May 21, 2025
CLAYTON, Ga. — Nearly 300 women gathered in the scenic north Georgia mountains on a beautiful early spring weekend for a time of fellowship, worship, and renewal. The retreat organized by the Georgia Baptist Hispanic Women’s ministry provided the women with an opportunity to spend time with like-minded sisters, learning from and encouraging each other.
The event, held the last weekend in March at Pinnacle Retreat Center in Clayton, attracted a record number of women. Rossy Rivera, the Hispanic Women’s Coordinator, noted, “This year’s retreat was marked by spiritual abundance and full attendance. In fact, we had to turn some churches away after reaching Camp Pinnacle’s maximum capacity of 285 beds.”
Rivera said the motivation behind the events is to “foster personal, emotional, and especially spiritual growth. We want to equip women so that each one returns to her community with the mission of sharing Christ. God has given us the joy of seeing women grow into leaders in their churches, eager to put into action what they’ve learned.”
Beth Ann Williams, the lead strategist for Georgia Baptist Women, agreed. “All we do through Georgia Baptist Women is planned through the lens of seeing every woman in a relationship with Jesus Christ.”
This year, Rivera reported, five attendees professed faith in Christ at the retreat, and there were “many others who rededicated their lives to Him.”
Nationally, the Woman’s Missionary Union’s emphasis for the next two years is “Joy,” and the retreat theme was “Joy at His Feet.” Rivera shared, “It has been a blessing to hear testimonies from women who returned to their churches and shared what God had done in their lives and in their daughters’ lives.”
Attendees heard from guest speakers Alejandra Cardoza de Slemin from Aviva Nuestros Corazones (Revive Our Hearts) and state WMU President, Lauren Sullens.
In addition, women were taught how the WMU supports missions offerings such as the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, and the Cooperative Program. Another key retreat activity is the Pro-Missions Bazaar, where all proceeds go toward state and international missions efforts. These funds support scholarships for summer camps, help support Camp Pinnacle volunteer, purchase Bibles for Bolivia, and supply a computer to Guatemala.
The impact on those who attended is reflected in some of their comments. One attendee from Go Iglesia, Douglasville, said, “The experience with God was so real, I gave my life to Jesus.” Another from Iglesia Bautista Nueva Jerusalén, Norcross, said, “God spoke to my life, and today I surrendered my burdens to Him.”
Girls ages 12–18 have their own program at the retreat, centered on the same theme as the adult women. Three of the young women accepted Christ, and the ministry’s youth leader has remained in contact and is following up with each one.
The multi-generational aspect of the retreat is particularly meaningful for one mother from Iglesia Mar de Galilea, Fort Valley, who said, “Camp Pinnacle is always a blessing for my daughter and me—it renews our spiritual lives and strengthens our relationship with God.”
Pastor’s wives are treated to a dedicated time of appreciation. Rivera said, “We provide them with a breakfast and devotional/conference designed just for them—our way of showing appreciation and care for their service throughout the year.”
Williams credited Rivera and the Hispanic women’s leadership team for the success of the retreat, “The team spends countless hours in prayer and preparation for serving women. Last year, more than 900 women and teens gathered for events, trainings, and mission projects held in Spanish. We are incredibly blessed to have Rossy and the team leading in our state.”
For her part, Rivera says serving alongside Williams to love and support Georgia Baptist women is a joy and a blessing. “My heart is filled with gratitude to God for all He has done. It is my prayer that He continues to increase while I decrease.”
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This story is also available in Spanish.
