Benton—Despite rains dampening the turnout at Benton’s annual “Tater Day,” members of the town’s New Bethel Baptist Church still handed out 170 bottles of free water, gospel tracts and information about the upcoming Encounter WOW at a Kentucky Lake state park.

New Bethel organized the April 6 outreach as part of the Kentucky Baptist Convention’s Project More: Women. The annual springtime event encourages women to use servant evangelism as a tool to spread the gospel.

In the past, Kentucky Baptists have hosted outreach dinners, community events and women’s conferences designed to reach those outside the church.

“We know this is something that will touch people’s lives,” said Jackie Thweatt, coordinator of New Bethel’s project. “It was a great opportunity to take advantage while people were here.”

Across Kentucky, churches will employ a similar strategy leading up to mid-May’s Encounter Women of Worth in the Park event.

Encounter WOW kicks off May 16, with a 5K run/walk at Kentucky Dam Village State Resort Park in Gilbertsville. On May 18, the KBC will host a conference featuring a health fair, dinner and a concert.

“Encounter WOW will encourage women in their faith walk and allow them to network with like-minded women striving to be healthy followers of Christ,” said Shelly Johns, consultant for the KBC’s women’s department.

“We also want to reach women who might not come to a church building, but would come to a park for inspiration.”

Initiated three years ago, Project More: Women is an evangelistic effort designed to equip Kentucky Baptists to share their faith personally and sponsor activities where that can occur.

Johns said living as healthy followers of Christ begins with awareness of the need for God and what He provides in and through Jesus Christ.

“The projects, the 5K and the conference will be stepping stones to show how Christian women can live out their faith,” Johns said.

“They can also connect with other women who might be struggling with their identity in Christ, or with those who don’t even know Christ. We want to show the way to Him and how to live victoriously in every area of life,” she added.

The May 18 conference begins at 4:15 p.m. with a health fair. Dinner will be served from 5 to 6 p.m.

After dinner, leaders will present awards to 5K winners and recognize ongoing PMW projects that are sent to shelly.johns@kybaptist.org by May 1.

A program and concert will follow those presentations.

Speakers include MeMe Perdue of Eddyville, author of the “In His Image” Bible study, and children’s book author, Rachel Kelley.

Entertainment will be provided by Michael Kelley, a vocal impersonator who uses humor and impressions to share a positive Christian message, and Nashville, Tenn.-based musician Timmy Perdue.

More information about Encounter WOW is available at www.kybaptist.org/ewow, on Facebook at Kentucky Women Connect, or by calling (866) 489-3390. (KBC)