Woman’s Missionary Union
Overview
for language congregations

“For we are laborers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9a KJV).

This is a special verse for Woman’s Missionary Union®. We call it our permanent watchword. It explains that all we do is possible only as we work together with God.

What is Woman’s Missionary Union?
WMU® is an organization with one purpose: to help the church carry out its mission by helping all its members take part in missions.
          Since its beginning in 1888, Woman’s Missionary Union has been true to its basic purpose: missions. WMU supports the Southern Baptist Convention and its International Mission Board and North American Mission Board.
          Jesus told his followers to go and share the gospel (see Matthew 28:18-20). Missions means obeying these words of Jesus. WMU wants to help all believers share the gospel in their communities, in the nation, and around the world.

What are the goals of Woman’s Missionary Union?
Each goal of Woman’s Missionary Union is based on what the Bible tells us to do. There are five goals:

• Pray for and give to missions.
The early Christians supported the work of missionaries. Philippians 1:19 and 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 are just two of the many references that tell us this. By praying for and giving to missions, people in the church can take part in sharing the gospel with the whole world. Missionaries go to places around the world to tell people who are not Christians about the Savior. We help make this possible by praying and giving through our churches.

• Do missions.
In Matthew 25:34-40, Jesus clearly states that when we minister to the needs of others, we are showing our love for God. WMU encourages and provides opportunities for church members to minister and witness to those who are not Christians. This can happen in a local community, in other parts of the nation, or in other parts of the world. It includes both ministry and witness.

• Learn about missions.
Paul took time to tell the early churches what was happening in His missionary efforts. Acts 14:2 gives us one example of this. Learning about missions helps church members know, understand and change their attitudes. It helps them develop methods and abilities to pray for, give to, and do missions.

• Develop spiritually toward a missions lifestyle.
Paul encouraged the early Christians to let God’s power make them strong so they could work for Him (Ephesians 1:15–2:10). WMU helps people grow in their understanding of Who God is and what He is calling them to do. As they grow closer to God, people can see their part in fulfilling the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20.

• Take part in the work of the church and the denomination.
The church’s early members cooperated and worked together (Acts 2:43–47 and 11:19–30). WMU members and leaders are a part of the work of the whole church. This includes worship, evangelism, missions, ministry, discipleship, and fellowship.

How can WMU help a church fulfill its missions purpose?
Each church will decide how WMU can be most helpful to them. Not every church will choose to include the goals of WMU in the same way. Here are some possible choices:

1. Missions activities for the whole church
Any church gathering can be an opportunity to include or introduce missions learning, praying, giving, or activities.
          For example, the whole church can learn about missions when the pastor invites people who share the gospel to speak to the congregation. Missions facts may be included in a church newsletter or as part of an interest center in the church building. Youth may prepare a drama about missions.
          The church can be active in praying for missions as members share missions prayer requests in worship services. Church members may also use prayer guides that are available from state WMU offices at special times.
          The church can give through special offerings for missions work. Church members can learn about these offerings during the Week of Prayer for International Missions, the Week of Prayer for North American Missions, and at other times when your church talks about missions work in your state or in the world.
          The whole church may work together to do ministry projects such as providing clothing and food to those in need, helping new people in the community to adjust, or providing after school care for children whose parents work.
          Witnessing can be done through the church regularly. It is good when churches train adults and youth how to share their faith, and then give opportunities to pray for one another.

2. Age-level missions organizations
Another way a church can choose to fulfill God’s missions plan is to provide age-level organizations.
          Some churches begin with churchwide activities, then later decide they need to add groups for age levels (preschool, children, youth, or adults). Other churches have one or more age-level organizations from the beginning.
          Age-level organizations offer the greatest opportunity for missions lifestyle development as they help church members to focus on the missions goals of WMU regularly. Churches need to look at the needs and desires of their congregations to decide if they want to offer more intense missions opportunities.
          In some churches, boys and girls meet together. Other churches have separate organizations.

3. Missions activities for the whole church along with age-level organizations.
Many churches plan a full program of ongoing missions education as they grow. They include both churchwide and age-level organizations.

Who are the leaders in Woman’s Missionary Union?
The WMU leadership team leads WMU in the local church. This team may include each of the following people:
          The WMU director works with the pastor and other church leaders to plan, direct, and evaluate (help to improve) the work of WMU in the church. It is important for every church to have a WMU director.
          The assistant WMU director helps the age-level organizations, encourages growth in the groups, and keeps WMU records.
          Age-level representatives are leaders from each age level. These people work with the WMU director to provide missions information and opportunities for the age-level organizations they lead in the church. There should be a representative for each WMU age-level organization in the church.
          The WMU churchwide missions coordinator works with the WMU director to provide missions information and opportunities for the entire congregation. She may invite project leaders to help with specific projects.
          Not every church will have all of these people on its WMU leadership team. The choices you make about how to do WMU will help you determine the members of your team. The pastor, or person he selects, may be included on the WMU leadership team.

Where can you find help for organizing WMU in your church?
Contact your associational director of missions for the names of WMU leaders in your area. Training meetings are available in your association and state, and also on the national level. These training sessions are designed to help your WMU leaders and members understand their responsibilities and learn ways to do missions through the church. Some free materials are also available from your state WMU office.

Things to Remember:
•You do not have to do everything mentioned in this overview.
•You do not have to have a large amount of money.
•You do not need to have a large group of people for each activity or age-level.
•You do need to make choices according to your church size, number of members, and level of interest.
•You do need to pray that all you do will be according to God’s plan for the growth and ministry of your church in its community, across the nation, and around the world.

These materials are available through WMU Customer Service at 1-800-295-6536, or through our online bookstore.
•Missions Education Leaders Guide for Language Churches
  Gives the biblical basis of missions and ideas for organizing missions education in a church.
  Basic English L953140 $3.95
  French L983104 $3.95
•WMU Guide for Korean Baptist Churches
  Korean L973130 $3.95
•Missions Plan Book for the current year
  Helps you plan missions opportunities for the whole year.
  Basic English with clip art in several languages

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