Alabama WMU reflects on 125 years of ‘shining the light’ of Jesus

Alabama Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) launched its celebration of 125 years of missions by honoring the organization’s history and encouraging believers to “shine the light” of Jesus to the lost.

The anniversary celebration was held July 18–19 at Shocco Springs Baptist Conference Center in Talladega in conjunction with Equip, Alabama WMU’s annual leadership-training event (see story, page 8).

Speaking to a crowd of more than 600 gathered in the Shocco Chapel, Candace McIntosh, executive director of Alabama WMU, challenged church and associational missions leaders, volunteers and career missionaries alike to carry on the WMU legacy by taking the gospel to all nations.

A place for WMU

“As long as there are lost people in the world, there is a place for Alabama Woman’s Missionary Union. Go and shine the light in the darkness,” McIntosh said.

The theme of light unified the worship celebration. Baptist missionaries from around the world began the service by proceeding into the darkened chapel with lighted lanterns and placing the lanterns at the front left of the auditorium. The glow of the lanterns provided a serene backdrop for the remainder of the service, which included worship music, Bible study and testimonies from several International Mission Board (IMB) and North American Mission Board (NAMB) missionaries.

Congregational hymns, led by Chip Colee, minister of music for First Baptist Church, Montgomery, in Montgomery Baptist Association, included “We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” and “Shine, Jesus, Shine.” A multilingual praise choir moved many to tears as they sang “How Great is Our God” in several languages, including Spanish, Korean and American Sign Language. 

National WMU President Debby Akerman explored examples from the life of Moses to emphasize the 2014–15 theme of Alabama WMU, “For His Glory.”

“From Mission Friends to the day we die, we serve for His glory,” Akerman said. “Thank you for giving God the glory.”

Several missionaries shared stories of God’s light shining through the darkness around the world. One missionary who serves in a high security area told of a police chief in his community who prayed to receive Christ and now helps protect the missionaries. Another told of a young Muslim man who received Christ while attending a Christian training. 

Several missionaries noted the valuable support Alabama WMU gives their families. A mother of four missionary kids thanked Alabama WMU for sending birthday cards to her children and for helping missionary kids make the transition to the United States when they leave the missions field. Another young woman expressed how much the Alabama International Parents Fellowship had meant to her parents and grandparents.

A husband and wife who have served among Sub-Saharan Africa peoples for more than 30 years thanked the crowd for their financial support and poignantly noted that more than half of IMB support comes from the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. 

“If you’re going to think about the IMB, you have to thank Lottie Moon,” the husband said. “I’m not saying that we would have spent half as much time (in Africa) without that support. I’m saying that without WMU, half of the missionaries never would have gone in the first place.

“From a lost world, WMU — thank you,” he added.

Rick Lance, executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, said WMU members are at the center of missions education, support and leadership. 

“We are endeared and really indebted to the ministry of Alabama WMU,” Lance said. “You are very much a part of who we are and where we are as Alabama Baptists.” 

Missions giving

McIntosh also thanked Alabama Baptists for their missions giving, noting that in the past 75 years, Alabama Baptists have given nearly $2 billion to missions. Every dollar given represents lives transformed, she said.

“What I love about Alabama Baptists is that our hearts beat for the cause of Christ and for the cause of missions — to take the light of the gospel to the world,” McIntosh said.  

According to McIntosh, the following numbers represent Alabama Baptists’ giving to missions: 

$20.50 first recorded offering by a ladies’ missionary society in 1823.

More than $281 million to support international missionaries through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.

More than $139 million to support North American missionaries through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.

Since 1995, Alabama Baptists have given $1.25 billion to the Cooperative Program to support cooperative efforts of Southern Baptist Convention entities.

An estimated $14 million given to Kathleen Mallory Mission Offering supporting Alabama WMU and WorldSong Missions Place.

As the service closed, missionaries lined the aisles of the chapel holding their lanterns and then passed their lights to the young women recognized as Emerging Leaders of Alabama WMU, symbolizing the future of WMU and missions support in Alabama. Attendees softly sang “This Little Light of Mine” and received a small lantern to carry into the darkness outside the chapel.

Kathryn Stewart, a trustee of Alabama WMU and member of New Life Baptist Church, Bay Minette, in Baldwin Baptist Association, said the conclusion of the service reminded her of the call to missions placed on the lives of all believers.

“This world is full of darkness, so whatever little light we can shine on somebody will not go unnoticed.”