Southeastern to host 5th annual Women’s Leadership Breakfast in June

“The SBC Women’s Leadership Breakfast has provided opportunities for me to get to know many different women who use their particular gifts, skills and interests in a diversity of callings,” said Bekah Stoneking, a current Doctor of Education candidate at SEBTS and content editor for Explore the Bible: Kids at Lifeway Christian Resources. 

The breakfast will be held June 12 at 7 a.m. in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Birmingham. Attendees will hear from a number of SEBTS students and graduates on how and why leadership development in the church among women is vital. 

Missie Branch, director of graduate life and assistant dean of students to women at SEBTS, will be leading the panel discussion. 

Panelists include Lesley Hildreth, women’s discipleship director at The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina; Elizabeth Graham, director of events for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and owner of Yellow Brick Events in Nashville, Tennessee; Becky Gardner, chairwoman of the Board of Trustees for SEBTS and superintendent of Peoria Christian School in East Peoria, Illinois; and Betsy Gomez, writer and speaker for Revive Our Hearts ministries.   

After the panel discussion Julia Bickley, assistant professor of ministry to women and associate dean of graduate program administration at SEBTS, will take time to highlight the specific ways in which SEBTS is seeking to train and equip women to lead and serve the local church. 

“Over the years, this has become one of my favorite events at the annual meeting because it’s become a homecoming of sorts— a time to reunite with friends, to be sharpened and encouraged and to marvel at God’s handiwork on display,” said Stoneking. “I am so grateful for the ways this breakfast has grown my confidence in who the Lord has designed and called me to be.”  

To register for the Women’s Leadership Breakfast, visit sebts.edu/sbc19.