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I love having options. Options give color to my day and add flair and excitement to otherwise mundane activities.Decisionslikewheretoeatdinner,whatmodeoftransportationI’llusetogetthere,andwhatIcanwearto dinner all make a simple dining experience a uniqueadventure(evenifIdousuallychooseto“Haveit(my)way”at Burger King.)This is just theAmericanway: choosingoptions. WithintheChristianworldtherearealsooptions.Godinstilledwithinusaspiritoffreewill,allowingustochoosethe church we wish to attend, the seminars we want toattendtolearnmoreaboutChrist,andevenhowcommittedwe are toChrist. However,whenwemake the decisiontofollowChrist,therearesomecoreChristianbeliefsthatcease to beoptionsandbecomeobligations. TheBible,the inspired, inerrant Word of God, outlines these corebeliefs.TheseobligationsdistinguishusasHispeople.Asbelievers,wearetoshoveasideourowndesiresandcarryouttheseobligations. Oneoftheseobligations isthecontinualpromotionofChrist’sGreatCommission. InMatthew28:19,Christ di-rectedusto“goforthandmakedisciples,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolySpir-it.”AsIfrequentlyremindmycongregation, this core be-liefisnotanoption;itisadi-rectivethatmustbeobeyed.WearecommandedtobringpeopletoChrist! The Great CommissionissomethingthefirstchurchinActs understoodwell. InActs 2, the church’s pursuitof the Great Commissionresulted in daily additions.Shortlythereafter,theirnum-bersbeganmultiplying(Acts6:1),andthentheircongrega-tionsweredescribedas“...agreatnumber[that]believedandturnedtotheLord”(Acts11:21).Thisurgencyresultedinchurchesbeingstrengthenedinthefaith(Acts16:5).Ob-viously,thechurchinthebookofActsknewtheimportanceofChrist’scommandandworkedfeverishlyforitssuccess.Theyrecognizedthatthemorepeoplethatheardthegos-pel,themorepeoplewouldacceptChrist.Thispassionpaidoff,asisevidencedbythechurch’sexponentialgrowth. AsGeneralBaptistsweare likewisecommittedtothecontinual pursuit of the Great Commission. Our denomi-

nationalmissionsareofparamountimportanceinspread-ingthegospelofChristandfurtheringtheGreatCommis-sion.OurNationalandInternationalMissionprogramsareblessedwithordinarypeoplewhohaveextraordinarygiftsandburdens for the lost.Theyprovideanopportunity forpersonalcontactbetweenthefinancialand/orprayersup-porter and the mission-ary. Not only does thispartnership enable jointcelebrations for missionfield successes, it alsoprovidesencouragementand burden-sharing forobstacles encountered.OurmissiondepartmentsarestaffedwithGeneralBaptistmenandwomenwhohavemadeacommitmenttoupholdourmissionariesinprayerandwhobelieveinthevisionofGeneralBaptistMissionsandtheurgencyforitsadvance-ment.Eachpersonnelandfinancialdecisionofourministrydepartmentsiscloselymonitoredtoinsurethehighestlevelof accountability of supporter’s dollars. General Baptistmission programsaremaking a difference in our countryandtheworld! I believe in ourGeneral BaptistMission programs. IbelievetheyarethekeytoexponentialgrowthnotonlyforGeneral Baptists, but ultimately forChrist’s kingdom. AsGeneral Baptists, we cannot and will not scale back ourmissions programs for the sake of saving a few dollars.More missionaries must be sent. More money must beraised. More churches need to be strengthened. Thereis no room to play it safewith evangelism. There is notenough time left forus toshiftourprograms intoneutral.Theclockistickingoneverylife,butsalvationisavailabletoallpeople. CommunitiesstillneedtobeimpactedwiththeGoodNews.Therearestillcountrieswhoseinhabitantsneed to acceptChrist, grow inHisword, and reach theirfellowcountrymen. Are you convinced of the direct correlation betweenthose who hear the gospel and those who accept thegospel? Iam! Wouldyou like toseeexponentialgrowthfor theKingdom like the church inActs? I do! Wemuststay focusedandcommitted to increasing thenumbers inheaven and decreasing the number of occupants in hell.TheadvancementoftheGreatCommissionisnotanoption–itisanobligation.IprayyouwilljoinmeinexecutingthisChrist-givenobligationand impactingourworld forChristthroughmissions!

