The Bridge Magazine - Spring/Summer 2023

THE BRIDGE

CONNECTING YOU TO WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE LIFE OF WMU OF TEXAS

Hello Friends,

I PRAY THAT 2023 HAS ALREADY PROVEN TO be a year of revealed opportunity, unmatched boldness, and strengthened partnerships. As I travel across the state and have spent time with you in your churches and communities, I am reminded that we can certainly do more together!

We’ve all faced challenges, and many of us are starting over in some aspects. But in spite of these things, the one thing I know is that as we share our testimonies of God’s faithfulness and His unfailing love with each other, we are strengthened, renewed, and inspired.

It has been our privilege to partner with our college campuses, our border ministries, and all of the ministries supported by the Mary Hill Davis Offering® for Texas Missions, to serve and to support those who serve. There are numerous testimonies of how individuals and communities have been transformed through missions discipleship, reflecting on the revival of times past and the present renewal that propels us to grasp new ideas and transitions.

I believe this idea is shared best in Philippians 3:14 (ESV), “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” We are moving forward.

I hope this issue inspires you to move forward in boldness, understanding that we are better together.

We will see you soon!

Hola Amigos,

ORO QUE ESTE 2023 YA ESTE REVELÁNDOSE como un año lleno de oportunidades, valor extraordinario y relaciones fortalecidas. Al viajar por todo el estado y pasar tiempo con ustedes en sus iglesias y comunidades, ¡recuerdo que ciertamente podemos hacer más juntos!

Todos hemos enfrentado desafíos, y muchos de nosotros estamos empezando de nuevo en algunos aspectos. A pesar de estas cosas, lo único que sé es que al compartir unos con otros nuestro testimonio de la fidelidad de Dios y de Su amor infalible, somos fortalecidos, renovados e inspirados.

Ha sido un privilegio asociarnos con nuestras universidades, nuestros ministerios fronterizos y todos los ministerios apoyados por la Ofrenda® Mary Hill Davis para las Misiones de Texas, sirviendo y apoyando a quienes sirven. Hay numerosos testimonios de cómo personas y comunidades han sido transformados a través del discipulado misionero, reflexionando sobre el avivamiento de los tiempos pasados y la renovación actual que nos impulsa a captar nuevas ideas y transiciones.

Creo que esta idea se comparte mejor en Filipenses 3:14 (ESV), "Prosigo a la meta, all premio del supremo llamamiento de Dios en Cristo Jesús". Estamos avanzando.

Espero que esta edición los inspire a avanzar con audacia, entendiendo que unidos somos mejores.

¡Nos vemos pronto!

TAMIKO C. JONES Executive Director-Treasurer WMU of Texas

On the Journey, Together

On the Journey, Together! These were my thoughts when I was first elected president of WMU of Texas in 2019. I didn’t know what might be ahead, but I knew I would not be going alone, thank goodness! We have had a great Board of Directors, staff, and Executive Director-Treasurer to journey together.

Many plans and ideas were made and it looked like it would be full of meaningful stops along the way. Then things came to a screeching halt when the pandemic hit at the close of our March board meeting in 2020. The journey was challenging over the next two years, but creativity helped us keep going. We all learned about Zoom and how to use technology to share WMU across Texas. We were all so grateful in 2021, when the journey brought us back together, in person, and we could more easily carry on the work.

Helen Keller once said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” As with any journey, you will miss some stops along the way, but the journey continues, and we followed the Lord’s leadership in all we did.

Thank you for the journey, together, the past four years!

Se hicieron muchos planes e ideas y parecía que iba a estar lleno de paradas significativas a lo largo del camino. Sin embargo, todo se paró en seco cuando se produjo la pandemia al final de nuestra junta de Marzo de 2020. El viaje fue todo un reto durante los dos años siguientes, pero la creatividad nos ayudó a seguir adelante. Todos aprendimos sobre Zoom y cómo utilizar la tecnología para compartir WMU a través de Texas. Todos estábamos muy agradecidos en 2021, cuando el viaje nos reunió de nuevo, en persona, y pudimos continuar el trabajo más fácilmente.

Helen Keller dijo una vez: "Solos podemos hacer tan poco; juntos podemos hacer mucho". Como en cualquier viaje, te perderás algunas paradas en el camino, pero el viaje continúa, y seguimos el liderazgo del Señor en todo lo que hicimos.

