BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP)–For many teens, life is all about them. Members of Acteens, however, know that life is to be about their relationship with God and actively sharing His love with others.
Each year, Woman’s Missionary Union recognizes a select group of Acteens — young women who exhibit commitment to Christ and to missions along with exemplary leadership in their churches and communities — to represent the missions organization and serve on a national panel. Acteens is the WMU missions organization for teenage girls in grades seven through 12.
The following teens have been named to the 2009 National Acteens Panel:
Kelly Burdett of First Baptist Church, Spring Hill, Tenn.; Mary Caitlin Clark of Galeed Baptist Church, Bladenboro, N.C.; Jessica Frasure of Glenrock Baptist Church, Fort Mill, S.C.; Kati Miinch and Larissa Petzoldt, both of First Baptist Church, Jackson, Mo.; and Sydney Saffel of First Baptist Church, Waverly, Tenn.
“These outstanding young women set an example for us all as they actively live out God’s call on their lives,” said Kym Mitchell, leader of WMU’s student resource team. “Not only are they leaders in their schools and in a variety of community service arenas, but they are also involved in the ministries of their local churches and are strong missional leaders.
“What impresses me most,” Mitchell continued, “is their ability to see needs around them and not just talk about doing something to help, but be proactive and resourceful in discovering ways they can help meet those needs. The greatest thing is that these students not only want to make a difference in the world around them, but they also want to make that difference for Christ.”
The 2009 Acteens panelists serve from Feb. 1 to Dec. 31 and each receives a $1,000 scholarship from the Jessica Powell Loftis Endowment for Acteens from the WMU Foundation.
As national panelists, the young women will be featured during the WMU Missions Celebration and Annual Meeting in Louisville, Ky., June 21–22, prior to the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting; have the opportunity to interact with missionaries and national leaders involved in missions; and may be requested to speak to church, associational, and/or state Acteens and WMU groups.
Throughout the year, they will write articles for The Mag, the missions magazine for Acteens, and for the Acteens website, www.acteens.com. In addition, they will work together as a focus group to help shape the future of Acteens.
WMU also recognizes additional Acteens each year as National Top Teens for their strong involvement in missions. The following have been selected for 2009:
Rachel Bond of West Side Baptist Church, Hamilton, Ohio; Brandie Hagerman of Living Faith Baptist Church, Hartford, Ky.; Savannah Hines of South Fork Baptist Church, Hodgenville, Ky.; Megan Lee and Aman Majok, both of First Baptist Church, Amarillo, Texas; Morgan Shepherd of Humble Area’s First Baptist Church, Humble, Texas; and Rebecca Wells of White Springs Baptist Church, Attalla, Ala.
Applications for the 2010 National Acteens Panel are due to WMU by Dec. 1, 2009. Applications will be available on the Acteens website at www.acteens.com and in the fall issue of Acteens Leader.
–30–
Julie Walters is Woman’s Missionary Union’s communications specialist.
