Thank you for your generous support of the MARY HILL DAVIS OFFERING for the WEEK OF PRAYER FOR TEXAS MISSIONS® a total of $3,200,275. Together we are sharing the BOUNDLESS love of God statewide.
Impact.
To have a direct effect or impact on something or someone.
It was a Friday night and I didn’t hear my cell phone ring. When I finally looked at the phone I saw I had a message from John Hall who works for Buckner International. John is a friend and all around great guy who knows how to use words to tell amazing stories. His words on that voice message told me the impact the 2016 women’s build had on the Morales family.
This family of six was living in a small travel trailer. It was in poor condition, and the family was practically living on top of each other. This was creating tension between the parents and negatively affecting the children.
This sweet family had connected with the Family Hope Center in Penitas, Texas. They got involved taking parenting classes, learning about personal finance, improving their English, and working toward getting a house. That’s where WMU of Texas entered the picture. God chose the Morales family to be the ones whose house we would build.
John’s message made me cry. I still listen to it on my phone. I shared it with the team members. He said things like, “What your women did was amazing.” “What you accomplished was nothing short of a miracle.” “You have really blessed this family.” Oh yes, IMPACT!
You hold in your hands the 2016 Impact Report for Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas. It is impossible to tell the whole story of the year on just a few pages, but we pray you will catch glimpses of the impact our organization has had in the lives of those we served. It’s not one person’s story. It’s the story of people across our state who share a love for God and neighbors. It really isn’t so much what we have done but rather what God has done through us. His work has eternal impact.
Carolyn Porterfield WMU of Texas Interim Executive Director-Treasurer
ALL ABOUT SANDY
SUPPORTIVE. HONEST. CREATIVE. HARD-WORKING. GODLY. PRAYERFUL. HUMOROUS. HANDS-ON. OBEDIENT. SYMPATHETIC. KIND. VELVET HAMMER. FOCUSED. SMART. TRUSTWORTHY. These are just a few of the words used to describe Sandra Wisdom-Martin, former executive director of Woman’s Missionary Union of Texas and now the Executive Director of WMU, SBC. After six years of service in Texas, Sandy assumed her new duties in Birmingham in October, 2016.
Sandy came to Texas in 2010 with a wealth of experience and knowledge. Her previous position as women’s missions and ministries director for the Illinois Baptist State Association helped prepare her for what was before her. Involvement in church and community ministries, service with overseas mission groups, national coordinator for the Mississippi River Ministry, as well as experience in the local church and association gave her a vast background and knowledge base of human needs and the ability to work with people of different cultures and backgrounds.
Gloria Mills, former president of WMU of Texas, served in 2010 when Sandy was asked to become executive director-treasurer. From the very beginning, she knew Sandy was the right person for the position. Gloria said, “Sandy was nice to everyone. She was sympathetic to those in need. I never saw anything but kindness and understanding.”
Sandy was instrumental in starting the Women’s Build in Peñitas, Texas. Beginning in 2011 a house has been built for a needy family. Two crews work for one week each to construct the building. Women from all walks of life and from other states join to provide not just a house, but a home. “It was delightful to see the families move in to their new home,” Gloria said. In 2016, the sixth home was built by women helping families achieve a dream that might not ever have otherwise come true.
The promotion of WorldCrafts has been a pet project of Sandy’s during her tenure at WMU of Texas. Her contagious desire to help women around the world earn a sustainable income for themselves and their families led to obtaining the WorldCraft bus used to travel around the state promoting and selling products. From bus driver to saleswoman – Sandy put her heart and energy into the program, and because of her dedication and that of other hard-working women, many women have seen their lives changed for the better.
Dr. David Hardage, Executive Director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, has worked with Sandy over the years. When he and his wife Kathleen heard that the search was on for a new national director, they knew Sandy would be the ultimate choice for the position. With a smile and chuckle in his voice, he said, “She can drive a bus and she can drive a nail. She is the great answer for the future of WMU.”
Known as a “servant leader,” Sandy will use her God-given talents to lead the national organization, just as she has led WMU of Texas. Putting God first, surrendering to His leadership, listening to His prompting – all of this is who Sandy is. Her dependence on Him will be the guiding force as she leads Woman’s Missionary Union into the future. We are grateful God brought her to Texas for a season.
