Lexington County resident Gwendolyn Conner was recently elected assistant dean of the South Carolina Baptist Congress of Christian Education. Her election marks the first time a woman has served in the role in 119 years.

The South Carolina Baptist Congress of Christian Education serves as an auxiliary to its parent body, the Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of South Carolina. The organization provides churches within its membership with support, education and materials for the Convention and its auxiliaries.

Teachers who aspire to teach God’s word can come to the South Carolina Baptist Congress of Christian Education to become certified to teach or serve as a deacon or Sunday school superintendent, according to Conner.

“I have such a love for Christian education,” Conner said. “I love the organization and what it stands for, which is to educate individuals about what is expected of us as Christians, especially as we are on this side of the Jordan. We aim to guide and direct, and it is an honor to serve in this way.”

While Conner celebrates her milestone of becoming the first woman to serve as assistant dean in 119 years, she also celebrates the women in leadership who will follow in her footsteps.

“This milestone means paving the way for others,” Conner said. “Leadership is often a male-dominated environment. I feel like this milestone shows others that you can break that glass ceiling and have a seat at the table.”

Conner said her colleagues have been supportive of her new position, although there have been some challenges with the change.

“It goes without saying in any organization that is primarily male-dominated, there are going to be some challenges, and that is OK,” Conner said. “For the most part, we have individuals who are very supportive and would say that this change is overdue.”

While Conner holds a leadership position, she recognizes that being a leader comes through service. She began her work with the South Carolina Baptist Congress of Christian Education as a field missionary. She later taught classes at the state congress, served as assistant director general, was elected director general of the association and ultimately was elected assistant dean.

She attributes her experience in Christian education to being valuable and impactful.

“We equip the leaders of the churches so they can properly feed their congregation,” Conner said. “There are many doctrines out there, and not much of it is sound. We are on a mission to equip our churches with the true sound doctrine so that the church can be fed properly.”

“I am a firm believer that if people get the word of God in them, it can be a lamp unto their path instead of making swift decisions,” Conner said. “Being in a position where we can structure our curriculum and make it available to people who will use it daily is very meaningful.”

Conner was born in Aiken County and is a current resident of West Columbia. She is a member at First Nazareth Baptist Church in Columbia. When she is not at work or church, she continues her ministry on the ballfield, where she coaches a tee-ball team for the Dixie Youth Baseball League.

“Apart from working in our congress and serving, my biggest joy is coaching tee-ball for the Pineview Dixie Youth Baseball League,” Conner said. “I feel so blessed to feel like I make an impact in the little lives of those on my team.”

“I am grateful and humble to serve in this capacity,” Conner said. “I certainly did not get here alone and will not be able to sustain this responsibility by myself. I am so grateful to serve beside supportive colleagues. Christian education is important to me, and I wouldn’t be who I am without it.”