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By Courtney Simpson and Julie Walters

Mary Lou Serratt of Amarillo, Texas, is this year's recipient of the Dellanna West O'Brien Award for Women's Leadership Development for her commitment to developing missional leaders, particularly among ethnic groups.

"I have observed Mary Lou as an outstanding Acteens leader, a capable associational WMU director, and officer of WMU of Texas," said Joy Fenner, president of WMU of Texas, "then her heart led her to work with the ethnic women and families who came to her community and church. Out of this church experience came the desire to help develop missions education among the emerging ethnic groups in Texas.

"The Hispanic and Korean work were growing, but multiple other groups needed personal, hands-on assistance," Fenner continued. "Mary Lou patiently works to understand the unique culture of each group, diligently seeks to present the concepts of WMU's missions tasks in simple words and context, finds one or two within each group to mentor, and helps those women to develop strong, working relationships with pastors."

Serratt has been involved with Laotian, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Sudanese, Burundian, Iranian, Iraqi, Korean, Liberian, Burmese Chin, and Karen people through her church, First Baptist Church, in Amarillo for many years according to Carolyn Porterfield, multicultural consultant for WMU of Texas, who nominated Serratt.

"On the state WMU level, Mary Lou has been the catalyst for beginning and strengthening WMU work among Laotian, Cambodian, Vietnamese, Hmong, Thai and Chinese women," Porterfield explained. "She has developed leaders who are now leading in their national ethnic fellowships. It is a joy to see her ‘in action' with the women because her love for them radiates to them and they know it.

"I have watched her pour herself into these women," Porterfeld continued, "to help them develop into confident leaders who are respected by the pastors of their respective churches. Anytime, day or night, she will take their calls and nurture them in the Lord. She is very much loved by our ethnic leadership."

Serratt has served in church, associational, and state WMU leadership. In addition to many years of leading Acteens, she's served as vice-president of WMU of Texas and a volunteer multiethnic consultant, among other leadership roles. She also writes for national WMU for the Missions Plan Book, a resource written in basic English for smaller or new churches, multicultural congregations, and deaf congregations.

Serratt partners in ministry with her husband, Delbert, a former pastor and director of missions, as they serve as consultants for Cambodian churches in Texas. They have two children and five grandchildren.

Established in 1999, the Dellanna West O'Brien Award for Women's Leadership Development for is awarded annually to a Baptist woman who demonstrates the ability to foster leadership in women. It is named in honor of O'Brien who served as executive director/treasurer of national WMU from 1989–1999. The award is accompanied with a grant to help the recipient continue her development and ministry to others.

Serratt was presented this award during the WMU Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting, June 14, in Orlando.

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