¡Gracias por el viaje, juntos, los últimos cuatro años!

En el Viaje, ¡Juntos! Estos fueron mis pensamientos cuando fui elegida presidenta de WMU de Texas en 2019. No sabía lo que vendría en el futuro, pero sabía que no iría sola. Gracias a Dios, hemos tenido una gran Junta Directiva, equipo y Directora Ejecutiva-Tesorera para viajar juntos.

EARL ANN BUMPUS President, WMU of Texas 2019-2023

ENGAGE ENGAGE in local missions

Start a missions discipleship group at your church or in your community:

PRESCHOOL

• Mission Friends®

CHILDREN (GRADES 1–6)

• Girls in Action® (GA)

• Royal Ambassadors® (RA)

• Children in Action℠ (CA) (co-ed)

STUDENTS (GRADES 7–12)

• Acteens®

• Challengers®

• Youth on Mission℠ (co-ed)

ADULTS

• Embrace (mentoring young women)

• Women on Mission®

• Adults on Mission℠ (co-ed)

• Sisters Who Care (African American women)

• Missions Discipleship for Hispanic Churches

• Multicultural WMU

• Missionary Parents Fellowship

LEARN MORE AT WMUTX.ORG

ESTABLISH ESTABLISH partnerships for missions

• WMU of Texas Women's Build Project

• Texas Baptists Missions

• Texas Baptists River Ministry Projects

• Women Helping Women Pad Project

• Worldcrafts℠

• Christian Women’s Job Corps® / Christian Men’s Job Corps℠

• Texas Baptist Universities & Seminaries

• Pure Water, Pure Love℠

LEARN MORE AT WMUTX.ORG

EMPOWER EMPOWER others for worldwide missions

Empower missionaries and ministries through the Mary Hill Davis Offering® for Texas Missions, Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® for International Missions, and Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® for North American Missions.

MARY HILL DAVIS OFFERING iamtexasmissions.org

LOTTIE MOON CHRISTMAS OFFERING & ANNIE ARMSTRONG EASTER OFFERING To order materials, visit wmutx.org/give

Living Together in Unity

DEVOTIONAL BY JOYCE PORTO

There is something powerful when the people of God come together. God created us to be in fellowship with Him and one another from the foundation of the world when He created Adam and Eve.

When God called Abraham, He formed a great nation and divided Abraham’s descendants into the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus came to earth and chose twelve disciples to walk alongside Him in community. Through the disciples, the church was born as the body of Christ.

It is God’s design that we live in community and that His church reflects on earth what pleases His heart: unity.

The dictionary defines unity as “a whole or totality as combining all its parts into one”, meaning that many parts in harmony make a beautiful masterpiece.

The psalmist tells us that it is good and pleasant when the people of God live in a harmonious relationship. The Word of God describes the church as the body of Christ and this body has different functions yet works together for the Kingdom of God. Since we are all a part of the church, we are all invited to serve using our gifts and talents. Despite being different from one another, we all serve a common task to

make Jesus known and to share the good news of salvation with those who are lost.

For many years, I was part of a mission trip that invited young adults to serve together during our summer break. We were coming from different states and did not know each other. As we got together to serve, we all had different talents and gifts we could use to accomplish the mission. Some served through music, others with children and teens, others with community outreach, others with adults and women, and others on the prayer team. On the last day of the mission trip, our team had become best friends, and the community was impacted by our unity. We saw many lives come to Christ because of our team serving together as one.

This is what God desires for His people. Oneness. We may be different, but in Christ we all have the same story: we were sinners that were saved and forgiven by Jesus who gave His life and shed His blood for us. The diversity of our gifts and talents have a part in the body of Christ and can be used to proclaim the Kingdom of God as we serve together.

Let us impact generations for the sake of the Gospel as we serve together. How good and pleasant it is when the church, and WMU of Texas, live in unity.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

— Psalm 133:1

Dublin, Texas A New WMU of Texas Hub in

STORY BY CHRIS ROWLEY

According to Oma Lee Brawley, “Everybody is Thumb-Body Special. They each have their own individual God-given watermark.” She shares this thought at the monthly birthday party for missionaries and those attending the newly formed community based Christian Women’s Job Corps® WMU group in Dublin, Texas. She goes on to say, “We can identify each other from their external thumbprints and internal DNA. God also sees our heart’s desires. Each person’s birthday is a special event in history.”

