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WMU-NC launches new partnership
Dianna L. Cagle, BR Production Editor
December 18, 2013
5 MIN READ TIME

WMU-NC launches new partnership

WMU-NC launches new partnership
Dianna L. Cagle, BR Production Editor
December 18, 2013

As Tana Hartsell stood in front of the messengers at the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina annual meeting Nov. 12, she listed some of the achievements of the women, men, boys and girls of North Carolina.

“We have witnessed God in individual lives and through our organizations and ministries,” said Hartsell, president of Woman’s Missionary Union of North Carolina (WMU-NC).

“The foundation of Woman’s Missionary Union is the basic core value that we believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, gave His life a sacrifice for salvation of people in all the world fulfilling God’s plan for the ages as revealed in the Bible, God’s Holy Word.

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BR photo by Dianna L. Cagle

Tana Hartsell, president of Woman’s Missionary Union of North Carolina, addresses messengers Nov. 12 during the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina annual meeting.

This is the guiding light that propels Woman’s Missionary Union of North Carolina to challenge, prepare and equip Christian believers to be radically involved in the fulfillment of the Great Commission.”

Adults, students and children in churches and associations across North Carolina have “arisen to ensure that indeed God’s story lives on,” Hartsell said, highlighting several of the ministries.

Through SHINE (Serving God, Helping Others, Inspiring Believers, Networking Community, Experiencing Christ), young women ages 18-35 participated in its first mission trip to Pittsburgh, Pa.

In its effort towards missions education, WMU-NC took part in a special day in October at Campbell University highlighting the ministries of the organization.

“God plants the mission seed in women and men, boys and girls through missions education, and He waters it with a passion to arise and shine to support missions with our prayers, our financial resources and our personal involvement,” she said.

That responsibility towards education prompted the Christian Women’s Leadership Certification program through Campbell University Divinity School, which now has three women who have completed the courses.

Habitat for Humanity work continued through WMU-NC. The women took part in a build in Randolph County. In its sixth year, a Habitat leader expressed thanks and praise for hard work on the house in Randolph County. One volunteer said, “I’m doing it because I like to be where God is working miracles.”

Hartsell also drew attention to military missions and Sisters Who Care (SWC). SWC is a ministry focused on African-American women and their involvement in ministry. Through SWC eyeglasses are collected and sent to impoverished areas to aid in ministry.

Military missions can vary depending on the needs or desire of the area. Some may participate in prayer partnerships, encouragement and military family support. A ministry that Hartsell mentioned was a retreat for military wives being scheduled in October 2014. She asked messengers to consider providing scholarships for women to attend.

Each year WMU-NC hosts a prison retreat for women who are incarcerated in the five women’s correctional facilities across North Carolina.

Partnership in Armenia

For the first time in its history WMU-NC has formed a foreign partnership. Hartsell shared about the new partnership with Armenia and thanked North Carolina Baptist Men (NCBM) for helping with navigating the path. NCBM also has a partnership with Armenia.

In September 2012 a team of seven women went on the first WMU-NC-sponsored trip to Armenia.

“It was an amazing experience,” Hartsell said.

In May 2013 the WMU-NC Executive Board approved the partnership between WMU-NC and Armenian Baptists. Hartsell said the goal is to work with the women on their role in the church and helping them know how to minister in the communities. A team went in May and worked with approximately 130 women in 10 churches.

As part of the partnership WMU-NC had someone develop a 2.5-year course of study for women at the seminary in Armenia. The first class was taught in September with 17 women enrolled.

Hartsell mentioned that a couple was going this month to Guatamala with a representative from the Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina in hopes of establishing a children’s home there. (See story in the Jan. 4, 2014, issue.)

She also highlighted the 2014 theme for the Heck-Jones Offering – “A Cord of Three Strands: His story, our story, your story.” The theme is based on Ecclesiastes 4:12. The Week of Prayer is scheduled February 10-16. Promotional materials are available via wmunc.org.

WMU-NC sponsored a writing competition among the children involved in its organization. Children were asked to write a story about someone who exemplifies a mission lifestyle. Winners of this contest will be featured during the Heck-Jones Offering and will attend a camp free of charge.

“It’s our desire to work with every woman, with every man, with every boy, with every girl, to reach across the street, down the street and to the other side, building those relationships that tear down barriers that so often keep people from knowing the love of Christ,” she said.