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May Women On Mission

Get the Big Picture of Missions

 “Why I AM A Baptist” was the title of a great sermon I heard years ago.  In addition to a clear presentation on Baptist beliefs, the minister articulated an additional reason I have come to appreciate more with every passing year.  The way we cooperate to accomplish missions efforts around our nation and world is distinctive of what it means to be Southern Baptist.  From how we appoint and support missionaries to the plan for shared giving through the Cooperative Program, what we do together through our churches extends our reach further than if we tried to do it alone.

When I served as a missionary in St. Vincent, I was mindful of the fact I lived in a house and drove a car provided by Southern Baptists through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.  The money we received to buy food and educate our children were gifts from individuals in churches who understood the importance of shared missions.  The most striking reminder of how blessed we were occurred when our Swedish missionary friends left the island for three months each year to return home and raise financial support for the next nine months of service.  I knew then the way we cooperate was unique and a special gift.  People I had never met cared enough about me to pray and give so I could serve full time without the added burden of returning home to be a fundraiser once a year. 

I was born into a Baptist family and married a Baptist minister, but today I choose to be a Baptist not only because of Baptist beliefs but also because of the way we cooperate for missions.

From Alaska to New York to Houston, from Asia to Africa to South America, and in all the points between, I have the privilege of knowing I am a partner with our missionaries through my praying and giving.  I feel blessed, and I hope you do as well.
 
- WANDA S. LEE is executive director of national WMU.

Women on Mission will meet at the church at 7 pm on Monday, May 11.  All our ladies are invited to be with us.

April Women on Mission

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

For those of you who packed a shoebox for Operation Christmas Child, here is a message from Franklin Graham, president of Samaritan’s Purse.

DEAR Friend,
As I stood in the cold wind on the tarmac at Baltimore-Washington International Airport next to a jumbo jet loaded with 60,000 shoebox gifts, I couldn’t help but think of the children in northern Iraq who would soon be opening these presents.  It’s even colder over there, and their families had to flee their homes to escape ISIS terrorist.  Despite the miserable living conditions, I knew that these gifts—packed with love and prayer by people like you—would bring children great joy and also give our church partners unprecedented opportunities  to share the Gospel.  We praise the Lord for providing enough shoebox gifts to reach 10.4 million boys and girls in118 countries in the Name of Jesus.  Everyone involved in Operation Christmas Child looks forward to seeing God raise up ambassadors for Christ as millions of these children study The Greatest Journey discipleship lessons through their local churches.  Your prayers and support enable us to carry out the Great Commission: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:19).  On behalf of children around the world, thank you, and may God richly bless you.

ANNIE ARMSTRONG EAST OFFERING

Evangelical churches are losing ground in the church-to-population ratio.  During WWI, there was one Southern Baptist Church for every 430 people.  Now there is one for every 6,194 in the U.S.  In Canada, there is one Canadian National Baptist Convention church for every 115,040 people.  Boston is home to more than 250,000 college students with one church for every 42,900 people.  In Detroit, only one Southern Baptist Church exists for every 36,227 people.  Please pray and give through our Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.  Envelopes are available at the Welcome Center.  Women on Mission will meet Monday, April 13 at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Kathleen Qualkenbush.  All of our ladies are invited to join us.