MISSION OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE

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1 Spring 2014 MISSION OPPORTUNITIES TO SERVE Familyfest SM /Missionsfest SM Encourage churches in your association to participate in these opportunities! Familyfest (Recommended for participants in the first grade and older and is perfect for families, adult & student teams). Salt Lake City, Utah Eastern Kentucky June 24 28, 2014 July 19 24, 2014* Early bird registration deadline: April 7 Early bird registration deadline: April 30 Registration deadline: May 5 Registration deadline: June 2 *Join several of us from Tennessee on this journey to Eastern Kentucky. Contact Denise Bronaugh at dbronaugh@tnbaptist.org for more information. Missionsfest (Recommended for adults ages 18+) Toledo, Ohio October 1 5, 2014 Registration information coming soon! For more information visit Make plans now to attend Associational WMU Leader Training on May 2-3 at Immanuel Baptist Church in Lebanon. This event will provide information, tips and practical tools to help you with your role on your Associational WMU Leadership Team. More information available on page 2. Page 1

2 Associational WMU Leader Training May 2-3, 2014 Immanuel Baptist Church 214 Castle Heights Avenue; Lebanon, TN Tentative Schedule Friday Saturday 2:30 Registration/Bookstore 8:30 General Session 3:00 Conferences 9:30 Breakout Groups 4:00 Conferences 10:30 Break 5:00 Dinner 11:00 Conferences 5:45 General Session 12:00 Lunch 7:30 Breakout Groups 1:00 General Session 8:30 Adjourn 2:30 Adjourn Highlights General session topics: The Baptist Association, associational missions, WMU and the Association Associational WMU leadership positions, responsibilities, and working as a team Information on and ideas for enlisting and developing leaders, meetings, events, conference leading, communication and promotion Breakout groups to ask questions of, share ideas with and learn from other associational leaders Conferences offered What s New for the WMU Emphasis All For You What s New for WMU Organizations What s New for WMU Ministries What s New for National WMU, TN WMU & Tennessee Baptist Convention Special Guest - Joy Bolton, Kentucky WMU Executive Director & author of the new WMU Missions Guide for Associational Leaders Cost(s): Registration fee: Meals (optional): $15.00 per person $12.00 per person Friday dinner $ 8.00 per person Saturday lunch Lodging: Comfort Suites, 904 Murfreesboro Road; Lebanon, TN (615) Room Block Name: Tennessee WMU Rate: $74.95 per night Check In: 2:00 p.m. Check Out: 11:00 a.m. Cutoff date: April 16, 2014 Amenities: complimentary breakfast/exercise gym/wireless Internet +more! To register and sign up for meals complete the enclosed Registration Form. For more information, please contact Vickie Anderson at vanderson@tnbaptist.org, or Page 2

3 2014 TENNESSEE WMU CALENDAR March 2-9 Week of Prayer for North American Missions/AAEO April 4 Executive Board Meeting, Gatlinburg 4-6 Missions Get-Together and Connection, Gatlinburg Convention Center, Gatlinburg 5 TN WMU Annual Meeting, Gatlinburg Convention Center RA Wilderness Challenge, Boxwell Reservation, Lebanon 13 Cooperative Program Sunday May 2-3 Associational WMU Leadership Training Lebanon, Immanuel Baptist Church Associational Missions Emphasis 15 State Acteens Advisory Panelist applications due June 8-9 National WMU 125 th Anniversary Celebration and Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD July August Christmas in August 9 Equipping Missions & Ministry Leader Training Nashville, Bellevue Baptist Church 16 Equipping Missions & Ministry Leader Training Humboldt, First Baptist Church 23 Equipping Missions & Ministry Leader Training Knoxville, Chilhowee Hills Baptist Church September 1 New WMU year begins Theme: All for You Surrender, Sacrifice, Serve 7-14 Week of Prayer for State Missions/GOTM - Theme: Wake Up! TBD ETRAC (East TN RA Campout) at Camp Ba-Yo-Ca Women s Prayer Retreat, First Baptist Church, Milan October Cooperative Program Emphasis Month 4 JAM for GA/CiA/RA, Belle Aire Baptist Church; Murfreesboro, TN CWJC/CMJC Site Coordinator s Retreat, Linden Valley 11 JAM for GA/CiA/RA, First Baptist Church; Morristown, TN 12 World Hunger Sunday RA Linden Valley 25 JAM for GA/CiA/RA, First Baptist Bemis; Jackson, TN 31 New Board Member Orientation & Soiree, location TBD November 1 Executive Board Meeting, location TBD 3 Baptist Women s World Day of Prayer Missions Extravaganza, Brentwood Baptist Church, Brentwood Tennessee Baptist Convention, Brentwood Baptist Church, Brentwood Nov. 30 thru Dec. 7 Week of Prayer for International Missions/LMCO Dates, locations and times are subject to change. Watch The LINK or check the website for complete information: Page 3

