National WMU

In 2023, your prayers and support of made a difference to the featured North American Mission Board (NAMB) missionaries! Read about how socks, shoes, and the gospel were shared in Nevada; learn how meals and the gospel were shared in South Dakota; and hear Women on Mission groups tell their story of giving in this blog post: https://wmu.com/together-small-groups-make-big-impact-through-christmas-in-august/

We love seeing how your families learn about missions! 🌍 Each month, Lindsay Holland uses Missions Mosaic to teach her children about missionaries and how to pray for them. Her husband, Ben, is the pastor of Dunkirk Baptist Church in Dunkirk, Maryland.

Lindsay sets up “Supper around the World” for her family, where they eat food and do activities related to that month’s missions focus. These photos show their missions adventures learning about Alaska (eating fish and pretending to dogsled), Atlanta (pretending to eat at The Varsity), Baltimore (learning about Annie Armstrong and her hometown), China (learning about Lottie Moon and her cookie recipe), and Uganda (eating on the floor with no utensils and trying jackfruit)!

How do you teach your family about missions? Get a subscription to Missions Mosaic here: https://www.wmustore.com/missions-mosaic

Read this month’s Spotlight Update on Victor and Madeline Hawthorne in Southeast Asia. Madeline tells a beautiful story of a Deaf woman whose changed life has opened many doors for gospel ministry.

https://wmu.com/spotlight-update-victor-and-madeline-hawthorne-in-southeast-asia/

Pray for our missionaries of the week, John and Tiffany Jou, who serve in Downers Grove, Illinois. Planted by the Jous in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, One Six Eight Community Church intentionally meets community needs in the suburbs of Chicago. One example is the church’s partnership with a school for autistic students.

The church longs to be a part of its community’s flourishing. John teaches church members to get involved by inviting their neighbors into their daily lives and sharing the love of Jesus along the way.

One Six Eight Community Church is also committed to multiplying its ministry. From the day the church started, John and Tiffany have been training another couple to go out and plant a church of their own.

PRAY the Lord would give the Jous wisdom as they seek to plant gospel seeds in suburban Chicago.

For more missionary prayer requests like this, subscribe to Missions Mosaic: https://www.wmustore.com/missions-mosaic

Last week, we introduced our new series of sharing weekly Bible verses that are featured in “50 Steps with Jesus: Learning to Walk Daily with the Lord.” In this resource, each week is focused on a theme of study. Week one’s theme is “Who Am I Now?” based on 2 Corinthians 5:17.

“50 Steps with Jesus” is made for a mature believer to walk alongside a new or young-in-the-faith believer. Buy a copy for yourself and the person you are discipling: https://www.wmustore.com/50-steps-with-jesus

“Working out our ‘why’ about serving somewhere is imperative if we want to stay put until the Lord instructs us to pick up our tent and move onward.” (What Joy! How to Stay and Not Flee, p. 10)

In this new book, missionary Veronica Stone shares fascinating stories and lessons learned from her family’s first 10 years on the international missions field.

Get the book: https://www.wmustore.com/what-joy-how-to-stay-and-not-flee

On this day 174 years ago, Annie Armstrong was born. Today, we celebrate the profound and unprecedented impact Annie had on SBC missions in North America and around the world!

Learn more about and the offering named after her: wmu.com/annie

Why are we inviting children of all ages to participate in our craft stick houseboat project? We want children to learn about the Cooperative Program and see what can happen when we work together. The Cooperative Program is bigger than all of us.

Read the blog: https://wmu.com/inviting-children-of-all-ages/

What does it mean to be kind and make friends? Why is this important? Preschoolers will explore the whys and hows of being kind to others and making friends as they interact with the engaging text and colorful pictures found in “Be Kind, Make Friends.”

Buy the book here: https://www.wmustore.com/be-kind-make-friends

Mission Friends

Pray for our missionary of the week, Alli McCarty, who serves with European Peoples. The day after Alli graduated college, she went on her first missions trip. She wasn’t a believer yet, but a few weeks after that life-changing experience, she put her faith in Christ. God ignited a desire for missions in her.

Alli shared that time spent on mission was instrumental in bringing her to Christ. There was just something about “seeing true Christians living out authentic faith on the missions field.”

