A team of SCBaptist women traveled to Utah to host a retreat for 40 church planters’ wives, providing a time of encouragement and support.

“Being a pastor’s wife can feel lonely,” said Angela James, Education and Women’s Minister at Brushy Creek Baptist Church in Taylors, SC. “Add to that living in Utah, where it’s two percent or less Christian,” she said.

Partnering with the Utah-Idaho Southern Baptist Convention, women from across the state were invited to the retreat, where they took part in large group and small group sessions, worship, and much-needed downtime. Brushy Creek partners with Redemption Church North Davis, where they provide ongoing support throughout the year. Seeing an opportunity to care for women, James gathered a team of women, including Amanda Hodge of Locust Hill Baptist Church, where her husband is the lead pastor. “The women really need to be encouraged,” Hodge said. “Often they don’t have the opportunity to get together because of children and their husbands’ jobs. They often feel isolated and lonely.” 

Finding Community and Support 

As women from across Utah gathered in one home, they found comfort in knowing they were not alone. “There was never a quiet moment,” James said. “They were so starved for relationship.” Some had never met other pastors’ wives in their state. Many shared openly about personal burdens—winter depression, family challenges, church struggles—and were met with understanding and encouragement.

Hodges recalled that their role wasn’t to teach or fix but to listen. “We could give suggestions, but ultimately, they understood each other more than anyone else could,” she said. “Our goal was to facilitate connection.” For many of the women, it was a rare opportunity to be ministered to rather than doing the ministering.

Attendees shared how meaningful it was to be together with other women, getting to share about challenges, and being encouraged by sisters in Christ. “It’s not an easy place out here,” Christy Galkin of Gospel Grace Church said. “So this weekend has been amazing to renew ourselves in the Word and in fellowship and community with other ladies.” Although the time was short, attendees emphasized that this type of support goes beyond just one weekend. “Your support is what keeps us on the field to reach the people of Utah,” Elizabeth Williams of Redemption North Davis said. 

Why This Ministry Matters

Both Hodge and James know the cost of ministry well. James, a pastor’s kid, remembers how ministry life shaped every part of her family’s rhythm—from vacation time to dinner interruptions. “When a pastor accepts a call, it’s a family endeavor,” she said. “Especially for the wife—she’s protecting her husband, raising kids, ministering to the church. She’s often the unsung hero.”

The retreat may have been just a weekend, but its effects continue to grow. Hodge emphasized that support doesn’t have to start big. “Even if all your Sunday school class can do is write cards, do that,” she said. For churches interested in forming partnerships like this, she recommends starting with prayer and simply making a connection. “The harvest is plentiful in Utah. They need partners. They need relationships with local churches. I’m thankful for the South Carolina partnerships with Utah and Idaho.”