Carolyn Weatherford Crumpler

Carolyn Weatherford Crumpler served as executive director/treasurer of WMU, SBC, from 1974 to 1989. Mrs. Crumpler was the first woman to chair the North American Baptist Fellowship, presiding over two major continental meetings in 1979 and 1980. Nine different Baptist denominations were represented on this fellowship.

During her tenure as executive director, national WMU moved from the 600 North 20th Street South building into their current building on Missionary Ridge. Her greatest contribution may have been in public relations. An engaging speaker, she promoted WMU's visibility not only through speaking engagements but also by use of videotapes and audiotapes. Mrs. Crumpler is the author of If I Had Known: What Happens When I Study Missions; My Life: More Fit for Him (co-authored with Barbara Massey); Our Father, The Doctrine of Prayer, and God Has Done His Part, Bible Teachings on Support of Missions.

WMU events that occurred during the tenure of Carolyn Weatherford Crumpler:

1. The title "executive secretary" was changed to "executive director." (1976)
2. Missiologists were studying why the SBC was increasing its missions work while other denominations had declined. (1977)
3. Campus BYW was begun. (1977)
4. WMU promoted and provided materials for Big A Clubs, materials to use (primarily) with young children, primarily from transitional communities, who were unchurched. (1977)
5. The WMU office building in downtown Birmingham was expanded into a small, rear garden plot at a cost of $500,000. (1977)
6. Round Table Book Club was started, in conjunction with Baptist Book Stores. (1977)
7. Acteens Activators, a volunteer missions program, began. (1978)
8. The tenure limit for national president was set at five years. (1981)
9. Baptist Nursing Fellowship^SM was organized, with WMU providing a national office and staff. (1983)
10. WMU first produced videotape products. (1983)
11. WMU relocated to a new office building on Missionary Ridge. (1984)
12. New Hope^® Publishers was established as a separate company name for publishing more general Christian materials. (1985)
13. WMU observed its centennial; a 100-year anniversary celebration was held in Richmond, Virginia, in May.