Louisiana Baptist women honored the past and took up the challenge
of the future during the annual state Womans Missionary Union meeting
last week.
“This is holy ground in Louisiana, …” Cindy Townsend
told hundreds of women from around the state just moments after she officially
was installed as the new Louisiana Baptist director of womens missions
and ministry.
Louisiana Baptist women honored the past and took up the challenge
of the future during the annual state Womans Missionary Union meeting
last week.
“This is holy ground in Louisiana, …” Cindy Townsend
told hundreds of women from around the state just moments after she officially
was installed as the new Louisiana Baptist director of womens missions
and ministry.
“Our state needs to know Jesus. … I have a vision for
every single church having a heart for missions education. …
I want to promote missions. … I want to get in the dirt and
touch those who hurt, …” Townsend emphasized during a Friday evening
session.
“I want us to welcome the missions lifestyle.”
The Friday evening gathering was one of three sessions held
at First Baptist Church of Lake Charles. More than 900 persons registered for
the annual meeting, which featured testimonies, reports, music and interpretations
on the “Gods Plan … My Part” theme.
The Friday evening session also featured Townsends official
installation, even though she assumed full-time duties as state director at
the first of the year.
“Louisiana is holy ground because God has called you to
serve here – and wherever God calls us, that is holy ground,” former
state director Nelda Seal told Townsend during the installation. “And we
are glad God has called you here.”
Others offered encouraging words as they came forward to light
candles for Townsend. They pledged prayers and support for the new director
before Townsend and Seal symbolically illustrated the passing of leadership
with a pair of candles.
“There are many challenges that will face you in the years
ahead,” Seal then reminded Townsend.
Seal challenged the new director to stay close to God and to
catch his vision and plan for the state. She also urged her to assimilate the
vision of others, to train leaders and to recognize the diversity of gifts in
Louisiana.
“A good leader knows she has succeeded when those she
has led accomplishes more than she has or has ever dreamed of,” Seal emphasized,
reminding Townsend that women are not looking for a perfect leader but one who
will plant herself among them and lead them and challenge them.
“We thank you for bringing Cindy to us,” national
Southern Baptist Womans Missionary Union President Janet Hoffman of Farmerville
prayed moments later. “We pray your blessings on her, … that she will
keep carrying the light.”
The Friday evening session also presented a procession of world
flags and a tribute to Southern Baptist missionaries. Flags were carried in
as young Girls in Action gathered in front to display and wave miniature versions.
Townsend challenged the girls to look to God to make their
dreams come true. “God is the one who can do more than we ever ask, hope
for or dream of, …” she said. “But when you dream, ask God to help
you dream his dream for your life.”
The evening session concluded with a tribute to Seal, who served
as state womens ministry and missions director from 1986 to 1995, returned
to the post from 1999 to 2001 and filled an interim period during 2002.
Even more than that, Seals whole life has been one of
service, Townsend said in a ceremony to honor the longtime leader – even
as “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!” was broadcast on large
video screens behind the podium.
“Missions, ministry and vision have characterized Nelda
Seal, …” Townsend said. “This is a very special lady.”
Turning to Seal, who has been seated on stage, Townsend added,
“We want you to sit there, and were going to love on you for a little
while.”
Representatives of each Louisiana Baptist association then
approached the front of the auditorium to place a rose in a pair of vases. Those
placing the roses sometimes blew kisses to Seal, waved or smiled as the former
director mouthed “Thank you” again and again.
Representatives of Seals Sunday School class and the
state Womans Missionary Union staff also presented roses.
The ceremony ended in song, with meeting participants standing
in sustained applause for Seal.
However, while ceremony was the highlight of the evening session,
missions clearly remained the focus – then and throughout the annual meeting.
For instance, on Saturday morning, women had the opportunity
to hear from missionaries and others during special breakout sessions. Speakers
included Burl Cain, warden at Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola; and Debbie
Morris, who has written and speaks about the struggle to forgiveness through
her experiences of rape at the hands of the man featured in the “Dead Man
Walking” book and movie.
In addition, women also took the opportunity in the meetings
final session to elect officers, which served as another reminder – and
ongoing tie – between past and future.
Women chose Seal as the new state president for the year. She
is a member at Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria.
Other officers include: Vice President Martha Guillotte, a
member at First Baptist Church of Franklin; Recording Secretary Mattie Lou Bible,
a member at First Baptist Church of Shreveport; Secretary Glenda Woerner, a
member at Calvary Baptist Church in Alexandria.
Townsend concluded the session – and the annual meeting
– by calling women to a radical commitment to a missions lifestyle, emphasizing
it will change their lives.
Such commitment enhances ones confidence in the miracle-working
power of the Holy Spirit and in the power of prayer, Townsend maintained. “I
believe God saves his best anointing for times when we are most focused on his
agenda – and his agenda is missions,” she said.
Radical commitment also stretches a woman out of her comfort
zone to embrace a servant spirit, Townsend said. She urged women to go the extra
mile for others, just as God did in creating the beauty of the world and at
Calvary.
Finally, radical commitment to missions broadens ones
world view, Townsend said.
“We begin to see all peoples everywhere who need a savior,”
the state leader pointed out.
Townsend challenged women to embrace Gods heart of love
for others and have the same heart within them. She noted there is a difference
between feeling sorry for someone and truly loving them.
The first instance can be met through social obligation alone,
Townsend said. The second cannot – and that difference fuels missions,
she said.
“Why missions?” Townsend concluded. “Because
missions change you and me, … the people we minister to … and our world
for Jesus Christ ultimately.”
(Next week, the Baptist Message also will present a WMU meeting testimony by
Gabriela Poenar Henson, formerly of Romania)