Orlando | Sandy Wisdom-Martin said goodbye to Southern Baptists in Orlando Wednesday (June 10) during her final report to the Convention. Illinois’ favorite daughter will retire from her post as Executive Director-Treasurer of Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) at the end of the year. “Obedience in this season of my life requires me to be a caregiver,” she said.
Sandy Wisdom-Martin becomes emotional as she receives a standing ovation from messengers.
The Illinois native has served in this capacity ten years. She was previously on the state Baptist staffs and WMU in Illinois, Arkansas, and Texas. As the daughter of an Illinois coal miner whose family lived in a basement apartment, she thanked Southern Baptists for giving her a wider view of the world, and her place in missions.
She has referred to herself and some contemporaries as “Evelyn’s girls.” They were Acteens together, led by Evelyn Tully of Illinois WMU. They were often equipped for missions under her guidance at Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp. For young Sandy Wisdom, that led to a broader calling to serve beyond her Southern Illinois home.
Messengers give Sandy Wisdom-Martin a standing ovation for her service to Southern Baptists as she prepares to retire at the end of the year.
“Little in my life makes sense but for the grace of God,” she said to the messengers. To the Baptists who stood to applaud, she said, “I am profoundly grateful.”
A search for her successor to lead National WMU headquartered in Birmingham is underway.