Heritage of WMU of Virginia

April 4, 1872-Women from five churches in Richmond met and organized the Woman's Missionary Society of Richmond as the first cooperative organization of Baptist women from more than one church, south of the Potomac.

July 7, 1873-Charlotte Lottie Moon was appointed by the Foreign Mission Board (FMB).

September 7, 1874-Woman's Missionary Union of Virginia (WMUV) was born as a result of helping to raise money for the FMB to supply Lottie Moon and her sister Edmonia Moon with a home in China.

Summer 1886- Sunbeams began at Fairmount Baptist Church in Nelson County.

May 14, 1888-Woman's Missionary Union, SBC, established at a meeting in Richmond, VA.

January, 1889-Woman's Missionary Society of Virginia contributes $361.06 to a special offering to help raise support for two women missionaries to replace Miss Moon so she could come home on furlough. In 1918 this offering is named for Lottie Moon.

March 1895-Week of Prayer and Self-Denial was established to assist the Home Mission Board with their financial need. This would later become known as the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering after the first recording secretary of WMU, SBC.

1898-WMUV begins to receive Cooperative Program funds for its administrative operations.

January, 1903-Mrs. W. S. Leake becomes the first corresponding secretary of WMU of Virginia.

1917-WMU of Virginia begins a state camping program.

May 1921-White Cross Chairman sent supplies of bandages, towels, sheets, pillow slips, etc. from 102 WMU’s throughout Virginia to the hospital in Nigeria.

Summer 1922-First Girls in Action (GA) camp building finished at Virginia Beach, VA.

1927-“Christmas in August” begins at First Baptist Church, Charlottesville.

1929-WMUV’s State Mission Thank You Offering raised $2,500 to support the first state missionary and subsequently the Buchanan Mountain Mission School.

1930-Establishment of the Kersey Home for Motherless Children.

1934-Interracial work begins.

1934-WMUV collected $23, 625.29 to help pay the debt of the Foreign Mission Board.

1940- Camp Carey established in Chesterfield, Virginia for young girls and women from Negro Baptist Churches in Virginia.

1940-A camping program at The Cedars was begun.

1946-WMUV gave money for relief and rehabilitation to the stricken countries of Europe and Asia.

1947-Virginia women give sewing machines to the women of Germany to help open sewing centers throughout the country.

1951-Camp Viewmont is opened for girls in Central Virginia.

1956-Mission work with Spanish speaking migrants is begun in Accomack.

1959-Three good will centers are established throughout Virginia by WMUV.

1974-Celebration of 100 years of WMUV.

1976-State Mission Offering becomes church-wide through a WMUV & BGAV cooperative agreement.

1985-Camp Little Cross Roads is opened for GAs and Acteens, as well as retreats for all ages.

1990-Resource Team is initiated to train women to train others in missions education and leadership. Included is a great deal of work with ethnic congregations.

1993-1998- Mission and ministry initiatives are launched to address teenage pregnancy, marketplace evangelism, Parish Nurses, mentoring, poverty and literacy.

1998-Virginia Missions Offering named for Miss Alma Hunt, now called the Alma Hunt Offering for Virginia Missions. Camp Little Cross Roads initiates coed camping.

1999-Camp Little Cross Roads changes its name to CrossRoads Camp and Conference Center.  

2004-The WMUV Board of Trustees and Advisory Board signed and affirmed the Declaration of Women at the annual fall Board Meeting. Click here to read the Dignity Declaration. World Missions Unlimited, a process where people connect their passions and spiritual gifts with a place of service, is launched.

2005-Aging With Significance is developed to equip mature adults for spiritual, educational, and functional life fulfillment.

2006-Earlene Jessee, Executive Director/Treasurer of WMUV, retires.

2007-WMUV and BGAV enter into Partnership Agreement to renew a commitment to collaboration toward the Alma Hunt Offering for Virginia Missions. Click here to read the Partnership Agreement. WMUV and VBMB sign the Partnership Covenant that reaffirms the spirit and value of cooperation between the organizations. Click here to read the Partnership Covenant.

2008-Miss Alma Hunt dies June 14. Laura McDaniel selected to be the Executive Director/Treasurer for WMUV. Updraft, a missions experience for youth, is launched.