4 Resources for Associational WMU Leaders Associational Leader Tool (CD): (W143105, $14.99) A CD compilation designed specifically to equip associational leaders as they plan training for church leaders for the year. WMU Missions Guide for Associational Leaders (W133110, $5.99) Helpful handbook for guiding and engaging churches in missions. This guide is for associational WMU and other missions leaders. Missions Leader (Annual Subscription, 3 issues per year, $19.99) Offers functionality to make your job as a local church or associational WMU leader easier and more exciting! Includes planning calendars, theme suggestions, posters and program ideas, as well as, age-level focus highlights. Spring/Summer 2014 Catalog The WorldCrafts SM Spring/Summer 2014 Catalog is now available. This catalog features more than 150 products with several that are new in You can order free copies of the catalog by calling The catalog is also available for download on WorldCrafts.org. WorldCrafts Virtual Catalog Release Party WorldCrafts is excited to host a virtual catalog release party for the spring/summer catalog! Web streaming is available on Sunday, March 16, 3:00 4:00 p.m. CT. There will be special guests and introduction of new products, artisan groups, and parties! This is great for churches to gather and web stream or for individuals to watch from home. You can sign up and reserve your spot at New WorldCrafts Parties and Sample Set WorldCrafts released the Spring 2014 Hostess Sample Set on February 1. The set is sold for $99.99 (nonrefundable), but is a $150 value. It includes five products: A Little Birdie Journal, Little Workers Finger Puppet Set, Praise Banner, Thai Lunch Tote, and African Cross Necklace. This set is perfect for party hosts who would like to have products to display at their party. WorldCrafts Clearance The WorldCrafts 2014 clearance sale began on February 1. All products featured in the clearance sale are nonrefundable and are sold at a 50 percent discount. You can shop online at WorldCrafts.org/clearance.asp. Don t miss these great deals on unique handmade products from around the world. Special Offers You can sign up for WorldCrafts blasts at WorldCrafts.org/signup.asp. These s contain the latest information about special promotional offers and new products. Women s Prayer Retreat JOY IN HIS PRESENCE Psalm 16:11 September 19-20, 2014 First Baptist Church, Milan Featured Speaker: Page Hughes, Louisville, KY Page is a much sought after motivational speaker. She has a deep passion for women and has worked in Women s Ministry for many years. Many have described Page as a party waiting for a place to happen. Page s book Party with a Purpose teaches how to party with the purpose of leading others to Jesus. Worship Leader: No Other Name, Nashville, TN Registration Fee: $25.00 postmarked by September 2, after September 2, $35.00 More information coming soon. Page 4

5 125 th Anniversary Celebration in Baltimore Plans are being finalized for the WMU Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting in Baltimore, June 8 9. As we wrap up a yearlong celebration of the 125th anniversary of WMU, the focus will be on giving thanks for our early leaders and seeking God s direction for the future. The celebration begins with visiting historical sites in Virginia where Lottie Moon lived and worshipped. Registration for this pre-meeting tour opened February 1, with limited space. On Monday afternoon, visit some of the sites important to WMU s early beginnings in the Baltimore area; Annie Armstrong s churches and other sites will be a part of the free bus tour. Advance registration by May 15, is required to reserve a seat on the bus. For Annie Armstrong tour details or to register, go to wmu.com/annietour or call WMU Customer Service at , Monday Friday, 8:30 a.m. 4:00 p.m. (CST). In addition to tour opportunities, the highlight will be a missionary commissioning service on Sunday at 4:00 p.m. at the Baltimore Convention Center Ballroom. Up to 100 missionaries from both mission boards will be commissioned to their respective places of service. A parade of flags, re-entry of WMU torches from last year s missions celebration in Houston, messages by both mission board presidents, and more will make this unique event something not to miss. On Monday, the WMU Missions Celebration continues at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel Ballroom, beginning with a general session at 9:00 a.m. Leading in worship will be Native Praise, a group of Native American women from Oklahoma, who have celebrated all God is doing among their tribes by learning to sing together. Taylor and Susan Field, longtime NAMB missionaries at Graffiti Church in New York City, will be guests. Taylor has completed a series of books for New Hope Publishers on leadership and service, and he will be available to autograph copies. Another couple who has high security with the IMB will also be guests, sharing information from their field of service. These days will be full of inspirational testimonies and challenges to be a part of what God is doing around the world. I hope you will join The TN WMU staff in Baltimore and encourage those in your association to come as we conclude this celebration of 125 years of missions involvement through WMU. Please visit wmu.com/baltimore for more information. Page 5