Apparently, the women of Dublin agree as they are quickly forming an active and prayerful Women on Mission unit. Mrs. Brawley heard about community-based WMU groups at the Christian Job Corps National Certification Training (NCT) held at the Tri-Rivers Retreat Center on August 22, 2022. Mrs. Brawley catered delicious meals for the NCT and just happened to be in the room when the idea of Christian Women’s Job Corps sites being able to sponsor WMU groups was shared. Her daughter-in-law, Juanita Brawley, executive director of Transformation Pathways (CWJC) in Dublin, is excited to support the group.

Upon hearing this idea, Mrs. Brawley jumped into action calling their first meeting on September 14 at Laurel Glen Retirement Home in Stephenville! She hosted the first CWJC WMU meeting at the retirement home because many of the ladies living there are former WMU leaders and members.

The “CWJC/WMU hub” is averaging 15 attendees each month comprised of CWJC leaders, participants, and other women whose churches no longer provide WMU for their congregations. “There is a whole host of displaced WMU ladies in our community. Many of them are hearing about our community-based group and are starting to attend,” says Mrs. Brawley. She is prayerful that the idea of community based WMU groups will spread to surrounding communities.

Learn more about Christian Job Corps or Women on Mission, contact WMU of Texas at wmutx.org/consult

SISTERS Who Care

Sisters Who Care (SWC) is a ministry of Woman's Missionary Union that aims to reach women in African American churches for cooperative missions.

The SWC group at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Harker Heights is one example of a group on mission. Through their involvement in community ministry, they provide a number of ministry opportunities for the women in their SWC group.

♦ Last year, they donated shoes to "Walk a Mile in My Shoes", a non-profit organization that provides shoes to students in local schools.

♦ They also partner with a free clinic medical center, and their local Hope Pregnancy Center.

African American churches across Texas are engaged in missions discipleship and meeting the needs of the communities they serve.

If you’re interested in learning more about Sisters Who Care, contact WMU of Texas at wmutx.org/consult.

A New Generation of Missionaries

Every Sunday afternoon our church campus is packed with missionaries. These aren’t the typical missionaries that you might have in mind. They have not come in from a foreign field. They are not seminary trained. This group of missionaries hasn’t even graduated high school yet!

The missionaries that fill our building are Mission Friends®, Girls in Action® (GA’s), Royal Ambassadors® (RA’s), and Acteens®. Some would say that these groups are “missionaries in training," but that is a gross misunderstanding of how these programs operate. Sure, there is a lot of missions discipleship that takes place, but missionaries are not developed through listening only; they are developed through participating in missions activities.

Our missions groups bring a wholistic discipleship approach to our church program. After our students and their adult leaders have learned about Jesus in small group Bible studies, and have expressed their love for Him in corporate worship, they need an avenue to go fulfill God’s plan for their lives. It’s a learn, love, go approach to become a fully-formed disciple.

STORY BY JASON BURDEN

When I stop in to see these groups, I see youth and children actively living out the great commandment and the great commission in tangible ways. I see kids that are excited about purposefully serving their community in the name of Jesus. I see a new generation of workers preparing to bring in a great harvest of souls for the glory of God.

That harvest of souls is happening right now. Our children and youth missions groups are the fastest growing groups in our church. These kids are so enthusiastic about their work for Jesus that they are bringing their friends along with them. Every area of our congregational life has been positively affected by the success of our missions programs. The work of these boys and girls is a point of pride for everyone in our church.

Every church has missionaries, but not every church has tapped into the life and vitality of the missions energies that reside in the hearts of our young people. I hope your church is finding ways to experience God’s blessings through the young missionaries you have among your members.

Jason Burden serves as the pastor of First Baptist Church in Nederland, Texas. To learn more about our missions-discipleship curriculum for children and students, visit wmutx.org/missions-discipleship

Meet Your

2023 National Acteen Panelists from Texas

STORY BY MARISOL SANDOVAL

How is Acteens® different from a regular Bible study?

ISAVELA MONTANEZ: Acteens and Bible study are different things that are still related. Acteens is for a group of teen girls in 7th -12th grades who learn about missions, pray for missions, and give to missions. They learn how to spread the gospel through their surroundings being on mission daily.

