Staff & Leadership

She is an ordained minister and has previously served as Associate Dean for Academics and Assistant Professor of Scripture & Ministry at Logsdon Seminary of Hardin-Simmons University, in congregational ministry, and with other Baptist organizations. Meredith received both her Bachelors and Masters degrees from Hardin-Simmons University, and earned a Ph.D. in Biblical Interpretation from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University. Meredith is the author of Empire and Gender in LXX Esther (SBL Press, 2018), along with other academic publications and articles related to women in ministry and religious gender justice. Meredith’s advocacy for women among Baptists has been featured in national news outlets such as CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today, NPR, and Religion News Service. She lives in Waco, Texas, with her husband James and their children.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Barbara is a proud daughter of Haitian immigrants. Barbara earned her B.A. in Child Development from Tufts University and her Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary.  Upon graduating from Princeton, She faithfully served as an Assistant to the Pastor for Youth and College Students at Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA until 2023. Throughout her ministry, Barbara’s commitments include advocating for safe spaces for women and children and celebrating the role of the arts in prophetic witness.  In addition to her work as the Director of Supporting Women in Ministry at Baptist Women in Ministry, Rev. Lavarin is a Spiritual Director. She is proudly married to Rev. Dr. Marc Antoine, pastor of First Calvary Baptist Church. Currently, they are loving their new hometown of Durham, NC where they are raising their one year old son, Marc Antoine Jr and are excitedly anticipating the arrival of their second child in December 2024.  In her free time, you can find Barbara writing poetry, shopping, watching Marvel movies and finding the next best restaurant.

Nikki received a Master of Divinity from McAfee School of Theology at Mercer University and a Bachelor of Arts from Mercer University. Following her education, she served local churches in Georgia through youth, young adult, and homebound ministry roles. She also ministered on the state denominational level as associate coordinator for congregational life at the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Georgia. As her family grew, Nikki chose to stay home with her children and pursue her vocational ministry through retreat-leading, supply-preaching, adjunct teaching, and writing and producing a small-group Bible study curriculum called FaithElement, which she continues today. Prior to joining BWIM’s staff in June 2024, Nikki has served her alma mater, McAfee School of Theology, by supporting alumni and creating important partnerships for the school. She has also recently completed a tenure as Interim Pastor of Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, GA, the home congregation of President Jimmy Carter.

 Hannah previously worked at Neighborly, formerly The Dwyer Group, as a Staff Accountant from 2014-2016. In 2016 she started as the Staff Accountant for Lisa Hull, CPA, working with multiple small businesses in the Waco, TX area.She also started working for Seventh and James Baptist Church in 2017 where she gained experience and knowledge in non-profit accounting. While working in the accounting field Hannah has found a passion for helping others understand and implement the best and most efficient financial practices. Hannah is a native to Waco, TX. She still lives there with her husband, DJ, and two young children. She enjoys being out in nature and being active with her family as much as possible.