6 Missionary House Update Let s Build a House A year ago at Missions Get-Together and Connection the goal of $300,000 in cash and in-kind gifts to build the missionary house was exceeded. The groundbreaking ceremony was held April 6, The construction started in the fall. Due to several factors such as weather delays, forfeited in-kind gift donations of labor, increased cost of materials and unanticipated utility and permit fees, the construction expenses have exceeded our estimates. Missionary House fund raising efforts continue by the Task Force. They are working to raise an additional $35,000 to meet the current need to complete the construction. Originally the estimate for construction was $150,000, furnishing was $50,000, and $100,000 was set aside for the endowment to maintain the house. The endowment portion is safely invested with the WMU Foundation. However, the undesignated funds have been depleted. It is very important to continue to pray and give to complete the house. When the current cash on hand is spent, construction will have to be halted until more funds are received. Volunteer teams are needed now to paint and finish the interior. In-kind gifts for furnishings are also needed. Current photos are on our Facebook page. Contact Linda Rader to donate funds for furnishings ( ). Send checks for construction or in-kind gifts to TENNESSEE WMU P.O. Box 728, Brentwood TN Photos of the house from February 17, 2014 CHANGES to the New Start Incentive Plan National WMU is no longer providing churches starting a new missions organization with six months of limited free subscriptions. Instead they are now offering a 50% discount on unlimited numbers of a year s subscription for the basic curriculum (magazines, planbooks, kits) needed for each organization. New Starts are WMU organizations that are beginning for the first time in a church that has never had the age-level organization or WMU leadership; or has not had the organization or WMU leadership for at least two years. To take advantage of this offer used the enclosed order form or have church leaders contact Vickie Anderson at ext 7918, or vanderson@tnbaptist.org. Other Helps for Starting New Organizations Starter kits for Mission Friends, Girls in Action, Children in Action, Royal Ambassadors, Acteens, Youth on Mission, Challengers, Women on Mission, Adults on Mission and general WMU are available to download free from the national WMU website. Visit State staff are available to answer questions and to provide information and resources to help begin new organizations. Contact Vickie Anderson at extension 7918, or vanderson@tnbaptist.org. Page 6

