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The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention marked new territory in November when it elected Emily Smith as associate for children’s and women’s ministries. Smith, who began her new duties on Jan. 2, is the first ministry associate devoted solely to those ministry areas.
Born in Hope, Ark., Smith attended Ouachita Baptist University with the intention of going into law, but she realized after her freshman year that God had a different plan.
“It was definitely a God thing,” Smith said. “I don’t think you really choose children’s ministry. I think God chooses you.”
After tweaking her major slightly, Smith graduated in communications and then attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. At the same time she used her marketing skills to work with Exclaim Entertainment, creator of “BOZ: The Green Bear Next Door,” as well as Family Life Publishing.
“Sometimes you don’t understand what God’s doing,” Smith said about the new direction toward children’s ministry. “We may have to leave where we’re comfortable but all he asks us to do is follow him.”
After graduating from seminary, Smith served as a children’s minister at Beech Street First Baptist Church in Texarkana, Ark. Smith, who does not have any children of her own, said the children at the church soon became like her own.
“I loved what I did,” Smith said. “I got to minister to kids and their families.”
But then the SBTC contacted Smith about the new position.
Smith said at first she wanted to remain at the church she was serving, but again she felt God urging her to take on a new task.
Smith and her husband received further confirmation when their pastor reminded them of the story of Philip in the New Testament, whom God removed from the place he was at and directed him to walk down a road with no explanation. But as a result an Ethiopian eunuch came to know Christ.
“I think for a year God had been preparing my husband and me for something,” Smith said. “We just didn’t know what direction that would be. Sometimes you might not understand it at the time but we know that he’s in control of that.”
Smith moved to the area with her husband when she began in January.
Her job includes planning different women’s and children’s conferences around the state such as the recent women’s forum in Houston. She said other upcoming events include Bible Drill competitions and preparations for Vacation Bible School this summer.
Smith said children’s ministry is very important because we are teaching and discipling the next generation. She looks forward to leading in women’s ministry as well. “It’s going to be a new area for me,” Smith said, adding that children’s and women’s ministry often go together as they minister to the children and their mothers.
Conferences scheduled throughout the year will help not just mothers, but provide support for all women. With a team of experienced regional women’s ministry leaders in place statewide, she said SBTC poised to continue expanding its tools and resources for both areas of ministry.
“The church can’t do it all,” Smith said. “Discipleship starts in the home.”
Building communication efforts between the SBTC and church leaders is another goal for Smith. She said that communication is key to finding ways to help churches by letting them “know we’re here and want to be a resource for them.”
For more information on children’s ministry and women’s ministry visit the Church Ministries tab at sbtexas.com or contact Smith at 877-953-SBTC or esmith@sbtexas.com.
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