November 17, 1999
Texas WMU looks
'Beyond Borders' in El Paso meeting
___By Jerilynn Armstrong
___SBC Annuity Board
___EL PASO--Meeting in El Paso, the largest "borderplex" in the United States, Woman's Missionary Union of Texas chose the theme "Beyond Borders" to challenge participants to cross personal and cultural boundaries and share the gospel across all the borders of the world.
___Included in the Nov. 9 session was a tribute to Bill Pinson for his 17 years of service as executive director of the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Texas WMU honoredPinson and his wife, Bobbie, by contributing $1,700 in their honor to the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions and the Bobbie Pinson Ministry Fund and an additional $1,700 as a personal gift.
TEXAS WMU OFFICERS are Jeane Law, Kay Kolb, Lynette Adam, Beth Campbell and Nelda Taylor. (Photo by Melody Loggins/BGCT)
___Pinson thanked Texas WMU for their support and commitment during his years of service and then issued a challenge to stay the course.
___"These are tough times for WMU. The national office is cutting staff and facing many obstacles and opposition," Pinson said. "But I have every confidence that Texas WMU will move forward in a positive and optimistic way."
___Pinson told the 350 participants he was speaking frankly and sharing his heart.
___"I believe there are many challenges facing WMU and Texas Baptists these days," he said. "The first challenge is our churches do not have missions as a priority. In every survey, churches rank worship, fellowship and Bible study above missions. These are not bad things, but our Lord's last testament was, 'You shall be my witnesses,' and our churches should take heed of this command and make it a priority."
___The second challenge is organizations inside and outside the church that compete for members' time, Pinson said. "Sundays are no longer set aside as a day of worship, but days of sporting events and recreation."
___The third challenge is the "ministries with and for women in our local churches," he said. "Women are gathering to study the Bible weekly, but they never are challenged to do anything to apply the Bible and thrust themselves out into the world for Christ. Also, many studies major in self-interest and dismiss the mission dimension. No courses on self-esteem and personal growth will take the place of missions and reaching the world.
___"I challenge you to continue to push upstream against the crowd because God will not allow the door to be shut on reaching our world," he said.
___Barbara Joiner, a Christian author, spoke on the theme throughout the session.
___Author of a book on spiritual gifts, "Yours for the Giving," Joiner told the participants, "Once you discover your gifts it allows you to go beyond the boundaries of your world to God's world."
___Testimonies and updates on sharing the gospel across local and international borders were shared.
___Kathy Hillman, WMU director for Waco Baptist Association, told of WMU's participation in "Project HELP: Violence" in Waco. In May, more than 500 people participated in a prayer walk around the secondary schools in the Waco school district praying for the safety of students, parents and faculty.
___In her annual report, Texas WMU Executive Director Joy Fenner updated participants on the work of WMU and emphasized WMU's commitment to missions and mission education.
___"God's landscape is borderless," she said. "His love and redemption are for all people. My heart's desire is the mission of a church is Christ's mission to make and mature disciples of all nations."
___Officers elected to serve Texas WMU in the next year are Jeane Law, First Baptist Church of Lubbock, president; Kay Kolb, Greenwood Baptist Church of Midland, recording secretary; Lynette Adam, Champion Forest Baptist Church of Houston, first promotional vice president; Beth Campbell, Indian Hills Baptist Church of Grand Prairie, second promotional vice president; Nelda Taylor, First Baptist Church of Gonzales, third promotional vice president.
___Four women were elected members-at-large of the Texas WMU executive board: Kim Kahn, Saginaw Laotian Baptist Church in Fort Worth; Kate Leong, Southwest Chinese Baptist Church of Stafford; Ann Morrison, Macedonia Baptist Church of San Antonio; and Frances Guajardo, Primera Iglesia Bautista in Beeville.
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