BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) — Eden Gilbreath of Stallings Memorial Baptist Church in Salisbury, N.C., and Carolyn Harrell of Calvary Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Ala., have been named as this year’s national Acteens panelists.

“These two young women are role models who clearly have a heart for missions and desire to make disciples of Jesus,” said Heather Keller, national Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) ministry consultant for Girls in Action, Children in Action and Acteens. “I always learn so much from our national Acteens panelists as I work closely with them throughout the year. Each national Acteens panelist is gifted with unique skills and talents, and I am especially looking forward to working with Eden and Carolyn.”

Eden Gilbreath

Gilbreath, 17, shared that since she became a Christian at the age of 9, her faith has been the guiding force in everything she does.

“The more I grow in my relationship with Christ, the more I feel called to serve Him and His people,” she said. “I believe that my purpose in life is to share His love with others, especially those in need. This calling has led me to dedicate my life to mission work, where I can make a tangible difference in the lives of others, both physically and spiritually.

“I am passionate about pursuing a career as a missionary nurse, where I can combine my love for healthcare with my desire to spread the gospel,” Gilbreath continued. “Through nursing, I hope to bring healing and hope to people in underserved communities worldwide. I know that the grace of God has forever changed my life, and I want to be a vessel of His love and mercy to others, no matter where He leads me.”

Darcell Mangan, director of Baptist women at Stallings Memorial Baptist Church, said Gilbreath has exemplary character and is a leader in her church and school with a heart for missions.

“I have never met a young adult more willing to serve others,” Mangan said of Gilbreath. “Eden is an active member of our youth group, invites friends to attend and reaches out to other members trying to keep them excited and involved. When there is an outreach or missions activity, Eden is the first to sign up and assist.”

Carolyn Harrell

Harrell has participated in Acteens for more than six years. She became a Christian at age 7 and said over the past 10 years has learned to rely on God.

“I trust He knows what is best,” Harrell said. “This gives me hope and has affected my view on school, making friends and doing life. I have been able to be a light to friends at school and have watched several friends accept Jesus and be baptized.”

Harrell said by serving as an Acteens panelist, she is looking forward to more opportunities “to use my gifts and talents from the Lord to do His will, the Great Commission. We are called to make disciples and to do so we are to go and serve.”

“Carolyn is without question one of the most faithful and reliable students in our ministry,” said Christopher Anderson, student pastor at Calvary Baptist Church. “When families and students in our church see Carolyn, they think of discipleship and missions.

“She regularly takes initiative to suggest and lead various projects throughout our student ministry, such as a car wash and bake sale for local missions; leading in small group discussions; serving in other areas of our church, such as with the choir and our missions journey ministry; and serving with non-profits in our Tuscaloosa community,” Anderson continued. “Essentially, Carolyn has consistently discovered opportunities for her to lead and has taken those opportunities. She also remains invested in her growth as a follower of Jesus. She is one of the few students who has committed to a long-term one-on-one discipling relationship in our ministry.”

A biblical worldview

Gilbreath and Harrell each have participated in a variety of ongoing missions through Acteens and have served on missions trips. They agree missions discipleship through Acteens has impacted their worldview.

“Acteens has profoundly impacted my spiritual journey, shaping my worldview and deepening my faith,” Gilbreath said. “Acteens has broadened my understanding of the world and deepened my compassion for people from different cultures and backgrounds. Learning about global issues, praying for missionaries and hearing about people’s challenges in other parts of the world have given me a larger perspective.

“Acteens has shown me that the gospel transcends borders, and I feel a deep responsibility to care for others beyond my immediate community. This global outlook has shaped my desire to serve people everywhere, whether that means traveling to foreign lands or supporting those in need closer to home. Through Bible studies, prayer and mentoring relationships I’ve learned to rely on God in every area of my life, and the program has instilled in me habits of spiritual discipline.”

Harrell said, “Getting to know the specific ways, whether simple or complicated, that people can be reached has been fascinating to me. For some you can just make them a coffee, for others maybe you teach them a language, and yet for others you help them understand or get through something painful in their life. As Christians we are called to reach out to all these people. Acteens has helped show me this may not be easy since the world is filled with many ideas and cultures, but we are called to love.”

Gilbreath and Harrell will each be awarded $1,500 through the WMU Foundation from the Jessica Powell Loftis Endowment for Acteens. They will also be featured during the WMU Missions Celebration and annual meeting in Dallas in June.

For more information about Acteens, visit wmu.com/students.

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Julie Walters is corporate communication manager for national WMU.)