RICHMOND, Va. — Missions is part of Hannah Craft’s spiritual DNA, say those who know the 12-year-old well. A member of North Run Baptist Church in Richmond, Va., Craft has always shown enthusiasm for learning about and doing missions, says June Wikowsky, who leads the Girls in Action group at North Run.
Girls in Action is a Woman’s Missionary Union mission organization for girls in grades 1-6.
Through participation in mission activities at her church, Hannah has proven her leadership among her peers. She went on a mission trip to Louisiana to assist in leading a Vacation Bible School. She describes the trip as having a great impact on her life and providing the inspiration to keep doing mission work.
Four generations of WMU members are pictured with Hannah Craft, WMUV’s Outstanding GA for 2011 (far left). They include (left to right) Marilyn Hurt, her grandmother; Dorothy Bowles, her great-grandmother; and Heidi Craft, her mother.
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In 2011 Woman’s Missionary Union of Virginia named Hannah as its Outstanding GA, an award given a girl in grades 4-6 who exhibits developing leadership skills and portrays a missional lifestyle. During the past year the responsibilities of the Outstanding GA put Hannah in front of hundreds of people.
Her first speaking engagement came last spring at WMUV’s Mom and Me Camp, a mother-daughter weekend at Eagle Eyrie Baptist Conference Center near Lynchburg, Va. During those days at camp Hannah spoke twice to groups of 200 or more. She spoke on “The Armor of a GA,” and admits she was definitely nervous.
Like many public speakers, Hannah rehearsed prior to her first presentation. She says she had already delivered her message in front of her parents, David and Heidi Craft, as well as the mirror and to her pets. Still she admits that she was glad she did not have her glasses on and could not see all of the people looking at her. She went on to speak at GA summer camp, the WMUV annual meeting and to a group of over 500 at the annual meeting of the WMU of the Dover Baptist Association, with which her church is affiliated.
“Hannah Craft is an exceptional young lady,” says Edith Fisher, children’s educational consultant for Virginia’s WMU. “She embraced the responsibilities of leadership, speaking engagements and service with poise, confidence and creativity.”
As Outstanding GA she received WMUV’s Lisk Scholarship, enabling her to attend a week of summer camp at the mission organization’s Crossroads Camp and Conference Center. The scholarship is awarded in memory of two outstanding GAs who loved to attend summer camp, Kati and Kristen Lisk.
Throughout the year Hannah had opportunities to influence which few girls her age find. She says she made many new friends and found nice people along the way, people who helped her. She listened to the advice of her peers and adults and admits that their suggestions were invaluable.
“I am grateful to God and others for the experience,” Hannah says. “I am glad I was picked. It was a great spiritual journey. It’s been fun. I’ve loved every minute of it. It has brought me closer to people and it has definitely brought me closer to God.
“My family has definitely been a big part of this,” she admits. “Daddy helped me when I was writing my speeches. Mama drove me to all the places I had to go and prayed with me before going on stage. They all helped me with my decisions.”
Hannah is at least a fourth generation WMU member. Dover Baptist Association’s WMU director Sharon McKinley was her mother’s GA leader. Her grandmother, Marilyn Hurt, great-grandmother Dorothy Bowles and great-aunt Elizabeth Fletcher also participate in WMU groups at North Run Baptist Church.
While she has gained experience and ability in public speaking while serving as Outstanding GA, Craft still wants to pursue a career in law. “I want to be a prosecuting attorney,” she admits.
“It will be exciting to see how Hannah continues to seek leadership roles and also impact the world for Christ in the years to come,” says Steve Allsbrook, director of missions for the Dover Baptist Association.
Barbara Francis (bfrancis@religiousherald.org) is a staff writer for the Religious Herald.