By Kendall Christian, WMU Communications
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.– Grace Cain of First Baptist Church in Pineville has been selected by WMU as a national Acteens Panelist and will be featured during the WMU Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting, June 9-10, in Birmingham, Ala.
Acteens is an organization sponsored by WMU that encourages girls grades in 7-12 to grow in their faith and become rooted in missions and ministry. Through Acteens, girls learn how to become disciples of Jesus who live on mission, in accordance with WMU’s purpose, as they participate in missions work in their local community or abroad.
National Panelists must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership skills, and involvement in church and community. Cain has been actively involved in Acteens for the past six years and has a heart for missions and being active in her faith.
She said one of the most significant experiences she has gained through Acteens is the opportunity to mentor girls in grades 4-6 by praying for them and making care packages throughout the year.
“Each Acteen is assigned one or two younger girls each year to mentor,” Cain explained. “To see the girls find more self-confidence and self-esteem is so heartwarming. You get to form such a strong bond as you watch them grow in their relationship with Christ for a year. When they succeed, you succeed. When they struggle, you struggle.”
Mentoring is only part of Cain’s passion for missions. “Having a prayerful attitude as you go throughout your day, taking time to learn about missionaries, giving to missions offerings, and serving your community are the main ways you can live a missions-focused life. It is a lifestyle,” she said.
“Joyful, intelligent, and in love with the Lord—that is Grace Cain,” said Stewart Holloway, pastor of First Pineville. “If you are looking for elite young women who impact their world for Christ, you have found one in Grace.”
Cain will serve alongside four other panelists: Dominique DuPar of St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church in La Puente, Calif.; Ashley Fan of Blacksburg Baptist Church in Blacksburg, Va.; Emily Morrow of First Baptist Church of Ponder, Texas; and Annsley Pugh of Bethany Baptist Church in Callao, Va.
“We are so proud of these dynamic young woman and their commitment to grow in their faith and share Christ with others,” said Heather Keller, ministry consultant for children and students, national WMU. “As they to continue to seek God’s direction for their lives after high school, they go with a firm foundation based on their faith in Christ, biblical knowledge, and the benefit of godly leaders who have poured into them during these formative years.”
These five panelists will serve through 2019 and each will receive a $1,000 scholarship from the WMU Foundation. In addition to speaking and serving during the WMU Missions Celebration in June, they may also speak at churches in their respective states. Additionally, they will write blogs for Acteens at wmu.com/students.
