Corbin — Amy Wilhelmus, director of Moore Activity Center, an inner-city missionary in Covington, received the Kentucky Missionary of the year award at the Kentucky WMU annual meeting and missions celebration at Central Baptist Church in Corbin on April 1.

Wilhelmus, a graduate of Cumberland College, now University of the Cumberlands, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, grew up at Southside Baptist Church in Covington, the church which coordinates the ministry of Moore Activity Center. After spending eight years away, she returned to her hometown and the ministry to which God called her, she shared.

The Moore Activity Center is “designed to show love and minister to inner city families by developing the whole person, the physical, the mental, the emotional, and the spiritual through teaching, mentoring, nurturing, tutoring, and lay counseling based on Christian values,” said Teresa Parrett, missions mobilization coordinator for the Kentucky Baptist Convention.

“Under her direction, the ministry is literally reaching thousands of people by sharing Christ through activities and programs such as family fun nights, Bible programs, community service events, recovery programs, giveaways, summer programs, and so much more,” Parrett added, calling the ministry a “beacon in the downtown area where it’s located.”

Wilhelmus marvels at God’s plan, bringing her back to the city and church where her mother ministered for many years. “God used each place I traveled to prepare me for what I am doing now,” she said. “I love watching God at work.”

She has been working with the Moore Actitvity Center since 2000 and in her role with the North American Mission Board since 2010.

“She loves the Lord, she wants to share His love with others, she’s a hard worker, she’s full of energy, and she just bubbles with joy. She has great compassion for those she serves and does an amazing job,” Parrett added.

Eight new Kentucky missionaries also were commissioned during the Kentucky WMU annual meeting March 31-April 1, which included a weekend full of learning about various missions endeavors throughout the commonwealth. Theme for the weekend was By All Means, and the keynote speaker was Katie Orr, author and speaker.