Annuals 2018 Annual Book | Page 64

Tennessee Woman’s Missionary Union 2018 Annual Report The WMU emphasis for 2017-18 was “By All Means” based on 1 Cor. 9:22b-23 focused us on challenging Christ followers to follow His example as we step into the world around us, cultivating relationships and creating opportunities to demonstrate the love of Christ. Highlights from the past year include: • The 2017-18 State Acteens Advisory Panelists were Maegan Adkins, Truett Association; Grace Clouse, Caney Fork Baptist Church, Cookeville; Amanda Huggins, Unaka Avenue Baptist Church, Johnson City; SandiGlen Jones, First Baptist Church Sevierville; and Mia Selvidge, Cedar Fork Baptist Church, Sweetwater. • The theme for the 2017-18 Tennessee Missions Emphasis was “At All Costs Obey.” The suggested dates for the Week of Prayer for State Missions was September 10-17 and the goal for the 2017-18 Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions was $1,925,000. As of July 26, 2018, the total amount given to the 2017-18 Golden Offering is $1,733,260.46. The offering year goes from September 1 – August 31. • October is always a busy time for children’s missions events. o Over the three weekends of JAM, there were 443 participants, from 50 different churches. o At RA Camp-O-Ree, there were 445 campers and adult leaders, plus 167 additional adults serving as volunteers, who led and participated in different activities. • In December, Tennessee WMU mailed, on behalf of Tennessee Baptists: o Checks for $150 to 22 missionary kids whose parents serve with IMB and are from Tennessee. o Checks for $50 to 81 retired IMB missionaries, who are from Tennessee. These gifts are made possible through an allocation from the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions for nurturing Tennessee missionaries and their families. • Missions Get-Together & Connection were held on March 16-18, 2018 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center with a total attendance of 1,495. The annual offering totaled $9,475.33 with 90% designated to Tennessee WMU missions efforts in Denver/Front Range; 10% benefited Tennessee WMU Touch Tomorrow Today Endowment at the WMU Foundation. Through the event ministry project, participants brought 521 backpacks filled with school supplies to benefit City Reach: Nashville • Martha Pitts from Germantown Baptist Church was elected to her third term as President, during the Tennessee WMU Annual Meeting on March 17, 2018 at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. Other officers elected for 2018- 19 include Recording Secretary, Charlyene Couey, Nashville; and three Vice Presidents, i.e. West: Jeanette West, Memphis; Middle, Colleen Richardson, Livingston; and East, Janice Lewelling, Dunlap. • In March 2018, $38,400 in scholarships were awarded to 33 students attending graduate school, seminary, as well as, undergraduate schools in Tennessee during the 2018-19 school year. These scholarships are funded through endowments, invested funds and the Golden Offering for Tennessee Missions. • Tennessee WMU sent three Prayer Walking Mission Teams to Denver in 2018 with a total 16 participants. • Currently we have 20 Christian Women’s Job Corps and eight Christian Men’s Job Corps sites in Tennessee. This Christian based program, seeks to help men and women in breaking the cycle of poverty through job and life skills classes, Bible study, and mentoring. In 2017, Tennessee sites served 1,639 participants with 741 completing the program. We recorded 210 spiritual decisions, which included 40 professions of faith. • In July 2018, four new Literacy Missions volunteers participated in the National Literacy Missions Workshop in Shocco Springs, Alabama. Tennessee Literacy Missions now has five English as a Second Language (ESL) workshop trainers (two in East, two in Middle and one in West), one Adult Reading and Writing workshop trainer and one Tutoring Children and Youth workshop trainer. Together these ministries can bring Tennesseans to Christ, through Literacy Missions. Currently, Tennessee WMU staff includes Vickie Anderson, Executive Director-Treasurer; Denise Bronaugh, Adult Missions and Ministries Specialist; Juliana Wilson, Communications & Children Missions Specialist; Beth Moore, Student & Literacy Missions Specialist; Vickie Clemons, Administrative Assistant; vacant, Ministry Assistant; Brian Holt, RA/Challenger State Coordinator, and Janice Carter, CWJC/CMJC State Coordinator. Working together to encourage and equip churches, and individuals, to engage in missions learning and involvement that helps them to fulfill the Great Commission. Martha Pitts, President Vickie Anderson, Executive Director-Treasurer