From that time forward, she was all in. “The fact that there are more than 2 billion people across the world who don’t know Christ continues to challenge me to ask how I can stay here and not go,” she said.

Alli is now living in Hungary, learning the language, and preparing to reach students through teaching business skills in a collegiate setting. She also serves Ukrainian refugees who have found a safe haven in Hungary.

Alli is thankful for the way God shaped her in between her calling and her commissioning.

PRAY God would use Alli’s story to inspire people to go all in for Jesus.

For more missionary prayer requests like this, subscribe to Missions Mosaic: https://www.wmustore.com/missions-mosaic

Over the next several weeks, we will be sharing a series of Bible verses that are featured in our new resource, “50 Steps with Jesus: Learning to Walk Daily with the Lord.” With this workbook, you can engage in one-on-one discipleship with a new believer in a seven-week study.

Get the resource: https://www.wmustore.com/50-steps-with-jesus

As we celebrate Independence Day in the United States, remember that we are to be in the world but not of the world. Praise Him that our citizenship is in heaven!

PRAISE: Your prayers and generosity toward our 2024 Christmas in August missionaries are already at work! Jessica and Scotty Santiago — who lead a prison ministry in Tampa, Florida — are one of our featured North American Mission Board (NAMB) missionaries. Jessica just shared with us that Scotty lost his brother to a sudden heart attack on April 1, and just a month later, Scotty had to undergo unexpected open-heart surgery — a triple bypass.

“This year, July 4th has a special meaning to us,” Jessica said. “Because not only is it just days before our 20th wedding anniversary, but it also marks week nine of us celebrating the extended life that the Lord gave to us. However, it also marks nine weeks of Scotty being out of work, but the Lord used our wonderful WMU family to supply our needs.”

Because of your gifts, Jessica and Scotty have been back inside the prisons three times, even while they are still in the midst of Scotty’s cardio rehab.

“We never expected gifts this early, but God knew and touched each church and person to help us get back into prison earlier than later, and we trust that God will continue to meet our needs moving forward,” Jessica said.

Jessica said they can see the evidence of WMU prayer support as doctors have told them that Scotty is healing quicker and better than expected. Jessica and Scotty covet your continued prayers for his recovery!

You can learn more about Christmas in August and how to support the Santiagos at wmu.com/christmasinaugust

As you prepare for the new church year to start in the fall, you’re likely thinking of who will lead your mission discipleship groups like Mission Friends. Here’s your toolbox for finding new Mission Friends leaders!

Read the blog: https://wmu.com/toolbox-for-finding-new-mission-friends-leaders/

Don’t miss watching this great podcast conversation from the Women’s Expo of featuring Stephanie Newton, lead strategist for adult and multicultural audiences.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fW9LuD4L1jM

Our monthly focus for July is Southeast Asia and Deaf Peoples! Missionaries in Southeast Asia are reaching an often-overlooked group of people with the gospel: the Deaf community.

Find extra digital resources (such as free downloads, prayer requests, and videos) that go along with this month’s focus at wmu.com/thismonth.

Pray for our missionaries of the week, Brad and Lindsay Ormonde in Calimesa, California. Calimesa began as a retirement community, but in recent years, it has developed into a new, thriving community with many first-time homebuyers. The Ormondes started Garden City Church to reach young families flocking to one of California’s fastest-growing cities.

To build relationships with these young families, each summer the church hosts a back-to-school bash for all the students in the area. Garden City Church also welcomes people new to the neighborhood by helping them pay for their moving truck. Through this ministry, the church has shared the gospel and seen lives changed.

PRAY God would meet Garden City Church’s needs for a new building as the church shares the gospel and provides for people in Calimesa. Ask God to give the church not only a place to meet on Sundays but a hub of hope throughout the week.

For more missionary prayer requests like this, subscribe to Missions Mosaic: https://www.wmustore.com/missions-mosaic

Dwell in the shelter of the Most High, and rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

Watch the full video of the “Solutions for Missional Engagement” CP Stage panel discussion led by Connie Dixon at . The discussion included Mark Bethea, Joe Wright, and Stephanie Newton.

