Alabama WMU Partnership Updates about what missionaries actually did, and I loved learning about...

June 2009 Volume 10, Issue 2

Alabama WMU Partnership Updates

Touchinglives

FindingfellowshipPassing

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Seeking wisdom

Caringglobally

Several years ago, the Alabama Baptist Convention began partnerships with the Baptist Conventions of Michigan, Ukraine andGuatemala. Through the years, these partnerships have presented unique missions and ministry opportunities for Alabama WMU’smembership. Below is an update on several recent projects. The partnerships will continue through 2011.

In this issue...Pull-out section for WMU & Women’s Leadership Equipping and Enrichment

Acteens Challenge Team Member Sara Egbert shares her personal testimony

Lamar Baptist Association goes mad for missions

Recently, Alabama WMU joined forces with NAMB Missionaries Kim and Dexter Hardy and Connections Community Church, a new church plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan. A partnership opportunity came through a project called Operation Epistle. Operation Epistle was an attempt to individually invite the more than 20,000 residents of Ypsilanti to be a part of this new church. The plan was to print invitations and mail them in hand-addressed, first-class stamped envelopes. The hope in this venture was that people would feel the personalization of the letter, open it, read it, and attend the services. Addressing 20,000 envelopes is a daunting

task, but Alabama WMU took a step of faith and ordered 10,000 invitations to be addressed. We then called on the members of Alabama WMU to help, and you responded

in overwhelming ways. On two days in February, men and women from across Alabama came together at either WorldSong Missions Place in Cook Springs or at the State Board of Missions in Montgomery to make this happen. In all, 34 associations participated in Operation Epistle by giving stamps, giving money for stamps and shipping, and giving their time to address, stuff, pray over and stamp the invitations. Alabama WMU sent more than 10,400 stamped, addressed invitations to publicize the opening of Connections Community Church.

March 15, 2009, marked the launch day for the church. There were more than 100 people in attendance! As Pastor Dexter spoke with the congregation and asked how they found out about the service, nearly all of them said they received an invitation in the mail. Pastor Dexter also received a call from a man who claimed to be an atheist. After receiving the invitation, he was so moved he called Pastor Dexter, and a door was opened for the love of Jesus to be shared. Addressing envelopes, an act that seems so small, has touched the lives of many for Christ – a wonderful example of partnership.

Story continues on the following page.

Michigan

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Teachers in Ukraine, just like inAlabama, have a great deal of influ-ence. But they lack encouragement,fellowship with other Christians andideas for living for Christ in a secularworld. But there’s hope.

Hope in Education is a non-profitorganization in Kiev, Ukraine. Hope inEducation believes teachers have avital role in influencing their commu-nities and wants them to come toknow Christ and lead as Christians intheir communities. Bonnie Hailey, an IMB representative in Ukraine, is the founder andadministrative director. She partners with Ukrainian teachers to lead Hope in Education.

From April 24-May 2, 2009, six women from Alabama partnered with Hope in Education to begin work in two Ukrainian schools. Three of these women didn’t even havepassports before this trip, but every team member felt a strong sense of God’s calling intheir lives. It would later become obvious why the Lord had brought them there.

The team participated in educational exchanges in two Ukrainian schools. An educa-tional exchange is an opportunity for teachers from different countries to meet and shareideas centered around a specific topic. Some topics of interest to Ukrainian teachers werestudent cell phone use, teaching ethics and involving parents. Interestingly, teachers from different countries have many of the same concerns.

Each mission team member had a unique perspective, and God used each one to contribute to the discussions. The time spent with the Ukrainian teachers opened doors forHope in Education to continue to reach out to these and other teachers. Each Ukrainianteacher received gifts from the Alabama team including tote bags, pencils, pens, notebooks,Alabama bookmarks and postcards, as well as an Alabama favorite – pralines. The gifts

were especially appreciated because,while most of these supplies are avail-able in Ukraine, most cannot affordthem. Many teach without textbooksfor themselves or their students.

As you think about our partnershipwith Ukraine, remember these teachersand our Baptist representatives. AskGod to draw them closer to Him, to usethem for His kingdom and to be glorified in each life. Pray for yourself.Maybe God wants you to be part of amission team!

Mytestimony

Sara EgbertSara, a rising high school senior, is a member of theAlabama Acteens Challenge Team and First BaptistChurch in Alabaster.

