Arizona WMU celebrates in Lake Havasu City

Julia Mae Curtis (from left), a missionary to the Tohono O’ Odham Nation and the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona; Isabal Han, a campus missionary with Christian Challenge in Arizona; and Simone Lake, Arizona WMU women’s leadership consultant, attend the Arizona WMU Missions Celebration.

After not gathering since 2019, the women of Arizona’s WMU were eager to meet to report, recharge and resolve to become relentless in making disciples. The 2021 Arizona WMU Celebration Event, held at Calvary Baptist Church in Lake Havasu City Nov. 12, was attended by more than 40 women.

Report

While health and safety concerns may have prevented Arizona’s WMU from meeting in person over the past two years, they had not been inactive. Reports from all around the state from the leaders and consultants reminded the women of all that had been accomplished by the WMU to provide churches with resources to disciple, educate and train leaders.

Recharge

Calvary Baptist Church provided a music team to lead the women int a time of worship. The theme for the event was “Relentless.”

Missionary women from four different places in the world, including the Tohono O’odham Nation here in Arizona, shared inspiring stories of how God is at work relentlessly drawing people to Him through Jesus. While all four missionaries work in challenging areas, three of them work in locations so risky that sharing details about them or their location would put their families and the Christians they work with in danger.

Each story shared by the missionaries reminded the women to be relentless in their commitment to be courageous in sharing the good news of Jesus wherever they live.

Resolve

“We are not done yet. We are alive and moving forward,” Terrie Sullivan, Arizona WMU executive director and acting recording secretary, said.

Looking to the future, Arizona WMU plans to have a stronger relationship with churches, especially with church planters. WMU has many resources to share with all Arizona churches, including resources for children and youth discipleship.

“Pastors and church leaders are encouraged to continue their focus on missions by educating their congregations on the importance of missions in their communities and internationally, and for individuals to prayerfully consider where the Lord would have them participate in a mission project with their church,” Simone Lake, Arizona WMU women’s leadership consultant for the Arizona WMU and Arizona Southern Baptists’ women’s ministry leader, said.

In the past, WMU has been involved with projects that helped support refugees, victims of human trafficking,and individuals with PTSD. In 2022, the focus of their support will be on mental health.

“There is no need to reinvent the wheel,” Linda Hopson, Arizona WMU president, said. “If you can think of a ministry need, WMU has the materials to resource it.”

Churches who want to start WMU ministries are not required to have monthly meetings. WMU has resources and tools to help launch ministries. Online classes are available to meet the busy schedules of those who are interested in using WMU resources.

“This is not your grandma’s WMU,” Hopson stated.

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