We women are natural networkers. It’s the way God wired us.

There was once a time when networking with other Baptist women around the country was relatively easy. Most churches, for example, had an active BWMU group, and regional and associational meetings were well-attended.

These days women in churches tend to focus more on ministries within their local church, and networking with Baptist women from other churches is more of a challenge.

One of the joys of being part of the Baptist Women’s Union of the South West Pacific is that networking is possible not only within our region, but internationally. We can support Baptist women in other countries, sometimes in remarkable ways.

Every five years the Women’s Department of the Baptist World Alliance arranges for each of the continental unions of the world to be a “prayer partner” with another region of the world. So for the quinquennium that began in July 2010 the women of the South West Pacific are praying specifically for the women of North America.

“And just how do you do that practically?” I hear you ask. “We’re talking millions of women here!”

Well, to give some focus to our prayers, we sought some individuals to pray for. At our last Day of Prayer event many women took postcards that had been preaddressed to Baptist women in the United States and Canada and sent them off with a note inviting the recipients to be their prayer partners. Then we waited eagerly to see what the response might be.

Already there have been some warm replies and email correspondence has been initiated. Muriel Larsen, for example, had a postcard from Sara, a Baptist from West Virginia, who has promised to pray for her, and requested prayer for her son. Who knows what blessings will come from these new friendships? Even face-to-face meetings may be possible.

Last month I met a Southern Baptist woman from Oklahoma who was visiting a friend here. She had heard of BWUSWP and contacted me and so I was able to drop by. I will pray for Connie and keep in touch. I’m even more inspired now that I have her photo.

There’s strength in unity. If you’d like to be part of our BWUSWP network, drop me a line and I’ll ensure you’re on our email list for news and updates.

• Julie Belding,  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , is president of the Baptist Women’s Union of the South West Pacific