How to Support the Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists (AWAB)

You can support AWAB in three concrete ways that the organization itself highlights: join the Rainbow Circle as a member, subscribe to its Welcoming Spirit newsletter, and use its church-finding and news resources to stay connected to the Welcoming & Affirming movement. These options suit anyone who wants to sustain LGBTQ+ inclusion in Baptist churches—whether you are an individual, a congregation, or an ally looking for a place to start.

What AWAB Is and Why Support Matters

AWAB (Association of Welcoming & Affirming Baptists) describes itself as the only organization solely devoted to building the Welcoming and Affirming movement within Baptist traditions. Since 1993 it has worked as "The National Voice for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Allied Baptists in the US."

Its stated work includes supporting churches in being and becoming Welcoming and Affirming of all people regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. It operates at multiple levels—individuals, congregations, regional groupings, and a national body—framed around "Radical Welcome and Love of God in Jesus Christ" and building the Beloved Community.

Because AWAB positions itself as a movement rather than a single congregation, support can take several forms depending on how much time, money, or visibility you want to contribute.

Ways to Support AWAB

1. Join the Rainbow Circle

The site's main call to action is: "You can help someone come home to love and acceptance today. Become a member of the Rainbow Circle to sustain compassion in our faith communities."

• What it is: A membership program whose stated purpose is to sustain compassion in faith communities.
• Who it suits: Individuals who want an ongoing, recurring form of support rather than a one-time action.
• What to expect: The site directs you to a "Find Out How" link from the Rainbow Circle prompt. Note that the provided page evidence does not list pricing, tiers, or payment platforms, so check the linked page directly for current details.

2. Subscribe to the Welcoming Spirit Newsletter

AWAB publishes a bi-monthly publication called The Welcoming Spirit and offers a newsletter signup on its site.

• What it is: A recurring newsletter ("Stay up to date with news and profiles by becoming a subscriber to our monthly Welcoming Spirit newsletter").
• How to subscribe: Enter your name and email in the signup form on the site.
• Why it helps: Staying informed keeps you connected to AWAB's advocacy, education, and faith-based justice work, and makes it easier to share updates with your own congregation.

3. Use and Share AWAB's Resources

Support is not only financial. AWAB's site offers tools that extend its reach when you use them:

Sharing a "Find a Church" result with someone who is searching for an affirming congregation, or forwarding a news item, is a direct way to advance AWAB's stated goal of helping people "come home to love and acceptance."

What the Site Does Not Specify

The provided page evidence does not mention:

• Donation amounts, methods, or platforms
• Volunteer sign-up procedures
• Membership fees or payment options
• Login requirements

If you want to donate or volunteer, treat those as possibilities to confirm on the site rather than documented options. The evidence-supported actions are the Rainbow Circle membership, the newsletter subscription, and use of the Find a Church, blog, and news resources.

A Practical Starting Point

If you are unsure where to begin, this sequence covers the documented options:

1. Subscribe to the newsletter — low commitment, keeps you informed.
2. Explore "Find a Church" — useful if you or someone you know needs an affirming congregation.
3. Join the Rainbow Circle — if you want to sustain the work financially on an ongoing basis.
4. Share what you find — pass along AWAB's resources to your church or community.

Each step matches something AWAB itself promotes, so you can act without guessing at unstated programs.