Members of Girls in Action from First Baptist Church, Alexander City, Alabama, are awarded badges at a recognition service at national WMU. Photo courtesy of WMU.
Focus on WMU is a time for churches to highlight ways in which God is changing lives through missions discipleship opportunities provided by WMU. Whether through missions organizations such as Mission Friends, Girls in Action, or Women on Mission, or through hands-on missions opportunities like Familyfest, Focus on WMU provides the perfect opportunity to raise visibility and awareness of the role WMU can play in missions education and involvement for all ages in helping churches accomplish their missions goals.
Suggested dates for Focus on WMU in 2015 are February 9–15. This year’s theme, All for You, is also the emphasis for WMU for 2014–2016.
Some ideas for how to highlight missions through WMU may include:
- Show how WMU in your church is making an impact on your church’s missions vision and bringing glory to God by sharing specific stories from completed missions activities.
- Use this opportunity to highlight how WMU members of all ages—preschoolers, children, youth, and adults—are living out the unconditional love of Christ. Be sure to involve all the missions organizations in your church: Mission Friends, GA, RA, Children in Action, Acteens, Challengers, Youth on Mission, myMISSION, Women on Mission, and Adults on Mission.
- If your children or students have earned badges or patches or levels of achievement through GA Journey, RA Trek, or MissionsQuest, consider recognizing them in a worship service. Share your ideas with us on social media; visit www.wmu.com/socialmedia for a complete list of places to find us.
Children’s Ministry Day
WMU created Children’s Ministry Day as an impetus to help children understand the needs of others; grow in their ability to serve others as Christ did; and positively impact the lives of children, leaders, parents, and recipients of ministry with God’s love.
To coincide with Focus on WMU, Children’s Ministry Day is an annual initiative suggested for the Saturday of focus week, February 14, 2015.
“Children who participate in Children’s Ministry Day often realize we are all called to the Great Commission right in our own neighborhoods and communities, as well as around the world,” said Heather Keller, children’s ministry consultant, national WMU. “Leaders who encourage children to reach out to the unchurched are helping to lay a missions foundation in a child’s life that will last his or her lifetime. This year’s theme, All for You, reminds each of us that everything we do should be to reach people for God’s glory.”
Resources are available to help your church participate in the eighth annual Children’s Ministry Day; visit www.wmu.com/cmd for more information.
Growing Missions Discipleship
If you are looking for ways to expand missions education and involvement in your church, consider starting new missions organizations. Are all age levels in your church learning about and participating in missions? Do stay-at-home moms and professional women have a group they can attend? If not, the solution is as easy as 1–2–5 . . . that is, beginning at least one new organization, with two leaders, and five members. Visit www.wmu.com/getstarted to download a free starter packet for any missions organization.
Also consider ways you can serve in your community and beyond. WMU provides plenty of ideas and opportunities for serving others and sharing the love of Christ daily in your community as well as around the world. Visit www.wmu.com/ministries for more information.
