October 1, 2026
JONESBORO, Ga. — English and Spanish worship filled the air at the Georgia Baptist Women Spring Event held at First Baptist Church Jonesboro in April. However, the clear message repeated from the platform was that what unites the women is far greater than what makes them different.
The 2026 gathering, held April 17–18, marked the first intentionally bilingual Georgia Baptist Women Spring Event, bringing together English- and Spanish-speaking women from across the state for worship, Bible teaching, fellowship, and a missions project.
Attendees used translation technology throughout the event, moving seamlessly between languages as women greeted one another, worshiped together, prayed together, and packed hygiene kits for ministry through Mission Georgia and Baptist Mobile Health Ministries.
“We have one thing that unites us,” said Rossy Rivera, Spanish Language Groups Representative for Georgia Baptist Women, during opening remarks translated into English. “What truly unites us is one faith, one love, and the trust we have in Christ.”
Beth Ann Williams, Executive Director-Treasurer of Georgia Baptist Women, said the event had been prayed over and envisioned for years.
“The thing that unifies us is our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ,” Williams told attendees. “We are better together under Him.”
That emphasis on fellowship continued throughout the conference as speakers challenged attendees to deepen their walk with Christ and encourage one another in faith.
Courtney Veasey, founder and director of Brunch Ministries, urged attendees to pursue a deeper, more intentional fellowship with God rooted in daily dependence on Him.
Preaching from Hebrews and reflecting on the perseverance of believers throughout Scripture, Veasey reminded women that the Christian life was never intended to be lived casually or in isolation.
“It is a privilege to walk with the God of all history,” Veasey said. “The God of the heavenlies of all time, of all history, God almighty says, ‘I want to meet with you one on one.’”
Veasey emphasized that biblical fellowship centers on a shared pursuit of Christ. She encouraged attendees to cultivate relationships that strengthen faith, sharpen spiritual growth, and help believers endure hardship faithfully.
Drawing from Hebrews 10, she challenged women not to neglect gathering together, especially in a culture that increasingly promotes self-sufficiency and isolation.
“We need each other,” Veasey said. “God never intended for us to walk this journey alone.”
She also urged attendees to approach prayer and Scripture not as obligations or routine religious exercises, but as opportunities to commune personally with God.
Veasey acknowledged that perseverance often develops through suffering, uncertainty, and seasons of weariness, but reminded listeners that God remains faithful in every circumstance.
“Sometimes the greatest act of faithfulness is simply continuing to walk with God one more day,” she told attendees.
Throughout her message, Veasey repeatedly returned to the theme of awe, encouraging women not to lose sight of the majesty and holiness of the God who invites them into relationship with Him.
“We get used to things that should leave us amazed,” she said. “The Creator of all things desires fellowship with us.”
The conference also featured a deeply personal message from author, speaker, and former Miss Universe Barbara Palacios, who shared how God’s grace sustained her through seasons of pain, uncertainty, loss, and restoration.
Speaking candidly about her struggles, Palacios repeatedly pointed to the faithfulness of God and the security believers have in Christ.
“Our past does not define us. Our present does not define us,” Palacios said through translation. “We are defined by the love of God.”
Palacios described how people often attempt to hide brokenness while longing for healing and restoration. She encouraged women to trust God even during painful seasons when His work may not yet be visible.
“Sometimes we want to be restored and healed, but we do not want the process,” she said. “But God has mercy on all of our processes.”
Palacios challenged attendees to recognize that their lives and struggles are interconnected within God’s greater plan and reminded them that no season of pain is wasted in His hands.
“God is weaving something eternal,” Palacios said. “Even when we cannot yet see the full picture.”
Throughout her message, Palacios emphasized that healing begins when believers surrender their identity fully to Christ.
“God’s love is what gives us value,” she said. “Not success, not titles, not what others say about us.”
The event also emphasized hands-on ministry, as women assembled hygiene bags that will be distributed through Georgia Baptist ministry efforts. Breakout sessions in both languages focused on discipleship, leadership, missions, and spiritual growth.
Williams said one of the most encouraging aspects of the gathering was watching women connect across cultural and linguistic lines.
“We may not speak the same language,” she said, “but we serve the same Savior.”
Rivera told attendees the gathering reflected the heart of the gospel itself.
“We are joyful because today we can experience something we have dreamed about for a long time — being together as Georgia Baptist women,” she said through translation.
“The Lord already sees us as one people,” Williams said. “This weekend gave us a glimpse of that.”
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