Dr. and Mrs. James Wideman: A lifetime of service, prayer, and generosity
James (Jim) Wideman, a native of Texas, and his wife Sandy, a native of Florida, invested much of lives in New England, first moving to the region in 1970. After dating at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas, in the summer of 1970, they were assigned as short term missionaries to Screven Memorial Baptist Church (now called Seacoast Community Church) in Portsmouth, N.H. Jim later returned to Texas to finish his seminary studies but in 1979, a growing sense of call to New England led them back to Portsmouth where Jim became pastor of that church.
After a very successful eleven-year pastorate, in 1991 the Widemans moved to Oklahoma to pastor. But six years later their passion for New England led them back to the region when Jim was called as the Director of Missions for the Green Mountain Baptist Association in Vermont. The Widemans settled into Vermont for what they thought would be the rest of their ministry lives. But God had other plans and the Widemans exchanged Vermont for Massachusetts when Jim became the Executive Director for the Baptist Convention of New England on June 1, 2001.
“New England was never out of our hearts. The Holy Spirit has placed in us a passion for New England.” -Jim Wideman
Jim set ambitious goals for New England Baptists in the area of church planting that called for a doubling of the number of churches. He emphasized developing indigenous leaders and growing bi-vocational pastors. He also challenged the BCNE to have a ministry of evangelism and discipleship on one third of college and university campuses across New England. His vision also called for the continued development of partnerships. Finally, he challenged New England Baptists to come up with the financial resources to bring the vision to fruition.
Now retired to Oklahoma, the Widemans remain deeply committed to New England. Jim said, “New England was never out of our hearts. The Holy Spirit has placed in us a passion for New England.” For the Widemans, this passion is not just words or a “feeling,” it is action. Though no longer living in New England, they still make a monthly donation to the Sponsor an Hour Fund, which helps support the BCNE General Fund, and they have left a portion of their estate to the same fund. They are examples of people who have given a lifetime of service, prayer, and financial support to New England Baptists.
If you love New England Baptist ministry, consider following the Wideman’s example and speak to your family and your legal advisors about leaving something in your estate to the Baptist Foundation of New England. The Sponsor an Hour Fund is an excellent choice for those who want to support the overall work in New England, but we also have other funds that are more directed toward specific ministries or specific geographical regions of New England. We can also give suggestions for how you might draft a customized plan that supports the ministries you love in New England. Contact us at:
Dr. Terry W. Dorsett, Executive Director
508-393-6013 ext. 224
www.bcne.net/bfne