A Bible study group is for boys or girls who are learning about God, and learn together with a group. During Bible studies, we have conversations about what the scripture means to us and what the Bible verse is talking about. Each section of the Bible has a meaning. When you read the Bible, you will always find something you don't understand. This is when a Bible study group comes in handy because you can ask questions, hear everyone's point of view, and have a discussion.

How do you use what you learn in Acteens to impact your community?

HANNAH RICKMAN: The most prominent thing I have learned in Acteens is using my salvation story as a tool for sharing the gospel with people. I had a desire to share my faith with others, but I did not know where to begin, until my Acteens leader taught us about how to share our testimonies. On a mission trip with the Wyoming Rodeo Ministry, we were telling multiple people about Jesus through our testimonies. After my experience with the rodeo ministry, sharing my faith became easier and less awkward. In my homeschool community, there are a few students who do not know Jesus and are still lost. Through the experience in Wyoming, God has enabled me to approach them and share the gospel with boldness. God has given me the courage to speak with people that I meet whether at the library or a local restaurant. I am always thankful for the boldness God has given me through that experience.

Isavela Montanez

summer camps Building Blocks in Our Walk

STORY BY DERINDA WILLIAMS

HOW I CAME TO KNOW CHRIST

Memories that last a lifetime! My earliest memories of summer missions camp are glimpses of swimming, campfire, crafts, worship, fun, friends, and new experiences. Memories of camp at Floydada in the late sixties embrace one of my favorite camp slogans: “It’s more than just fun, it’s life changing.” As a first grader I experienced the fun and the life changing presence of the Holy Spirit teaching the tender heart of a child. With my dad being a pastor and my mother as my GA leader, I continued to learn and grow, asking Jesus to be my Savior as an 8-year-old. Childhood camp experiences led to camp at Riverbend as a nineteen-year-old taking seven girls to missions camp. Again, experiencing the fun and more than just fun, leading five girls to Christ. Camp changes lives. It changed mine - resulting in years of camp ministry.

Why Camps are important to me

Remembering the life-changing impact of camp helps me understand the importance of camp for today’s kids. Today I serve alongside leaders of ADVENTURE KIDS Missions Journey Camp: a camp inspiring kids to follow Jesus through missions discipleship, and adventure. Kids love adventure! Spending a week enjoying God’s creation, kids disconnect from the noise of everyday life. In the quiet, kids connect to the truths of God. Camp is filled with new adventures, making friends, experiencing new and action-packed activities - zipping off a 45-foot platform or jumping on a “Blob” at the waterfront. Fun opens the hearts of kids to hear God’s voice speaking to their hearts. In the adventure, discipleship, and quietness of camp, lives are changed giving camp a special place in my heart.

Why Camps are important for kids

Camp can change your life! Camp ministry develops leadership, builds relationships, inspires teamwork, deepens friendships, and provides enriching opportunities. The life-changing presence of the Holy Spirit guides and equips for ministry. God has many ways of using each of us in camp ministry: taking the kids in your ministry to camp, giving to send a kid to camp, praying for kids’ lives to be changed, allowing our life to be changed. That’s the dual life-changing impact of camp. Your involvement in summer missions camp makes a difference in the lives of today’s kids and future generations. Do you hear His voice?

Derinda Williams served as the consultant for Tarrant Baptist Association, Girls in Action Community Group and Children in Action.. To learn more about Summer Camps available for children and students, contact Age-Level strategist Marisol Sandoval at marisol.wmutx@txb.org

Mary's House A New Home for Stateside Missionaries

STORY BY TERI USSERY

Mary Hill Davis was a woman who served WMU in Texas a century ago. Her legacy, a heart for missions and for discipling the next generation for Kingdom work, lives on in the homes bearing her name.

Many of you have followed the fouryear process of completing Mary’s House on the campus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS). January 2023 marked the dedication of the homes and celebrated the move-in day for two stateside missionary families.