7 Missions Get-Together & Connection Encourage the churches in your association to join us in Gatlinburg April 4-6 where you can choose from a wide variety of breakout conferences, meet IMB and NAMB missionaries, visit the missions fair with over 50 exhibitors, fellowship with up to 2,000 like-minded women and girls, attend inspiring worship, and have an opportunity to assist victims of Human Trafficking by participating in our ministry project. Go to to register and for more information. TENNESSEE ACTEENS ARE OFF TO ITALY! Andiamo! (Let s Go!) is the call for any and all who have a heart to serve in missions. This year, three Tennessee Acteens will be a part of the Tennessee Baptist Partnership Mission trip for youth serving in Italy this summer. These Acteens will be accompanied by Julie Heath, TN WMU Preschool/Children/Student Missions Specialist, and one other adult leader. Along with nearly forty other youth and leaders from throughout Tennessee, these five will participate in serving alongside International Mission Board missionaries in Italy. The Youth Partnership trip will take place June 26-July 6, Students and leaders will serve alongside IMB personnel, Charlie and Shannon Worthy, and local ministry leaders in the region of Northern Italy. The group will practice conversational evangelism by starting conversations with local business people and customers, as well as, by participating in other afternoon events within local congregations. Kim Margrave, Partnership Missions Specialist for the Tennessee Baptist Convention, notes that this trip will assist our IMB missionaries to establish new work with a church plant in the town of Alessandra in Northern Italy. Alessandra is a town of 100,000 or so with little evangelical witness. Two of the Acteens joining the team are our State Acteen Panelists Emily Bartlett and Susanna Clouse. Emily and Susanna are both Acteens from Caney Fork Baptist Church in Cookeville. Emily and Susanna shared their excitement to be a part of the team. Emily stated that in Italy, I am excited about seeing the different landscapes, and meeting new people that don't know about God. I hope while we are there we get to see many people get saved and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Susanna remarked I want to go on this trip because it gives me a once in a lifetime chance to go to another country and share God's word. I can't wait to learn about the culture and get to know the people we will get to be around. The team from TN Acteens also includes Kenzie Harden and Veronica Clouse, Susanna s mother. As the group is all from the Cookeville area, they have been working to raise funds for the trip together. Susanna shares we are doing many different events for fundraising. We started out by selling barbecue. We have a Pampered Chef party scheduled for March. We also are planning to have spaghetti suppers at our church, a yard sale, and Silpada (jewelry) show/fundraiser. As we all prepare, we have sought to be in prayer and expectation that God will work through the large team, as well as, our group representing TN Acteens. Emily notes that, One of the things I hope to see the most would be being able to see different people come to know Jesus. I hope and pray that good things will come to them. I hope everyone we talk to at least thinks about it, even if they don't make a commitment right then and there. Working with the other youth from Tennessee, we are filled with excitement at the opportunities to come! As we prepare to go, we will need the prayer support of our friends and family. However, we also appreciate the support of the Tennessee WMU, whose annual offering (collected at 2014 Missions Get-Together and Connection) will help send our Acteens on this trip. Furthermore, we will be grateful for the daily prayer as we travel for well-being and effective opportunities to share the truth of the One who has called us to go! Pray as we prepare our language skills so that we may communicate. Pray as we prepare to speak boldly as our time is limited. Pray for our health so that the time may be spent in efforts not in sickness. Pray that God will be glorified through each of us on this trip! Page 7

8 WMU Catalog The new WMU Catalog is now available. This catalog contains all of the products and essential resources needed to promote the new All for You emphasis by each WMU organization. This catalog is a free resource and can be ordered by calling WMU Growth: The Challenge As the school year comes to a close, now is the perfect time to evaluate missions discipleship in the church. Are all age levels learning and participating in missions? Do stay-at-home moms and professional women have a group they can attend? We hope you are encouraging churches to embrace the Challenge by starting 1 new group with 2 new leaders and 5 new members. Be sure to encourage them to go to wmu.com/125 and click on Challenge to tell us which new organization(s) they are starting and to download a free starter pack for each one. National WMU is developing plans to expand this effort and more effectively communicate the benefits and value of missions discipleship and the need to grow missions organizations. Please let us know how we can help you start new organizations in your association! Register Your Missions Groups! The National WMU Registry is a place online where churches can register their missions organization(s) and, in turn, download for each missions organization a free certificate which they can customize for their group! Simply go to wmu.com/register, enter your church name and other brief information, and download your free certificate(s). It s that simple! Please encourage missions leaders in your association to register their missions groups. Spring Recognition Services Girls in Action - As recognition season approaches, leaders will want to use the new GA Birthday celebration recognition service A Groovy Past A Far Out Future. The service includes references to the history of Girls Auxiliary and Girls in Action as well as charges to challenge today s GAs. Download this resource at wmu.com/ga100. Mission Friends - Many churches have missions recognition services in May and want to include their Mission Friends in some way. Encourage leaders to use the free downloadable resources: The Mission Friends Promotion Certificate can be given to Kindergartners, who are promoting into Girls in Action, Royal Ambassadors, or Children in Action SM. A Mission Friends Participation Certificate can be given to each preschooler who was enrolled in Mission Friends this year. Each teacher can be given the MF Teacher Appreciation Certificate to recognize their leadership in the church. Find these certificates at wmu.com/preschool > Resources > Free Downloads. The life-changing ministries of WMU are reaching people who might otherwise never hear God loves them. One hour of ministry costs just $ The WMU Foundation will kick off 34 Days of GIVE34 on Wednesday, May 6. They are asking people to cover as many hours of ministry as possible. The goal is to raise $297,840, which is enough to cover every hour of ministry for one full year. The 34 Days of GIVE34 will end with the offering at the WMU Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting in Baltimore, June 8 9. Whether you are attending or not, you can join in sponsoring the amazing ministries of WMU. You can give online or mail your donation to the WMU Foundation, 100 Missionary Ridge; Birmingham, AL Page 8