Kendra Graham was the keynote speaker for the Missions Extravaganza conference April 24.
“Church is a verb, not a noun. We want it to be a noun but He wants it to be a verb,” said Bible teacher Kendra Graham. Graham was the keynote speaker for the Woman’s Missionary Union of North Carolina’s (WMU NC) annual Missions Extravaganza conference on April 24.
The organization’s 130th annual meeting explored the theme Relentless and brought with it a new method for participation as the conference went virtual for the first time this year.
WMU NC maintained its focus on missions and encouraged participants to live out a relentless faith and pursue Hebrews 10:39 in their lives.
“God can speak through cameras, technology, in person and when in a room,” Graham said as she encouraged listeners to be bold in sharing the gospel.
“Anyone can speak the message,” she said. “God is asking us to be the gospel. Oh, that all our names would represent the gospel.”
Graham challenged attendees to see themselves on mission with God, always believing He can do the impossible. She shared a story about Hudson Taylor and his early days on the mission field. She shared what Taylor once said: “God’s work, done God’s way, will never lack supply.”
Susan Lafferty served as worship leader.
Susan Lafferty served as the worship leader for the conference. Lafferty inspired participants with a mix of stories from her time on the mission field and moving worship music.
Missions continued to be at the forefront throughout 16 virtual breakout sessions. They featured North American Mission Board, CBF and International Mission Board missionaries. Participants will have an opportunity to go back and watch all the breakout sessions at any time within 90 days of the event.
Participants were also able to view a virtual Missions Market of WMU NC’s Baptist partners.
Business and voting
One order of business was to elect officers and new executive board members. Deborah Taylor of Lumberton was elected for the second year as president. Barbara Hill of Statesville was reelected as vice president; Kim Bounds of Pfafftown, as vice president of development; Beth McDonald of Rockingham as recording secretary and Allison Markwood of High Point as assistant recording secretary.
WMU NC welcomed the following new executive board members: Brenda Rose of Northside Community Church in Rocky Mount, region 2; Valerie Wilson of Calvary Baptist Church in Shallotte, region 3; Caroline Jones of Buies Creek First Baptist Church in Buies Creek, region 4; Ruth Todd of First Baptist Church, Pinehurst, region 4; Janice Sharpe of Hiddenite Baptist Church in Hiddenite, region 7; Debbie Johnson of First Baptist Church, Lowell, region 8; Linda Bradley of Fruitland Baptist Church in Hendersonville, region 9; Jaime Sharpe of Fruitland Baptist Church in Hendersonville, region 9; Nancy Kilpatrick of Boylston Baptist Church in Mills River, region 9; and Linda Todd Phelps of First Baptist Church, Sylva, region 10.
A video tribute was given to Julie Keith in the afternoon worship service as she celebrated retirement from her role as the Student, Collegiate and Young Women’s Consultant for WMU NC. Keith served as a consultant with WMU for 27 years, 22 years with WMU NC and five years with WMU of Kentucky.
Worship and breakout sessions will be available to watch at www.wmunc.org/missions-me-2021 until July 23.
The next Missions Extravaganza conference will be held April 22-23, 2022, at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church in Fayetteville, N.C.
