Tennessee COG Pastor’s Wives

CARE GROUps

What is a Pastor’s Wives CARE group?

A group of lead pastor’s wives extending CARE -- Connection, Acceptance, Renewal, and Encouragement -- to other lead pastor wives across the TN Church of God family.

What is the process of PW CARE groups?

CARE groups are a two-year term with quarterly connect events that will coincide with General Assembly years.

The State Office has an online signup for new CARE group members or for those desiring to change groups. The official signup time starts on April 1st, but new members may sign up anytime through out the year. The State Office will organize this info and provide the contact info of participants to each leader during the month of May. Group leaders will then contact their participants regarding their first connect meeting in June. Camp meeting is be a good suggestion for a kick-off meeting.

The group leader & assistant will plan the kickoff event to help introduce the ladies in the group to each other. This meeting can be as simple as lunch at a restaurant. At this meeting, ladies can brainstorm ideas of things to do together whether in-person or online. It is our goal for the leader and assistant to be facilitators and not have to be in charge of planning and hosting every event. At this meeting, participating pastors wives will volunteer to host one of the quarterly events. As many events with dates as possible for each PW CARE group will be scheduled while at this meeting so ladies can have advance notice and schedule around their CARE group calendar.

Events will be geared towards the four core goals of CARE groups:
Connection, Acceptance, Renewal, Encouragement

CARE groups meetings should be guarded as a caring, supportive “safe place” atmosphere of a sisterhood for pastoral wives.

Within the PW CARE groups, ladies will find:

Fellowship

Friendship

Care

Prayer

Support

Ministry Resourcing

1. “Safe Place” --This CARE group is a safe place where lead pastor’s wives can feel free to be open and transparent without fear of being judged or criticized by others.

2. Confidentiality – We will observe and honor confidentiality in our meetings.

3. Encouragement with grace – As pastor’s wives open up and share, we can encourage but we understand that there is not a “one size fits all” answer to situations and what worked for you may or may not work for her. We will lovingly support our sister.

4. Participation- Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate in all events, but there will not be condemnation for those who cannot attend an event due to a busy life, family, ministry and obligations. We understand that we are offering CARE to one of the most needful groups, therefore, we will not harm our sister, but will follow up and encourage her.

CARE group meetings should incorporate a scripture/devotion along with a prayer, but does not have to be a “church service”.

PW CARE Group Leaders 2024-2026

Northwest: Teresa Waters (Finley) / assistant, Laquita Clark (Dyer)

Southwest: Danita Moss (Piney Grove) / assistant, Rebecca Mills (Lexington)

Central/Nashville: Danielle Varnell (Mt. Juliet) / assistant, Marla Sharp (Smyrna-The Refuge)

South Central: Rosemary Fritts (Lawrenceburg) / assistant, Nikki Gann (Lawrenceburg-Unity)

East Central: Sherie Petty (Manchester) / assistant, Joy Baker (Decherd)

Chattanooga/Southeast: Heather Bolton (Soddy-Daisy) / Pamela Beard (Chattanooga-Action Church)

Knoxville West: Radie Ball (Lenoir City) / assistant, Laken Golden (North Lenoir)

Northeast: Margie Collins (Johnson City) / assistant, Shannon Robinette (Blountville)

Sequatchie Valley: Lanelle Mulkey (Dunlap-Hwy 28) / assistant, Cierra Benson (Dunlap)

At the end of each term, the State Women’s Ministries Director and team will review possibilities for new CARE Group leaders from recommendations from current leaders, list of current assistants, and other recommendations from state leadership. A list of recommended new leaders and assistants will be provided to the Administrative Bishop for approval.