Missions Extravaganza 2010 was another wonderful time of spiritual renewal, fellowship, growth and missions learning. Speaker Sharon Decker shared with us what it means to be "Called" while Kyle Matthews led us in worship of our Lord and inspired us with special music. We heard stories from real missionaries who serve in many different places and cultures around the world. Their stories awakened us to pray for and support their efforts. Conference leaders gave us helpful insights and information about Christian living, witnessing, ministry, missions and much more. And, of course, the beauty of creation so visible at Ridgecrest caught our attention and reminded us of God's power and love.

Now we begin planning for the 2011 Missions Extravaganza & 120^th Annual Meeting of WMU NC! Go ahead and mark your calendars to be at Ridgecrest April 8-10, 2011. Check back here and watch Tarheel Talk for information on 2011!

Missions Extravaganza 2010 was another wonderful time of spiritual renewal, fellowship, growth and missions learning. Speaker Sharon Decker shared with us what it means to be "Called" while Kyle Matthews led us in worship of our Lord and inspired us with special music. We heard stories from real missionaries who serve in many different places and cultures around the world. Their stories awakened us to pray for and support their efforts. Conference leaders gave us helpful insights and information about Christian living, witnessing, ministry, missions and much more. And, of course, the beauty of creation so visible at Ridgecrest caught our attention and reminded us of God's power and love.

Now we begin planning for the 2011 Missions Extravaganza & 120^th Annual Meeting of WMU NC! Go ahead and mark your calendars to be at Ridgecrest April 8-10, 2011. Check back here and watch Tarheel Talk for information on 2011!

Shine Scholarship Fund

Do you want to encourage and affirm the young women in your church and association? Do you want to see more young women catch a vision for missions and WMU NC?

If you answered yes to these questions, you can play a part as you invest in the lives of young women. WMU NC wants to be the catalyst “to challenge, prepare and equip young women Christian believers to be radically involved in the fulfillment of the Great Commission.” We are asking each church and association to assist young women by all or part of their way to attend Missions Extravaganza and other events for young women. If you have a young woman in your church or association that would love this opportunity, we encourage you to assist her and bring her to Missions Extravaganza. If not, you can help other young women in NC by sending your contributions to WMU NC, Shine Scholarship Fund, PO Box 18309, Raleigh, NC 27619-8309.

Shine Scholarship Fund

Do you want to encourage and affirm the young women in your church and association? Do you want to see more young women catch a vision for missions and WMU NC?

If you answered yes to these questions, you can play a part as you invest in the lives of young women. WMU NC wants to be the catalyst “to challenge, prepare and equip young women Christian believers to be radically involved in the fulfillment of the Great Commission.” We are asking each church and association to assist young women by all or part of their way to attend Missions Extravaganza and other events for young women. If you have a young woman in your church or association that would love this opportunity, we encourage you to assist her and bring her to Missions Extravaganza. If not, you can help other young women in NC by sending your contributions to WMU NC, Shine Scholarship Fund, PO Box 18309, Raleigh, NC 27619-8309.

Below is a transcript of WMU NC Vice President of Development Chris Harker's "CALLED TO ASK" speech that was given at Missions Extravaganza on April 17, 2010. Feel free to share it with others and use it in your church and association.

[Thank you Good and Evil. Did you recognize yourself in the skit; being torn between Good and Evil when it comes to asking?] Everyday we ask for things. We ask our husbands to pick up milk and bread on their way home. We ask our boss for time off to come to Missions Extravaganza. Mothers ask their grown children to come by for a visit. Children ask their mothers to take care of the grandkids. We ask our girlfriends, how do I look in this? Does it make me look fat? We ask all the time, especially when it is easy. We ask when we are confident that we are going to get the answer we want. See, none of us like to be told “no.” We would rather not ask than to risk getting a negative response.

