BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP)–Acteens from 11 states have been tapped by Woman’s Missionary Union to serve on the 1999 National Acteens Panel and as 1999 Top Teens.
The 26 teenagers were selected from nearly 100 teenaged Acteens members nationwide who applied to serve on the national panel. Acteens is the missions organization sponsored by Woman’s Missionary Union for girls in grades seven through 12.
WMU staff members who work with Acteens announced this year’s slate of panelists and top teens during the WMU Jan. 9-13 executive board meeting.
Selected to serve on the six-member 1999 National Acteens Panel are Amanda Bishop, Cross Roads Baptist Church, Easley, S.C.; Heather Bates, First Baptist Church, Dresden, Tenn.; Karen Knaub, Memorial Baptist Church, Poland, Ohio; Melissa Mahurin, Westport Road Baptist Church, Louisville, Ky.; Megan Pieniazek, Baptist Temple, Adkins, Texas; and Kelly Watts, Siloam Baptist Church, Simms, Texas.
Twenty Acteens were named 1999 National Acteens Top Teens. (City in parentheses is hometown). They are: from Georgia: Lauren Harkens (Rocky Face), Dug Gap Baptist Church, Dalton; Bethany Saunders (Sylvester), First Baptist Church, Acree; and Megan Whitworth, First Baptist Church, Toccoa; Kentucky: Katie Alcott, First Baptist Church, Murray; Charity Gardner, First Baptist Church, Shelbyville; Zita Pedigo (Russellville), Middleton Baptist Church, Middleton; and Amy Travis, First Baptist Church, Murray;
From Illinois: Leah Gamblin, Grace Baptist Church, Granite City; Mississippi: Katie Cole, First Baptist Church, Brandon; Missouri: Kristina Kerr (Platte City), First Baptist Church, Smithville; North Carolina: Tera Hayesm, Dudley Shoals Baptist Church, Granite Falls; Oklahoma: Toni Loe, First Baptist Church, Broken Arrow; South Carolina: Charity McAllister, Carswell Baptist Church, Iva; Tennessee, Kristel O’Malley (Collierville), Germantown Baptist Church, Germantown;
From Texas, Amberleigh Beck, First Baptist Church, McAllen; Laura Borrego (LaPorte), First Baptist Church, South Houston; Krista Brannon, First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls; Pamela Barnes; First Baptist Church, San Antonio; Melissa Banks, Central Baptist Church, Jacksonville; and Amanda Muecke, First Baptist Church, McKinney.
Selection of panelists and top teens is based on accomplishments in MissionsQuest, the individual achievement plan for Acteens; involvement in Acteens and other church activities; and achievements in school, scholastically and socially.
In addition to their applications and written testimonies, candidates had to be recommended by their pastor and Acteens leader.
“The Acteens who apply for the National Acteens Panel give us such hope and excitement for the future,” said Sarah Groves, youth consultant for WMU. “Their deep commitment to Christ is refreshing, and the scope of their leadership and service is impressive.
“The girls selected for the 1999 National Acteens Panel demonstrate sincere dedication to Christ and to serving others,” she continued. “They have risen to the top as leaders in their churches, schools and communities.”
Likewise, she noted, “The Top Teens show evidence of having a strong faith in God; being daily witnesses in their schools, jobs and activities; and being high achievers. Each girl is striving to become all God created her to be.”
“These young ladies represent all of the outstanding girls who applied to be national panelists,” said Karen Anderson, design editor of Accent, the magazine for Acteens. “I believe they are among the finest teenage girls in the nation, representing Christ in their hearts and actions, and putting his work first despite the many activities that vie for the attention of the American teenager.”
The panelists will be featured in the May/June 1999 issue of Accent, with the Top Teens appearing in the July/August issue.
During 1999, panelists and top teens will provide leadership in state and associational WMU-related meetings. In addition, panelists will write for Accent and serve as pages at the June 13-14 WMU annual meeting and June 15-16 Southern Baptist Convention, both in Atlanta.
State newspapers should check with state WMU offices for photo possibilities.
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*Name changed for security concerns.