VISION
We believe in the restoration of brokenness through hope in Christ.
PURPOSE
We make disciples who make disciples
We passionately tell HIS story. ❚ We creatively empower leaders. ❚ We obediently engage the world. FIVE
WORLD CRAFTS AND LINDA
If you have ever seen the WorldCrafts van, it is highly unlikely that you will ever forget it. With its beautiful pictures of WorldCraft artisans covering the vehicle, it is a moving billboard representing hundreds of lives changed around the world.
WorldCrafts began in 1996 with just one artisan group in Thailand. Today, it is comprised of many groups in over twenty-five countries seeking to provide a sustainable income for women and men at risk of abuse and exploitation. The ministry is a member of the Fair Trade Federation and abides by its rules and accountability standards in how it treats those who produce the goods that are sold.
So how did WorldCrafts impact Texas, and how did “Linda” happen? Let’s go back to January, 2013. Amigos Internacionales donated a school bus to WMU of Texas. A great donation with great potential. Sandy Wisdom-Martin had a vision to convert the bus into a traveling store for WorldCrafts. A 1984 GMC school bus transformed into an eye-catching, attention-getting vehicle. Seats were removed from the bus. Shelves were added. A beautiful wrap was installed, depicting some of the WorldCraft artisans. By July 2013 the bus was ready to go.
Enter Linda Chaddick of Amarillo. Linda has a deep love for missions and a heart for women in desperate situations. As a member of the WMU of Texas Board of Directors, she heard all about the bus. The idea of selling beautiful handcrafted items to support women who wanted and needed to improve their living situations was something that immediately appealed to her. She volunteered to drive the bus around West Texas, if someone would teach her to drive it.
Pam Poole began working at WMU in Dallas as the Special Events Director. She was tasked with helping to promote WorldCrafts in Texas churches, associations, and other venues. Sandy and Pam met Linda in Brownfield, and after a few laps around a parking lot, Linda was deemed to be proficient in driving the bus.
The road show had begun. Stops in Plainview, an associational event with Hispanic churches at the Floydada Baptist Encampment, and another stop at First Baptist Church of Amarillo started the journey. There were stops in Perryton where the bus was parked outside an events center. A craft show was going on - a great opportunity to reach non-Baptists. First Baptist Church of Perryton took care of all the logistics, helping to make this visit a huge success. Another successful stop at Vernon rounded out the tour.
Linda delighted in each piece of jewelry and other items available on the bus. She says, “You are not just paying for a beautifully unique piece of jewelry.You are paying for rental on a rickshaw, pulling women out of human trafficking, and giving a sustainable wage for work done in an ethical and environmentally-friendly manner.” She knows each purchase is changing generations to come because the artisan now has more opportunities to improve her life.
Linda proudly acknowledges that the bus never broke down on one of the many road trips around West Texas. But finally, the big bus could go no further. In late 2015, a new van was purchased, wrapped with the same pictures of the beautiful artisans depicted on the old bus. In honor of Linda Chaddick and her devotion to the promotion of WorldCrafts, the van was affectionally nicknamed “Linda.” Pam Poole proudly drives the vehicle wherever there is an opportunity to display and sell WorldCraft wares.
Emily Swader, National WMU team leader for WorldCrafts, says, “We are grateful for all the help from Texas WMU and for the dedication of Linda Chaddick and Pam Poole. Orders for WorldCraft products have had an eternal impact. Support from Texas has been a blessing and encouragement.”
CHRISTIAN WOMEN’S & MEN’S JOB CORPS ENDOWMENT SCHOLARSHIPS
In 2001, Texas site coordinators established an endowment fund to provide scholarships for participants and CWJC/CMJC leadership who wish to further their education. In 2016 the WMU of Texas Endowments Administrative committee awarded scholarships totaling $4200.00.
