By Tami Hubler -

Looking for an easy way to engage your church, small group, or family in missions?

Seeking an alternative to mission trips?

Christmas in August is an easy and simple way to introduce missions to all ages!

Each August, WMU and the North American Mission Board collaborate to provide a support opportunity for missionaries selected from across North America. Those selected submit a list of items they need for their ministries which is posted on the WMU website. It’s an easy process for everyone: select the missionaries you wish to support, collect the items requested and mail them directly to the missionaries.

Below is what we do each year at my church to help get you started:

Tabletop Christmas Tree with Paper Ornaments
  1. Set out a tabletop Christmas tree (purchased at Dollar General or on Amazon) at your Visitor Center or church entrance.
  2. Decorate the tree with paper ornaments: one side featuring a picture of the missionary and the other side with one of the requested items (click here for a free template: https://natashalh.com/printable-ornament-templates/). Note: it’s easy to find the missionaries’ pictures online at their church websites or on social media posts.
  3. Wrap a large cardboard box with Christmas paper to collect the requested items.
  4. Provide Christmas cards for individuals to send personal notes of encouragement.
  5. Promote the event by asking individuals to take a paper ornament from the tree and donate the requested item. If you are collecting for more than one missionary, have theindividuals place their ornament with the donation in the collection box so you can ship the item to the correct missionary.
  6. Pack the donated items and cards together, pray over the package and ship.
  7. Promote the event throughout the month of August!
WMU has posted all the tips you need for promoting, preparing, packing and mailing the items as well as the 2023 list of missionaries on their website: www.wmu.com/missions-discipleship/christmas-in-august/.

May you and your church family experience the joy of supporting missions!

"Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples." 1 Chronicles 16:24

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Tami Hubler serves as the WMU Director of Indiana's East Central Association.