David and Karla served in pastoral ministry in Texas from 1984 until 2002 and cross-cultural ministry overseas since 2002. Currently, they reside in Europe and focus on displaced Persian peoples worldwide. David also works in formal, informal, and oral theological education, church planting and integration, leading teams in the United States and Canada, South America, Europe, Central Asia, and East Asia. David and Karla are both graduates of Hardin-Simmons University, have been married since 1986 and have four children and three grandchildren. Karla shares, “We are discovering Mary’s House to be a welcoming and perfectly convenient space to live while serving as Missionary in Residence (MIR) for SWBTS this year. Adjusting to a new place of service, even for a brief time, can be challenging. This home greatly reduces that stress with numerous comforts and access to all we need to find success in our ministries both on and off campus."

"We are grateful to God for the provision of Mary’s House and thank WMU of Texas for the foresight and wisdom in providing

a beautiful home for missionaries, so in need of a safe and inviting residence during their stay at SWBTS.”

Holley Sieberhagen lives and works alongside her husband, Thomas, and their two children in Belgium as church planters among the French speaking Belgians with the International Mission Board (IMB). They met at North Greenville University in South Carolina, married, then attended Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Two years later they attended language learning school in Paris, then moved to Namur, Belgium where they planted a church. They also helped start an art center where the church now meets. The center is used to reach not-yet-believers in their city. They host open mic nights, artist soirées, English clubs, and other events for the community. The Sieberhagen’s plan to return to Belgium in June.

Holley says, “Mary’s house has already been such a great place of rest and ministry. In the past three weeks that we’ve lived here we’ve already hosted seminary students and church members to hang out and talk about missions. It’s so nice to have a beautiful and relaxing space to rest from our cross-cultural work overseas and be able to encourage the next generation of missionaries.”

THOMAS AND HOLLEY SIEBERHAGEN, IMB CHURCH PLANTERS

Women's Build

Since 2010, countless Women's Build volunteers have traveled to South Texas to offer hope, build relationships, and share Jesus.

The WMU of Texas Women's Build Project is a women-led home build ministry. Each year, 30 women assemble into two teams to build a home for a family participating in the Buckner Family Hope Center program.

This year, we will be building our 13th home in South Texas. Will you join us?

No experience is necessary. Save the date: Third & Fourth Week in October. Application opens in July 2023.

Scan to learn more, or visit wmutx.org/womensbuild

Learning to LovE MisSIons

STORY BY RUTH MENDOZA

When Olga Bonilla began to serve at her church as the women’s leader, she had no idea what God would reveal about her involvement in mission work. While she worked in this area of ministry, she was also growing as a Christian, and eight years later, she would be chosen to lead women at the associational level.

It was during this time of growth, Olga realized ministry can go beyond the four walls of her church. So she sought training from the WMU of Texas Hispanic consultant to learn more about the work being done across Texas.

Although Olga heard amazing missionary stories and ways to support missions work in her state, she still didn’t understand her role on the mission field. Determined to get involved more, she sought out additional ministry opportunities through WMU of Texas and found Christian Job Corps®.

Olga had heard about Christian Women’s Job Corps (CWJC) before, but was unsure of joining because she wasn’t fluent in English. However, when she learned it was one of WMU’s compassion ministries, she immediately signed up. Olga states, “It was the love of these ladies at CWJC, who did not know me personally, that opened my eyes to what missions was all about. These ladies were showing God’s love and passion, and I was on the receiving end of it. They brought warm meals, they shared their time, they held Bible studies, and they encouraged our success. This is what missions is all about. I had to learn to love missions and how they loved us. Women from all walks of life made me realize that I lacked that kind of love for missions.” A few months later, Olga graduated from CWJC and also received a Certified Nurse Aide certificate.

Now Olga involves her family, church, and association by encouraging them to give to, pray for, and do missions. She encourages everyone to give. “Perhaps we cannot go due to certain limitations, but it is possible to reach the ends of the earth with our offerings. There is no excuse to not help. The Lord will give that offering wings and it will get to its destination.” ♦

Cuando Olga Bonilla comenzó a servir en su iglesia como líder de mujeres, no tenía idea de lo que Dios revelaría acerca de su participación en la obra misionera. Mientras trabajaba en esta área del ministerio, también crecía como cristiana, y ocho años más tarde, sería elegida para dirigir a las mujeres a nivel de asociación.

Entonces se dio cuenta de que el ministerio puede ir más allá de las cuatro paredes de su iglesia.

Buscó capacitación de la consultora hispana de WMU de Texas. Esto abrió su mente al campo misionero. Ella había escuchado historias sobre misioneros y había aprendido sobre la obra que se estaba haciendo en Texas y más allá, pero todavía no entendía su rol en el campo misional. Estaba decidida a cambiar esto y buscó capacitación.

