Winter Newsletter. President s Notes. Sue

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1 Winter Newsletter January 2017 Ohio WMU Page 1 President s Notes The January Board Meeting for National WMU was held in Birmingham, Alabama and Shocco Springs where it has been held in years past. Unfortunately it occurred during one of Alabama s rare winter storms of ice and snow! It really doesn t take much ice and snow to shut things down there, as they have no equipment to handle it. We were able to hold the necessary meetings in the hotel on Saturday morning. Everyone was praying that the roads would be opened so all would be able to travel to the Inauguration Ceremony for the new Executive Director/Treasurer, Sandy Wisdom-Martin. There were 300 people from all over the United States who came to attend the event. The ice melted enough for us to travel to the National WMU Building for the ceremony. It was a privilege to be able to be there for the event. Our very own Jack Kwok, PhD. even had a part in it. He had worked with Sandy while they were both a part of the Arkansas State Convention and was asked to come and help celebrate her inauguration. I am looking forward to Sandy s leadership with the National WMU. She is a woman who is seeking God s direction in her leadership. She shared with us her six steps to leadership. 1. Start with Prayer- She quoted Billy Graham, Heaven is full of answers to prayers for which no one bothered to ask 2. Understanding Our Why Why do we do what we do. Sometimes only God s why keeps you going. 3. Humble Inquiry We must become better at asking and do less telling in a culture that over values telling. 4. Define Reality 5. Unleash visionary inspiration 6. Lead with courage Sunday morning we were finally able to make it out to Shocco Springs, the Alabama Baptist State Convention s Seneca Lake, for the remainder of our meetings. The Executive Directors of the states joined that State WMU Presidents for this part of the meetings. We heard from missionaries and received the reports for the different WMU Ministries, the IMB and the NAMB. It was great hearing what God is doing through the different areas of the Southern Baptist Convention. We were introduced to several new items coming from the National WMU. World Crafts and the Mission Education team have come together to produce Missions in a Box. They will have Thailand available this spring and Peru will be coming in August. In addition, the WMU Foundation has put together a planner to go along with the More Than Money book, published by New Hope Publishers. There is so much more I could tell you, but space will not allow. I would love to get together and share it all with you. Serving Christ, Sue Dinner with fellow vice presidents L-R: Fondra McGee -Utah and Idaho, Stacy Neuschaefer - Oklahoma, Sue Stickel - Ohio, Angela Brubeck - Wyoming and Pat Tiller - Northwest Sue Stickel in front of the WMU Fountain L-R: Hannah Martin, Fandra McGee, Sandy Wisdom Martin and Sue Stickel

2 Page 2 Ohio WMU Newsletter January 2017 Pictures from Birmingham Wanda Lee passing the WMU Medallion to Sandy Wisdom Martin Ohio Second Century Funds Praying over Sandy Wisdom Martin Ohio Regional Spring Retreats North Women s Retreat Flipping for Jesus April 7-8, 2017 Sawmill Creek Resort (Hotel style rooms with conference center areas and pool) Save the Date! Southwest Regional Women s Spring Retreat March 25, 2017 FBC Waynesville 1009 Lytle Ave. - Waynesville, OH My Place in God s Puzzle This is what the Lord says: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity. Jeremiah 29:10-14 $80 per person Join us at the Metro Columbus Spring Retreat April 29 from 9-3 Guide Church in Hilliard Focusing on Faith, Freedom, Forgiveness, & Inspiration. Cost is $25 Register at James 1:4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

3 $10 per Person January 2017 Ohio WMU Newsletter Page 3 A One Day Mission Conference Engage Engaging society with Christ s compassion for the purpose of making disciples February 4, 2017 Save the Date! Dublin Baptist Church 7195 Coffman Rd - Dublin, Ohio Updates at SCBO.ORG Contact: Sheri Bogardus sbogardus@scbo.org Formerly Ohio Missions Resource Round Table Save the Date! February 4, 2017 Engage- Engaging society with Christ's compassion for the purpose of making disciples. (formerly The Mission Resource Round Table Gathering. ) The Engage Gathering provides a unique opportunity to personally be on mission as a Christian both locally & globally. Have you noticed the community around you changing? Do you see many without direction to their lives? Have you sensed the hopelessness in the faces of many you see everyday? Are you concerned about the challenges so many around the globe are facing? Do you personally see the needs of neighbors and friends facing hunger, fear, rage, crime, despair, and so many other issues before us everyday? You may ask yourself, So what can I do? That s what we will address at Engage. Think of it as providing some practical, personal, and prayerful time with others who gather to make a difference. Christ called for His people to be engaged. The good news is, He did not ask us to do this alone. We, along with other followers of Christ, empowered by Christ, can reach new heights as we take the gospel to this generation. Let s link together and reach new heights for the glory of the Lord! For more information and to register go to You can call us and speak to Sheri Bogardus [(614) ] or Duane Floro for further details.

