ATLANTA (ABP) — Leaders of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Global Women recently agreed to enter a three-year partnership to meet the needs of women around the world, CBF officials announced July 29.
The partnership will start with two specific projects already in place, Global Women executive director Cindy Dawson explained by phone July 31.
Some CBF field personnel will participate in the Global Women's Global Voices 2008 Summit set for Sept. 12-13 at Trinity Baptist Church in San Antonio. In addition, the CBF will help promote, in its partner churches, a special prayer focus for International Women's Day, scheduled next year for March 8.
Dawson noted the agreement marks the first long-term partnership for the Birmingham, Ala.-based organization since its inception in 2001. Most Global Women partnerships have been short-term and based around specific projects, she said.
Global Women is a non-denominational group designed to provide opportunities for women to minister with and to women. It currently operates primarily through Global Women chapters based in local churches.
The two projects are only the beginning, Dawson added. “This is where we can start,” she said, noting that the two organizations will develop new ministries specific to the partnership.
“God seems to be drawing both of us [CBF and Global Women] to Central Asia. The needs of the women there are great,” she said. “We are investigating ways to empower women — to find ways to empower and encourage women to live out their call to ministry.”
Dawson, a former CBF field worker in Russia, is excited by the possibilities the partnership could provide. “It is a very complementary relationship. We want to enlarge the understanding of what Christ means for women around the world,” she said.
Global Women and the CBF struck a formal partnership shortly after the women's organization formed. That accord was renewed in 2002, but changes in Global Women's leadership shifted the agreement to a more informal relationship, noted Chris Boltin with CBF Global Missions.
Boltin is happy the relationship once again has been formalized. “They keep us focused on women's issues,” he said.