On Friday, March 8, 2024--International Women’s Day--Leland Seminary and the District of Columbia Baptist Convention partnered to host the second annual Celebration of Women in Ministry.

Leland Seminary is committed to supporting women in ministry. At the celebration, the Martha Phillips Leadership Award, named after the first woman to graduate with a Master of Divinity from Leland Seminary, is awarded to a woman who boldly walks in her call to ministry and exhibits exemplary service to God and God's people. Rev. Dr. Ella Redfield, the award's first recipient, organized and pastored New Creation Church in Wheaton, MD, for 25 years. Last Friday, Dr. Redfield presented this year's award to Rev. Dr. Susan McBride. Susan is the Team Coordinator for BGAV's Congregational Field Staff and has served with BGAV since 1982. She also pastors Bethany Baptist Church in Woodford, VA. In her acceptance speech, Susan shared that as disciples, we should live a life committed and intentionally serving our Lord. To accomplish this, we must trust God for direction, say yes to the Lord, trust God in the wilderness and storms of life, and remember it's about God--never about us.

Dr. Redfield presents the leadership award to Rev. Dr. Susan McBride.

Rev. Dr. Susan McBride takes a selfie with Leland President Ken Pruitt and DC Baptist Convention Executive Director Trisha Miller Manarin.

Rev. Danielle L. Bridgeforth, pastor of the Church at Clarendon in Arlington, VA, served as the keynote speaker for the evening. She spoke on the power of influence and gave five keys to live by, charging those present to remember that their ministry and call are precious privileges entrusted to them by God.

When asked by BGAV staff for comments on her award, Susan reflected, "Having served on the founding board of trustees for Leland 25 years ago, this special honor has great significance to me. I am quite humbled to have received this recognition."

Content for this article was primarily sourced and written by staff at Leland Seminary, a ministry partner of BGAV. For more information about Leland, visit https://www.leland.edu/