PARTICIPANTS
TEFANY BATES
CWJC Abilene
CYNTHIA COURTNEY
CWJC Kerr County
BRANDY MAULDIN
CWJC Abilene
TRACY RHODES
CWJC Medina County
LEADERSHIP
CAROL RAMSEY
Mosaic Center, Lufkin
ROCHELLE ROSS
Dallas CWJC
NATIONAL WMU FAYE DOVE SCHOLARSHIP
ROQUIA REED
CWJC Grand Prairie
TRAVELING THE HIGHWAYS OF TEXAS
Becky and Patsy (the Fiat) traveled 31,246 miles on the Texas highways in 2016 visiting
WHO WE DISCIPLE
WOMEN’S BUILD
“I had never done a house build and was not confident in ‘building’ skills. However, after helping the Morales family and witnessing what God can do through the hands and feet of willing servants, I’m sure I’ll be participating in another build. I would greatly encourage any and all who haven’t gone or experienced a house build to do so. It’s very hard work but it’s equally, if not MORE rewarding to see the impact it makes on the family. I thought I was signing up to help bless this family with a home but in return I was the recipient of so many blessings by my Lord!”
-- Maribel Paz, Garland
VRI RETREAT
“It was exactly what we needed.”
The retreat was made possible by a designated gift from Bell Association and a grant from WMU of Texas. Please continue to pray for our VRI missionaries as they continue with adjustments and transitions.
WORLDCRAFTSSM AND RESOURCE MARKETS
Missionaries impacted by the Voluntary Retirement Incentive package in 2015 and residing in Texas, were invited to attend an all-expense paid retreat at Camp Copass, September 19-21, 2016.
Laughter, tears, hugs, encouragement, worship and sweet fellowship were experienced by 18 missionary families.
“This VRI retreat encouraged our souls and hearts…thank you for walking through this time with all of us.”
It was an incredible year for WorldCrafts and Resources Markets! Even without the ChangeBus, churches still desire to learn about WorldCrafts and the impact that fair trade makes throughout our world. We had 33 markets across the state and our sales were $52,287.18.
The following items were top sellers for Worldcrafts.
1. Speak Up Necklace 40 sold $999.60
2. Vivacious Bracelet 33 sold $428.67
3. Turkish Trivet 32 sold $639.68
4. Speak Up Bracelet 31 sold $712.69
5. Speak Up Keychain 30 sold $359.70
Looking forward to 2017 and teaching more people about this amazing WMU ministry!
EIGHT
ACTEENS IN
BOSTON
A group of ten Acteens from Freeman Heights Baptist Church and North Dallas Family Church traveled together as Texas Acteens
Activators to New England in July. The girls met with missionary Lierte Soares, Jr. and were given the opportunity to prayer walk, do sports, street evangelism, and build relationship with church families. They also brought a theme interpretation to the song “How Can It Be” by Lauren Daigle.
NATIONAL ACTEENS PANELIST
We did it again! We had three Texas girls chosen to serve on the National Acteens Panel. Ana Sandoval from Freeman Heights in Garland, Hannah Hutton from Hyde Park in Austin and Jemima Louis from Tallowood in Houston. We are so grateful for their leadership A special thank you to Acteens’ leaders that invest in developing teen girls.
GA CAMP
“I can’t wait to be a staffer when I grow up!” Among the several visits to camp this year, this was the most common phrase I heard. Our Acteens staffers at GA camps are the best. I had the special privilege of leading the staffers at the
Mt. Lebanon GA Camp and their leadership, excitement and willingness to go over and beyond gave me hope for the future of camp. I hope to see more Acteens take on the role as staffer and invest in the next generation of WMU.
MYMISSION RETREAT
In March, five young women from Arlington, McAllen, and Harlingen traveled to San Antonio to attend the Micah 6:8 conference and followed the
event with a MyMission retreat. We had fellowship, built relationships and discussed how to reach out to other young adults through MyMission. These young women left encouraged and excited about involving their peers in missions.
POSTCARD OF ENCOURAGEMENT
HOW WE ENGAGE
Postcard from Cindy Saavedra as she traveled in East Asia.
ANA SANDOVAL HANNAH HUTTON JEMIMA LOUIS
WHERE WE SERVE PADS AND FLANNEL
The generosity of Texas women is evident in the thousands of pads made for use in South Asia, Ethiopia, and Togo. Over 1,500 yards of flannel were given at the 2016 WMU of Texas Annual Meeting and Missions Celebration for shipment to a country in South Asia. Flannel is still being shipping in small quantities.
