FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions
We hope you will join us in Louisville, Kentucky, June 21–22, for the national WMU^® Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting! Through much prayer and planning, we are looking forward to a wonderful time together. The celebration promises an exciting atmosphere for growing missionally, gaining networking opportunities, acquiring resources for all aspects of your life and ministry, and developing a stronger understanding how lives are changed through missions that will, in turn, help to change the world.

Some event features include interactive breakout sessions, relevant for where you are; dialogue with international and North American field personnel; a unique Kentucky Missions Fair; and an opportunity to change lives on the spot in Louisville through the Baptist Fellowship Center.

As you prepare to join us, we thought the following information may be helpful. If you find you still have questions, please feel free to call the WMU events line toll-free at 1-888-968-0322. We look forward to seeing you!

Are reservations required to attend the meeting, breakout sessions, or meal functions?
Reservations are not required to attend the general sessions, breakout sessions, or Disaster Relief meal on Sunday, June 21. However, reservations are required to attend the Change a Life. Change the World.^TM Awards Luncheon on Monday, June 22. Click here for a lunch reservation form.

Where will the WMU Missions Celebration take place? How do I get there?
The WMU^® Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting will be at St. Matthews Baptist Church, 3515 Grandview Avenue, Louisville, Kentucky 40207. The church is just a short drive from the Kentucky Exposition Center, where the Southern Baptist Convention will be held on June 23–24.

From I-64, take Exit 10 (Cannon’s Lane). Go north on Cannon’s Lane. Turn right at Grandview Avenue. Go two blocks to the church.

From I-264 (Watterson Expressway), take Exit 18 (Breckinridge Lane). Go north on Breckinridge. Turn left at Grandview Avenue. Go three blocks to the church.

For help with driving directions from your area, go to www.randmcnally.com or www.mapquest.com.

Where should I stay in Louisville?
You are encouraged to reserve rooms through the Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting Web site at www.sbcannualmeeting.net.

What should I pack to wear? What type of weather can I expect?
Casual dress is fine for general sessions and breakout sessions.

Daytime temperatures should be in the mid-70s to 80s and night time lows in the mid-60s. Be sure to get the latest weather forecast for Louisville before you pack.

Is there anything special I should bring to help support local missions?
You are encouraged to bring school supplies and backpacks for the children’s ministry of the Baptist Fellowship Center in Louisville. Established in 1914, the Baptist Fellowship Center is the oldest Baptist outreach center in the city, and focuses efforts on ministering to inner city families living in poverty.

"Many of the children we serve come from single-parent homes, and more than a third of the parents do not have a high school education," said Jammie Stone, a NAMB missionary who serves as the center’s director of weekday ministries. "Because education can be a key to helping lift these families out of the cycle of poverty, we provide things like school supplies and day camps for the children. It’s a blessing all around . . . a great encouragement to the parents and children, and meeting this tangible need opens the door for evangelism and engaging the families in other services and ministries we offer."

Collection receptacles for the following items will be available upon arrival:

All donated items will go the Baptist Fellowship Center to help the children and families they serve.

When should I get there?
Beginning at 4:00 P.M. on Sunday, June 21, you’ll want to stop by the registration desk first to pick up important information about the Missions Celebration. Then enjoy a unique Kentucky Missions Fair, check out the Passport to Missions interactive area, shop in the WMU^® Bookstore, and much more! Plus, the Kentucky Disaster Relief Feeding Unit and Communications Unit will be onsite; for just a $5 donation to this ministry, you can enjoy a meal similar to what is served when the Unit responds to disasters. (No reservation is required; meals will be served while supplies last from 4:30 P.M.–6:00 P.M.)

The first general session will begin Sunday, June 21, at 6:30 P.M., with presession music at 6:00 P.M.

Will there be giving opportunities to support missions?
Yes, you will have two opportunities to support WMU^® by giving through the WMU Foundation.

On Monday, June 22, an offering will be collected for the WMU Vision Fund, which supports all ministries of WMU, including International Initiatives^SM, WorldCrafts^SM, Volunteer Connection^®, and Project HELP^SM. A $34 gift to the Vision Fund will provide one hour of WMU ministries. Please prayerfully consider making a gift to support one or more hours of life-changing ministry through WMU.

There will also be a truly creative way to support missions! For a gift of $34 to the WMU Vision Fund, you are invited to join the WMU Foundation and paint your very own "missions masterpiece." Offered on Sunday, June 21, from 5:15–6:15 P.M., and on Monday, June 22, during the afternoon breakout sessions, you can know that, as you paint, WMU ministry is taking place somewhere in the world. Your original painting will be a reflection of WMU ministry and will serve as a frame-worthy reminder to pray for missions. No art experience or creativity required! An instructor will lead you step-by-step and stroke-by-stroke until your missions masterpiece is complete; all supplies are included. It will be fun, relaxing, and for someone in the world, life-changing.

Checks should be made payable to the WMU Foundation, designated for the Vision Fund.

Will there be a store on-site to purchase resources and items from WMU?
Yes! For your convenience, there will be a WMU^® Bookstore onsite with the latest missional resources from WMU, inspiring books from New Hope^® Publishers, and unique gifts from WorldCrafts^SM. Hours of operation will be Sunday, June 21, 4:00 P.M.–6:30 P.M., and Monday, June 22, 10:00 A.M.–5:00 P.M. Accepted methods of payment include cash, check, MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover.

What is there to do in Louisville?
Interested in checking out the sites while in Louisville? The city is a great place to visit with 120 unique attractions in the Louisville Metro area. Visit www.gotolouisville.com for more information.