Durante esta búsqueda, Olga había estado pensando en unirse a Christian Women's Job Corps® (CWJC), pero no estaba segura porque no hablaba inglés con fluidez. Sin embargo, cuando se enteró de que era uno de los ministerios de compasión de WMU, se inscribió. Olga afirma: "Fue el amor de estas damas en CWJC, que no me conocían personalmente, lo que me abrió los ojos a lo que eran las misiones. Estas damas mostraban el amor y la pasión de Dios, y yo estaba recibiéndolos. Traían comidas calientes, compartían su tiempo, realizaban estudios bíblicos y alentaban nuestro éxito. De esto se trata las misiones. Tuve que aprender a amar las misiones y cómo nos amaban. Mujeres de todos los ámbitos de la vida hicieron que me diera cuenta de que carecía ese tipo de amor por las misiones".

Olga se graduó de CWJC y también recibió un certificado CNA. Ahora Olga involucra a su familia, iglesia y asociación alentándolos a dar, orar y hacer misiones. Ella anima a todos a dar. "Tal vez no podamos ir debido a ciertas limitaciones, pero es posible llegar a los confines de la tierra con nuestras ofrendas. No hay excusa para no ayudar. El Señor le dará alas a esa ofrenda y llegará a su destino". ♦

To connect with WMU of Texas Hispanic Ministries Contractor Ruth Mendoza, visit wmutx.org/consult or call (214) 828-5150. / Para ponerse en contacto con Ruth Mendoza, contratista de los Ministerios Hispanos de la WMU de Texas, visite wmutx.org/consult o llame al (214) 828-5150.

Recursos Útiles

PARA SUS GRUPOS DE DISCIPULADO MISIONERO

WMU ofrece una variedad de recursos útiles para sus grupos de discipulado misionero.

Si está buscando un recurso que le ayude a guiar a su grupo de mujeres, Misiones para la Vida, tiene mucho que ofrecer. Este recurso tiene planes para todo el año. Incluye un estudio bíblico junto con un plan de lección, un artículo de oración, un proyecto de acción misionera para cada mes e ideas para énfasis especiales de WMU. Incluído con este recurso, está el acceso en línea a un estudio completo de misiones y un plan de lecciones. WMU también ofrece un complemento perfecto para este libro, el paquete de carteles del enfoque anual, que se vende por separado.

También encontrará que WMU pone a su disposición una lección mensual en español para Mission Friends y Missions Journey:Kids. Este recurso está disponible para descargar en wmu.com/missions-discipleship/espanol.

Para animar a las familias a leer la Biblia con sus hijos, WMU ofrece la versión impresa o digital de Diga La Historia: Historias Bíblicas para Niños. También puedes encontrar libros digitales bilingües de la serie “Misiones y Yo”.

También encontrará los recursos de la Ofrenda Mary Hill Davis® para las Misiones de Texas en español. Vaya al siguiente sitio web para encontrar la información en español: iamtexasmissions.org/order-materials

At the WMU of Texas Leadership Summit, previously named Regional Training, church leaders will be equipped and encouraged to lead children, students, and adults in missions discipleship, missions projects, prayer, and Bible study.

AUGUST 19, 2023

8:30 am – 1:45 pm

First Baptist Church, Midland

Scan to register!

$5 per person

& Christian Job Corps

2104 W Louisiana Ave, Midland, TX 79701

Topics Covered

& Mary Hill Davis Offering® for Texas Missions

& Mission Project Ideas for Churches

& Missions Discipleship Curriculum (all ages)

& Missions Discipleship for Hispanic Churches

& Sisters Who Care: Missions Discipleship for African American Churches

& Social Media for Ministries & Churches

& Weeks of Prayer for Missions

& WMU of Texas and National WMU

& WMU Associational Leadership

Serving Across Generations

STORY BY JOYCE PORTO

During the WMU Vietnamese Gathering of 2022, a panel of young adult women spoke about the joys and challenges they face as second generation Vietnamese in Texas and how the church has responded to their needs. One of the panelists was Rebekah Nguyen, a young leader from the Vietnamese church.

