Last weekend, women from across Alabama, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle assembled at Greenville’s First Baptist Church.

An eclectic mix of ages, races and denominations were found among those in attendance.

They all came together for a central purpose: to learn, laugh, worship and share together as a part of FBC’s &uot;Crosswalk for Women: Rivers of Living Water.&uot;

Musician (and formal Greenville resident) Karrie Murfin accompanied vocalist Eileen Mitchell Wright. Wright, who works with the Alabama State Board of Missions, led attendees in an uplifting mix of contemporary worship choruses and traditional hymns during group worship sessions Friday night and Saturday.

Popular author and speaker Barbara Joiner, who moved and delighted attendees during the last Crosswalk in 2001, returned to share more stories of her life experiences as a wife, mother and teacher with a &uot;heart for missions.&uot;

Joiner displayed her trademark self-deprecating humor, wit and generous heart each time she spoke.

The indefatigable world traveler, who has visited over 20 countries on four continents, shared her concerns for those on the mission field.

With great affection she recalled her long friendship with the late Dr. Martha Myers, the Alabama native who had served with Joiner years ago in a migrant camp ministry in the Mobile area.

While on furlough from her position as a medical missionary in Yemen, Meyers attended FBC’s 2001 Crosswalk.

&uot;I’m sure you are all familiar with Martha’s story—how, just months ago, she and a fellow missionary were slain by a Muslim fanatic in the very hospital where she had worked so hard to care for those who needed her.

&uot;She loved the Yemeni people. [Yemen] is where she is buried, with the people she was willing to die to help,&uot; Joiner noted.

She urged those present to pray for the needs of all those who serve in the ‘Last Frontier’ countries.

&uot;Missionaries love those they minister to—but the missionaries need OUR love and encouragement, too,&uot; Joiner reminded those listening.

In addition to Joiner’s highly popular seminar, &uot;Finding Your Spiritual Gifts&uot;, eight other seminar topics were offered in three sessions on Saturday.

Health and nutrition, organizing your time, dealing with life’s &uot;valleys&uot;, surviving family crises, participating in jail ministries and making life transitions were among the varied topics covered by presenters Pat Landwehr, Cherry Mosley, Cindy Bargainer, Penny Anderson, Eileen Wright, Dr. Jean Thompson, Martha Hawkins and Dr. Pat Floyd.

In the church’s Family Life Center, food and fun were on tap at midday as lunch and entertainment were enjoyed by those in attendance.

A homegrown version of &uot;The Dixie Chicks&uot; performed for the crowd. The trio also led a lively scavenger hunt, earning lucky ladies unique door prizes—hand-painted table decorations created by the talented Emily Sewell.

FBC’s Glenda Yancey closed out the afternoon worship session by commending all who had worked so hard to make the event possible.

&uot;We had such a wonderful, wonderful time today and last night…we had a chance to come together and be still and hear the voice of God this weekend.

&uot; I want to encourage you all to start praying [for the next Crosswalk] now—we’ve only got two years to pray the next one in,&uot; Yancey said.