Mentoring Program Application

BWIM Mentoring Cohort Application 2026-2027

The BWIM Mentoring Program is designed for Baptist women in their first three years of professional ministry or their first three years in a completely different ministry context (from their last ministry setting). Applicants MUST attend the opening mentoring retreat held at St. Francis Prayer Center in Stoneville, NC (near Greensboro, NC) on January 27-29, 2026. BWIM will cover all retreat and travel costs. The cost of plane tickets will be covered upfront if the retreat is more than 300 miles one-way, or will provide reimbursement for travel expenses such as mileage, rental car/gas, travel meals, etc. In addition to the application questions included here, additional documents for your application will include a resume, two letters of reference, and a picture/headshot. If you are interested in learning more about our previous cohorts and their experiences, visit the BWIM Mentoring Program page on the BWIM website. *Preference will be given to first-time applicants, Baptist women who are serving in full-time ministry, and who have completed a seminary degree. ✨ Applications due: September 15th 📬 Questions? Email: Barbaralavarin@bwim.info

Your Contact Information

Name(Required)

First Last

Email(Required)

Phone(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City County / State / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country

Divinity School

Did you attend seminary or divinity school?(Required)

Yes

Which seminary or divinity school did you attend?

When did you graduate?

Your Ministry

With which Baptist Denomination do you affiliate?(Required)

Alliance of Baptists

American Baptist Churches- USA

Baptist General Association of Virginia

Baptist General Convention of Texas

Cooperative Baptist Fellowship

District of Columbia Baptist Convention

National Baptist Convention, USA

Progressive National Baptist Convention

Other

In which area of ministry do you currently serve?(Required)

Congregational Ministry

Non-profit

Chaplaincy

Academia

Social Ministry

Other

What is the name of the church or organization for which you work?(Required)

What is your position title?(Required)

Is your position full-time or part-time?(Required)

Full-time

Part-time

How long have you been in this role?(Required)

*Please note: This cohort is for women in the first three years of their CURRENT ministry context.*

How long have you been in ministry (total)?(Required)

Briefly discuss your ministry responsibilities.(Required)

T-Shirt Size(Required)

Essay Questions

Responses are limited to 2,550 characters (with spaces), which is approximately 400 words.

Describe your understanding of Christian ministry and your personal call.(Required)

Why would you like to participate in a Baptist Women in Ministry mentoring group?(Required)

What do you hope to learn? In what areas do you need encouragement or support? What skills need strengthening?(Required)

List your involvements in Baptist life including, but not limited to, service on Baptist-related boards or councils and participation in peer learning groups and/or residency and fellows programs.(Required)

Please share 3 learning goals you currently have.(Required)

Support and Accommodations

Do you have a way to cover expenses upfront and be reimbursed later, if needed? (For example: expenses for books and other resources; flights and lodging for the 2027 small group retreat)(Required)

Yes

I am not sure

Is your church or place of employment supportive of your participation in this program?(Required)

Yes

Somewhat

I'm unsure

Will you be able to take time away for the two retreat experiences without negatively impacting your work responsibilities?(Required)

Yes

Possibly, but I need to take vacation, or personal time

I'm unsure

Would your place of work allow attendance at retreats to qualify as "professional development"(Required)

Yes

Are there any accommodations or support you would need (physical, sensory, emotional, etc.) to fully participate in this cohort?

Is there anything that might make participation in this program difficult for you? If so, how can we assist you?

Memorandum of Understanding and Covenant

The BWIM Mentorship Cohort is a unique experience that is reflective of our values as an organization. The following questions will help us to create an experience that honors our commitment to beloved community. Our organization is committed to supporting and advocating for any individual who identifies as a woman. This includes women of every race, ethnicity, age, generation, ability, sexuality, gender identification or expression, and social-economic background. We specifically name two commitments in this regard. First, we are committed to highlighting racial justice as a critical intersection of our work, recognizing that women of global majority experience compounding oppressions which affect their ability to thrive in ministry. Second, we are committed to celebrating and supporting LGBTQ+ women and open and affirming congregations, while also working with individuals and congregations who are not affirming and those who are still discerning. As we put these commitments into practice, we pledge that we will make the hard decisions necessary to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of women of global majority and LGBTQ+ persons. While our organization exists to support and advocate for women, we recognize that advocacy also includes education, equipping, and encouraging all people—men, women, and non-binary persons—to be effective allies for gender equality.

If selected to participate in BWIM's 2026-2027 Mentoring cohort, would you commit to creating a safe and welcoming space for people of a different race or sexual orientation than yourself?(Required)

Yes

Baptist Women in Ministry Covenant

If selected for participation in the 2026-2027 BWIM Mentoring cohort, will you be able to attend the mandatory in-person Opening Retreat at Francis Prayer Center near Greensboro, NC from January 27th- 29th? (All travel, lodging, and food costs for the retreat are provided by BWIM.)(Required)

Yes

If selected for participation in the 2026-2027 BWIM Mentoring cohort, would you commit to participating in the full 18 months of the program?(Required)

Yes

Virtual Meeting Availabilty

Please select all meeting times that generally work for your schedule.

Which time zone are you in?

Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Central Standard Time (CST)

Mountain Standard Time (MST)

Pacific Standard Time (PST)

Alaska Standard Time (AKST)

Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time (HST)

Affirm Mentoring Cohort Covenant(Required)

Also, please read the Mentoring Cohort Covenant and affirm your understanding of the expectations of this program.

I have read the 2026-2027 Mentoring Program Cohort Covenant and understand the expectations and requirements of the program.

References

Reference 1 Name(Required)

First Last

Reference 1 Email(Required)

Upload Letter of Reference #1(Required)

Max. file size: 256 MB.

Reference 2 Name(Required)

First Last

Reference 2 Email(Required)

Upload Letter of Reference #2(Required)

Max. file size: 256 MB.

Files and Documentation

To complete your application, you must also include a resume. Please upload resume here.(Required)

Max. file size: 256 MB.

Attach a current picture to be used on our social media platforms if accepted into the program.(Required)

Accepted file types: jpg, png, Max. file size: 256 MB.

By submitting this application, I have agreed that I have read the BWIM Covenant, BWIM Memorandum of Understanding, and have answered every question to the best of my ability. If so, please sign here: