By Staff
JEFFERSON CITY—The Executive Team of the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) announced May 24 the hiring of three contract workers who will lead the work of Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) and Women’s Ministry.
The workers—Laura Wells, Teri Broeker and Wanda Shellenbarger—are already highly involved in leadership roles with the two women’s entities. They will carry on the work of the late Vivian McCaughan, who held a full-time ministry position in the Baptist Building overseeing these roles until her death April 18.
Wells is now Missouri WMU Executive Director/Consultant. She is a member of Sandy Baptist Church in Jefferson Baptist Association where her husband, David, serves as pastor. She has been serving as Women on Mission Specialist for Missouri WMU.
Broeker is now Children/Youth Missions Consultant. She is a member of Durham Baptist Church in Mt. Salem/Wyaconda Baptist Association. She has been serving as GA’s/Children’s Specialist for Missouri WMU.
Shellenbarger is now Women’s Ministry Consultant. She is a member of First Baptist Church, Carl Junction, in Spring River Baptist Association. She has been serving as a member of the Women’s Ministry Leadership Team from the Southwest Region.
The idea of putting contract workers in positions that have been previously covered by full-time ministry workers is new, but also one that is right “for such a time as this,” the Executive Team said.
“The leadership of Missouri’s WMU has been directly involved in this process and have proved extremely helpful and supportive as we have moved in this direction,” said Jerry Field, MBC associate executive director. “We ask that all Missouri Baptists pray for these ladies and the Executive Team as we take this new direction in the work of WMU and Women’s Ministry.”