The organizational purpose is to assist southern baptist churches in developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy for missions by providing missions information, products, resources and opportunities as well as resources for the broader christian market.

Religion

Christian religious program: wmu seeks to come alongside the church to accomplish the mission of god. From preschoolers to adults, wmu provides relevant resources to learn about and pray for missions, as well as opportunities to apply their knowledge and passion through giving, serving, and supporting missions. These are the elements of an active missional lifestyle cultivated through holistic discipleship, which we accomplish through various missions organizations, ministries, and product lines. Highlights include:missions discipleship-to help inform, inspire, and involve members of wmu organizations in missions, wmu created and distributed 19 subscription items, including periodicals and resources kits, with an average circulation of more than 179,000. Ongoing missions education through wmu develops believers who understand god's mission in the world, leading to engaged christians who are passionate about sharing the love of christ with others. Involvement in these organizations promotes development of an authentic faith and biblical worldview that compels believers to share their faith. Lottie moon christmas offering for international missions-in 2016, wmu helped raise $152. 9 million-the fourth-highest total in the offering's 128-year history-for the lottie moon christmas offering for international missions. Since initiating the first offering in 1888, wmu has helped raise more than $4. 3 billion through this effort. The offering represents 59 percent of imb total annual support. Every penny given to the offering goes directly to support missionaries, including salaries, medical care, housing, transportation, and children's education. Annie armstrong easter offering for north american missions-in 2016, wmu helped raise $58. 8 million for missions work in north america through the annie armstrong easter offering . Since 1907, when official reporting began for the home missions offering started by wmu, receipts total more than $1. 7 billion through 2016. All of the funds raised through this offering go directly to namb to support field personnel and supplies nearly half of their total annual revenue. Christian women's leadership center-this initiative of wmu offers leadership development through online courses and blogs, monthly luncheons, and college internships. This year, we introduced 18 new online courses including spiritual formation as a leader, missional living, and cultivating care and concern for ptsd and mental health, among others. In addition, wmu provided opportunities for 10 interns to actively serve in the areas of publishing and editorial, curriculum development, communications, marketing, library services, and wmu ministries. Christian women's job corps/christian men's job corps-approximately 6,300 participants gained life and job skills in a christian context through 189 registered cwjc and cmjc sites around the u. S. , along with 4 international sites. Cwjc/cmjc, a ministry of wmu, offers classes, resources, mentoring, bible study, and more. Lives are transformed as participants gain self-confidence, purpose, direction, and hope for the future. Through this ministry, 470 participants made professions of faith this year as they were served by approximately 11,300 staff and volunteers. Worldcrafts-since 1996, we have worked to develop sustainable, fair-trade businesses among impoverished people around the world through worldcrafts, a division of wmu. Worldcrafts now works with approximately 60 artisan groups in 25 countries to bring their products to market and provide income with dignity. Our artisan groups seek to meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of their workers. Men and women receive job training and enjoy comfort, camaraderie, friendship, and purpose, perhaps for the first time. Women find a safe haven and receive counseling as they leave the sex industry. Individuals and families discover the abundant life and see that life lived out in front of them. Worldcrafts abides by