The annual January Board Meeting of Woman’s Missionary Union was held January 8 – 9. The following information comes from various reports on the previous year of missions-related activities initiated by associational, state, and national missions organizations to fulfill WMU’s purpose of proclaiming the good news of Jesus to all nations. 2021 was a great year for missions-related activities as WMU partnered with the following agencies and entities:

North American Mission Board

Kevin Ezell, President of NAMB, reported that an all-time giving record occurred last spring when $66.5 million was given to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions. He stated that even during the pandemic, 36 new churches were planted. The theme for this year is “United” and the offering goal is $70 million Sadly, only ½ of Southern Baptist churches participate in this annual offering. 

International Mission Board

The president of IMB, Paul Chitwood, gave an encouraging report on what was accomplished with God’s grace during the past year. Here are some of the statistics he provided: 91% of IMB missionaries are engaging unreached people groups; 144,000 new believers were reported; 8,700 were baptized; 18,000 new churches were planted; and 12,000 pastors were trained. He said, “The nations are waiting and we must go.”

WMU Continues to Provide Quality Resources

Many age-level missions-related materials which can be viewed and ordered online at www.wmu.com Compassion Ministries offers a series of mini-online courses on refugees, poverty, human trafficking, and others. Online blogs and articles provide training tips, current information about missionaries, and project ideas. Training for Christian Job Corps is now offered online. WorldCrafts catalogs are available online also. Many resources can be downloaded and printed: Compassion Ministries Prayer Calendar, Starter Packs information and others. New “Missions in a Box” continue  to be produced. They are now available for Japan, China, and Nigeria. Especially written for families, these are excellent materials for families that home school or want to promote missions in their homes.

Many age-level missions-related materials which can be viewed and ordered online at www.wmu.com Compassion Ministries offers a series of mini-online courses on refugees, poverty, human trafficking, and others. Online blogs and articles provide training tips, current information about missionaries, and project ideas. Training for Christian Job Corps is now offered online. WorldCrafts catalogs are available online also. Many resources can be downloaded and printed: Compassion Ministries Prayer Calendar, Starter Packs information and others. New “Missions in a Box” continue  to be produced. They are now available for Japan, China, and Nigeria. Especially written for families, these are excellent materials for families that home school or want to promote missions in their homes.

Woman’s Missionary Union has an amazing legacy and unwavering focus of making disciples of Jesus who live on mission. Many words could be used to describe this missions arm of the Southern Baptist Convention. Here are just a few:

*trustworthy      *compassion ministries     *committed         *community       *tell about Jesus  *Mission Friends    *evangelism    *creative     *Acteens     *connected   *biblical worldview    *encouraging    *gospel-focused   *Girls in Action   *diverse      *pray for missions     *relative   *Royal Ambassadors             *Women on Mission    *do missions      *teach missions     *support missions    *Pure Water,Pure Love    *faithful    *leaders     *online learning      *Adults on Mission    *mentors   *church-based       *cultures    *Children in Action    *mission projects      *relevant      *invested

You get the idea, don’t you? WMU has focused on creating missions awareness in Southern Baptist churches for 131 years. Just as many churches are reflecting on their ministries in the face of COVID-19, WMU has been impacted by the restrictions caused by the pandemic. While methods have changed, the laser focus on making disciples has not. WMU remains committed to sharing the good news with the world, it is dealing with the financial impact the pandemic has had.

This crisis has negatively affected WMU’s bottom line but has positively amplified its mission. WMU has responded with children’s online missions sessions, online leadership training, podcasts on current issues, and resources to help churches continue educating members about missions. WMU has never received funding through the Cooperative Program, but has promoted giving throughout its history as an auxiliary to the Southern Baptist Convention.        

With sharply reduced income, the need is critical. Please consider giving to the WMU Vision Fund to support national WMU above and beyond your current tithes and offerings. Pray about joining others with a contribution of $100, or any amount God leads you to give. Your gift will help WMU get beyond this financial crisis as it seeks to continue the current level of kingdom work in every state and 39 countries.

You can give online at wmufoundation.com/vision or by mailing your check to: WMU Foundation Vision Fund, 100 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, AL 35242

WMU has urgent needs…will you give to advance God’s mission?

If you missed Missions Lifeline this year, you missed a great blessing! First Baptist Church of Charlestown led a mini missions day camp, and several North American and international missionaries participated and their presentations were motivational. The annual missions event is sponsored by Indiana Woman’s Missionary Union/Women’s Ministries and is designed to inform and equip all ages to be on missions and make disciples.  The 2020 event is already being planned, so watch for the date. Begin planning now to encourage your church members to attend!

The state WMU leadership team has launched an effort to contact every pastor in Indiana for prayer requests for him and his church. Requests will be gathered through our associations as the team is composed of representatives of each association. It is our goal to reach every pastor by August 1. What a challenge!

An email was sent to each pastor of SEIBA on July 2 with an introduction by Gary Yochum. With our renewed emphasis on evangelism of our nine-county area, we know that prayer is a critical element in reaching the goal of reaching residents who don’t know Jesus as their personal Savior.

If as a pastor, you feel it will be difficult to reach you via phone due to your schedule or travel, don’t hesitate to text me with your requests! Text to: 502.592.8473.  I look forward to talking/texting with you!

If it’s been a while since you went to the Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) website, you will be surprised at what you find! Remaining relevant is critical for any organization in our society today. In light of our changing needs and culture, WMU has redesigned its website and introduced many exciting options for involvement in missions. Ministries, blogs, news articles, and resources have been designed with Southern Baptist life and churches in mind.

Visit the website soon and discover how you can lead your church, small groups, and all ages toward a lifelong journey that will further God’s kingdom work and bless your life! Go to www.wmu.org

Fall is a great time to start new mission activities and groups. If your church doesn’t have age level groups, Womans’ Missionary Union will provide free curriculum for 6 months through our Indiana state WMU office. Contact Allison Kinion at akinion@scbi.org for information about how to get your free materials!

WMU publishes missions materials for preschoolers, children, students, and adults. A co-ed children’s organization, Children in Action, is a great way to introduce missions through games, activities, and projects for kids in grades 1-6.

The annual meeting for Indiana Woman’s Missionary Union will be held at First Baptist Church of Gasburg on Friday and Saturday, August 5-6. The event will feature missions-related workshops and special guest speaker, national WMU President, Linda Cooper.

This event is a great opportunity to learn about new resources available to help you promote missions in your church and training that will equip you to lead others to learn about missions in North America and overseas.

For more information, go to www.scbi.org/missionslifeline

The special missions offering for mission work in North America is just around the corner! The week of March 6-13 has been set aside to pray for North American missionaries and their work. Printed resources to promote this emphasis can be ordered through Indiana State WMU (go to Indiana state convention website scbi.org to order materials). Materials include prayer guides as well as resources to help you promote giving to the missions offering. Other printed and online resources are available at: www.namb.net

This year’s theme is “Here I am, Send me.” Join a gospel movement by praying for Southern Baptists’ North American missionaries. Your sacrificial gifts will help to transform lives by spreading the good news across North America.

For additional information on this important missions offering, contact Indiana State WMU office or SE Association’s Missions Education Consultant, Linda Clark at lclark1213@hotmail.com