Currently, I work as a board-certified (PBCC) hospital chaplain (PRN) and preach at my local church and for pulpit supply. But, before 2021, I served as a layperson in multiple roles and in various spaces and places. For years, I quietly longed for something more. With our move to Central Texas in late 2020, I left my former faith denomination because I would be supposedly operating outside of God’s will as a woman in ministry. I felt spiritually homeless trying to find a church that would celebrate me and all my gifts. It was through my work as a hospital chaplain starting in mid-2022 that I found affirmation through my pastoral care to all people, including men, by providing spiritual care to strangers in crisis and in death. When I couldn’t find a space to belong, I was affirmed in chaplaincy. However, I still longed to be a fully contributing part of the local church body.
I’ve preached in various churches for pulpit supply all around Central Texas but I was still looking for my spiritual ‘home.’ I hoped for a church home and a church family that would invest in me fully. I went from church to church looking for that place where I felt like I really belonged. I wanted to contribute in ways that valued all of me as a person and where all of my gifts and talents could be recognized, celebrated, and given opportunity to shine for the benefit of all.
It’s been a journey y’all. Being ‘raised’ in more and more conservative spaces, I did not want to dishonor God. But by the grace of God, I studied at a seminary that fully affirmed and equipped God-called women and men equally for gospel ministry. While there, I immersed myself into different women in ministry cohort groups, spiritual direction, counseling, and more as I studied the Biblical texts and was in proximity with Biblically sound female and male pastors, ministers, leaders, and chaplains.
My view on women in ministry has certainly changed over these years to embrace God’s call for all of us- no one is excluded- and especially not due to gender (or race!). I’m excited to celebrate all the ways that God works and in all the vessels that the Lord chooses to use. ‘It’s been a journey y’all‘ is so very true and also a huge understatement. The road for me as a woman in ministry who wanted to follow the Holy Spirit’s promptings (and not just man’s teachings) in my life has been long and lonely, at times. (BTW, if you’d like to be accompanied in your spiritual journey, I offer spiritual direction sessions to listen with people for how the Holy Spirit is guiding you. Details here.)
May these resources below help you in your discernment and path. I share not just for me to remember, but for those who like me were quietly wondering, “Is this all you have for me Lord? Why do I long to share and lead so much more?” Please share this with others who might find this helpful. And share with me any other resources that have been helpful for you so I can check them out too. Thank you. Blessings and peace!
Sejana
Resources & Events
Fall 2025 Regional Events | TXBWIM
Spotlight for all events – Mental Health & Wellbeing, in-person only, $25, Texas Baptist Women In Ministry sponsored events for all.
Saturday, September 13 – Central Texas: Join us on the campus of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor for an event focused on connection and affirmation. Saturday, September 20 Dallas-Fort Worth: Join us at The Crossing Baptist Church in Mesquite for an even focused on affirmation and support of your call to ministry. Saturday, September 20 East Texas: Join us at FBC Longview’s ROC for our inaugural East Texas event. This event will focus on connection.
18-month Women In Ministry Mentoring Program | BWIM
Applications due by September 15, 2025 for the 2026-2027 cohort.
Now a 18 month intentional mentoring program with a seasoned Baptist minister and a group of peers for Baptist women who have served in their current area of ministry for less than three years and are ministering in churches, chaplaincy, non-profit work, and other “outside-the-box” ministry settings. The most recent Baptist Women In Ministry (BWIM) cohort represented “5 ministry contexts including chaplaincy, congregational ministry, missionary, higher education, and nonprofits. This cohort’s participants are part of 8 different Baptist denominations, and represent 12 states.” Personally, I am grateful to have been a part of the 2021-2023 BWIM Mentoring Cohort in which my small group nurtured my soul as a woman in ministry over our 2 years of meeting together.
Shared Learning Experiences | BWIM
“Women need opportunities to learn and engage in continuing education experiences that are created by women to meet the unique needs of women. Baptist Women in Ministry (BWIM) seeks to facilitate shared learning experiences to meet these needs. Currently these opportunities take the form of Book Clubs and Lunch and Learn sessions.”
Fall 2025 Book Club – Discussing “Womanish Theology” every Monday in September starting Sep 8th 5:30pmCDT. Lunch and learn schedule Jan – May 2025 posted.
Sustaining Women in Ministry 6-month cohort | Missio Alliance
Apply to be accepted into the 6-month 2025 cohort by the deadline, August 1st. Details about my 2024 Cohort experience and link to apply below! (Missed the deadline? Put it on your calendar to check back next year!)
Open to women, references required, travel to retreat not included, minus the in-person retreat experience (which I found most helpful to get really connected to the rest of the cohort) – the rest of the gatherings are online!
Women in Ministry (explained) | Fuller Theological Seminary
Loads of Scripture summarized in narrative form to read and contemplate. Also check out more ways women serve in ministry here.
Sermon: “God is continuing to do great things, what about you?” Preached 22 Dec 2024
I share about how I imagine Elizabeth helped Mary to fulfill her calling as the mother of Jesus and how my mentor helped me to fulfill mine. But the story doesn’t end there!
Sermon: “Kingdom Advance: The reign of Christ on College campuses and beyond” by Meghan Hendrickson
Excellent sermon preached at the 2024 November Annual Meeting for Texas Baptist / Baptist General Convention of Texas. Matthew 13:23 Parable of the Sower. “TASTE AND SEE that the Lord is good!” “Be willing to go small, to grow big.” For context, Meghan preached before ALL present right before a vote that included trying to mandate a restricted BF&M2000 and a women-in-ministry discussion panel that included only 1 female pastor see here and here.
BOOKLET: “Women In Ministry: Biblical, theological & practical reflections” by Todd D. Still, PHd
Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary Dean Still wrote this essay and it’s posted on Truett’s website under ‘what we believe.’ I graduated with an MDiv from Truett in Aug 2024!
BOOKLET: “The Bible & Women in Ministry and Leadership” by BWIM
Updated 2023 version with discussion guide published by BWIM in English & in Spanish.
Men and women serving together in the church webinar resources by Missio Alliance
Blog post by me packed with resources from my notes from this webinar given back in Jan 2022.
BOOK: “Ready to Rise: Own your voice, gather your community, step into your influence” (2020) by Jo Saxton
I guess I didn’t post a follow-up from our 8 week book group discussion but it was a great read and empowering to read it together with other women in various settings via Zoom in community! We started in Jan 2022.
BOOK: “The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the subjugation of women became gospel truth” (2021) by Beth Allison Barr
I guess I didn’t post a follow-up from our 8 week book group discussion but it was a great read and empowering to read it together with other women in various settings via Zoom in community! We started in May 2021.
Anything you want to share with me privately about your questions about women in ministry?
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What resources would you recommend on Women In Ministry? Let us know and I’ll check it out!
About SejanaShines
Hi! My name is Sejana Yoo. I shine light on what matters most by empowering and equipping others to do whatever it is they are here to do, well, for the benefit of all we love & serve. I enjoy sharing hope for everyday life to others – from the mundane to the messy. I offer support by sharing learning events and connection opportunities both online & in-person, spiritual direction services, and/or through preaching for pulpit-supply. You can learn more about me here. And You can connect with me in various ways here. May you have Peace! – Sejana
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