She wears many caps within the Baptist community, and now Tracy Valentine has taken on a faith-focused role with an international emphasis.
As well as serving as Carinity's Mission Engagement Manager – Seniors and Disability, and being on state and national Baptist councils, Tracy is the new President of Baptist Women of the Pacific.
She commenced her four-year term in the voluntary role at the organisation's most recent gathering in Brisbane, which coincided with the Baptist World Congress.
Stepping into the role was "deeply humbling" for Tracy, who views her new duty as "both a gift and a calling".
"I've long admired the resilience, faith, and leadership of women across the Pacific, so to be entrusted with this role felt both an honour and a large responsibility," Tracy said.
"The group's values - empowerment, mission, justice, and compassion - align so clearly with my own sense of calling as a pastor and my work with Carinity, so there is a lot of synergy."
Baptist Women of the Pacific is a network of women's ministries from eight nations: Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Papua and West Papua, Tonga, and Vanuatu.
"Each brings their own cultural richness, experiences, and gifts, and it's such a joy to see God working in each of their contexts," Tracy said.
"What I've loved most is the sense of solidarity and encouragement across nations. Women who, despite facing significant daily challenges, embody incredible faith, strength, and joy. Their resilience continually inspires me."
As well as fostering servants of Jesus, the organisation assists Pacific people with education, community empowerment and livelihood projects, justice and wellbeing enterprises, and natural disaster responses.
Baptist Women of the Pacific projects have empowered women in Fiji and Vanuatu to run small enterprises and hosted digital and literacy training for women in Papua New Guinea.
The group helped develop resources for Australian pastors to address domestic violence in churches, while a Tongan project provides support and spiritual fellowship for women leaving domestic violence situations.
Baptist Women of the Pacific also offered financial and practical support and distributed emergency supplies after cyclones in Vanuatu, the Tongan tsunami, and Papuan floods.
Tracy's goal for her presidency with Baptist Women of the Pacific is to "equip the next generation with theological depth and practical skills" and "foster greater cross-cultural connection".
"I'd love to see us create more opportunities for women to connect, learn, and be resourced for ministry, whether through training, mentoring, or gatherings," she said.
"My vision is simple: encouragement, empowerment, and ensuring the next generation is ready to lead with courage and wisdom."
