WMU in the Church

WMU^® offers organizations and approaches, as well as ministries, that enable every member of the church to learn about missions, become involved in missions, and live a missional lifestyle. WMU offers many opportunities to fulfill the six objectives of WMU that are at the heart of missions education.

Through the organizations and approaches, adults, students, children, and preschoolers learn about the work and needs of missionaries. There are opportunities to participate personally in missions projects as well as develop a missions lifestyle—something for everyone.

Do not worry if your church is small and cannot offer all of the organizations or approaches. Offer those that meet the needs of your congregation. Many churches begin with only one children’s organization. Some begin with an adult organization. What works well in one church may not work in another. Perhaps a combination of approaches, organizations, and churchwide activities work best for your church. The important thing is that all people have the opportunity to radically participate in the mission of God.

What Can WMU Do for My Church?

WMU creates an environment to hear and understand God’s call and receive nurturing in that call.
WMU creates an awareness and sensitivity toward people of other cultures and languages as people whom God loves.
Churches with WMU are more likely to have a more actively involved laity in all areas of church missions and ministry.*
WMU leads people to experience missions personally through mission action and witness.
WMU develops leaders for missions efforts among all age groups.
WMU begins at the birth of a child, teaching her or him about God’s great love for all people.
The activities of those involved in WMU help a church fulfill its mission.
WMU helps a church stay focused on the commission Jesus gave His followers.
WMU creates a window to the world.

*2008 Annual Church Profile, Southern Baptist Convention

Each benefit (mentioned above) is an outgrowth of the objectives of WMU:

Pray for missions.
Engage in mission action and witnessing.
Learn about missions.
Support missions.
Develop spiritually toward a missions lifestyle.
Participate in the work of the church and the denomination.

WMU provides a variety of opportunities to involve all church members. These may be one-time events, short-term activities, ongoing projects, and awareness opportunities.

Examples of church member involvement:

Families on Mission
Prayer for domestic and international missionaries and unreached people groups
Bible studies that relate to God’s missions purpose
Giving of money and time for missions causes
Annual learning opportunities of contemporary missions—North America and international
Local mission action and witnessing projects
Volunteer missions projects in the US and abroad

Missions for All Ages: Organizations and Approaches
For churches interested in growing and strengthening Christ followers through missions education, WMU offers ongoing missions organizations and approaches for boys and girls, men and women, and coed groups in all-age levels.

Preschoolers

Mission Friends^®—birth through kindergarten

Children

Girls in Action^®—girls grades 1–6
Royal Ambassadors^®—boys grades 1–6
Children in Action^SM—children grades 1–6
Students

Acteens^®—girls grades 7–12
Challengers^®—boys grades 7–12
Youth on Mission^SM—youth grades 7–12

Adults

myMISSIONfulfilled (Web-based)—collegiate and young women
Women on Mission^®
Adults on Mission^SM

Missions Approaches
Families on Mission^TM—families with preschoolers and children

Change the World Through Focused Ministries
Involvement in ministries provided by WMU can excite change in the world. Ministry opportunities rely on the initiative and participation of the church, association, and state WMUs.

If nothing else, WMU has a history of flexibility! Since 1888, WMU has worked with local churches, associations, state conventions, and national entities to provide missions education organizations for all ages in the local church.

Throughout the Bible, God’s desire and instruction for His people is that they be involved in His mission of making Himself known among all nations.

The term missions is the work of God through His people—the church—by which the gospel of Jesus is extended in word and deed to all the people in the world.

For followers of Christ, missions is an integral part of being a believer. WMU is a channel in a church that can help them find their way.