I remember once when I couldn’t bring myself to ask the 2^nd grade mothers to help with a class party. They all had children in the class. I had their phone numbers and a list of items that were needed. I just didn’t want to hear “No, I can’t help ya with that. It’s not a good time for me.” I was sure that they were too busy to cook cupcakes, buy drink boxes or to stop by Wal-Mart and get matching plates and napkins. I didn’t ask a single mother because I had decided their answer was going to be “no.” So I was left to cook the cupcakes, buy the drink boxes and find the matching plates and napkins; all because I wouldn’t ask. I took on the whole thing and denied the mothers the opportunity to be involved.

I’m here to tell you tonight that I can’t take on the whole thing. I can’t take on the whole budget of WMU NC all by myself. I don’t have $1.3 million dollars to meet the Heck-Jones® Offering goal without asking you for help. God planned it that way. He doesn’t want me to take on the whole thing and exclude you from being a part of His ministry through WMU NC. He wants me to ask and He wants you to ask.

In Mark chapter 6, there’s the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 who had gathered to hear His teaching. In verse 35 it says:
By that time it was late in the day. His disciples came to him. "There is nothing here," they said. "It's already very late. 36 Send the people away. They can go and buy something to eat in the nearby countryside and villages." 37 But Jesus answered, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "That would take eight months of a person's pay! Should we go and spend that much on bread? Are we supposed to feed them?" 38 Jesus asked "How many loaves do you have? Go and see."

Jesus told his disciples to go and ask the crowd what they had. The disciples only saw the obvious. It was late, there was a crowd and they were hungry. Did Jesus want them to feed all those people? Did Jesus want the disciples to take on the whole thing? Did He expect them to take on such a huge task all by themselves? No. He did not. What He wanted them to do was to go and ask the crowd if they had any food to share.

By the way . . . if you do the math for 12 disciples to ask 5000 people “do you have any food to share” each disciple would have to ask that question 417 times. That’s a lot of asking. And yes…. you know what they found; five loaves and two fish, hardly worth the effort you might say. But, because the disciples were willing to ask, because a young boy was willing to give, and because Jesus blessed and broke what was given, all of them ate and were satisfied. Then the disciples picked up 12 baskets of leftovers. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for WMU NC to be satisfied and to have baskets of leftovers. We must be obedient in asking, giving and watching God bless what we bring to Him.

I know that many of you are regular supporters WMU NC. Thank you for generous and sacrificial gifts that allow this precious Union to continue with its mission. I know some of you have been giving before I could say WMU, and your faithfulness has set the example for me and others to give likewise. So I thank you for your five loaves and two fish.

I also want to thank the Executive Board and our staff their support of the Union and their personal encouragement to me. During our January Board meeting I came a-asking: asking that each and everyone give to WMU NC on that day. They responded with 100% participation.

I would like to thank your churches that despite the wintery weather of this February across our state, they persevered with their plans for WMU Focus Sunday and received the Heck-Jones® Offering. WMU welcomes the opportunity to tell your church membership how they can be involved in WMU, as well as to share in our financial needs. If your church has not participated in promoting WMU NC through the Heck-Jones® Offering in 2010, the year is not over. We have speakers available who can share the story of WMU NC and ask your church to be a supporter through the Heck-Jones Offering. We need to start asking. 

• Ask the WMU of your church to participate in the WMU Focus Sunday.
• Ask the women of your church, the Mary’s and the Martha’s, to support the missions and ministries of WMU NC by giving directly to WMU NC.
• Ask the leaders of Missions Friends, GAs and Acteens to encourage the young girls to establish a habit of praying for and giving to WMU NC.
• Ask your pastor and deacons if they know how WMU NC is funded. If they can’t tell you, ask them to set a date when you can come and talk about it. 
• Ask the trustees or the finance committee to establish a line item in your church budget for WMU NC.
• Ask and believe when you ask - for God is working in the hearts of people in ways that we do not know. Be ready for the needs to be met and to receive a blessing that includes leftovers.

