Called to Serve

Ardythe was ordained in 1988 and went on to pastor numerous Baptist churches in Nova Scotia. She shares about her experience of coming to faith at the age of 37, the challenges of pastoring after the loss of her husband, and why going to the annual CBAC convention was such a valuable experience. Called to Serve is a new podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches within the Canadia...

Barbara was ordained in 1991 and has been pastoring at West Brooklyn Baptist Church for around thirty years. Barbara describes the difficulties she faced at the beginning of her journey into ministry, her experience pastoring through the Covid-19 pandemic, and the ways she’s been able to uniquely serve her community. Called to Serve is a new podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churc...

Anna Robbins was ordained in 1995. She was involved with local church ministry, served as faculty at the London School of Theology, and is now President of Acadia Divinity College and Dean of Theology at Acadia University. Anna describes her pathway into ministry as a young woman, her experience with theological study and academic leadership, and how partnership with her husband has enabled her to...

Carol Anne was ordained in 1997 and has served at several churches, including First Baptist Dartmouth. She shares about her journey towards ordination, the influence of her Mennonite Brethren heritage, and her experience with doctoral studies and being part of the faculty of Acadia Divinity College. Called to Serve is a new podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches within the Can...

Kristen was ordained in 2016 and has served as youth and children's pastors in several Atlantic Baptist churches. She shares about her experience navigating shared pastoral positions with her husband, her heart for youth and children's ministry, and what it was like to lead her church through the Covid-19 pandemic. Called to Serve is a new podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by...

Elizabeth was ordained in 1976 and went on to pastor, counsel, and teach. She shares about her years of ministry experience in both Atlantic Canada and abroad, serving in Kenya with Canadian Baptist Ministries. Called to Serve is a new podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches within the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada . Between 1950 and 2020, over one hundred women were ord...

Lola was ordained in 1991 and went on to serve as a pastor and chaplain in Atlantic Canada and Ontario. She shares about her call to rural church ministry, the importance of serving through listening and presence, and her impressions of Josephine Moore, the first woman ordained in the CBAC. Called to Serve is a new podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches within the Canadian Bap...

Judith was ordained in 1989 and went on to pastor at Kentville Baptist Church, work with refugee families, and serve as a chaplain in several communities. She describes some of the challenges she faced as a woman entering into ministry, such as her experience at examining council--and the influence of those who encouraged her along the way. Called to Serve is a new podcast featuring the stories of...

Gail was ordained in 1998. She describes some of the challenges she faced over her years of ministry, like how she balanced expectations around ministry and motherhood, and how she handled doubt when others questioned her call. Called to Serve is a new podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches within the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada . Between 1950 and 2020, over one hundr...

Maxine graduated with her MDiv in 1970 and was later ordained in 1989. She has worked at three theological schools, including Acadia Divinity College, and continues to minister as part of a team of four retired pastors. Maxine shares about her frustration after graduating seminary to find that positions for women were not widely available, but why she did later choose to pursue ordination. Called...

Barbara was ordained in 1995. She shares about the experience of tragically losing her husband Gerry and how she went on to serve in ministry as a single mother. She talks about her ministry in Canada as well as overseas in Moldova and how her theology concerning women in ministry changed through experience. Called to Serve is a new podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches withi...

Shirley was ordained in 1998. She has served at Hosanna Presbyterian Church in South Korea, and has been senior pastor at Stevens Road United Baptist Church in Dartmouth. Shirley talks about her experience working overseas, the importance of team ministry, and how she's avoided making gender a divisive issue in church. Called to Serve is a new podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by...

Christine was ordained in 1984. She describes her ministry over forty years, including planting a church in Pugwash, Nova Scotia. She also shares about the financial and social challenges she faced serving as a single woman in ministry and about some of the groups that influenced her outside the Baptist tradition. Called to Serve is a new podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches...

Miriam was ordained in 1985 and went on to serve as a pastor both individually and alongside her husband Karl. She shares their experiences going before the examining council and what it looked like to serve as a clergy couple. She also explains what studying music taught her about being a pastor and how she has been able to work well with others in spite of theological differences. Called to Serv...

This is a special week on the podcast as we are doing an episode swap with the podcast Atlantic Baptist Stories , another oral history project led by Dr. Maxwell. You can find out more about the project here: https://acadiadiv.ca/acbas/oral-history-project/ You will hear from Twila Grosse, a member of Cherry Brook United Baptist Church and past treasurer of the African United Baptist Association....

Kathy was ordained in 1986 and went on to serve at Bedford Baptist Church and First Baptist Charlottetown. Kathy shares her story of being called and ordained to ministry, the challenges of balancing her call with parenting, and how she experienced God’s healing first-hand. Called to Serve is a new podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches within the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic...

Sharon was ordained in 1987 and in 2013 she retired from her long-term ministry at Melvern Square United Baptist Church. Sharon emphasizes that for her, serving as pastor has been a very positive experience. Called to Serve is a new podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches within the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada . Between 1950 and 2020, over one hundred women were ordain...

Sara was ordained in 1986. She recalls being present at the 1987 convention assembly when the group voted on whether to continue allowing women to go before the examining council. Sara also shares about the different shapes ministry can take and the importance of living out her calling regardless of the circumstances of life. Called to Serve is a new podcast featuring the stories of women ordained...

Joyce was ordained in 1987. She served as director of Christian Education at First Baptist Dartmouth as well as a missionary overseas in Indonesia and Brazil. Today she works with NorthWind Family Ministries in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Joyce speaks about her ministry to Brazilian youth living on the street, some of the challenges and advantages of serving as a single woman, and how she’s been mentore...

Ida was ordained in 1976 and went on to pastor several churches, as well as serve in chaplaincy. She describes some of the changing attitudes she faced over the years serving as a woman in ministry. Called to Serve is a new podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches within the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada . Between 1950 and 2020, over one hundred women were ordained to min...

Heather was ordained in 1994 and went on to serve as a hospital and nursing home chaplain. She describes the particularly challenging experience she had going before the examining council on her road to ordination, and the contributions she made towards improving that experience for future ordination candidates. Called to Serve is a new podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches w...

Called to Serve is a new podcast featuring the stories of women ordained by churches within the Canadian Baptists of Atlantic Canada . Between 1950 and 2020, over one hundred women were ordained to ministry in Atlantic Baptist churches and around the world. Our project shares and preserves these women's experiences--the joys and challenges they faced, and the impact they've made through their mini...