Janice White receives 2017 Trudy Price Award at Minister's Wives luncheon

LAWRENCEVILLE — Janice White, spouse of Georgia Baptist Mission Board Executive Director J. Robert White, was presented the Trudy Price Award for 2017 during the Convention’s annual Minister’s Wives Luncheon today.

State Missionary Mary Cox presided over the event, which attracted more than 100 guests to the annual gathering.

J. Robert White expresses appreciation to his wife, Janice, for her dedication, commitment, and sacrifice as a pastor's wife throughout their shared ministry. JOE WESTBURY/Index

The Price Award is named in honor of wife of retired pastor Nelson Price of Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta. Price established herself as “a great example of serving alongside her husband in ministry for many years,” Cox noted in the presentation. Cox is wife of Frank Cox, pastor of North Metro First Baptist Church of Lawrenceville, which is hosting the Convention that ends tonight.

The presentation to Janice White coincides with her and her husband’s 25th anniversary of service with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. The couple will be honored at a celebration of their ministry at 4:45 p.m., followed by a reception in the North Metro Fellowship Hall.

Janice White was born in Birmingham, AL and moved with her family to Hialeah, FL at the age of three, where her father began his 30-year career as city manager. She accepted Christ at the age of eight and was baptized at Miami Springs Baptist Church.

She graduated from Samford University, where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Society and the Baptist Student Union Choir. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education.

She and White were married on August 17, 1968.

Off to Louisville

Following their wedding they moved to Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY, where White earned his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees. During that time Janice White provided primary financial support for the family by teaching fourth grade at Greenwood Elementary School in Shively.

The White girls, from left to right, Kathy, Karen, Jennifer, join their parents on the platform during the ceremony. JOE WESTBURY/Index

In 1969 she began her career as a pastor’s wife for the first time when White became pastor of Dabney Baptist Church in Holton, a farming community in southern Indiana. In 1972 the couple moved to Montgomery, AL, where White accepted the call as pastoral intern under the mentorship of his father, who was pastor at First Baptist Church. Janice sang in the choir, was active in WMU as a group leader for the young women, and taught Mission Friends.

In June of that year the couple’s first daughter, Kathy, was born.

In 1974 the Whites accepted the call of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Carrollton to serve as pastor and wife. During more than seven years at the Georgia church their ministry expanded and two more daughters, Karen and Jennifer, were born.

Janice sang in the choir, was president of Contemporary Women, taught in Mission Friends, preschool Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and served as nursery coordinator. She also served as a volunteer at Tanner Medical Center, working specifically with new mothers.

Kelly Minter was the inspirational speaker during this year's Minister's Wives luncheon. JOE WESTBURY/Index

The family’s ministry at First Baptist Church in Paducah, KY, began in December 1981. During her nine years there, Janice taught in the church weekday preschool, fifth grade Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and Acteens.

She also served as a volunteer tutor and substitute teacher at Clark Elementary School, later pursuing her master’s degree in elementary education at Murray State University. In the fall of 1992 the family moved to Atlanta when White accepted the position of executive director of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.

“During these 25 years, Janice has been faithful in supporting the work of her husband, walking with her three daughters through their weddings, and loving on her nine grandchildren who affectionately call her ‘Grammy,’” Cox said during the presentation.

“Janice has literally given her life in service of the Lord Jesus Christ. She is a prayer warrior who enjoys her quiet times with the Lord. The friendships she has made over the years with ministers’ wives and fellow state executive directors wives has been a true blessing.”

The harvest in His own time

Later in the program, inspirational speaker Kelly Minter from Nashville entertained guests with her humorous approach to dealing with women’s issues. Laughter punctuated her presentation as she gave personal accounts of trusting God despite circumstances.

“It’s easy to feel forgotten by the Lord when you find yourself off the beaten path. Perhaps you are in a small church in a rural area and just feel lonely. Maybe your church is not growing as you feel it should be," she said.

“Whatever happens, know that Christ loves humility and faithfulness. Remember that He brings the fruit for the harvest in its own time and you cannot know when or where or how it will come to ripeness."

The Fellowship Hall of North Metro was nearly filled with those attending this year's event. JOE WESTBURY/Index

During the business session the group elected officers for the 2018 year. President will be Laura Foster whose husband, Robby, is senior pastor of Northside Baptist Church of Valdosta. Beginning her term as vice president will be Harriett Dollar, whose husband James is minister of music and worship at Concord Baptist Church in Clermont. Serving as secretary/treasurer will be Heather Neville whose husband, Tom, is pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Columbus.

The upcoming Ministers’ Wives Retreat will be held Jan. 25-27 at Georgia Baptist Conference Center at Toccoa. Theme will be "Fresh Squeezed" and will have 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 as its scriptural base. For more information visit www.gabaptist.org/ministerswives.