WMU missions celebration, meeting goes ‘Unhindered!,’ addresses human exploitation

WMU missions celebration, meeting goes ‘Unhindered!,’ addresses human exploitation

Unhindered!” will be the theme of the June 13–14 Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) missions celebration and annual meeting preceding the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) June 15–16 annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.

Missions celebration participants, according to WMU, will:

  • Learn practical ways to strengthen and energize your missional journey.
  • Dialogue with international and North American field personnel.
  • Connect and network with missional leaders from around the country.
  • Enjoy a special reception for Kaye Miller, outgoing national WMU president.
  • Explore ways to address human exploitation, the focus of WMU’s Project HELP for 2010–12.

The missions celebration, to be held in the Orange County Convention Center’s Chapin Theater (West Building, Level 3), will include main sessions at 6:30 p.m. June 13 and 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. June 14. Various breakout sessions will be offered from 2–5 p.m. June 14.

Among the speakers:

  • Jennifer Kennedy Dean, executive director of The Praying Life Foundation, Marion, Ky., and author of this year’s WMU emphasis book, “Life Unhindered: Five Keys to Walking in Freedom.” Dean’s other titles include “Heart’s Cry” and “Live a Praying Life.”
  • Frank Page, evangelism vice president of the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and former president of the SBC.
  • Gen. Douglas Carver, chief of chaplains for the U.S. Army and a master of divinity graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky.
  • International Mission Board representatives Randy and Debby Owens from South Asia; Monica Allen from Africa; and Ken and Beth P. (not identified by last name) from North Africa and the Middle East.
  • NAMB missionary Sharon Fields-McCormick from Atlanta.

Miller, who is completing a five-year term as president of WMU, will deliver her final presidential address during the Monday morning session. A reception will be held in her honor Monday afternoon.

Miller, of Little Rock, Ark., is the first missionary kid to serve as WMU president. Her successor will be elected during the missions celebration.

Other features of the missions celebration will include:

  • A preview of WMU initiatives and resources for churches for the coming year, including WMU’s upcoming “Unhindered!” emphasis, Project HELP: Human Exploitation and ongoing missions education programs such as Women on Mission, Adults on Mission, Acteens, Youth on Mission, Girls in Action, Children in Action and Mission Friends.
  • Worship led by Mindy Jaquith.
  • WMU Bookstore, including releases from New Hope Publishers, WMU’s trade books division, and crafts by overseas artisans involved in WMU’s WorldCrafts ministry.

For more information about the WMU missions celebration and annual meeting, visit www.wmu.org.   (BP)