VIETNAMESE WMU
The annual Vietnamese women’s event was held in September with over 75 women from churches in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin attending. The day was filled with learning, great worship, and celebrating the strong participation of these women in the Pad Project.
SISTERS WHO CARE
This summer SWC joined their hands and hearts with God during the Texas Regional Day of Service in five locations: Dallas, Nacogdoches, Houston, Lubbock and San Antonio.
● Over 200 volunteers
● 20+ churches represented
● Mary Hill Davis offering promoted and offering collected
● Over 1000 participants were served “We have church groups come all the time, but none of them have done what you all have done today. To have you come and interact with the residents, and spend time talking with them means so much.” Barbara Villanueva, Staff, Pecan Valley Rehabilitation Center, San Antonio, TX
HISPANIC WMU OF TEXAS
In January, 2016 Hispanic WMU took an historic step by coming under the leadership of the Hispanic Baptist Convention of Texas. WMU of Texas and Hispanic WMU signed an agreement of cooperation in June, 2016 that outlines how the two organizations will continue to work and serve together. WMU of Texas celebrates the 100th anniversary of Hispanic WMU in 2016 and into 2017.
MISSIONAL LIFE INSTITUTE FOR WOMEN
October 6, 2016 was an historic day for the Missional Life Institute. The memorandum of agreement was signed by leaders from Baptist University of the Americas, Hispanic WMU of Texas, and Woman’s Missionary of Texas. Classes are set to launch in 2017.
When Primera Iglesia Bautista de Kinwood in north Houston disbanded and sold its property, the congregation wanted to honor the memory of Mike Valerio, the church’s pastor of more than 50 years, and ensure his family’s missions legacy endured.
The church returned a portion of the proceeds from the sale to Union Baptist Association, which had provided the land where the congregation built its facility. The church had benefited from a matching grant made possible by the Mary Hill Davis Offering® for Texas Missions, and at least five young women from the congregation attended Texas Baptist universities with help from the Mary Hill Davis Ethnic Missions Scholarship program. So, the church gave $10,000 to the Woman’s Missionary Union Foundation earmarked for the Mary Hill Davis Offering.
To the surprise of Mary Valerio, the pastor’s widow and longtime leader in Texas WMU, the congregation also made a $10,000 gift to the WMU Foundation to establish the Valerio Endowment for Hispanic Ministries.
“I hope the endowment will help train Hispanic leaders and support Hispanic ministries, wherever there is a need,” she said.
The gift by Primera Iglesia Bautista de Kinwood to establish the Valerio Endowment for Hispanic Ministries “will extend the missions vision and passion of Mike and Mary Valerio for years to come,” said Carolyn Porterfield, interim executive directortreasurer of Texas WMU.
“The Valerio Endowment for Hispanic Ministries will provided additional funding to help train missions discipleship leaders in churches and associations, expand missions outreach by Hispanic women and create culturally relevant missions discipleship resources for Hispanic churches,” Porterfield said.
the 10.26.16
CHURCH DISBANDED BUT VALERIO FAMILY MISSIONS LEGACY ENDURES
Adapted from
Baptist Standard article written by Ken Camp
CURRENT OFFICERS AND ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES
Shirley McDonald President Stephenville TX Charlotte Watson Vice President Georgetown TX DeRema Dunn Recording Secretary Sunnyvale TX Sandy Widsom-Martin Executive DirectorTreasurer Dallas, TX
Carolyn Porterfield Interim Executive Director-Treasurer Dallas, TX
WMU OF TEXAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS
REGION 1
Diana Majok Amarillo, TX
Linda Chaddick Amarillo, TX
WMU OF TEXAS’ BOARD OF DIRECTORS
is a dedicated, energetic, and capable group of women. Not only do they guide the work of our state organization but many are involved in other significant leadership positions in their churches, associations, and workplaces.
