Kansas Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists (KNCSB)

Women urged to follow Ruth’s example

Kelly Minter, an author, speaker, singer and song writer, was the featured speaker for Wonderful Weekend for Women 2009. A book signing featuring Minter proved to be popular.

Follow God wholeheartedly through life’s difficulties.

That was one of the challenges issued to 450 participants in the KNCSB Wonderful Weekend for Women.

The annual event was held Sept. 11-12 at Webster Conference Center, Salina, Kan. Kelly Minter, an author, speaker, singer and song writer, was the featured speaker. Learn more about Minter on her Web site

Minter spoke on “Ruth: Loss, Love and Legacy.” She examined Ruth, her mother-in-law Naomi, and Orpah, her sister-in-law. Each woman had suffered heartbreaking losses but dealt with them differently: Ruth followed God wholeheartedly; Naomi followed God but clung to her bitterness; and Orpah turned away from God.

Kelly Gandy, who serves in student ministry in Colorado Springs, was the featured missionary. The featured musicians were “Always, Only,” the women’s ensemble from Metropolitan Baptist Church, Wichita, Kan.

The women learned of great spiritual needs in Colorado Springs. Only 10 percent of the population attends church, Gandy said. That is despite the city being the home of such Christian organizations as Focus on the Family and the Navigators.

Gandy and her husband, Bill, work with students in Pike’s Peak Baptist Association, home of 30,000 students. They previously served at First Southern Baptist Church, Pratt, Kan.

The Gandys’ main focus is leading the Baptist Student Union at the Air Force Academy.

“These are incredible students. [They] are going to be influencing our entire nation.”

Gandy challenged WWW participants to “be a missionary right where you are.”

In other activity, the women learned the KNCSB women’s department has a new name: KNCSB Women’s Leadership. To learn more, visit the new Web site

In 2010, Wonderful Weekend for Women will be held Sept. 17-18 at WCC. Author and speaker Angela Thomas will be featured.