The 2025 Asia Baptist Network Leadership Conference featured a compelling women’s track that provided both spiritual enrichment and practical ministry tools. Held at Yokohama International Baptist Church, the conference brought together women from Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and the Philippines.
On Tuesday afternoon, Diana Ventura, Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention (HPBC) Director of Women’s Ministry, shared her personal journey and ministry vision. Born in Guatemala and raised in California, Ventura has served alongside her husband, Stephen in Hawaii for 14 years. Her presentation highlighted three focal areas of HPBC women’s ministry: Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU), Women in Leadership, and Wives in Ministry.
“My role is to support, equip, empower, and encourage women to grow in the Lord,” Ventura explained. She emphasized the importance of hunger for God’s Word, seeking Godly wisdom, and building community among women. Ventura’s session resonated with attendees as she shared her life verse from Joshua 1:8-9, encouraging women to stand firm in their faith.
Wednesday’s session featured Barbara Webb, wife of HPBC Executive Director-Treasurer Craig Webb, who led an innovative workshop on Creative Journaling. The hands-on session introduced participants to artistic approaches to worship and prayer through various journaling techniques.
Webb guided attendees through exercises including “blind drawing” to music, scripture artistry, and creating visual prayer trees for family and friends. Each participant received a journal and art supplies donated by HPBC Women’s Ministry, funded by your gifts through the Sue Nishikawa Offering for Hawaii Pacific Missions.
“The purpose is to see journaling not just as written words but as a rich variety of expressions that can bring a fresh perspective to your time with our Father,” Webb explained as participants explored new ways to connect with God through creativity.
The bilingual sessions, translated for Japanese participants, created a unifying experience that transcended language barriers. Attendees departed with practical tools and renewed inspiration for their personal spiritual journeys and ministry roles within their respective international Baptist communities.