Posted on Jun 28, 2004 | by Julie Walters

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP)--Wanda S. Lee, executive director-treasurer of the national Woman's Missionary Union, has announced that Andrea Mullins has been named director of WMU's product development center, effective July 12.

Mullins was approved unanimously during an open business session of the WMU executive board meeting in Indianapolis June 12.

Her new responsibilities will include providing leadership to: New Hope Publishers, the general trade publishing arm of WMU that releases approximately 24 new titles each year related to women and missions; WMU products, which relate specifically to the WMU organization; and WorldCrafts, a ministry of WMU begun in 1996 that imports handcrafts from 27 different countries with new ones added each year.

"Andrea is a proven leader with WMU and we are delighted that God has called and prepared Andrea to accept this new role," Lee said. "She possesses a comprehensive understanding of our mission and how that relates to the work of these three areas. Furthermore, she is extremely well-connected to many groups both inside and outside WMU."

Mullins' work experience with WMU began in 1984 when she served three years as WMU director for the Wyoming Southern Baptist Convention. She joined national WMU in 1987 and has served as the women's consultant, adult consultant and director of the consulting services department. Since 2001, she has served as co-leader of the WMU leadership development team, taking the lead in designing and implementing external leadership development strategies, programs, resources and events. She also leads and provides direction to the WMU multicultural and preschool resource teams.

"Andrea has an extensive background in women's leadership, plus keen intuition and a dynamic personality,” Tara Miller, director of marketing for New Hope, said. “These will prove to be great assets for New Hope author acquisitions as we expand into new markets with powerful selections that inspire women and change lives.”

Mullins was instrumental in securing several authors for WMU over the years, such as Karla Worley and Jennifer Kennedy Dean.

With a passion for mentoring and equipping young emerging leaders, Mullins serves as liaison to the Christian Women's Leadership Center at Samford University. She has been involved with the center since its inception in 2001 and works closely with Carol Ann Vaughn, director of the CWLC, as they help women prepare for leadership roles.

"Andrea has a heart for the leadership development of women that will help shape the direction of New Hope Publishers in the future," Lee said. "She has a vision for reaching new audiences with all that WMU brings to the missions arena."

Mullins earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wyoming and a master of divinity degree from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Currently, she is working on her doctorate through Northwest Graduate School in Seattle, Wash., with plans to graduate in 2006.

A member of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., she is active in choir, Sunday School and Mission Hearted Women and has served on church committees and led programs and studies.

Mullins and her husband, Mike, have one daughter and three grandchildren.
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