National Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) named Sarah Golden of Eastern Hills Baptist Church, Montgomery, as a 2016 National Acteens Panelist. The National Acteens Panel is comprised of teen girls who demonstrate a commitment to missions and leadership in their church, school and community.
Acteens is WMU’s missions organization for girls in grades 7–12. Through Acteens, girls grow in their relationships with God and each other as they learn about and participate in missions, develop leadership skills and become actively involved in ministry.
Golden, from Pike Road, has been involved in Acteens for six years and has demonstrated a commitment to serving others and sharing Christ.
“Missions is important to me because of how much of an impact it leaves on every individual,” Golden said. “The missions field also teaches people how to love like Christ loves. With Christ’s love, I can see people in a new light.”
She adds that Acteens has taught her the true meaning of a missions lifestyle.
“To be a missionary you do not have to be a certain age or look a certain way; you just have to have God’s love in your heart that urges you to share your story along with His,” she said.
A safe haven
Golden describes Acteens as a place where she has not only grown in her knowledge of missions and her relationship with God, but also as a safe haven where she can look to friends and role models for guidance.
“It’s a great support base for people who need prayer or encouragement in their life,” she said. “We are there to listen to every girl who is going through a tough time. I have never doubted if my Acteens girls were going to be there for me when I was feeling down.”
Candace McIntosh, executive director of Alabama WMU and Acteens leader at Eastern Hills Baptist, said of Golden, “I have watched her grow in her understanding of who God is and in her desire to serve Him when and in whatever way she can.”
Golden will serve alongside three other panelists: Hannah Hutton of Hyde Park Baptist Church, Austin, Texas; Jemima Louis of Tallowood Baptist Church, Houston, Texas; and Ana Sandoval of Freeman Heights Baptist Church, Garland, Texas.
Kym Mitchell, student resource team leader for national WMU, said, “We are thrilled to have these young women as ambassadors for Acteens because the call to make disciples among their generation is so great. We know this panel will influence young women across the country as the Lord shapes them into the next generation of leaders.”
The panelists will serve through Dec. 31 and receive a $1,000 scholarship from the Jessica Powell Loftis Scholarship for Acteens from the WMU Foundation. They will be featured at the WMU Missions Celebration and annual meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, on June 12–13, where they will meet national and international missionaries and missions leaders from across the country.
Speaking engagements
They also may be invited to speak at church, associational and state Acteens and WMU meetings and events and will write articles for The Mag, the Acteens missions magazine, and the Acteens website, wmu.com/acteens.
Applications for the 2017 National Acteens Panel are available at wmu.com/acteens and in the fall issue of Acteens Leader. All applications must be submitted to national WMU by Nov. 1.
(WMU)
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