I have been involved in WMU literally myentire life from Mission Friends to GAsand Acteens. WMU has taught me aboutthe Bible, missions and how to live forChrist. Sunday School and discipleshiptraining played a big role in my coming toknow Christ, but it was WMU thatsparked my interest in missions. As aMission Friend, the seed was planted. Icontinued moving up to GAs and eventu-ally Acteens. My teachers told me aboutmissionaries and the countries where theyserved. I remember thinking that it was socool for missionaries to be serving righthere in America! I vividly remember pray-ing for the missionaries every week.

I reminisce of when my leader woulddescribe the missionaries to the class. Mylittle mind had a hard time comprehend-ing that telling others about the love ofJesus could be dangerous. It ignited my curiosity about what missionaries actuallydid, and I loved learning about MissionaryKids. I was a little jealous of these kidsbut also realized how hard it must be tolive so far away from the rest of theirfamily. It really made me realize that youjust have to trust in the Lord and that Hewill take care of you.

I felt a call to missions in the fourthgrade and then again recently in February.I do not know what God has planned forme. I do not know where He wants totake me or if He wants me to stay put inAlabama. One thing I do know is that Iwill serve Him and continue to supportother missionaries and learn more aboutthem. I am willing and waiting for what-ever God has in store for me.

Cover story, continuedAlabama WMU desired to take the next step by working hand-in-hand with the

Hardys and Connections Community Church. Easter weekend, four WMU ladies journeyed to Southern Michigan. The plan was to participate in random acts of kind-ness, sponsor an Easter egg hunt, and worship with the church on Easter Sunday. Theladies made cookies and delivered them to the three fire stations in Ypsilanti and thepublic library, a strategic hub in the community. They also sponsored not one but twoEaster egg hunts where children from around the community were able to participate inan activity children in Alabama often take for granted. The group also prayerwalkedthrough several neighborhoods and at the school where the church meets. It was a timeof great encouragement for the Hardys and Connections Community Church as well asthe ladies from Alabama. Pray for Pastor Hardy and his family, Connections CommunityChurch, and the people of Ypsilanti as we continue to partner together.

Ukraine

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Talladega, Alabama

...with times of worship, Bible study, breakout conferences, missionary testimonies and training for new and experienced WMU and Women’s Ministry leaders

WMU & Women’s Leadership Equipping and Enrichment

July 24-26,2009 - Shocco Springs Conference Center


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Conference Topicsmay include

7:00 am Breakfast8:00 am Worship9:30 am Dismiss (no lunch provided)

7:00 am Breakfast8:30 am Biennial Meeting/Worship10:30 am Church Missions Leader Training

& Special Interest Conferences11:30 am Lunch/Conferences12:15 pm Lunch/Conferences1:15 pm Missionary/Special Interest Conf.2:30 pm Missionary/Special Interest Conf.3:30 pm Missionary/Special Interest Conf.4:30 pm Worship5:30 pm Dinner7:00 pm Celebration

Worldview: Alabama and BeyondPrayer MinistriesSix Directives for a Balanced LifeStorying in Everyday LifeDiscerning the TimesCalled to LoveBeyond Me: Living a You-First Life in a

Me-First WorldOvercoming Leadership Challenges Calling Out the Called: Recognizing &

Encouraging Future LeadersBrand New WMU DirectorsFamily Missions

Alabama Woman’s Missionary UnionP.O. Box 11870...Montgomery, AL...36111-0870

800.264.1225...www.alawoman.com

For further details, visit www.alawoman.com.

3:00 pm Associational Training4:15 pm Missionary/Special Interest Conf.5:15 pm Dinner6:30 pm Worship8:15 pm Mission Experience

Tentative Schedule

Friday

Saturday

Sunday


Recently, children’s leaders in LamarBaptist Association went mad, well,mad for missions, that is! KennedyBaptist Church was the scene of a one-day children’s missions event leaderscalled Missions Madness 3. More than100 people from eight churches tookpart in the event.

The children heard from IMB missionary Cindy Tuten who servedin Tanzania and Alan and MelodieLyons who are serving in Guatemala.They also had the opportunity to meetMark Perkins, an MK, who grew up inArgentina and South and East Asia. Local church members Chad Wheelerand Steve Waller told children about their volunteer missions experiences in Guatemala.

Participants also wrote letters to current NAMB and IMB missionaries and collectedan offering for Brenda Crim, a NAMB missionary in Alaska who ministers at theIditarod Dog Sled Race. The children collected nearly $250 to send for the ministry!

