Florida Baptist Minister’s Wives gathered for lunch Tuesday at the 2017 Florida Baptist State Convention in Brandon. Under the theme, “Women of Great Influence,” Women’s Missions and Ministry Catalyst Cindy Bradley warmly welcomed the ladies, giving each woman a gift bag and inviting them to enjoy a beautiful lunch together.
The highlight of the Minister’s Wives luncheon each year is the giving of the Clyde Maguire Minister’s Wife Award, which was given in honor of Clyde Maguire, the wife of John Maguire, who was Executive Director-Treasurer of the Florida Baptist Convention between 1945-1967. The award recipient is nominated for her faithful support of her husband’s ministry as well as her own. This year’s recipient is Tina Howell, who walks alongside her husband, Jeffrey Howell, while he pastors Church on the Rock in Plant City. Of his wife, Pastor Howell said: “She is an amazing woman of God and a tremendous pastor’s wife. I am blessed.”
Diane Nix, founder and director of Contagious Joy, a multi-denominational organization devoted to connecting ministry wives for friendships, accountability, fellowship and more, brought the women a message of encouragement in their call to serve alongside their husbands. Nix reminded the crowd to be mindful of the position of influence in which God has placed them.
“As a ministry wife, you are not affecting human destiny for this moment but for eternity,” Nix told the group. “We all have a calling and we are to walk worthy of it – women in your church are watching you.”
By Nicole Kalil, Florida Baptist Convention