By Thelma Lowthert, former national treasurer
Our time to serve is now. One way to serve is giving to others.
Your act of giving can help change the world for women and girls.
The Women and Girls Mission Fund has been a part of American Baptist Women’s Ministries for a little while now. We have supported some amazing ministries with your generosity. And with the continued support of individuals, groups and churches, we will be able to encourage even more women and girls around the world.
The Women and Girls Mission Fund is like an umbrella – sheltering the ministries of AB GIRLS, Refit, Leadership Development and national projects. All undesignated gifts are used where the need is greatest.
Your gift can bring healing, hope and wholeness to women and girls at home and around the world. You can change a life with your one gift. So just imagine then how many lives can be changed when we put all our gifts together.
If your church or AB Women’s Ministries group and/or circle are not aware of the Women and Girls Mission Fund and the wonderful ways it is changing lives, here is an opportunity to spread the word. Learn all you can about the fund, tell the stories of those who have been recipients of the fund, and then give people an opportunity to give.
· Are you a former Guild Girl, have a grand-daughter or niece in AB GIRLS, or have an AB GIRLS group at your church? Ask some of the girls and young women to tell you why the AB GIRLS ministry is so important to them and then give to AB GIRLS through the WGMF.
· Have you been on a mission trip and seen the work first-hand of some of our ABC missionaries? Or do you know a missionary who has benefited from Refit? If so, then give to Refit through the Women and Girls Mission Fund.
· Is there a special woman who has been a mentor to you as you grew in your walk with God? Make a donation to Leadership Development through the Women and Girls Mission Fund in honor or in memory of someone who has been an example of a “Christ-like servant” to you.
· Want to give where the need is greatest? Individual gifts are always welcome. Why not ask your Bible study group or church’s AB Women’s Ministries group to add the Women and Girls Mission Fund to their prayer list and mission outreaches? Pray for the women and girls who will benefit from the gifts of the fund. And then give regularly and generously to support these ministries.
· Ask your pastor for approval to insert brochures with information on the Women and Girls Mission Fund in your Sunday bulletin and educate your church family on the ways the fund is reaching out to those in need. Take a special offering to support the Women and Girls Mission Fund and give updates as they become available on new ministries helped by the fund.
· Regularly promote the fund with a display at church or at your association or region gatherings. Place envelopes with the display designated for the Women and Girls Mission Fund. Be creative in your promotions of the fund!
As we learned in the Old Testament, Esther was placed in the king’s palace “for such a time as this.” You, my friend, have been placed right where you are for such a time as this, too! You have an opportunity to change the world right now one woman and girl at a time. We have an opportunity to change the world together. Let’s join our hearts and our hands and our gifts of love and dollars to support the Women and Girls Mission Fund of American Baptist Women’s Ministries today!