Widows’ prayer group: ‘Therefore, I hope in Him’

Each month, the Widows’ Might prayer ministry receives a newsletter containing the prayer requests of Southwestern Seminary, students, faculty and families. This ministry, which has become an integral part of the seminary, consists of widows across the United States who are committed to praying for the seminary. The ministry was first started while Paige Patterson was serving as president at Criswell College in the late 1970s, and it was later continued when the Pattersons joined Southwestern in 2003.

The women gather bi-annually for luncheons in addition to a Widows’ Might Conference every fall. During this year’s conference, Sept. 17, women were welcomed to campus to hear from Joyce Rogers, wife of the late Adrian Rogers, long-time pastor and leader in the Southern Baptist Convention. The women also devoted time to prayer following a concert by Leo Day, dean of the School of Church Music.

Rogers, who is a member of the Memphis chapter of Widows’ Might, shared with the women the importance of placing one’s hope in God, a theme she emphasizes in her book Therefore, I Hope in Him. (Each woman received a copy of this book during a book signing with Rogers.)

Rogers recalled a phrase often used by her husband—“Hope is rock-ribbed assurance based on the Word of God joined with anticipation.” She said this assurance helped her through the difficult season of life following the death of her husband in 2005.

Because of the hope she said is rooted in the Word of God, Rogers was able to rely on the Lord during times of uncertainty. “The Lord is my portion,” she said. “Jesus is all I ever wanted. Jesus is all I will ever need. He is faithful.”

“I want to leave you with that blessing,” she continued. “If your heart is breaking, mine has broken, but God is able to heal every broken heart. If you will come with that broken heart and lay it down at the feet of Jesus, He will use it to bless many people around you.

“I want to be a blessing to others with the hope that God has given to me. Therefore, I hope in Him.”

The conference concluded with a brief seminary update from Dorothy Patterson, first lady of Southwestern. Updates included the ongoing construction of Mathena Hall, the future home of the College at Southwestern and the Roy Fish School of Evangelism and Missions; the continuing growth of Global Theological Innovation (GTI), which has now partnered with nearly 100 schools around the world to train pastors and leaders for ministry; and a preview of the Art of Homemaking Conference, which will take place Oct. 27-29.

Patterson also used the time to recognize the faithful service of Karen Collett, who has worked with Widows’ Might during her service as the Women’s Auxiliary coordinator since 2007. “From the time [my husband] and I came to Southwestern, we have been overwhelmed with wonderful helpers,” Patterson said. “There is a lot we could say, but there is no group in the world that knows any better than I do how much Karen does for us. She ministers to you and so many like you.”

Widows’ Might is a ministry of Southwestern’s Women’s Auxiliary. The next Women’s Auxiliary luncheons will be held in Fort Worth on Oct. 19 and in Houston on Oct. 21. If you are interested in joining Widows’ Might or starting a local chapter in your area, visit swbts.edu/alumni/womens-auxiliary/widows-might/.