News Articles by Julie Walters

The stage is set in Birmingham—the home of WMU—for a missions experience like none other.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) -- The stage is set in Birmingham, Ala. -- the home of Woman's Missionary Union (WMU) -- for a missions experience "like none other," the group has announced.

DALLAS (BP) -- Linda Cooper, president of national WMU, opened the report of Woman's Missionary Union to Southern Baptist Convention messengers Thursday (June 13) citing findings by the Barna Group. In a March 2018 study, Barna found 51 percent of church goers have never heard the words "the Great Commission." Another 25 percent have heard the words but can't recall the exact meaning, and 6 percent are not sure if they have heard the words. "This leaves only 17 percent of church goers who have heard the words and know their meaning," Cooper said. "How is that possible? The Great Commission is our great mandate and it is at the center of all we teach, promote and do, making disciples of Jesus who live on mission."

DALLAS(BP) -- An 'Unshakable Pursuit' to know Christ more, show His love unconditionally, and make disciples who make disciples will be the theme unpacked during two days of general sessions, conferences and missions experiences during Woman's Missionary Union's Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting, June 10–11. "We believe you will laugh, learn and experience nourishment for your soul," said Sandy Wisdom-Martin, executive director-treasurer of national WMU. "As you are captivated by the stories of God's work in the world, you will be drawn closer to His side and renew your commitment to His mission. Join us on this incredible journey to experience a movement of God bringing hope to the hopeless."

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.(BP) -- Iron Stream Media will acquire New Hope Publishers, Woman's Missionary Union's publishing arm, effective Sept. 1, in an effort to allow more readers to engage in relevant, contemporary issues with a missional focus. "With each book published by New Hope, we pray the content will transform the lives of believers and inspire them on their spiritual journey," said Sandy Wisdom-Martin, executive director/treasurer of national WMU and publisher of New Hope. "Because of Iron Steam Media's success in publishing and delivering solid, web-based Bible studies, we believe they are poised to position New Hope books and Bible studies for exponential impact for kingdom growth."

WMU leaders highlight 20 years of ministry through Christian Women's Job Corps during report to SBC.

Those who attend will be encouraged to identify defining moments that affect and inspire their missional journey during the WMU Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting, June 11–12, in Phoenix.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) -- Sandra Wisdom-Martin was unanimously elected executive director/treasurer of national Woman's Missionary Union by its executive board during a special called meeting, July 29-30, in Birmingham, Ala. Wisdom-Martin, who has served as executive director of WMU of Texas, succeeds Wanda Lee. Lee has served as executive director of the 128-year-old missions organization for the past 16 years. Wisdom-Martin will begin her new role on Oct. 15. She was presented to the board by a search committee appointed in February following Lee's announcement of her intentions to retire.

ST. LOUIS (BP) -- Mindy Jamison, co-director of Friendship Baptist Center in Des Moines, Iowa, for the past 17 years along with her husband Jon, is this year's recipient of the Dellanna West O'Brien Award for Women's Leadership Development. "Mindy pours her life into people living in the inner city of Des Moines, and at the same time invites and encourages others to minister alongside her," said Joni Wilkinson, executive director of Iowa WMU and volunteer at the Friendship Center, who recommended Jamison for the award. "She is a mentor to women of all ages and backgrounds and continues to teach about her passion -- living out her faith in her community and seeing people living in poverty come to know Christ."

ST. LOUIS (BP) -- Wanda S. Lee, executive director of national WMU, thanked Southern Baptists for partnering through missions education to equip the next generation of missionaries, an endeavor she described as more critical than ever before in an increasingly postmodern world. Lee noted to messengers June 15 at the SBC annual meeting: "It is our desire to partner with every Southern Baptist church in discipling preschoolers, children, youth and adults by engaging them in meaningful missions involvement right in their own communities or on the other side of the world; to support those who go to the nations for a lifetime with our praying and giving; and to accept the mandate of the Great Commission in whatever way God calls us."