Rebekah has served as a Youth Leader in the Vietnamese Baptist Church of Garland and has been an assistant director for Camp Fusion, one of the ministries of Texas Baptists supported by the Mary Hill Davis Offering®. She is the secretary and the vice-committee chairperson in her church.

For Rebekah, the key spiritual lessons she learned from the senior generation of Vietnamese is the “importance of prayer and how to care for your church family and those who are in need.” She shares that “they are very consistent and committed and I've seen how much it strengthens our church and its ministry. The caring group is amazing at making sure our members and guests have a sense of family and home and that they're not alone.”

The seniors are impacting the lives of the younger generation by sharing their values of unity and faith which makes a difference in the lives of many Millennials and Gen Z who are willing to find community and ways to serve. For them, spirituality plays a huge part in their lives, and discipleship and mentorship are key to touching their hearts. It is more than just being a distant role model. Leadership involves being present. They desire leaders who will teach as they walk alongside, and give ownership to the future generation as they grow spiritually and mature in ministry.

Rebekah mentions that her “church has always emphasized the importance of a strong Bible- based foundation and that everything is first rooted in God's Word. Growing up understanding this has helped me as I'm faced with challenges or when I need spiritual guidance to always lean on His Word.” From generation to generation many things may change, but the Word of the Lord remains. It is the Word of God that provides a common ground between generations.

Rebekah shares that her generation has a unique opportunity as they “have been born in the States so we have great potential and resources to serve God in different ways that our parents may not have been able to.” Like Rebekah, many young adults see the opportunities God has given them to impact their own generation and transform the world for Christ.

Across generations, God is raising up leaders to serve Him and proclaim the beauty of the gospel of Jesus. Rebekah’s life story reveals the urgency of equipping and mentoring the next generation as all ages serve together to share the gospel to all nations.

Calendar of Events

MAY

2 | Associational WMU Directors Roundtable

4 | National Day of Prayer / Coffee & Friends

13 | World Fair Trade Day

21 | Children's Ministry Sunday (WMU of Texas)

JUNE

1 | Coffee & Friends: Facebook Live

11-12 | WMU, SBC Missions Celebration: Louisiana

20 | World Refugee Day

JULY

1 | Begin Ordering Mary Hill Davis Offering® Materials

6 | Coffee & Friends: Facebook Live

16-18 | Texas Baptists Family Gathering: McAllen

AUGUST

1 | Associational WMU Directors Roundtable

1-5 | Missionary Kid Reentry Retreat, Mississippi

3 | Coffee & Friends: Facebook Live

27 | Global Hunger Sunday

SEPTEMBER

7 | Coffee & Friends: Facebook Live

10-17 | Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions® Week of Prayer

16 | Children’s Missions Day (National WMU)

OCTOBER

1 | Begin Ordering Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Materials

3 | Happy Birthday WMU of Texas: 143 Years

5 | Coffee & Friends: Facebook Live

5-7 | WMU of Texas Board Meeting

22 | Day of Prayer Baptist Associations

NOVEMBER

7 | Associational WMU Directors Roundtable

2 | Coffee & Friends: Facebook Live

6 | Baptist Women’s Day of Prayer

DECEMBER

3-10 | Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® Week of Prayer

7 | Facebook Live: Coffee & Friends

HOW TO ORDER

MARY HILL DAVIS OFFERING ® FOR TEXAS MISSIONS MATERIALS

Thank you for promoting the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions in your church.

PRINTED MATERIALS 1 2 3

Place your order for the Mary Hill Davis Offering Week of Prayer resources (posters, prayer guides, and envelopes) online at iamtexasmissions.org/order.

You may also call the office at (214) 828-5150 to request these resources. Please allow 2-3 week for delivery. We are unable to ship overnight orders.

You may also download Mary Hill Davis Offering Week of Prayer resources for the current and previous years at iamtexasmissions.org/order.

Share a Mary Hill Davis Offering video during your next WMU meeting or church service. To view or download over 35 Mary Hill Davis Offering video stories, visit iamtexasmissions.org/stories.

