Eight new Kentucky missionaries were commissioned at the 2017 Kentucky WMU Missions Celebration held at Central Baptist Church in Corbin a few weeks ago. The Eliza Broadus Offering for State Missions provides grants to many of the ministries led by Kentucky missionaries as well as funds for the work of Teresa Parrett, Missions Mobilization Coordinator.
Cory Bledsoe, executive director for Louisville Rescue Mission, and Damon and Yolonda Armstead, directors for the Baptist Fellowship Center in Louisville, were among those who were commissioned. Louisville Rescue Mission, previously known as the Jefferson Street Baptist Mission, uses EBO funds to help provide a gospel-centered ministry to Louisville’s homeless and hurting. Baptist Fellowship Center work with families and at-risk children to meet physical, spiritual, emotional and educational needs.
Louisville Rescue Mission received an EBO grant of $4,000 this year for the LifeChange Program. Baptist Fellowship Center received a grant of $2,500 for ministries with children. Both ministries are also assisted by EBO funds sent through the Kentucky Baptist Convention.
A few days after the commissioning service, I received this note from Cory Bledsoe.
“Good morning. I hope this email finds you doing well and rested after a great weekend. I just wanted to send a quick email to say what an honor and privilege it was to be with you this weekend and to be commissioned as a KBC missionary.
“I also wanted to share just a little personal touch that this weekend provided to my family. My grandmother, Wanda Bledsoe, has been a servant through WMU at FBC of Gate City, Va., for probably as long as I have been alive, if not longer. She was instrumental in my life growing up, pointed us to Christ and has faithfully served the church for decades.
“Thanks to the Livestream opportunity, she was able to watch the service Saturday morning and sent me a text message afterward and said: ‘All my years in WMU have been rewarded today when I saw you commissioned as a Kentucky missionary.’
“So, again, I just want to say, THANK YOU. I thank the Lord for the WMU and KBC and the support and encouragement you provide me, my family and the ministry of LRM.”
EBO at work was on display during the commissioning service and will continue to be at work this year in a variety of ministries across Kentucky. We have not yet reached our 2016-17 EBO goal of $1,250,000. You can still give at kywmu.org/givenow.