- One of the things that people told us
whenever we started to leave
for the mission field,
fellow colleagues, they said,
"You will be forgotten."
(soft music)
- The COVID-19 pandemic complicated
WMU's ongoing work
of connecting the church to missions
both nationally and internationally.
Great Commission Conversations was created
out of the desire
to allow mission personnel continued opportunity
to share about their work despite the pandemic.
- For us, GCC was an incredible opportunity.
We had taken months, I mean months,
to plan our stateside assignment,
and then all of a sudden, all of our conferences,
all of our speaking engagements,
all of our Sunday school classes,
all of our GICs were canceled.
What's amazing about
the Great Commission Conversations
was it provided that avenue for us.
It provided an avenue
to not just stand before one congregation,
but to stand before people who represent
50 or 60 congregations
and just express our gratitude
and thanks for their giving,
which enabled us to go.
In addition,
it gave us the chance to share those stories
of God's faithfulness and His goodness
and what He had done
and how the prayers of the faithful
allowed His Word to go forth in our new city
and our new field of service.
- Oh, my goodness.
Great Commission Conversations
has not only made our missionaries
seem like friends to men and women who join in,
it has offered that much needed encouragement
to our mission personnel
who have found themselves in a challenging place
during this unique time in history.
Participants have become better prayers,
and missionaries are reminded of the love
and the support they have from Alabama Baptists.
(soft music)
- [Woman] We were able to rejoice
face to face over baptisms,
share our prayer requests,
and actually pray
with the participants on the call.
It was so encouraging, so uplifting,
and so unifying.
- [Man] GCC was truly a time when we felt loved
and affirmed by the church.
In this season
that has led to so much uncertainty, change,
and canceled plans, it meant so much to us
that the WMU was still leading out,
and encouraging and loving on our family.
- [Drew] I also want to offer
a word of encouragement to give to
the Myers-Mallory State Missions Offering
because it really benefits your missionaries
that are sent out from from Alabama
to the ends of the earth.
And I'm here to tell you
that Great Commission Conversations
was proof that we are not forgotten.
We are known, we're loved, we're cared for.
People want to hear our stories.
We're incredibly grateful for that.