By Jamie Stephens, Regional Reporter
WOODWORTH – Speakers encouraged more than 175 ladies representing 70 different churches and 26 associations to pray and listen as they seek to reach the lost in Louisiana and around the world.
The women gathered April 1-2 for the 116th annual Women’s Missionary Union meeting, held this year at Tall Timbers Conference Center, to hear a number of messages around the theme of “opened eyes to follow” based on Matthew 20:32-34.
THE LORD’S ARMY
“You are a mighty army of Southern Baptist women who are steady and intent on serving the Lord through missions,” said Louisiana Baptist Convention Executive Director David Hankins in welcoming the attendees to the annual meeting.
Referencing 2 Kings 6:13-20, Hankins recalled Elisha’s prayer for the young servant.
“We should be driven to our knees in prayer as we reach out to younger generations. We must open our eyes to the cross, to the Promise, to the potential, and to the next generation so that the following generations can have their eyes opened to the Lord,” said Hankins.
With Hankins’ remarks fresh on their minds, attendees took part in several breakout sessions about engaging the younger generations and a variety of other topics, including the Baptist Nursing Fellowship, the poverty level in the state, family missions, defining mission discipleship and the sharing of ideas on how to begin a mission organization.
“Our churches are full of women searching for ways to become engaged in missionary discipleship that reflects the Great Commission,” said Janie Wise, LBC’s Women’s Missions and Ministry Strategist. “Many of us were challenged by all of the speakers throughout the weekend.”
MISSIONARY FORCES
Kaitlyn Robinson, the myMission leader at the Louisiana Tech Baptist Collegiate Ministry, shared how God led her out of her comfort zone and into a leadership role to encourage others students on campus to be on mission.
Greg Shyne, a church planter at United Outreach Church in Shreveport, stressed the need for teamwork in a church plant, how it involves a pastor and people, and much prayer and support of sponsor churches. He also shared how God has the power to lead growth and support for new plants.
On Saturday, two International Mission Board missionaries on stateside assignment were recognized by the WMU for their work on the mission field overseas.
John D* said, “It is important to be obedient to Christ. You must obey Christ with eyes wide open.”
He reminded everyone of the two blind men in Matthew 9:27-31 who begged Jesus to have mercy on them. They wanted to see, and He healed them.
“When we have a disease or deformity that stops us from performing, we are dumped off by society. We are forced into a life of begging. The blind men saw this encounter with Him as an opportunity to be fixed, not to be given money, but to see!”
The missionary explained how after Jesus told them to go their own way, they only aspired to follow Him instead of trying to follow their former desires and dreams. None of their past aspirations mattered anymore.
“It’s not about what we gain from Him, but how we begin to crave His love. Our lives are not just a season of obedience but a lifetime of keeping our faith and focusing on Christ,” he explained.
John D* said God called him and his family to a very dangerous place where there is much suffering, but he and his family believe that remaining centered in God’s will is the safest place to live.
He added that he believes it is better to be spiritually safe than physically safe.
George Ross – with his wife Joy and their children — was called to a different mission field and he now serves as the North American Mission Board’s SEND Missionary in New Orleans.
He was pastoring a church in North Mississippi when God called him to his new role, and Ross explained how lonely he felt early on with his new ministry assignment.
He said he felt like no one needed or wanted him, but that God whispered to him that He wanted him there.
“Many times, we wish we were living different lives, but we are actually shaking our fingers at God. God calls us to be like Jesus and to make disciples for His Kingdom and glory. It has been very difficult but worth it. We are called to live for Christ verbally and passionately.”
PRODIGAL DAUGHTER
Heather Stracener, a women’s ministry team leader at Philadelphia Baptist Church in Deville, gave a compelling testimony.
Introduced as a “prodigal daughter of obedience,” she shared how God opened her eyes to her rebellion of binge drinking for 15 years and living in bars. Her drinking caused her to lose her children, which was devastating, she said.
Only through compassion and encouragement from her dad and the Lord were her eyes finally opened to reconciliation. She was saved in August 2010 and God has been molding her ever since.
FINISH WELL
“There were so many individuals whose hearts were touched by the speakers at this year’s event, and some new women missionaries wished they could have attended this year’s conference,” said Wise.
The WMU had hoped to be able to hold its annual meeting in the Georgia Barnette Conference Center at Tall Timbers however the facility is still several months from completion.
“Although we have had various special celebrations throughout the years, this is the first time we have held our celebration at Tall Timbers, and we were able to hold our entire WMU meeting at the retreat,” said Wise. “In years to come we hope we will be able to have it all in the newly completed center.
“We challenged everyone to help us finish the building,” Wise said, “especially the Memorial Prayer Garden, by purchasing pavers and bricks.”
