By Vicki Smith, Women’s Ministries Executive Director

“Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”

– 2 Timothy 1:9

Merriam-Webster defines the word calling as “a strong impulse toward a particular course of action especially when accompanied by conviction of divine influence.”

I sometimes have felt that the phrase “I feel called to do it” has been used flippantly and often without real thought. I do not know how many times a woman has come to me and said, “I really feel called to do this,” and maybe six months later says that she does not feel called in that area anymore. We could spend countless hours discussing what it truly means to be called. Calling for each of us is different, and it comes in different forms. And yes, God does move us from one service area or “calling” to another. There is a passage of scripture that, in my mind, sums it all up. Isaiah 6:8 “Here I am Lord, Send Me.”

I ran across a quote by the author Emilie Barnes that says “Instead of thinking of the will of God, why not think of it as I will. God, I will do whatever you desire me to do.”

I have been so blessed in my life to have known so many Godly women. Women who only want to do the will of God. Some have stepped out of the box and have or are serving in some areas that have made them true pioneers in the denomination. Others have served in very traditional ways, while still others are unsung heroes serving quietly behind the scenes but faithfully answering God with “I will.” They cover a broad spectrum of ages and live in varying demographic areas. Their experiences are varied. Some I have known for a long time and are close friends. Some are colleagues that I have served alongside at some time or another. Some I have known only for a short time, but I am so thankful that God caused our paths to cross.

In 1911 Asenath Brewster responded to God with “I will.” To date, over 100 women have answered with “I will” and have gone to serve on one of our General Baptist mission fields. Over one-fourth of those going as a single woman.

I hope that as you read about these seven women, you will be as touched by their testimonies and as blessed as I am by their faithfulness. I also pray that their stories will inspire you to search for the “I WILL” in your life.

Amanda Ball-Knight

Amanda is the founder of “She’s Seeking Jesus Ministries” while fulfilling the duties of pastor’s wife, mom, and foster mom. Amanda refers to herself as just another ordinary girl from a small town. She has a passion for following Jesus and for sharing His love with all that she encounters. She has been in ministry for two decades and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Theology and Psychology. Her husband is Rev. Joe Knight, and he pastors First GB Church in Madisonville, Kentucky. At age 16, Amanda felt God’s calling on her life, and she has pursued that calling to lead women to find their God-given purpose. Amanda currently serves on the Women’s Ministries board and facilitates a local group of women entitled “Connection, Coffee and Conversation.” Amanda is also the author of several books. Thank you, Amanda, for answering God’s call.

Pauletta Yarbrough

Pauletta is a native of Kentucky and cannot remember a time when she was not in church. She accepted Jesus as her savior when he was nine years old and began to recognize God’s calling on her life at the age of thirteen. At that time, she dedicated her life in service to Him. She states that camp Allen had a huge impact on her life. She and her husband Curt have pastored several churches in their ministry career. Upon feeling the calling of missions in her life, she has made fifteen trips to Honduras. She laughingly says that she has done everything in churches except for preaching. Pauletta is currently leading worship at redeeming Love GB Church in Clay, Kentucky. Her favorite scripture is Psalm 37:4, “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart,” and her prayer is 1 Chronicles 4:10. Her life is a testimony to these verses.

Carol Lawrence

Carol and her husband Dennis of 37 years live in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Carol has worked with General Baptist ministries for 18 years and is a member of Fellowship GB church in Poplar Bluff. When she sensed God calling her to service, she really could not imagine what that meant. Over the years, Carol has tried to say yes to whatever He asks of her. Carol’s real passion is sharing God’s word. She shares that she is happiest when studying and can share what God has revealed to her through Scripture. Carol has a gift of teaching and has used and continues to use that gift in leading women’s Bible studies at Fellowship.

Lisa Vaught

Lisa and her husband, Dr. Chris Vaught, currently serve at Connection Point Church in Jackson, Missouri, where Chris is pastor. Lisa remembers as a young child playing a song by Cleatus Bowman entitled “I’ll Serve You,” many times listening to it as she fell asleep. She knew then that God was calling her to service. She shares, “He knew I would live that face-planting event, so He made sure I had His promise of sufficient grace etched on my heart, so I’d get up and serve Him with the rest of my life.” Lisa shares her gift by writing Sunday school lessons for Stinson Press. Her passion is women’s ministries, where she leads Bible studies and organizes church and community events. She has recently stepped out in faith and has launched a community-wide Christian book club desiring to impact women during the winter season.

Tammy Scheller

Tammy and husband Doug of over 41 years live in Princeton, Indiana, where she pastors the Enon GB church. She has served in that capacity for 13 ½ years. God began speaking a calling to her in 1997. After 3 years of prayer, searching scriptures, and seeking counsel, God clarified that calling was a call to preach. She enrolled in seminary in 2000 and graduated in 2005. God has taken her life-long love for the church and the gifts that He has given her in communication and has given her great joy in serving Him. In 2007 she began her pastorate at Enon. During her time there, she has served as lead pastor, co-pastor, and now as part-time pastor. Tammy is dedicated to her calling and will continue to preach as long as God calls her to serve in that way.

EddiMarie Julian

EddiMarie was born and grew up in southern Indiana. She does not ever remember a time that she did not know Jesus. At the age of 9, she accepted Jesus as her savior. Several years later, a missionary from Africa came to her church, and she felt certain that she would end up as a missionary in Africa. She laughingly says that within weeks she realized that her Africa was spelled California. EddiMarie has served faithfully at Herald GB in Modesto, California, where she is currently a music minister. She has always been a willing servant and has served in any capacity needed. Over the years, she has served on denomination committees and presently serves on the board of trustees for Oakland City University. Her newest role will be that of Women’s Ministries region director for the California region.

Mindy Pinckney

Mindy describes herself as a small-town girl from Ava, Missouri. Mindy and her husband Tanner are the parents of three children; she teaches at Ava School District and is Associate Pastor at Life Church. She labels herself as a teacher and preacher and says she does not know how to separate the two. On October 1, 2009, she answered the call to preach. She describes it as being scary, unexpected, and unaccepted. But God is good. Over the past 10 years, she has remained true to that calling. Her passion is to help others “do life through Christ.” She shares, tongue in cheek, that she thought she was to be the next Beth Moore. But God had other plans. Her eyes have been opened to a disconnected generation that needs the gospel. She desires to follow God’s calling to spread the gospel to those around her.

There are hundreds of women serving in our General Baptist churches. They are all servants in the true sense of the word. As you know, it would be impossible to name all of them, so I have chosen to highlight just a few of these extraordinary women of God. Take just a few minutes of your prayer time to thank God for those women in your churches that have contributed hours to the ministry. You might even consider thanking them personally. They have remained true to their calling and have without a doubt answered with “I WILL.”