REGION 2
Marth Lay El Paso, TX
Vacant
REGION 3
Dalia Morin Jourdanton, TX
Vanessa Quintanilla Mission, TX
REGION 4
Delia Cantu Robstown, TX
Edna Ramos Pharr, TX
REGION 5
Elaine Mason
Texas City, TX
Susan Morgan Houston, TX
REGION 6
Brynette Smith Austin, TX
Barbara Springer Salado, TX
REGION 7
Lydia Nowell Longview, TX
Rachel Montgomery Tyler, TX
REGION 8
Leah Jennings Richardson, TX
Lois Craver Dallas, TX
REGION 9
Frankie Falkner Fort Worth, TX
Naomi Key Fort Worth, TX
MEMBERS AT LARGE
Bertha Vaughns Houston TX
Irma Ynostrosa Dallas, TX
Renee Crane Georgetown, TX
Libby Quigg Ponder, TX
SANDY WISDOM-MARTIN
Former Executive DirectorTreasurer 2010-2016
CAROLYN PORTERFIELD
Missional Lifestyle Strategist For Adults & Multicultural Groups
Interim Executive Director-Treasurer Office 214.828.5374
CELL 214.668.4458
Email Carolyn.wmutx@ texasbaptists.org
LIZ ENCINIA
Missional Lifestyle Strategist For Preschool, Children & Youth Groups Office 214.828.5158
Cell 972.743.7147
Email Liz.wmutx@ texasbaptists.org
BECKY ELLISON
CWJC/CMJC Consultant
Cell 254.716.0319
(Based In Waco)
Email Becky.wmutx@ texasbaptists.org
PAM POOLE
Special Projects Coordinator Office 214.828.5153
Email Pam.wmutx@ texasbaptists.org
BETH CAMPBELL
Mary Hill Davis Project Manager
Communications Consultant
Cell 214.882.2648
Email Beth.wmutx@ texasbaptists.org
ERICA ZAMORA
Administrative Assistant Office Manager Office 214.828.5150
Email Erica.wmutx@ texasbaptists.org
JANIE PAGE
Ministry Assistant 2015-2016
ISAIAH MORALES
Fulfillment & distribution Coordinator 2015-2017
SUSAN ATER WMU Associational Consultant Cell 210.286.8414
(Based in San Antonio) Email Susan.wmutx@ texasbaptists.org
FREDDIE MARTINKA Ministry Assistant Office 214.828.5160
Email Freddie.wmutx@ texasbaptists.org
LOOIE BIFFAR
Creative Arts Director Cell 214.878.4456
Email Looie.wmutx@ texasbaptists.org
FIELD CONSULTANTS
ANGIE RODRIGUEZ
Mary Hill Davis Offering Project Coordinator 2009-2016
FRANKIE HARVEY
African American Wmu Consultant Cell 936.615.0660
(Based in Nacogdoches) Email frankieharvey@gmail.com
KYE CHONG Consultant For Korean Wmu Of Texas
Cell 214.517.4574 (Based in Plano) Email kyechong1004@hotmail.com
SUSAN KILCOYNE Volunteer Missionary Parents Fellowship Coordinator 2010-2016
SUZETTE MITCHELL
Financial Assistant & Coordinator For SWC wmutx.org/swc Office 214.828.5154
Email Suzette.wmutx@ texasbaptists.org
DIANA MONTOYA Ministry Assistant Office 214.828.5160
Email Diana.wmutx@ texasbaptists.org
WEBSITE wmutx.org
FACEBOOK M facebook.com/wmuoftexas
TWITTER N twitter.com/texasmissions
We make disciples Who make disciples.
THIRTEEN
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND EXPENDITURES
INCOME
EXPENSES
Mary Hill Davis Expenditures (BGCT & TX Baptists Institutions) $2,303,203 Other Expenditures (WMU Budget & Allocated Distributions) 1,330,905
$3,634,108
of Income over Expenses $(34,781)
BALANCE SHEET ASSETS
WOMEN’S BUILD TEAM ONE I OCTOBER 23-27
WOMEN’S BUILD TEAM TWO I OCTOBER 26-31
For more information or an application, contact Pam Poole at pam.wmutx@texasbaptists.org or call 214.828.5153.