2024 CP Stage - Solutions for Missional Engagement - Monday, June 10 HD 720p Connie Dixon, Mark Bethea, Joe Wright, and Stephanie Newton emphasize the importance of the Cooperative Program and the WMU while discussing solutions for gr...

Preschoolers are learning the art of conversation and the give and take that comes with talking with others. We can make the most of the time by following 11 best practices for talking with preschoolers.

Read the blog: https://wmu.com/best-practices-for-talking-with-preschoolers/

Watch the “Mental Health for the Next Gen” CP Stage panel discussion led by Sandy Wisdom-Martin at . The discussion included Gay Williams and Julie and Ryan Busler.

2024 CP Stage - WMU - Mental Health for the Next Generation - Monday, June 10 HD 720p Sandy Wisdom-Martin leads a discussion on mental health for the next generation. Panelists include Gay Williams, Julie Busler, and Ryan Busler.

Farmville Baptist Church in Auburn, Alabama, shared that their kids are participating in our craft stick houseboat project and are using our Cooperative Program lesson. We love to see how the kids in your churches are learning about working together!

Learn more and get the lessons: https://wmu.com/craft-stick-houseboat-and-the-cooperative-program/

Today is National PTSD Awareness Day. The events that led one to experience PTSD cannot be erased, but with God, fear can be conquered, and help is present.

Read the blog: https://wmu.com/peace-is-possible-living-with-ptsd/

Watch the full video of the “On Mission Together” CP Stage panel discussion facilitated by Sandy Wisdom-Martin at . The discussion included Ben Mandrell, Nate Adams, and Carolyn Fountain.

2024 CP Stage - WMU On Mission Together - Monday, June 10 HD 720p Sandy Wisdom-Martin facilitates a discussion with Ben Mandrell, Nate Adams, and Carolyn Fountain on the importance of being "On Mission" together.

It’s fun to learn about missions, but how about actually supporting and doing missions? Here are two opportunities coming up in August: and . Start planning today!

Read the blog: https://wmu.com/2-ways-to-support-and-do-missions-in-august/

Do you want life-size cutouts of Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong like we had displayed at the WMU booth during ? You can make your own! Simply download the free files and take them to your local printer so you can create life-size cutouts for your church.

Lottie Moon cutout file: https://www.imb.org/photos/image/lottiecutout/

Annie Armstrong cutout file: https://www.anniearmstrong.com/resource/annie-life-size-cut-out/

As we wrap June’s focus on Houston, Texas, and Buddy and Melanie Brents, please pray over these prayer requests from Mission Friends that are found in the Preschool section of our digital resources at wmu.com/thismonth.

Prayer Requests
- Pray that new leaders will help at Nations Church Houston.
- Pray that people from the church will continue to tell others about Jesus and many people will choose to love Jesus.
- Pray that the Lord will help the Brentses start new churches and that many people will learn more about Jesus.
- Pray that Mr. and Mrs. Brents will be ready to share Jesus with people from other religions.
- Pray for volunteer helpers and teams to travel to Houston and help the Brentses tell people about Jesus.

Lift up our missionary of the week, Sarah Mitchell, who serves with Deaf Peoples. When Sarah first moved to Bangkok, Thailand, to serve as a Journeyman to the Deaf with IMB, it was the first time she’d lived anywhere besides the house where she grew up.

Sarah was quickly immersed not only in Thailand’s culture but also in Deaf culture. “It’s been amazing to see, despite challenges, how faithful God is every single day,” she said. “Meeting Deaf people in a city of 15 million is not easy. But the Lord has taken me, an ordinary person, and put me in the right places at the right times.”

On the way to a meeting with friends, she noticed a fruit vendor with a sign indicating she was Deaf. Sarah began signing to her in Thai Sign Language. The woman, named Kamala, was excited to meet someone she could communicate with.

Sarah learned Kamala was a believer and had been praying for God to send her a Christian friend who could teach her the Bible. They’ve met several times, and each time Kamala comes ready to study the Word. Though their time is limited, she relishes the Bible stories Sarah shares with her in Thai Sign Language.

PRAY God would continue to speak to the Deaf and remind them they are not alone in Christ.

For more missionary prayer requests like this, subscribe to Missions Mosaic: https://www.wmustore.com/missions-mosaic

Remember to walk in God’s ways and fear Him.