall Johnson serves in children’s ministry at Brook Haven Baptist Church in Germanton, N.C., and is in training to lead the ministry. On Saturday, she was a first-time attendee at this year’s Women’s Evangelism and Discipleship Conference, which took place at Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro.

For the young leader, seeing women from different backgrounds come together, support each other and learn more about God emboldened her in ministry.

“It’s a huge blessing to know I have people I can reach out to,” Johnson said.

This year’s conference provided women from North Carolina Baptist churches a place for intentional encouragement, practical tools and Christ-centered wisdom to equip them in sharing the gospel and making disciples.

About 885 women and high school girls attended the Sept. 13 gathering that inspired and challenged them to grow deeper in faith and stronger in their commitment to discipleship. Fourteen individuals put their faith in Christ. 

Catherine Renfro, national director of women’s evangelism at the North American Mission Board, challenged attendees during two main sessions to see how God has called them to be a part of what He’s doing to expand His kingdom.

“As we know Jesus, then we’re called to make Him known. We want to help ladies see how to go about doing that in everyday life and wherever God has called them to serve,” Renfro said.

This was also Ashanti Glass’s first time attending the Women’s Evangelism and Discipleship Conference. Glass, who attends The Summit Church in Garner, serves as administrative director at the Wake County Public Health Department.

“I think making disciples and being a part of God’s Great Commission can feel really big, so being at this conference — learning about what discipleship looks like practically — helps me feel more equipped as I go back to my area where I live and go back to work, just like my everyday life.”

In the final session, Renfro spoke about the different forms ministry can take, including in the workplace.

“Something that I want to take back with me is knowing how to be a vessel for God and be His ambassador, even in the office with my coworkers and even turning those conversations into gospel conversations,” Glass said. 

“As every believer, especially women, we’re all on mission, and we all have a ministry,” she said. “Whether it may look different as a young person, as a high school student, as a new professional like myself or maybe even a retired grandmother, it’s important for all of us to come to know how we can be on mission in our areas in our life.”

Participants chose from 10 breakout sessions that covered topics such as integrating discipleship into individual circles of influence, engaging Bible study and spiritual disciplines, practical evangelism, and discerning God’s call. Sessions were also offered specifically for ministry wives and women leading in ministry. For the first time this year, the conference offered a high school girls track, which gave students tools for studying Scripture and sharing their faith. Fifty high school students attended.

Christina Devlin has served with N.C. Baptists’ women’s discipleship for several years and taught breakout sessions in previous years. After helping plan this year’s conference, she was inspired by how many women from all over the state were present and engaged in the day’s events. 

She reflected, asking God, “What are You doing in us? What are You stirring us up to do? What are You calling us to do in our homes, in our communities and in our churches and our workplaces? You’re moving, and You’re working, and how can we be a part and do that together?”

Terri Howell leads Brook Haven Baptist Church’s women’s ministry and has been coming to the Women’s Conference over the last decade. She took note of the diversity in age among the crowd. 

“On the stage there was an (8-year-old) and then up to probably 85 years old and just everyone coming together. It didn’t matter what age, it didn’t matter what background you are from, we were all there to worship Jesus,” Howell said.

A team from Mercy Hill Church led worship during the main sessions. 

Renfro encouraged participants to recognize how God calls women to join His work throughout Scripture and continues to today.

“We can help ladies see that life is more than just our everyday routines, but there’s purpose in those routines, and that purpose really is in knowing Jesus and making Him known,” Renfro said. “It comes down to just being willing to put our ‘yes’ on the table and watch God do what only He can do as we’re willing to, to live out our faith and help others see who Jesus is.”

During the conference, N.C. Baptists released a new resource designed to equip women with practical tools to study God’s word. Download the free resource here.

Don’t miss the upcoming Women in Ministry Lunch and Panel Discussion at the N.C. Baptist annual meeting on Nov. 10. Learn more and register here.

Next year’s conference is scheduled for Sept. 19, 2026. The theme will be “On Mission Together: Seated and Sent,” with Heather Holleman as the speaker. For more women’s discipleship resources, visit ncbaptist.org/women.