Korean WMU leader honors Alabama WMU for investment in her life

Korean WMU leader honors Alabama WMU for investment in her life

Five leaders from Korea Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) extended birthday greetings from themselves and the Asian Baptist Women’s Union to national WMU, headquartered in Birmingham. They also presented awards and gifts to the national office as well as Alabama WMU.

Sook Jae Lee, co-executive director of Korea Baptist WMU (KBWMU), said that since its founding in 1954 the organization has appreciated the help of Southern Baptist missionaries and partnerships with the national and state WMUs. “We always appreciate what they have done, and thank God for sending these missionaries to Korea,” Sook Jae Lee said. “Thank you for your prayers and giving for missions in Korea. … [We are] who we are today because of (the) partnerships.

“We can never pay you back for what you have done for us, but we believe God will reward you greatly,” she said through tears. “We hope to pass on this blessing that you have given us to Korea, Asia and the rest of the world for God’s kingdom enlargement.”

Soon Shil Beck, executive director of KBWMU, presented Wanda Lee, executive director/treasurer of national WMU, with a plaque of appreciation and a gift of $3,000 to the Second Century Fund and the WMU Foundation. Sook Jae Lee presented another plaque of appreciation to the Alabama WMU for their sisterhood and partnership with Korea Baptist WMU from 1992–97 and a gift of $2,000 to national WMU in honor of Alabama WMU. 

Candace McIntosh, executive director of Alabama WMU, said it was humbling to receive the plaque from Sook Jae Lee.

“Twenty years after she interned with (then-executive director of Alabama WMU) Beverly Miller, she cared enough to acknowledge that internship as she is now transitioning her ministry and reflecting back on her own ministry,” McIntosh said. “It was a reminder for me that the things we do matter so much, that when we take the time to invest in one person, we never know the magnitude or impact we will have.”

Sook Jae Lee said to the WMU leaders, “Whenever we think of you, we are always grateful and overwhelmed because of your love and prayers for us, for the cause of missions. 

“I am especially grateful for the leadership of Wanda Lee. For the past 17 years serving as the executive director for WMU in Korea, I have enjoyed getting to know her as a sister and dear friend.” 

(BP, TAB)