October 2, 2026
ATLANTA — Among the events at the Georgia Baptist Convention's annual meeting, held last month at First Baptist Atlanta, is the Ministry Wives' Luncheon. The event provides ministry wives an opportunity to connect, fellowship, and learn from each other.
“The ministers’ wives luncheon is always refreshing for me as I am in a room with other women who understand the role to which I am called,” said Barbara Taylor, wife of an association mission strategist.
As the women walked into the room for the luncheon, they were welcomed by beautifully decorated candlelit tables creating a warm ambiance. The wives enjoyed meeting new friends and saying hello to familiar faces as they chose a round, intimate table to sit.
The theme for the luncheon was "Reflecting Christ to Everyone, Everywhere," echoing the overall theme of the annual meeting. The team that prepared this event did a great job of reflecting Christ to the wives of Georgia Baptist ministers. The beautiful place settings, the small gift at each seat, the wonderful food, and the message were a reflection of love and care for each woman there. The time of worship was sweet as women raised their hands to the Lord to thank Him for what He’s done.
Catherine Renfro, who is a pastor's wife and serves as the National Director of Women's Evangelism at the North American Mission Board, shared a powerful message, declaring that, “Everybody, everywhere is worthy of hearing the gospel.” She said, “God has sent us out on mission, but he has not sent us out alone.”
Renfro's message was based on John, chapter 15, where Jesus teaches that He is the true vine, and we are the branches. She said, “Branches are only good if they are connected to the vine. As ministry wives, sometimes we live as though we are the vine instead of Christ, the true vine.”
She reflected on a time when Jesus said to her, “I have called you to serve out of the overflow, not the overload.” She shared that, “when we are rooted in Christ, then we will flourish with the gospel.”
The ministry wives were challenged with the question, “Are we too busy to connect to Jesus ourselves?”
Sometimes women can feel like they have to be everything to everybody, but Renfro challenged her listeners, telling them that all they have to do is “point people to Jesus, He is everything.”
Ministry wives can “sometimes operate as the vine dresser,” she added, instead of letting Jesus do that, meaning that they carry the weight of the ministry on their shoulders instead of giving that burden to Jesus. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (NASB).
Renfro told the women that, “God didn’t call us to be the pruner of people. God has it under control. We’re just branches who need to be fed and sustained by God. To be rooted in Christ is to recognize our role.” The wives were reminded that “when they are withering or feel like they’re drowning, they aren’t worried about saving someone else." It was a good reminder for the women to take care of themselves by abiding in Christ, the True Vine, so they can better serve and love others out of that overflow.
Renfro passionately shared, “When we aren’t abiding in Christ, we waste our lives. I can gauge my spiritual health by how often I’m telling someone about Jesus.” She challenged the women to go back to the moment that God saved them so that it would bring them gratitude and awe, and make them want to share the gospel with others.
The ministry wives were challenged to remain confident in Jesus despite any opposition they may face.
Taylor shared, “God used the speaker to remind me of the mission and focus to which he has called me as a believer. God answered my prayers for encouragement through what Renfro shared from John 15. I am called to serve God out of the overflow of my daily time abiding in Him and not the overload of ministry activities. I received confirmation that I am to continue to live intentionally focused on Jesus and being other-focused as I seek to disciple others and share the gospel.”
Sometimes the challenges of ministry can cause people to lose their vision or their purpose, but the women were reminded that when they are rooted in Christ, they remember the mission, and they can also remember that they have been chosen, appointed, and sent.
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