Purpose
The purpose of Women’s Ministries is to express Christ’s love to the women in our church and in our community. We are committed to all facets of ministry to and by women. We desire to provide avenues for developing a servant’s heart and for servant hood. All women are encouraged to participate according to each one’s needs, interests, and gifts as led by the Spirit of God.

Mission Statement
With the foundation of our faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and through the enabling of the Holy Spirit, and in commitment to the mission of First Baptist Church of San Mateo, Women’s Ministries' Mission is to glorify God by leading people to faith in Jesus Christ and to grow in their relationship with Him.

Women's Ministries provide opportunities for each woman to: Become and develop as God’s person; Become and develop as Christ’s servant through growth in a relationship with Him; Glorify God in her life, church, community and in our world; Serve God’s world by meeting personal needs with Biblical responses.

Women's Ministries is dedicated to helping ministries help those in need both far and near. At scheduled times throughout the year, we give assistance by collecting needed food, clothing, supplies and materials for ministries' distribution.

"She extends her hand to the poor, and she stretches out her hands to the needy." Proverbs 31:20 NASV

Circles
Circles are small groups of women gathering together to serve the Lord with their hands while their minds are fed on a devotion from His Word. The focus is fellowship for service to missionaries and to support the American Baptist Women’s Ministries White Cross (Overland and Overseas) efforts. Each month the Circles rotate provision of cookies for the USO, (a hospitality organization for the military). The Circles also host the Women’s Banquet in May, the Christmas Tea in December and two luncheons during the year. These events are wonderful opportunities to meet women of all ages in an informal, congenial setting. All women of our church are invited to attend a Circle that meets at a time convenient for them. Childcare is provided as needed.

"Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; come before His presence with singing." Psalm 100:1-2 NKJV.

"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as we see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

"You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." Psalm 45:7 NIV

One-to-One Discipling
One-to-one discipling is a nine-session course for one believer to help another believer learn the basics of her Christian faith. Each lesson helps lay a foundation stone upon which believers can build the rest of their lives by learning the importance of God's Word and His commands. This is an opportunity to become equipped in knowing what you believe and the ability to pass that on to another person. It is obeying Jesus' command to be His disciple and to help others to know Him too. There are women who have been trained to take you through this study and who would love to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus. We are committed to helping women have a sense of belonging to God and to one another, to becoming all that God has created them to be, and to equip them to be a blessing to others by being able to pass on their faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ and to live a Christ-directed life.

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I will be with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20 NIV.

Missions and Service Needs
Women's Ministries is dedicated to helping those in need both near and far by collecting food, clothing, supplies and materials for various Ministries. Periodically a collection container is placed in the hall near the church office for receiving items posted as needed at that time. Collection Examples: Bibles, Christian Literature, Magazines, Toiletries, Medical/Sewing Kits for the Seafarers Ministry of the Golden Gate ministering to Seafarers from different countries docking at the San Francisco and Bay Area Ports; Food, Warm Blankets & Toy Collections for the C.A.L.L. Primrose Center; Campbell's Soup Labels for Equipment Redemption for the Kodiak Baptist Mission; and Hard and Soft Covered NIV Bibles and Bible Picture Storybooks for the Hillcrest Juvenile Hall.

White Cross
Support and needed supplies to diversified American Baptist ministries and missionaries are provided by the Circles for: (White Cross Overland) Aid to a childrens Orphanage in Alaska through the Kodiak Mission, Ministries with Native Americans such as Bacone Christian College in Oklahoma, Neighborhood Action in urban areas, and Asian and Hispanic community ministries and churches in Puerto Rico; and for (White Cross Overseas) Financial support for missionaries in Burma, Haiti, El Salvador, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic and supports the work of our missionaries in Thailand, India, Philippines, Haiti, Japan, Tanzania and Belgium.

"But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them every sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you." Psalm 5:11 NIV.

Memory Keepers
Ladies of all generations gathering together for some fellowship once a month and quarterly for large all day events; to exchange ideas, sort, layout, crop and prepare photos for personal Albums for oneself and for others. Albums showing God's blessings with loving memories of family members; other albums may be whimsical and just fun to put together.