2008 wnac convention

BACK TO the Basics, Building for THE FUTURE, STORIES OF AMAZING GRACE
 
By Sarah Fletcher
 

THE 2008 WNAC CONVENTION offered a mix of past and future, younger and older, known and unknown. “Taught by the Bible, Led by the Spirit” (TBLS), the 2008-2009 theme unveiled at the two-day event, encourages a back to the basics approach, challenging women to reexamine the foundational truths of Revelation, Redemption, and Relationship.

 
Stories From the Past

Monday’s afternoon tea provided a glance into the lives of four FWB pioneer missionary women. Mothers, daughters, and granddaughters listened together as Laura Thigpen, Mary Ruth Wisehart, Amanda Kilgore, and Lorene Miley shared the following stories of amazing grace:

• The disappointment of a delayed departure for Laura Belle Barnard that provided a 1935 divine appointment at BlackJack FWB Church, when an infant denomination pledged to support her as their missionary.

• The strong yet submissive spirit of Mabel Willey, who chose to see stars above the roof of her mud hut.

• The overcoming power of Christ displayed in a motherless and abandoned child named Trula Cronk, who today encourages others to rise above their circumstances.

• The richness of the intimate relationship between Lorene Miley and Jesus Christ whom she ascribes as protector, personal physician, best friend and lover—“my past, my present, and my future.”

 
Tuesday’s early morning session showcased both past and present. “Postcards from the Journey,” a tribute to Marjorie Workman, WNAC Executive Secretary-Treasurer for the past 10 years, highlighted her many years and multiple avenues of ministry. Narration and video testimonies from friends and coworkers gave attendees an inside (and sometimes humorous) look into the life of this dynamic leader.

Daughters Regena Sizemore and Jennifer Beauchamp (pictured, left), both present for the event, recounted her godly example and affirmed her indelible stamp on their lives as mothers and pastors’ wives. WNAC’s Executive Committee presented Marjorie with a symbolic banner and a cash gift for future travels.

In an abbreviated business session, delegates to the 73rd annual session turned to current matters as they passed the following resolutions:

1. We recommend that scholarships be given from the Cleo Pursell Foreign Student Scholarship Fund as follows:

• International Mission Scholarship ($2,100) to help students) at Semario Bautiste Libre de Panama in Chame, Panama.

• Home Missions Scholarship ($1,200) to help students(s) in training for ministry at our two Mexico Bible Institutes: Altimira Bible Institute and the Seminary of the Cross in Reynosa, at $600 to each institute.

2. We recommend the Missionary Provision Closet be named the “Steward Provision Closet” in memory of Wendell and Lucille Steward from Michigan for their many years of labor for the Provision Closet.

3. We recommend that the WNAC Endowment Fund be named the “Marjorie Workman Endowment Fund.”

4. We resolve as Free Will Baptist women that we reaffirm our stand against same-sex marriage and support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution designating marriage as being the union between one man and one woman. We encourage groups and individuals to send letters to legislators, state and national, to affirm our position.

 
A New Chapter

Unanimous ayes ushered in a new era for WNAC as Danita High, a 28- year-old pastor’s wife from Arkansas received approval as the new WNAC Executive Secretary-Treasurer. Acknowledging the gravity of the position and her many nights of toiling in prayer concerning this appointment, Mrs. High pledged her commitment and loyalty.

Photo: Leaders of WNAC pray over newly-elected Executive Secretary-Treasurer Danita High.

“As humbly as I know how, but with a love for this organization, I want to serve you, to love you, to get to know you as personally as I can.”

A TBLS PowerPoint presentation gave women a fast-forward look at future Bible studies in Together With God magazine and promoted WNAC’s current two-year national project, Building for the Future: 20/20/20.

A goal of $60,000 will help fund building/amoritization costs for mission efforts in Panama and Spain as well as build endowment funds for continued WNAC ministries.
We must balance our back to the basics with forward advances and future plans.
 

Stories in the Making

“Bless the Lord O, my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

Tears were plentiful, dry eyes were few during Tuesday morning’s worship service as missionary Becky Derby (pictured, right) recalled her story of God’s goodness and grace through her diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer.

Quoting Psalm 103:1-5, a passage she claimed and clung to during dark days, this mother of toddler twin boys triumphantly proclaimed God’s praise. “We don’t know what our future holds,” she acknowledged but continued, “I choose to trust my Father.”

Kristi Johnson, missionary to Alpedrete, Spain, shared the story of a decade of ministry to hearts of stone in hard places to a crowd of over 400 at the Tuesday WNAC Luncheon. She sadly commented that the number of shoes most women brought to the convention outnumbers believers in many cities in Spain and noted the importance of establishing relationships for sharing the gospel. The sold-out event featured take-home treasures from various mission fields around the world. Hostesses and missionaries at each table shared requests and blessings from these designated places.
 

Stories Yet Unwritten

I believe the greatest days for WNAC still lie ahead of us. The greater story is still unwritten, New leadership, new enthusiasm, and the anticipation of God’s work around the world will undoubtedly generate more stories of grace as women turn back to the basics and build for the future.

 
About the Writer: Sarah Fletcher is managing editor of Together With God magazine, the official publication of Women Nationally Active for Christ.