It’s been over six months since Illinois’ own Sandy Wisdom-Martin was officially installed as Executive Director-Treasurer of National Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU). Wisdom-Martin directed women’s missions and ministries for IBSA and served as WMU executive director from 2001 until 2010, before assuming a similar post in Texas. She was back in her home state to speak at last month’s Priority Women’s Conference. The Illinois Baptist interviewed her to find out how she is settling into her new role.
Illinois Baptist: These are trying times in terms of international relations. How does that affect how we pray for and support missions and missionaries?
Sandy Wisdom-Martin: These are indeed trying times. We should not use that fact as an excuse for shrinking back. I think it means we are even more fervent in how we pray for missions. It means we are even more bold in how we find support for missionaries all over the world. We are challenged to be rich in faith and go to places that others don’t want to go. Those places could be in our own communities or they could be halfway around the world. Peter assures us that we will be persecuted for our faith. That should not keep us from taking the gospel to all people of all nations.
IB: Published reports project a shortfall in Lottie Moon giving this year, coming after a record high last year in response to IMB staff cuts and budget problems. How do you interpret that? What does it mean if people in the pews dug deep once, but only once?
SWM: We don’t have a resource problem. We have an obedience problem. It is a matter of stewardship.
IB: Now that you’ve been on the job awhile, what strikes you as a challenge WMU faces that you didn’t expect?
SWM: The great challenge that WMU and ministries face is reaching the next generation with the gospel and teaching them to live a missional lifestyle. Research shows Millennials are less committed to organizations than any other generation. They are not engaged in religious views of any persuasion. While the challenge is great, I know our God is even greater. I am confident that WMU can meet Millennials where they are with authenticity and a desire to embrace, engage, and empower that generation to live on mission.
IB: Give us your reaction to speaking to the women in Illinois. How did it feel?
SWM: Everyone is familiar with the book series “Chicken Soup for the Soul.” That’s how it felt to come home—chicken soup for my soul. It was a day of warm embraces where I felt loved and accepted. Every familiar face brought back fond remembrances.
IB: Is there anything especially unique about women and missions in the Midwest?
SWM: Do you know what I love about the Midwest? Every church that is planted and every church that survives is hard-fought. Everyone takes responsibility for the work of the Kingdom. We don’t wait for paid staff to show up and do the work. Everyone pitches in to move chairs, tote boxes, set up tables, make hospital visits, take food to the sick, etc. I’m not sure that’s unique to the Midwest, but it is something that I am very thankful was instilled in me at an early age.
IB: During your presentation at Priority you said, “We have to have the courage to go where God leads. The future demands that we be courageous leaders, all of us.” How do we do this in missons education and mobilization?
SWM: It’s critical to stay faithful to what God has called us to do in missions education. Yet, current reality demands that we take risks in how we deliver missions education, how we recruit missions education leaders, and how we work together as a missions community to mobilize leaders within new audiences that we’ve never reached before.