By Kendall Christian
WMU news office
Tennessee WMU WorldCrafts advocates are, from left, Anna Huggins, Charlyene Couey, Rhonda Poore and Bobby Turner
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — WorldCrafts, the fair trade division of national WMU, develops sustainable, fair-trade businesses among impoverished people around the world. Its vision is to offer an income with dignity and the hope of everlasting life to every person on earth.
Tennessee WMU desires to offer churches and small groups the opportunity to discover how they can get involved in missions through the ministry of WorldCrafts.
To accomplish this, they have engaged four WorldCrafts advocates, one for each of four regions in Tennessee.
The newly appointed WorldCrafts advocates are Bobby Turner, First Baptist Church, Lenoir City, East Tennessee; Anna Huggins, Unaka Avenue Baptist Church, northeast Tennessee; Charlyene Couey, Judson Baptist Church, Nashville, Middle Tennessee; and Rhonda Poore, First Baptist Church, Kenton, West Tennessee.
Each of these women are passionate about WorldCrafts and the difference they are making in the lives of artisans all over the world.
They are eager to involve congregations all over the state in this mission.
“I love the ministry of WorldCrafts because it gives hope to the hopeless and provides a means for men and women to make an honest living so they can support their families, Poore said. “It helps rescue people from human trafficking, gives artisans an avenue to use their talents and offers products that are well made and beautiful.
“It points people to our Father. It really is a holistic ministry!” she added.
Huggins agreed, “I am thankful that whatever I purchase might help a mother provide for her family, or help a young woman have hope for a new way of life.”
The Tennessee WMU advocates can accommodate the needs of churches or small groups in a variety of ways; they can provide a presentation explaining the work and eternal impact of WorldCrafts, set up a WorldCrafts display, or work with a church or organization to set up a full WorldCrafts market.
Tennessee WMU expressed excitement about the work of their new WorldCrafts advocates.
Denise Bronaugh of Tennessee WMU noted, “Our hope is that churches and small groups will invite them in to share about this ministry that is changing lives around the world.”
For more information or to contact your regional WorldCrafts advocate to speak to your church or small group, visit WorldCrafts.org/tnwmuworldcraftsadvocates. B&R
