[1]ORLANDO, Fla. (BP)–“Unhindered!” will be the theme of the June 13-14 WMU Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting preceding the Southern Baptist Convention’s 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.”
[2]— “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. Sunday and 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday. Various breakout sessions will be offered from 2-5 p.m. Monday.
Among the speakers at the missions celebration:
— Jennifer Kennedy Dean, executive director of The Praying Life Foundation in 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 and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention.
— Gen. Douglas Carver, chief of chaplains for the U.S. Army and an M.Div. graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
— International Mission Board missionaries 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.
— North American Mission Board missionary Sharon Fields-McCormick from Atlanta.
Miller, who is completing a five-year term as president of WMU (Woman’s Missionary Union), will deliver her final presidential address during Monday morning’s session. A reception will be held in her honor Monday afternoon.
Miller, of Little Rock, Ark., is the first missionary kid (MK) 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.
The WMU Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting is free, with no preregistration required. WMU is on the Web at www.wmu.org.
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Compiled by Baptist Press editor Art Toalston.