Jesus fed the followers because they were hungry. But, He was also showing the disciples that He could meet their daily needs, if only they ask. Jesus did not miscalculate his miracle and provide too many fish. He purposely demonstrated the abundance that comes, if we simply ask. James clearly states we have not because we ask not. Tonight I’m not the one asking you, God is asking you…go see what they have….ask them and ask yourself.

• Ask yourself, "Have I committed to giving to WMU NC on a monthly basis to insure that the ministries 'go forward'?"
• Ask yourself, "Does my family know how cherished the works of WMU NC are to me and that I would be honored if they would send gifts to WMU NC on my birthday and anniversary, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Grandparent’s Day, Ground Hog’s Day or any other day you can think of?" It is always a good day to give a gift to WMU NC.
• Ask yourself, "Have I made arrangements to leave a living legacy for the future of WMU NC?" Have you created a plan that enables the mission experience that defines who you are, to be available to others when you are no longer on your pew?
• Ask yourself, "Do I want to multiply the resources that you have - your five loaves and two fish - to meet the needs of the crowds on the hillside?"
• Ask yourself, "What am I doing with the meager lunch in your bag and what would it be worth if I gave it to Jesus?"

I pray that you came this weekend ready to be Called, and especially now Called to Ask; to ask others and to ask yourself what can I do to support WMU NC. I believe that there is an overflowing blessing waiting for us is we faithfully ask and allow God to bless and break what we bring to Him. Ask and it shall given unto you. May we be faithful to do what we have been instructed to do…and ASK.

Chris Harker
VP of Development WMU NC
April 17, 2010

Below is a transcript of WMU NC Vice President of Development Chris Harker's "CALLED TO ASK" speech that was given at Missions Extravaganza on April 17, 2010. Feel free to share it with others and use it in your church and association.

[Thank you Good and Evil. Did you recognize yourself in the skit; being torn between Good and Evil when it comes to asking?] Everyday we ask for things. We ask our husbands to pick up milk and bread on their way home. We ask our boss for time off to come to Missions Extravaganza. Mothers ask their grown children to come by for a visit. Children ask their mothers to take care of the grandkids. We ask our girlfriends, how do I look in this? Does it make me look fat? We ask all the time, especially when it is easy. We ask when we are confident that we are going to get the answer we want. See, none of us like to be told “no.” We would rather not ask than to risk getting a negative response.

I remember once when I couldn’t bring myself to ask the 2^nd grade mothers to help with a class party. They all had children in the class. I had their phone numbers and a list of items that were needed. I just didn’t want to hear “No, I can’t help ya with that. It’s not a good time for me.” I was sure that they were too busy to cook cupcakes, buy drink boxes or to stop by Wal-Mart and get matching plates and napkins. I didn’t ask a single mother because I had decided their answer was going to be “no.” So I was left to cook the cupcakes, buy the drink boxes and find the matching plates and napkins; all because I wouldn’t ask. I took on the whole thing and denied the mothers the opportunity to be involved.

I’m here to tell you tonight that I can’t take on the whole thing. I can’t take on the whole budget of WMU NC all by myself. I don’t have $1.3 million dollars to meet the Heck-Jones® Offering goal without asking you for help. God planned it that way. He doesn’t want me to take on the whole thing and exclude you from being a part of His ministry through WMU NC. He wants me to ask and He wants you to ask.

In Mark chapter 6, there’s the story of Jesus feeding the 5,000 who had gathered to hear His teaching. In verse 35 it says:
By that time it was late in the day. His disciples came to him. "There is nothing here," they said. "It's already very late. 36 Send the people away. They can go and buy something to eat in the nearby countryside and villages." 37 But Jesus answered, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "That would take eight months of a person's pay! Should we go and spend that much on bread? Are we supposed to feed them?" 38 Jesus asked "How many loaves do you have? Go and see."

Jesus told his disciples to go and ask the crowd what they had. The disciples only saw the obvious. It was late, there was a crowd and they were hungry. Did Jesus want them to feed all those people? Did Jesus want the disciples to take on the whole thing? Did He expect them to take on such a huge task all by themselves? No. He did not. What He wanted them to do was to go and ask the crowd if they had any food to share.

