The national Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) executive board has issued a call to prayer for unity among the body of Christ as they unanimously affirmed their historic relationship with the Women’s Department of Baptist World Alliance (BWA).
Through laughter and tears, women shared their testimonies of how God had blessed their lives through relationships with other women all over the world through BWA.
The subject was raised in light of a report presented by Southern Baptist Convention BWA Study Committee, which has recommended that the SBC withdraw its membership and financial support from BWA as of Oct. 1.
WMU joins other Baptist leaders in the United States and around the world in their appeal to come together in fervent, consistent prayer for a spirit of unity and reconciliation.
“As members of the body of Christ, we need each other — to pray for one another, to encourage one another, to learn from one another — and to stand together in one accord as a strong and bold witness to a lost world,” said Wanda S. Lee, WMU executive director.
In addition to unity and reconciliation, WMU encourages prayer for Baptists to have a strong, bold and credible witness; for wisdom, discernment and courage to do God’s will; for a spirit of humility; for compassion for all people; and for comfort and relief for those who are persecuted for voicing their convictions.
Strong heritage with BWA
WMU has enjoyed a long history of prayer and fellowship with Baptists worldwide through BWA dating back to 1911 when Edith Campbell Crane, WMU’s corresponding secretary 1907–1911, helped organize the first women’s meeting.
For more than 90 years, WMU leaders across the nation have left a rich heritage as they organized and presided over women’s meetings, served on committees, and served as officers for BWA’s Women’s Department.
Today, WMU’s partnership with BWA continues as Lee serves as a member of the BWA executive and BWAid committees.
As an auxiliary, WMU also enjoys and values its relationship to the North American Baptist Women’s Union (NABWU), one of the Continental Unions of the Women’s Department of the BWA.
In addition to relationships through NABWU, WMU has identified more than 40 nations that have some form of WMU organizations that relate through their Continental Union to the Women’s Department of BWA.
WMU will continue to participate in and support the Baptist Women’s World Day of Prayer and offering each November.
In addition to uniting women in worldwide prayer on this day, the World Day of Prayer offering provides the sole source of income for the Women’s Department which functions as an auxiliary to BWA. (WMU)
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