Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) has a great deal to celebrate, and the party is set for April 4-5. WMU’s “Missions Celebration” will be held at Second Baptist Church, Springfield.
According to Laura Wells, Missouri WMU executive director, WMU is celebrating 125 years nationally, as well as 100 years of Girls in Action (GA) and 90 years of Missouri WMU. The April celebration targets any Missouri Baptists who desire to reach their state and their world with the gospel.
“We are celebrating a strong legacy,” Wells said, “as well as looking to the future. Our theme, ‘The Story Lives On – Celebrate, Connect, and Commit’ will help us connect our WMU stories with salvation to share the gospel story.”
Several speakers will present special insights into missions, in addition to providing training for service. Jean Roberson, national WMU ministry consultant, will give the theme interpretation as well as teach one of the breakout sessions. Participants will be able to attend five breakout sessions with each session being offered twice.
Roberson’s breakout session will be a preview of the Project Help initiative coming this fall on post-traumatic stress disorder. Roberson will teach women how to draw near and minister to those suffering from the disorder.
Helmer and Shannon Jensen, missionaries from South Africa, will talk about their ministry. They live in an open country but deal with missionaries in closed countries. Charles and Jamie Ruede, serving in Peru, will be the second missionary couple speaking.
In addition, Rick Hedger, Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) missional evangelism/discipleship team leader, will provide the mission challenge and Mark Snowden, MBC evangelism/discipleship strategist, will present chronological Bible storying.
As a part of the annual meeting on April 5 morning session, new officers will be elected. Wells also said they will praise God for the support that WMU gains from the Missouri Missions Offering.
“Dr. Yeats, MBC executive director, will present WMU with a check,” she said. “If the Missouri Missions Offering exceeds the goal, he gives us a tithe from the offering to support the work of WMU. This is such a praise because it is the second year.”
Other highlights of the weekend include the parade of international flags on April 4 and a musical performance by GAs during the April 5 morning session.
Early bird registration is $30 per person until March 19, while regular registration is $40 AFTER March 19. Registration is available online at http://mobaptist.org/mc. New this year is a $10 student fee for those in the first grade to those attending college.
According to Wells, registration is best done online, but for questions about the conference or registration, call Sharon Paris at 573-636-0400, ext. 324.