Send us your story! E-mail [email protected] with photos and a description of your event .

April was an incredible month of missions and ministry forAlabama WMU and her membership. From New Orleans toUkraine, members of Alabama WMU were engaged in meet-ing needs, opening doors and sharing the gospel of JesusChrist. Ministry ranged from washing the feet of the homelessin New Orleans to a professorstanding before university studentsin Ukraine. Although the opportu-nities were different, the intent was

the same - ministering in Jesus’ name for the sole purpose ofsharing the hope of Jesus Christ with those who do notknow Him.

How wonderful it is to serve among a people who desireto live their lives in obedience to the commission set forth byour Lord in the gospel of Matthew, The Great Commission.During a time when it would be easy for many to turninward, Alabama Baptists remain committed to going beyondthe walls of our churches to be Christ to a world in need.

During the month of May, Alabama Baptists celebrated a milestone. For the past sixmonths, our state convention has led in the amount of money given to missions throughthe Cooperative Program - a testimony to our commitment to remain Great CommissionChristians, a people committed to being the hands and feet of Christ in our communities,nation and world through our praying, giving and going.

Now is not the time to grow comfortable in our place of ministry. May we, as GreatCommission Christians, be encouraged by what God is accomplishing through AlabamaBaptists and seek to continue to grow the Kingdom and bring glory to His name.

Please join me and the staff of Alabama WMU at leadership training this July to prepare for another great year of missions and ministry in your church and association.

Local Missions Event a Big Hit

Candace McIntosh

PassingIt On

Mark yourcalendarJune15-19 Girls’ Missions Camp,WorldSong

21-22 WMU, SBC AnnualMeeting/Missions Celebration,Louisville, KY

23-24 Southern Baptist Convention,Louisville, KY

19-20 Mom & Daughter MissionsCamp, WorldSong (girls completinggrades K-3)

22-26 Youth Girls’ Missions Camp,WorldSong (girls completing grades6-12)

July6-10 Girls’/Youth Girls’ MissionsCamp, WorldSong (girls completinggrades 3-12)

10-11 Mom & Daughter MissionsCamp, WorldSong

12-15 Children’s Missions Mini Camp,WorldSong (girls and boys completinggrades 2-6)

15-17 Girls’ Missions Mini Camp,WorldSong (girls completing grades2-6)

20-24 Girls’ Missions Camp,WorldSong

24-26 WMU & Women’s LeadershipEquipping and Enrichment, Shocco

25-26 Emerging Leaders Forum ,Shocco (by invitation only)

27-31 Girls’ Missions Camp,WorldSong

IMB Missionaries Alan and Melodie Lyons share with children about their mission work in Guatemala.


WorldSong Missions Place Needs YOU!!!

2001 East South BoulevardMontgomery, Alabama 36116

PanoramaEditor-in-Chief: Rosalie HuntManaging Editor: Brittney GardnerContributors: Candace McIntosh,

Cynthia White, Cindy Wilson,Lucretia Mobbs, Pat Ingram

Panorama, issued four times per year,is published by Alabama WMU.

Send address changes, editorial suggestions to:

Alabama WMUAttn: Brittney GardnerP.O. Box 11870Montgomery, AL 36111-0870Telephone: 800.264.1225Email: [email protected]

Visit Alabama WMU on the Web atwww.alawoman.com

This resource is made possible by giftsgiven through the Kathleen MalloryMission Offering and theCooperative Program.

Non-ProfitUS Postage

PAIDMontgomery, ALPermit No. 945

As another exciting summer of missions camping begins at WorldSong,here are some specific ways you can pray for this vital Alabama WMU ministry:

Pray for Summer Missions Camp Director Elizabeth Cook and her assistant, Laura Lee Griffin, as they guide and directthe summer missions camp staff.

Pray for Bob Dent, WorldSong camp manager, and his staff as they maintain the beautiful campus at WorldSong.

Pray for strength for the summer camp staffers as they deal with heat, bugs, homesick campers and their own physical and spiritual tiredness.

Pray for the missionaries who will give of their time to impact these precious lives. Pray they will have the right words to say to these impressionable campers.

Pray for the campers. Pray for open hearts and minds, positive attitudes, bravery when they get homesick, physical protection as they enjoy all that WorldSong has to offer, travel safety and the fresh movement of Christ in their young lives.


Alabama WMU Partnership Updates about what missionaries actually did, and I loved learning about...

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