PRAYER CALENDAR

ONE MONTH IN ADVANCE, as a group or individually, write an encouraging note or create a birthday card for the missionaries celebrating a birthday in the following month. Mail all cards to the below address:

MAY

4 Cutberto Ramirez (River Ministry)

JUNE

Matthew Reyes (MAP SEA)

Jen Sims (TXB Missionary)

Millena Nascimento (MAP Brazil)

Ella Currie (TXB Missionary Kid)

Domingos (MAP Brazil)

Lamoso (MAP Brazil)

Brito (MAP Brazil)

Katilin Warrington (TXB Missionary)

Lee (TXB Missionary)

Okasawara (MAP Brazil)

21 Stephen Currie (TXB Missionary)

Lorenzo Ortiz (Church Catalyst)

Alysson Reis (MAP Brazil)

Susan Howard (TXB Missionary)

Staff

Tamiko Jones

Executive Director-Treasurer tamiko.jones@txb.org

(214) 828-5177

Beth Campbell Communications Consultant beth.wmutx@txb.org

(214) 828-5155

Brandi Jones Marketing Specialist brandi.wmutx@txb.org

(214) 828-5152

Ruth Mendoza

WMU of Texas Hispanic Ministries Contractor rmendo7@gmail.com

(214) 828-5150

Joyce Porto Missional Lifestyle Strategist for Multicultural joyce.wmutx@txb.org

(469) 405-1638

Chris Rowley

Christian Women’s / Men’s Job Corps State Consultant chris.wmutx@txb.org

(737) 280-8660

Request

Marisol Sandoval

Missional Lifestyle Strategist for Preschool, Children, and Youth marisol.wmutx@txb.org

(214) 828-5158

Teri Ussery

Adult Consultant and Special Projects teri.wmutx@txb.org

(214) 828-5374

Nayely Vallejo

Office Manager and Administrative Assistant nayely.wmutx@txb.org

(214) 828-5150

Board of Directors

Board members are ready to serve across our state. They serve as a liaison between the state office, associations, and local churches. Find the board member located nearest you and introduce yourself!

PRESIDENT

Earl Ann Bumpus Belton, TX earlann@rocketmail.com

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR-TREASURER

Tamiko Jones Dallas, TX tamiko.jones@txb.org

VICE PRESIDENT

Brenda Bourgeois Lubbock, TX brendabou@aol.com

RECORDING SECRETARY

Jackie Faughn McKinney, TX jfaughn54@gmail.com

PANHANDLE

Amanda Gay Amarillo, TX ace_gay@sbcglobal.net

PANHANDLE

Del Lopez Lubbock, TX dellopez1@gmail.com

WEST TEXAS

Mary Martinez El Paso, TX marymartinez79936@yahoo.com

WEST TEXAS

Rosie Rodriguez Midland, TX pinkyroseann20@gmail.com

RIO GRANDE VALLEY

Vanessa Quintanilla-Lerma McAllen, TX rgv.riverministry@gmail.com

SAN ANTONIO AREA

Beverlie Cloud Helotes, TX cloudb16674@gmail.com

Georgia Hobbins Boling, TX gghobbins@gmail.com

WMU

RIO GRANDE VALLEY Vacant

SAN ANTONIO AREA

HOUSTON AREA

Belva Bowers Texas City, TX belva.bowers@gmail.com

HOUSTON AREA

Stephanie Morales Houston, TX stephaniemoralesteacup@gmail.com

CENTRAL TEXAS

Melissa Gould Georgetown, TX majormoo2002@yahoo.com

CENTRAL TEXAS

Paulette Kirkpatrick Waco, TX bkirktx@sbcglobal.net

EAST TEXAS

Susan Green Longview, TX lwstgreen@gmail.com

EAST TEXAS

Lynn Montgomery Tyler, TX lmontgomery50@yahoo.com

DALLAS AREA

Diane Marshall Seagoville, TX dianemarshalltx@sbcglobal.net

DALLAS AREA Mary Lou Sinclair Richardson, TX teachingetc@att.net

FORT WORTH AREA

Debbie Goulding Alvarado, TX debbie_goulding@hotmail.com

FORT WORTH AREA

Jamye Richmond Pilot Point, TX ichyemama@yahoo.com

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE

Cathy Johnson Henderson, TX clcjohnson@gmail.com

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE

Suzette Mitchell Mesquite, TX ladysmitchell98@gmail.com

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE

Anh Quynh Nguyen Irving, TX aqnguyen18@gmail.com

MEMBERS-AT-LARGE

Nayely Vallejo Garland, TX naniiv0802@gmail.com