By the way . . . if you do the math for 12 disciples to ask 5000 people “do you have any food to share” each disciple would have to ask that question 417 times. That’s a lot of asking. And yes…. you know what they found; five loaves and two fish, hardly worth the effort you might say. But, because the disciples were willing to ask, because a young boy was willing to give, and because Jesus blessed and broke what was given, all of them ate and were satisfied. Then the disciples picked up 12 baskets of leftovers. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for WMU NC to be satisfied and to have baskets of leftovers. We must be obedient in asking, giving and watching God bless what we bring to Him.

I know that many of you are regular supporters WMU NC. Thank you for generous and sacrificial gifts that allow this precious Union to continue with its mission. I know some of you have been giving before I could say WMU, and your faithfulness has set the example for me and others to give likewise. So I thank you for your five loaves and two fish.

I also want to thank the Executive Board and our staff their support of the Union and their personal encouragement to me. During our January Board meeting I came a-asking: asking that each and everyone give to WMU NC on that day. They responded with 100% participation.

I would like to thank your churches that despite the wintery weather of this February across our state, they persevered with their plans for WMU Focus Sunday and received the Heck-Jones® Offering. WMU welcomes the opportunity to tell your church membership how they can be involved in WMU, as well as to share in our financial needs. If your church has not participated in promoting WMU NC through the Heck-Jones® Offering in 2010, the year is not over. We have speakers available who can share the story of WMU NC and ask your church to be a supporter through the Heck-Jones Offering. We need to start asking. 

• Ask the WMU of your church to participate in the WMU Focus Sunday.
• Ask the women of your church, the Mary’s and the Martha’s, to support the missions and ministries of WMU NC by giving directly to WMU NC.
• Ask the leaders of Missions Friends, GAs and Acteens to encourage the young girls to establish a habit of praying for and giving to WMU NC.
• Ask your pastor and deacons if they know how WMU NC is funded. If they can’t tell you, ask them to set a date when you can come and talk about it. 
• Ask the trustees or the finance committee to establish a line item in your church budget for WMU NC.
• Ask and believe when you ask - for God is working in the hearts of people in ways that we do not know. Be ready for the needs to be met and to receive a blessing that includes leftovers.

Jesus fed the followers because they were hungry. But, He was also showing the disciples that He could meet their daily needs, if only they ask. Jesus did not miscalculate his miracle and provide too many fish. He purposely demonstrated the abundance that comes, if we simply ask. James clearly states we have not because we ask not. Tonight I’m not the one asking you, God is asking you…go see what they have….ask them and ask yourself.

• Ask yourself, "Have I committed to giving to WMU NC on a monthly basis to insure that the ministries 'go forward'?"
• Ask yourself, "Does my family know how cherished the works of WMU NC are to me and that I would be honored if they would send gifts to WMU NC on my birthday and anniversary, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, Grandparent’s Day, Ground Hog’s Day or any other day you can think of?" It is always a good day to give a gift to WMU NC.
• Ask yourself, "Have I made arrangements to leave a living legacy for the future of WMU NC?" Have you created a plan that enables the mission experience that defines who you are, to be available to others when you are no longer on your pew?
• Ask yourself, "Do I want to multiply the resources that you have - your five loaves and two fish - to meet the needs of the crowds on the hillside?"
• Ask yourself, "What am I doing with the meager lunch in your bag and what would it be worth if I gave it to Jesus?"

I pray that you came this weekend ready to be Called, and especially now Called to Ask; to ask others and to ask yourself what can I do to support WMU NC. I believe that there is an overflowing blessing waiting for us is we faithfully ask and allow God to bless and break what we bring to Him. Ask and it shall given unto you. May we be faithful to do what we have been instructed to do…and ASK.

Chris Harker
VP of Development WMU NC
April 17, 2010