Six state organizations have merged with Baptist Women in Ministry to become official chapters of the nationwide organization.
BWIM Executive Director Meredith Stone announced the change in an email to supporters, saying there are now two ways state groups relate to the national organization: As official state chapters or as autonomous, collegial groups.
“As a nationwide organization founded in 1983, BWIM has long worked to support and advocate for women who minister and lead among Baptists. We have been and continue to be grateful for the work of separate state and regional BWIM organizations and groups that bring this mission to a more localized level in their communities,” Stone said.
“During a retreat we hosted for state and regional BWIM leaders in May 2025, we began collaboratively dreaming about how to better meet the localized needs of women in ministry, given the assets and limitations of both national BWIM and the state and regional BWIMs.”
The six state groups that have opted to become official chapters of BWIM national are in Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee.
“The chapter model establishes the groups as official ministries of BWIM national, guided by BWIM’s mission, vision, strategic plan and values,” she said. “State chapters will receive support from BWIM’s staff for volunteer leadership, logistics, communication and more, as well as funding for activities.”
Five groups will continue as autonomous nonprofits, Stone said: BWIM Georgia, BWIM North Carolina, Texas BWIM, Virginia BWIM and BWIM Florida.