4 Page 4 Ohio WMU Newsletter January 2017 Summer Events Don t miss these Summer Events! Ohio Changers is a mission project for youth and adults that will be doing some much needed repairs on the exterior of homes for those who cannot do it for themselves. The different types of jobs consists of painting, siding, roofing and deck building. The crews are made up of a crew chief who is an experienced tradesman, an assistant crew chief, an adult man and woman to encourage the youth, and 8-10 teenagers, ages For a week these volunteers work on the homes and built relationships with the homeowners during the day and in the evenings have a time of worshiping God and fellowshipping together. The event will be taking place June in Madison County. We will be staying at St. Patrick School in London, Ohio. We would love for you and your youth to join us for the week. Please see our web site at wordpress.com or us at ohiochangers@gmail.com

5 Ministry Focus New England Partnership January 2017 Ohio WMU Newsletter Page 5 New England is known for it s beauty from the coastline to the majestic mountain views. It is 70 thousand square miles of picturesque rural farms, historical mills, 200 year old church buildings, coastal mansions, and I cannot forget to mention the beautiful autumn colors which draws people from around the world. We see it as God s creation and grand design, but many New Englanders do not even recognize a Creator. New England is the foundation of our religious liberty and is also where Baptists began in America. Think about this, New England would have been the original bible belt with it s many seminaries that are now the most liberal universities in the nation. Sadly, it is estimated that 97% of New England is lost. In the SBC alone, there are only 390 churches for more than 14.5 million people and 150 languages and people groups. That is 1 church for every 38,000 individuals. We have 1 collegiate minister for every 33,333 students. I am excited to share with you the opportunity we have as Ohio Southern Baptists to impact the New England states. In November of 2015, our Ohio Baptist Convention entered into an agreement with the Tennessee Baptist Convention to come alongside the New England Baptist Convention by sending teams and resources to reach the lost in the region. I am excited to see the impact that our Ohio WMU can have on this partnership. For years, Ohio Baptists have benefited from similar partnerships like South Carolina, Tennessee and Mississippi. It is time for us to step out and adopt a region ourselves. Will you prayerfully consider the part you or your church team could take in encouraging and partnering with plants and churches specifically in Maine and Vermont at this time? Perhaps you can adopt a plant by praying and encouraging them with letters, phone calls, s and gift cards. Maybe you are looking for a place to take a mission team this year. Some of you may plan a vacation in New England. Would you consider taking a pastor or planter in New England out for a nice dinner to encourage them? Eventually we will expand to New Hampshire and Massachusetts with a vision to partner and reach internationally into Montreal, Canada together by the year Would you commit to praying for New England planters by name? Go to www. OhioOnMission.org and click on the WMU / MISSION INFO button, then enter the password Ohio-WMU for information on planters throughout New England. Join us on FaceBook at www. facebook.com/ohioonmissiontonewengland. Contact Mark Jones, the Ohio Point Person for the New England Partnership at onmissiontomaine@gmail.com for more information or to plan a trip.

6 Page 6 Ohio WMU Newsletter January 2017 My first National WMU meeting was truly eye opening. I tour the WMU Building and heard from several who have such a passion for mission and drawing women to find their place through WMU. I would encourage each church to take a fresh look at WMU. The possibilities are endless. Jack Kwok sharing at Sandy Wisdom Martin s instalation Service. While there I was privileged to attend the installation service for our new National Executive Director, Sandy Wisdom-Martin. I was excited to have several opportunities to hear from and speak with Sandy. She brings experience to the table with freshness, energy and a humble spirit. Her approachability was very apparent. I look forward to serving with her as I serve in my role here in Ohio. I would ask you to pray for her and her husband Larry as they serve. This time also allowed me to see the many excellent re- Executive Director s Desk sources available through WMU. WMU are blessed in Ohio with an outstanding provides many resources WMU leadership team to teach the how and headed by our president, why of missions. I was Sue Stickel. Contact Sue excited to hear about the and let s talk! online trainings offered Finally, I would ask you to better equip women to attend the next WMU regardless of where they national meeting prior to live across the country. the start of the Southern We were able to hear Baptists Convention in from those whose tasks Phoenix, Arizona. Make are to make the message your plans now. The dates of missions clear through are June 10 is our Evangelistic outreach through WMU. I learned so much from the national Crossover Phoenix; June leadership team, the breakout sessions, the missionaries, and time with fellow executive directors. Some might be puzzled at my position with WMU? I have already heard from some Isn t that a women s group? Why have a man to serve as the Executive Director of our WMU? That s easy for me, because we all are to be about missions. Also, I have discovered a new meaning for WMU Wise Men Understand- we are all on Missions! May the Lord continue to increase our heart to reach the nations with the gospel. I hope you and your church will allow us to share with your church how WMU can enrich missions throughout your congregation. We Bill Barker (ARM) and Duane Floro Calvary Women on Mission Calvary Women on Mission wrapped presents and filled Christmas stockings for the 34 residents at the Clinton County Homeless Shelter this past December. This is something they done for the past fifteen or so years. It is a very rewarding project. The ladies were able to provide each resident with a new winter coat, shirt, jeans, hat, gloves, and a present. The stockings always have a New Testament as well as other needed items. New WMU Executive Director Sandy Wisdom Martin is our National WMU Gathering; & June plan to attend the SBC Convention. God bless you as we are on Mission together! Yours to serve, Duane Floro Executive Director for WMU in Ohio Duane and Deana Floro, WMU National Office Lobby Calvary ladies with the Christmas gifts for the Clinton County Homeless Shelter Has your WMU group completed a recent missions project? Please share with us by ing Sue at ohiowmu@gmail.com