Sunbeam Band provides early Christian education to children (Mark 10:13-16; Mark 9:36-37) and mission-driven denominational leaders. Since WMU is known for missions, the value of missions in early years became evident by notable missionaries, who had been taught and encouraged in missions while they were Sunbeams.

Sunbeam Band Grouping and Membership

The division of children into different age groups has contributed to the growth of Sunbeam Band. In previous years, WMU Handbook states that children from three through twelve years of age were eligible members of Sunbeam Band. 1953 began the division of children from four through nine years. Few years later, the grouping provided for Beginner Sunbeam Band between ages 4 and 6 years while Primary Sunbeam Band is from 7 to 9 years. By 1999, enrolment of Beginner Sunbeam Band was 29,000, while that of the Primary Sunbeam was 26,578. However, in 2018, the membership of both Beginner Sunbeam and Primary Sunbeam has grown to 84,000. Twenty children is the ideal number/ratio for a Sunbeam leader and her assistant. The Sunbeam (boy) graduates at the age of 10 to the Royal Ambassador while Sunbeam (girl) graduates to the Girls’ Auxiliary.