The 2011 South Carolina Woman’s Missionary Union annual meeting was held March 11-12 at Monaghan Church, Greenville. Under the theme “Unchained,” 563 attendees met to conduct business and hear missions reports from representatives of the North American and International mission boards.
From left: Debby Akerman, president, national WMU; Gail Hodson, outgoing president, South Carolina WMU; and Lil Drawdy, incoming president, South Carolina WMU.“WMU needs to be unbound and determined as we share Jesus’ love with everyone we encounter,” said Debby Akerman, national WMU president. Akerman, a member of Ocean View Church, Myrtle Beach, reminded attendees that the Great Commission calls Christians to be involved in their community and to be a part of missions.
South Carolina WMU added local mission action projects to the meeting Friday afternoon, coordinated through the Greenville Association. Judy Adkins helped prepare apartment complex welcome bags with NAMB missionary Abi Elrod. Candi McLeod took personal care products to a nursing home, while Jackie Lemons shared cookies with firefighters at their station. Linda McLellan delivered candy baskets to an intensive care waiting room.
“The mission action project idea is wonderful to do in conjunction with the annual meeting because we are about missions, so let’s do missions wherever we go,” said McLellan, a member of Millbrook Church, Aiken.
Mission action projects reflect the heart of WMU, which focuses on missions at home and abroad. Bob Stockland is a NAMB-appointed missionary serving as director of missions in Minnesota. He shared examples of how Cooperative Program gifts support his local ministry.
R. Gordon Fort, vice president of IMB’s office of overseas operations, reported new initiatives to develop mission strategies for the deaf community and the 115 people groups identified as the “zero of the zeroes” – those among whom there are no Christians, no churches, no Bibles. IMB missionaries Gary and Lily Stone shared how God is at work among the Mam people group in Guatemala. Retired IMB missionary Trudy Crittendon wove the “Unchained” meeting theme into her own stories from the mission field.
Also during the meeting, South Carolina WMU emphasized school partnerships and human exploitation as missions opportunities. Tom Capps, missions mobilization consultant, Greer Association, shared how school partnerships can be a practical avenue for churches to connect with the community. An interactive exhibit highlighted the areas of sex and labor trades, pornography, bullying, and using natural resources for personal gain as elements of human exploitation. Diane Pulaski, member of West End Church, Hampton, reacted with compassion after reading the displays. “It’s horrible to think that a life would be so sad that a person could think that this was a good way to live,” Pulaski said.
“I believe South Carolina WMU’s involvement in human trafficking will be successful only if we are connected to the Heavenly Father,” said Laurie Register, South Carolina WMU executive director-treasurer. “The missions chain is so important as we share with the world that we are free, and they can be, too.”
During the business session, 118 churches and 13 associations achieved Triple A recognition. The 2011-2012 South Carolina WMU executive board members were elected, including new president Lil Drawdy of First Church, Hampton. Outgoing president Gail Hodson, member of Mid-Valley Church in Langley, was recognized for having served for the last four years.
Deanna Deaton and youth panelists discuss how WMU has influenced their lives.A special offering totaling $4,500 was collected to purchase new bunk beds and mattresses for Camp LaVida in Winnsboro. Built in 1983, Camp LaVida hosted 1,861 campers during the 2010 summer camping season. The facility has 72 beds and mattresses to replace at a cost of $681.50 per set.
South Carolina Baptists gave $7.8 million to the 2010 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, a 6.82 percent decrease from 2009 receipts, and $3.5 million to the 2010 Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, a 2.73 percent decrease from 2009 receipts. The 2010 Janie Chapman Offering goal of $2 million was not met. This represents a decrease of 4.36 percent from the prior year. The 2011 Janie Chapman Offering goal remains at $2 million.
“South Carolina Baptists are to be commended for their faithful support of this WMU offering,” Register told participants. “Thank you for all that you do to lead our churches to observe the Season of Prayer and to give.” – SCBC