As a pastor’s wife in Fort Smith, Montana, I decided to go to my first MSBW (Montana Southern Baptist Women) MPower conference in the spring of 2018. I didn’t want to go alone, so I invited the ladies from my church to go with me. I had six ladies signed up to go. I really had no idea what to expect, I just knew I wanted to get our ladies together.
I learned what WMU (Woman’s Missionary Union) was about at MPower. Just a side note, I had been a Baptist all my life and didn’t know what WMU was. The event was so powerful and spirit filled that I left the event with a burden on my heart for missionaries and mission work.
On March 18, 2019, I received a message asking if I would be interested in joining the MSBW leadership team. I had never led anything before and up to this point had not considered myself a leader. Now this group of ladies was inviting me to join them in leading the women in our state. I remembered the burden that was laid on my heart for missions from MPower in 2018 and I recognized that perhaps God was leading me out of “MY” comfort zone and asking me to follow Him with this burden of mission work on my heart.
Four days later I replied with a “YES.” That “YES” has opened many doors in missions since then. All these opened doors were “out of my comfort zone,” however, my first step of saying yes to joining the leadership team has shown me that God makes all things possible. “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 HCSB)
I chose to join the MSBW leadership team because I saw their desire to be on mission for God. I knew I could not satisfy the burden on my heart alone, so God sent me a team to help. Since joining the team, I have learned a lot about the women involved in WMU. The thing that stands out the most is their passion for others. They are unselfish and have a desire to make disciples for Christ who live on mission.
I have never doubted my decision to join the MSBW leadership team and I have acquired deep friendships with strong, Christ-centered women from around our state. This decision has changed my focus in life. If you have thought about getting more involved with women’s ministry in Montana, I encourage you to pray, step out of your comfort zone, and reach out to Sharon Ellington at [email protected] or Carla Bell at [email protected]
About the Author
