About 740 women from North Carolina Baptist churches gathered Sept. 19 in Greensboro to explore what it means to be "seated" with Christ and "sent" into their communities. 

At the Women’s Evangelism and Discipleship Conference, speaker Heather Holleman challenged attendees to root their identity in Christ. Holleman, a speaker and writer who teaches at Penn State, encouraged them to embrace their calling as ambassadors of the gospel. 

The morning session centered on Ephesians 2:6 and explored the spiritual reality that believers are already seated in heavenly places with Christ. Rather than fighting for a seat at the table through worldly measures, Holleman reminded attendees of the truth about their identity: “You already have a seat at the table. Start living in that truth.”

Holleman cited research that showed people often spend their adult lives seeking validation through their appearance, affluence and achievements. She presented five key traits that counter those values and characterize “seated people” who understand their secure identity in Christ.

Seated people adore, gazing upon the beauty of the Lord instead of their own appearance (Psalm 34:5), and seated people have access to “the better thing.”

“You have equal access to God’s power and provision,” she said. “God’s given you your life, He has specific blessings for you … He knows exactly what will delight you. It’s in His nature to be good to you.”

Seated people abide. Rather than exhausting themselves pursuing achievements, they focus on producing the fruit God ordained for their lives. They understand that when believers sow to please the Holy Spirit, He can transform brokenness into something beautiful (Galatians 6:8-9).

Holleman challenged attendees toward this shared calling: seated people become available, recognizing their calling as missionaries to their neighbors.

Betsy Bolick, college minister at Perkinsville Church in Boone, said the conference was a “life-giving day” and allowed her a chance to be “poured into and encouraged by God’s Word.”

“Women really need to hear from women about what it looks like to be a follower of Jesus in the particular areas that affect women or that we’re walking through,” Bolick said. “Every speaker has really spoken to me and where I am, which attributes to the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Living as ‘sent’ people

In the afternoon session, Holleman presented three principles Christians uphold when they understand they are sent by God: God is always at work to draw people to Himself; He uses people to lead others to Jesus; and God continually invites them into the work of evangelism.

“The greatest thing happening today in the world is that God is building a kingdom for Himself, whether or not we perceive it,” Holleman said. 

She invited the women to reconsider challenges they may face as opportunities to join God in His work and to ask themselves, “What if this isn’t the story? Is there someone God is sending me to?”

Sent people develop what Holleman called a “rich theology of place.” They get to know their neighbors. Holleman ended with an emphasis on prayer as the fuel that empowers gospel conversations.

Throughout the day, attendees participated in breakout sessions tailored to various life stages and interests. The high school girls’ track explored identity through 1 Peter 2:9-10, with small group discussions helping younger believers understand their value in Christ. Spanish breakout sessions and real-time translation ensured accessibility for all attendees.

Other breakouts addressed topics ranging from spiritual conversations and soul-tending to co-laboring with God, engaging mission fields and multigenerational mentorship. A dedicated track for ministry wives offered encouragement and practical equipping.

Every participant also received a free copy of Holleman’s book, Sent: Living a Life that Invites Others to Jesus. 

Ashley Reffit, N.C. Baptists’ Women’s Leadership and Discipleship Strategist, said the gathering was a picture of gospel unity. 

“Grounded in our identity in Christ, we have been given the incredible gift of sharing His hope with those around us,” Reffit said. “It is my prayer that we continually grow as disciple-making disciples, living and serving on mission together wherever He leads.”

What’s next

N.C. Baptist women in ministry are invited to connect again at the Women in Ministry Luncheon during the N.C. Baptist Annual Meeting, Nov. 16 in Greensboro. Learn more and register here.