Team Blog

Celebrating 125 Years of Missions in Houston

This month marks the beginning of a yearlong celebration of 125 years of faithful mission support and involvement through WMU^®, but the work of WMU began long before the official organization was born. Women in the churches had been gathering for prayer, sharing missionary letters from overseas, and encouraging financial support for missions needs for many years.

Celebrating Faithful Missions Leaders: Alma Hunt

Celebrating anniversaries is an important part of life. Whether it’s a birthday, wedding, significant event, or holiday, celebrating keeps the memory alive. Likewise, remembering special people who helped make the anniversary possible is important. During these months leading up to the 125th anniversary of WMU^®, let’s remember some of those who laid the foundation for our celebration. One of those is Alma Hunt.

Catch a Fresh Vision

Spring marks a special time of year in the life of WMU^® and our churches. We focus attention in small groups and during churchwide opportunities on missions across our homeland. Some might think there is little new to highlight after 125 years of telling stories of home missions, but our nation is an ever-changing landscape as the world comes to North America. The stories of missionaries addressing these changing needs inspire us to pray more specifically, give more sacrificially, and become more personally involved.

125 Years of Stories

The year 2013 is a special one in the life of WMU. In June, we will begin a yearlong celebration of our 125th anniversary! What began with a small group of women following God’s call to be missions advocates in the late 1800s is now a powerful force for missions causes. These early women—who were not allowed to vote in public elections, had limited opportunities for meaningful employment, and little discretion over the use of family resources—found a way to rally the church for missions by setting a personal example of sacrificial giving.

The Value of Remembering

The news arrived by email. One of our missionaries, Cheryll Harvey, was dead.

She was found in her apartment in Jordan, where it was quickly determined her death was not from natural causes. Cheryll gave 24 years of her life ministering among Jordanian people, teaching English and working alongside many in the Jordanian Baptist Society.

A Biblical Response to Media

I’m not much of a movie buff, but on holidays or during vacations, Larry and I will sometimes go to the theater if we can find something worth watching. I must admit we often look for a movie that is light-hearted . . . what my kids often refer to as a “chick flick.” I don’t mind their teasing since I’d rather leave the theater laughing instead of feeling depressed!

The Time to Act is Now

I have a true confession; I’ve always been a doer. I have a difficult time sitting back and simply observing when I see something that needs to be corrected. I have friends who love to sit and debate politics, sports, and theology.

Invest in What Matters

This fall begins our new two-year emphasis in WMU, The Story Lives On. While we will look at various aspects of storytelling and the story of WMU itself, we will also look at how we keep the story of faith alive for future generations. Passing on the stories of faith is not a new idea. In 2 Timothy 1:3–5, the Apostle Paul reminded young Timothy of his legacy of faith:

We Are Family

Earlier this year it was my privilege to speak in a variety of diverse settings that ranged from church and associational events in Georgia and both Carolinas to Alaska, where I presented a series of Bible studies and conferences at their state Women on Mission Celebration. In each setting, unique in culture and assignment,

Timeless Stories

In the midst of what we often think of as more laid-back days, the summer months also lend themselves to times of looking ahead to what’s coming in the fall for our churches.