Churchwide
Missions discipleship is grounded in the command of Jesus to His disciples, “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19–20 CSB).
Missions discipleship in the church provides opportunities for everyone—preschoolers through adults—to be involved in missions. Churches who provide missions discipleship encourage people to grow in their faith as they learn about missions, pray for missions, support missions, and do missions.
WMU’s unwavering focus is making disciples of Jesus who live on mission.
We carry out this mission by
- providing missions discipleship resources for churches and individuals,
- offering opportunities to engage with compassion ministries, and
- equipping people through leadership development experiences.
WMU IS
- Biblically rooted
Scripture guides us in knowing God, His ways, His character, His mission, His redemptive acts, and His purpose for the church. - Missions focused
Jesus commissioned His disciples to proclaim the good news disciple people of all nations, and teach them to live out the truths He taught. - Church based
Jesus gave the church authority to act on His behalf. Teaching all ages prepares the church to fulfill His mission. - World aware
God is always at work among all peoples, and we join Him where we discern He is calling us. - Denominationally supportive
No one church can do alone what many churches can do together. Our voluntary cooperation extends the missions reach of the local church.
Unfolding the Bible’s Mission Story – View this video in which Sandy Wisdom-Martin, WMU executive director, shares how the story of missions unfolds throughout the Bible.
Missional Characteristics – WMU seeks to instill four missional characteristics within people of all ages in the church. View the video about these characteristics that guide the work of WMU in the church.
How to Start – Encourage people in your church to grow in missions discipleship by starting WMU.
Leader Responsibilities – The leaders for churchwide WMU varies according to the needs of your church. Find suggestions for a basic approach and ways to expand leadership.
Leadership Team – The church WMU director works with others on the WMU leadership team to coordinate the activities of WMU in the church.
Planning – Effective planning ensures that people will be involved in missions discipleship through churchwide missions activities.
Planning Tips – Suggestions for planning churchwide WMU events and activities.
Missions Experiences and Activities – WMU in the church may include a variety of events, activities, or on-going missions groups. Begin with these suggestions of churchwide activities.
Churchwide Missions Discipleship Resources at wmustore.com
These resources will help you provide churchwide opportunities for the year and expand as needed with age-level missions groups, special projects, and other opportunities.
If you have questions about starting or leading Churchwide WMU, we would enjoy talking with you. Contact churchwide and associational WMU consultant Joy Bolton at jbolton@wmu.org or go to our State WMU Offices page to find web links and phone numbers for your state WMU office.
