Alabama Baptist women leaders are hoping to change the world — starting with New Orleans and Michigan.
During Alabama Woman’s Missionary Union’s (WMU) annual leadership training and enrichment conference, state leaders announced a plan for the upcoming Mission New Orleans, as well as work with Baptists in Michigan as part of Alabama’s partnership with that state.
The meeting — held July 20–22 at Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega — drew more than 500 women’s ministry leaders from around the state. The women attended general sessions and workshops reflecting the theme Change a Life — Change the World.
According to Alabama WMU President Rosalie Hunt, “We had such a good mix of ages and interests, and the reports of God’s work here and in countries abroad was significant as women examined ways they could change the world.”
In New Orleans, Alabama WMU has plans to launch a prayer initiative for Zone 6, the area Alabama Baptists adopted to help rebuild and evangelize. Alabama WMU will participate by encouraging women to join the prayer network, a commitment to pray regularly and specifically for three areas of concern during the next year:
- Baptist Collegiate Ministries of Tulane University and Loyola University,
- Loving Four Baptist Tabernacle and
- Zone 6 volunteer and general needs.
In addition, Alabama WMU will host a trip to New Orleans Oct. 25–28, joining women of Louisiana WMU in a joint prayer walk in Zone 6. Information on the prayer network and prayer-walking trip is available by contacting Pat Ingram at 1-800-264-1225, Ext. 292, or pingram@alsbom.org.
Another project for the coming year is a partnership with Michigan WMU. Although specific details are still being developed, women from Michigan WMU attended the conference and taught workshops, including Marilyn Hopkins, Michigan’s WMU/missions ministry leader.
Also North American Mission Board and International Mission Board missionaries presented during the workshops and gave brief reports during the general sessions.
“The missionaries and other speakers excited a passion to pray more, give more and go more for the cause of Christ,” said Lucretia Mobbs, consultant for women’s ministry and e-ministries for Alabama WMU. “They made us know that it is possible to change the world” by changing one life at a time.
Leaders of all WMU missions organizations, such as Mission Friends, Girls in Action, Acteens and Women on Mission, as well as women’s ministry leaders, attended workshops geared specifically toward providing hands-on, practical information for each age level. Both basic and advanced workshops gave women an opportunity to choose the track best suited for their needs.
Additional workshops focused on helping leaders grow in their personal spiritual lives and provided small-group opportunities to hear from missionaries and explore special interests such as graphic design, prayer walking and ministering to victims of domestic violence.
“I hope the women were encouraged and left feeling equipped to handle the leadership position they will be filling at their church in the upcoming year,” said Candace McIntosh, Alabama WMU executive director. “Many women said they enjoyed the fellowship of other like-minded women and enjoyed being able to share ideas and hear what others are doing in their churches.”
During the meeting, Alabama WMU also re-elected Rosalie Hunt of Guntersville, president; Becky Luther of Gadsden, vice president; and Diane Causey of Prattville, recording secretary.
They also elected as new trustees Janet Estis of Ethelsville, David Hyde Jr. of Evergreen, Becky Nelson of Anniston, Michelle Wise of Mobile and Kristy Carr of Birmingham, with terms to expire in 2013.
Share with others: