Susan Bryant of Pleasureville was elected as the 39th president of Kentucky WMU on April 4, 2014 in Winchester. Susan heads a slate of new officers which includes Shelby Castlen of Busy as Vice President and Cathy Mattingly of Louisville as Recording Secretary.
Susan Bryant, president, served as vice president of Kentucky WMU from 2011-13 and was a member of the Executive Board from 1994-97 and 2007-09. She also currently serves as a trustee of the International Mission Board (2012-16 term). Susan is a member of Graefenburg Baptist Church where she serves as WMU director and Girls in Action leader. Susan has also served as WMU director for Shelby Baptist Association and participated in numerous mission trips. Her most recent trip was with the Kentucky WMU team that ministered in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa in December. Susan has served on teams in Boston, MA; St. Louis, MO; Baltimore, MD; Belize; Puerto Rico; and South Korea. Susan has served on mission trips serving with both Mississippi River Ministry and Appalachian Regional Ministry. Susan is retired after serving over 30 years with Kentucky state government, including work in the governor’s office.
Shelby Castlen, vice president, served on the Kentucky WMU Executive Board from 2012-14 as a member from Region 8. She and her husband, Jim, served as IMB missionaries for 18 years in the Philippines and Australia. They have recently retired from service with the Three Forks Baptist Association where Jim served as Director of Missions and Shelby served as the ministry assistant. Shelby also served at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College as Development Director. Shelby is a volunteer with Disaster Relief and has led mission trip to Russia, China, Honduras, Brazil, Tanzania, Romania and Haiti. She is a member of the Big Creek Baptist Church.
Cathy Mattingly, recording secretary, is a member of West Broadway Baptist Church in Long Run Association. Cathy served on the Executive Board from 2008-11 and was chairperson of the Bylaws and Policy Committee. She leads Girls in Action in her church and also serves as associational GA consultant and WMU secretary. Cathy is a volunteer with Friendship International and has been involved with numerous local ministries.
Another new leader for Kentucky WMU is Cheryl Hatfield, appointed by outgoing president Linda Cooper as the development specialist, replacing Twyla Sheffield who served in this position for eight years. Cheryl and her husband, Jay, serve with Central Baptist Association and Willisburg Baptist Church. She is retiring from teaching school and is excited about this new opportunity with Kentucky WMU. Cheryl previously served as Recording Secretary from 2006-10 and as a member of the Executive Board from Region 7 (2003-05, 2012-14). As Development Specialist, Cheryl will serve as an ex officio member of the Kentucky WMU Executive Board and will lead fundraising efforts on behalf of Kentucky WMU, including the Heritage Fund, an endowment established in 1990.
Others elected to serve on the Kentucky WMU Executive Board include twenty-four regional representatives (3 from each of the 8 regions of the KBC) and two additional ex officio members (Kentucky Baptist Nursing Fellowship president and a RA/Challengers representative, appointed by the Kentucky WMU president). Those elected and serving as ex officio include:
Region 1: Linda Alexander, Cindy Hurley, Pat Bush
Region 2; Peggy Leach, Jan Powell, Diane Thacker
Region 3: Sharon Givens, Julia Devore, Lauri Warden
Region 4: Lisa Crenshaw, Suzanne Barrett, Melissa Logsdon-Young
Region 5: Patricia Callan, Kim Duvall, Linda Netherly
Region 6: Linda Lee, Lenna Walton, Fay Royalty
Region 7: Rebecca Carnell, Connie Wise, Georgia Burton
Region 8: Kimberly Blanton, Claudia Greenwood, Alison Holbrook
Baptist Nursing Fellowship President: Donna Mitchell
RA/Challengers Representative – Rick Gastineau
We are grateful for the service of the Kentucky WMU officers and board members. Our Board gives oversight to our work and provides valuable insights from across our state. The Board handles details like budgets and personnel matters allowing us to have an annual meeting that is inspirational and completely missions focused. We are blessed by the wealth of experience and commitment to the work of Kentucky WMU that these new officers and Executive Board members bring to our work. Please pray for each one as they serve during our 2014-15 year.
