fbpx
News Articles

Dorothy Patterson receives award


ORLANDO, Fla. (BP)–Dorothy Kelley Patterson was honored with the 2010 Willie Turner Dawson Award during the Ministers’ Wives Conference June 15 at the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando, Fla.

Patterson, professor of theology in women’s studies at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, has been training ministry wives for years as she has served alongside her husband Paige, who is the seminary’s president.

Since their marriage in 1963, the Pattersons have ministered at Criswell College in Dallas; Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C.; and now at Southwestern Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas. Paige Patterson also served as president of the Southern Baptist Convention from 1998-2000.

Dorothy Patterson is involved in several ministries, but she describes herself as first and foremost a homemaker. Lanese Dockery, while presenting the award, said Patterson has the heart and soul of a servant. “She is one of God’s choice servants,” she said.

Patterson is the general editor of “The Women’s Evangelical Commentaries” by B&H Publishers of LifeWay Christian Resources and has authored numerous books including “A Handbook for Ministers’ Wives” and “A Handbook for Parents in Ministry.”

She earned a master’s degree in theology from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, a doctor of ministry degree from Luther Rice Seminary and a doctor of theology degree from the University of South Africa.

The Pattersons are the parents of two children: Armour and his wife Rachel live in Arizona, and Carmen and her husband Mark Howell reside in Houston with their two daughters Abigail and Rebekah.

Together the Pattersons have traveled to more than 100 countries, training Christian leaders and supporting missions endeavors.

The Dawson Award was established in 1963 when the ministers’ wives group posthumously honored Willie Turner Dawson, wife of J.M. Dawson, pastor of First Baptist Church in Waco, Texas. Willie Turner Dawson was a teacher and lecturer who in 1930 challenged the Southern Baptist Convention to give more to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. As a result, the convention saw a large increase in the international missions offering.

Each year the award recognizes a minister’s wife for making a distinct denominational contribution beyond the local church and for her Christian character and service to others.

To nominate a minister’s wife for next year’s award, send a nomination essay by March 20, 2011, to Anne Wright, 955 Johnson Ferry Road, Marietta, GA 30068 or by e-mail to [email protected].
–30–
Shannon Baker is a national correspondent for BaptistLIFE, newsjournal of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware.

    About the Author

  • Shannon Baker

    Shannon Baker is director of communications for the Baptist Resource Network of Pennsylvania/South Jersey and editor of the Network’s weekly newsletter, BRN United.

    Read All by Shannon Baker ›