Southwestern prof challenges women to be neighborly along the way

MILL VALLEY, Calif.—Followers of Jesus must treat everyone as a neighbor regardless of racial or geographic boundaries, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary professor Alicia Wong said at the 2013 Women’s Leadership Consultation at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Mill Valley, Calif.

Quoting from the parable of the Good Samaritan, from which the theme verses of the conference were taken, Wong explained, “This parable demonstrates we are to be neighborly to everyone along the way on our journey, not only our next-door neighbor.” Wong is a Golden Gate graduate who serves as assistant professor of women’s ministry at Southwestern in Fort Worth.

“We live in very diverse world, even in our own neighborhood,” said Ann Iorg, wife of Golden Gate Seminary President Jeff Iorg and host of this year’s Women’s  Leadership Consultation, an annual conference which rotates between the six Southern Baptist seminaries.

“Jesus challenges us to be observant and reach out to those around us,” Iorg reminded. “No one person can do everything, but together we can make quite a difference in the lives of people both near and far.”

More than 200 participants came from the San Francisco Bay Area, Southern California, Washington and Nevada, including ministerial students as well as church leaders.

In addition to Wong’s two keynote addresses, 14 seminars were offered by a variety of Southern Baptist women, including two from Southwestern Seminary: “Studying the Bible for Personal Growth and Teaching” led by Dorothy Patterson, professor of theology in women’s studies and “Discovering and Using Your Gifts” led by Terri Stovall, dean of women’s studies. Jaye Martin, a member of Houston’s First Baptist Church who leads an evangelistic ministry, also presented a seminar.

Next year’s consultation will be held in New Orleans. The event returns to Southwestern in 2015.