Gearing up for the fall merge involving Royal Ambassadors (RAs), which will bring them under the fold of the Woman’s Missionary Union, WMU-North Carolina’s leader observed that the change will be a joint effort.
“I want to assure you that WMU-NC is not ‘taking over’ the car races,” said Ruby Fulbright, executive director-treasurer, referring to the derby races held each year with Royal Ambassadors. “WMU-NC is not ‘taking over’ anything. Helping our children and youth learn of God’s heart for the world and how they can be involved is a joint endeavor.”
N.C. Baptist Men will play a key role in training and helping equip people to lead – not only RAs – but the Challenger program as well.
Fulbright, who “drove” into her annual report in an RA race car and wearing racing gear, gave her report April 21 to 925 women attending the 121st annual Missions Extravaganza April 20-22 at Ridgecrest Conference Center.
“In North Carolina, WMU and Baptist Men have been working together to provide missions education resources, training for leadership and guidance as we enter a new phase of coordinated missions for children and youth,” she said.
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BR photo by Dianna L. Cagle Women bidding at the annual Missions Extravaganza, Woman’s Missionary Union of North Carolina (WMU-NC) annual meeting, raised $11,376 for the Heck-Jones Offering. View photo gallery. |
Music was led by Bud and Barbara Lee, traveling music evangelists from Missouri. The Hanging Dog String Band and the Far Out Four, groups made up of pastors and directors of mission, performed April 20.
Phyllis Elliott Elvington, a member at Tabor City Baptist Church and a big draw during her breakout sessions in previous years, served as the main speaker. Rianna Freeman, a freelance artist, painted three paintings during three sessions in which Elvington spoke.
Each of those sessions tackled the meeting’s theme: “Challenged … prepared … equipped.”
A silent auction raised $11,376 for the Heck-Jones Offering, and an offering during the weekend meeting raised $701 for Heck-Jones and $9,305.95 to be split between the annual prison retreat and Camp Angel Tree, a camp for girls with parents in prison.
Building donated
Fulbright announced the WMU-NC Executive Board agreed March 24 to accept a donation of an office building in Lillington. Closing on the 16,500-square-foot building is expected this month. Renovations will have to be made to the facilities.
“This opportunity has been provided by several missions-minded individuals who firmly believe in the purpose of WMU-NC to ‘challenge, prepare and equip Christian believers to be radically involved in the fulfillment of the Great Commission,’” a WMU press release stated.
Fulbright intimated that the move would save the organization more than $70,000 a year that it currently pays to lease space in Raleigh.
“This truly is a gift,” said Fulbright. “We’ve been praying for God to show us new opportunities; to show us a new ‘thing’; something that might help propel us into the future as the premier missions resource center for N.C. – maybe even beyond.
“I’m dreaming ‘big’ here. But, I see signs that God is doing something in our midst.”
During the financial report, the women approved a 2012 budget of $1,207,689.
This was an increase from the 2011 budget of $1,157,448. With 2011 income at $1,097,664, WMU-NC experienced a $59,748 net loss. The organization transferred funds from its reserve funds to cover the cost.
The 2012 budget reflects expense items relating to the search for a new executive director-treasurer. Fulbright officially retired at the end of 2011, but she remained as acting executive through Missions Extravaganza and to finalize some other duties.
Other changes include: $50,000 for a new financial development director, as well as increases in salaries, money for new software to allow online donations and building a donor database, and increases for Camp Angel Tree and the Prison Retreat.
The women re-elected its officers: Tana Hartsell, president; and Robin Penninger, vice president; Beth McDonald, recording secretary; Denise “Dee Dee” Moody, assistant recording secretary. The vice president of development position is vacant.
Members-at-large approved were: Ruth O. Bass, Region 1; Lori Duke, Region 4; Tammi A. Burdine, Region 6; Irma Robledo, Region 6; Martha Heavner, Region 8; and Karen Burnette, Region 10.
Next year’s annual meeting meeting is April 19-21.
For more, visit wmunc.org.