Called a "role model" and "an inspiration," Debbie Kidd, a member of Southside Baptist Church, Huntsville, was named the recipient of the Dr. Martha Myers GA (Girls in Action) Alumnae of Distinction Award during national Woman’s Missionary Union’s (WMU) 2008 missions celebration and annual meeting.
Kidd, who suffered a debilitating stroke a few years ago, has been a GA leader for 24 years and grew up in Girls’ Auxiliary (now Girls in Action) at County Line Baptist Church, Enterprise. She has served as a mentor to new GA leaders and as GA director for Madison Baptist Association.
She has also been on numerous national and international missions trips.
"Debbie is an amazing woman who believes that we must invest in our children and take time to teach them about God’s heart for the people of the world," said Candace McIntosh, executive director of Alabama WMU. "I could only pray that all our leaders would have such enthusiasm and determination to lead our children in missions."
The award — given in honor of Alabama missionary martyr Martha Myers, who was shot and killed in Yemen in 2002 — is given annually to someone who exemplifies the characteristics of Myers.
Also during the missions celebration, held June 8–9 at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Indianapolis, Baptist representatives serving in locations ranging from Yellowstone National Park to the Philippines and Mozambique challenged participants to join them in sharing Christ’s love with their communities and around the world.
Jeff and Kim Cruse, International Mission Board representatives in the Philippines, described their work teaching English at a university, training Filipinos as English teachers, providing a coffee shop ministry for young adults, leading a campus Bible study for professors and hosting a house church in their garage.
"We try to meet a need … (Filipinos) know they have so we can meet a need they don’t know they have," Kim Cruse said.
Twelve professors who participated in their campus Bible study have trusted Christ as Savior and now take turns leading the study, she reported.
Her husband told of their visit with Alan, a Filipino student, while sitting under a covered picnic table on a university campus.
"God sent a torrential rain, which stranded him with us for three hours," he recalled.
The Baptist representatives shared the gospel, and the student received Jesus as Savior.
Less than a week later, he shared his newfound faith with his friend Mark, who also became a follower of Christ.
Now Alan is on an international cruise ship, witnessing and discipling others on the ship. Mark is in Cyprus, sharing the gospel with his co-workers.
This type of passion for missions is vital for leaders, Southern Baptist Convention President Frank Page told WMU leaders at a banquet prior to the group’s annual meeting.
"Grasp the concept that you are a part of something greater than yourself," Page urged. "When you become a missional leader, your people will follow."
During a business session, WMU elected 2008–2009 officers and heard testimonies from the 2008 national Acteens panelists and former GA members.
Kaye Miller of Arkansas was unanimously re-elected as WMU president. Kathy Hillman of Texas was re-elected recording secretary.
At a dessert fellowship following the missions celebration, the WMU Foundation presented the Dellanna West O’Brien Award for Women’s Leadership Development to Angela Kim for her work in missions, particularly with Korean WMU of Texas. (Editor’s Network)
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