May 15, 2025
MARTINEZ, Ga. — Serving others is one of Georgia Baptist Women's key missional emphases, and the kickoff to the 2025 Spring Event at Abilene Baptist Church in Martinez powerfully underscored that point.
Hundreds of women gathered to write notes of encouragement and pack care bags for first responders, filling the church with an atmosphere of joyful service.
Beth Ann Williams, lead strategist, Georgia Baptist Women, reported that the ladies packed around 1,000 bags on Friday. Three hundred of those bags will be delivered to Pinnacle Retreat Center, where they will be distributed to EMTs attending a mandatory training event.
Williams said, "When they get there, they're going to get a gift bag from you with a handwritten note card expressing our appreciation as well as a gospel tract that was written specifically for our first responders that talks about just our need of rescue and how God is our ultimate hero. And so, we're so excited to bless them!"
The remaining bags were given to attendees as they departed the event. "We would like for you to pick up one or two to take home with you to give to an EMS first responder in your own community," Williams explained. "So this project not only stays at Pinnacle—it’s going to go out across our state."
Karen Pace, a consultant with Z Georgia Baptist Women, led a commissioning prayer over the 1,000 gift bags, asking that they would offer encouragement and that any recipients who do not know Christ would be drawn toward salvation.
