How the WMF Reading Plan Began


“It all began in Indiana,” explained Margaret Mosher. “We were visiting family members who were reading books about missionaries and I thought our women in Eastern Region would benefit from the idea.” At last, after over 40 years, Sally Ruff had learned who initiated the very first Women’s Missionary Fellowship Reading Contest. After the first year, Margaret handed the responsibility to volunteers who chose books and promoted the program.  Fran French has spear-headed the program for over 20 years.
At first, all of the books listed were written by missionaries. Later, the list expanded to include recently published Christian books providing encouragement, a personal testimony, or a deeper understanding of other cultures. “It’s been satisfying to see the increased understanding of missions,” added Margaret. “When we read the stories of missionaries and those who have weathered life’s challenges with God’s help, our faith can be strengthened. I know that I learn so much from other people’s life testimonies.”
Through the years, participating churches have developed pretty balanced church libraries by simply budgeting a set of those books each year. There is an incentive to include as many readers as possible because each year’s winner is awarded a complete set of the next year’s reading list.


Canton First Friends won the 2008 competition by deliberately featuring every WMF Reading list from previous years in a special section of their library. To review the 2009 Reading List, click here.


If a church does not have a WMF chapter, individuals can use the reading list as a personal reading guide and begin to grow their church library of encouragement and inspiration. More information about EFC-ER's Women's Missionary Fellowship is available at their home page. (Click here.)