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GeneralBaptisthavealwaysbeenmissionaryinspirit. It ispartofourtheologyofageneralatonement.Sincewebelievethat“JesusChristbythegraceofGodtasteddeathforeveryman”weregularlyengageinevangelismandmissionstosharethatgoodnews.

IntheearlyyearsofourmovementmissionssimplymeantreachingthewesternfrontieroftheUnitedStatesbyplantingchurchesandengagingincampmeetings.

Shortlyafterournationalorganizationwasformedin1870,astrategywasdevelopedtoestablishamissionboardtooverseefurthereffortstoplantchurchesintheUnitedStates.AcrosstheyearsthiseffortresultedintheorganizationofaNationalMissionsDepartmentasoneaspectofthelargerministryofGeneralBaptists.

By 1911General Baptists had organized a ForeignMissionSociety to supportwork overseas. The Logansweresent toGuamtoestablishwork thateventuallyexpanded toSaipanandThePhilippines. To furthergarnersupport fortheseoverseaseffortsaWomen’sMissionarySocietywasorganized.TheseearlyeffortsresultedintheorganizationofaDepartmentofInternationalMissionsasoneaspectofthelargerworkofGeneralBaptistMinistries.Women’sMissionarySocietynowfunctionsinasupportroleasWomen’sMinistries.

ToexpandandenhancemissionaryoutreachGeneralBaptist leadersorganized thecooperativeministryofUnifiedGivinginthe1960s.Togiveasinglevoicetoourmissionaryagenciesdenominationalrestructuringinthe1990sresultedinare-organizationthatcombinedpreviouslyindependentorganizationsintoGeneralBaptistMinistries.

In this expanded special feature, the philosophy that supports each department’smissionary efforts is followedbydescriptionsandtestimoniestotheeffectivenessofthosemissionarycauses.Youwillfindavarietyofmissionarystoriesandchallengingmissionoptionsthatprovideroomforfullparticipation.

Ourmissionarycauseliesembeddedinoneofourmostpopularslogans:Wedotogetherwhatwecannotdoalone.

...doing together what we cannot do alone.

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Why We Plant ChurchesBy Donald Key, Director of NationalMissions

Whydoweplant new churches?Thereare several reasonswhyGen-eralBaptistsdevelopnew leaders forthepurposeofplantingnewchurches. We plant new churches becausepeopleneedtohearthegospelofJe-susChrist.Inmanyareasoftheworldthere is no local expression of thechurch. Even inAmerica only about20% of people attend church weekly(DavidT.Olson,TheAmericanChurchinCrisis).Insomeareasofthecountrythepercentageofpeoplewhoarecon-nected to a healthy Christian churchisevenlower.Weplantnewchurchesbecause we believe everyone needstohearandshouldhavetheopportu-nitytohearaboutJesus. We plant new churches because85% of people who attend a churchplant are unchurched and spirituallydisenfranchised. They’ve had a badexperience, been judged becauseof theirpastor thechurch justhasn’tseemed relevant to them. In manycases, established churches havenotbeeninterestedinreachingtheunchurched, therefore, theseun-churched,spirituallydisen-franchisedpeoplehavenotbeenreceivedandwel-comed.Weplantnewchurchescommittedtotearingdownthebarriersthatkeeppeopleatarm’slength.

We plant new churches that dis-cover ways to reach the unchurchedandclearlycommunicatethegospel.We plant new churches because Je-sussaid,“Go”.WhenHesaid,“Go”Hespoke to Christ followers. The GreatCommissionisnotasuggestion;rath-er it containsmarchingorders for theBodyofChrist. God’splanforreach-ing theworld is thechurch. There isno plan B. If the church doesn’t go,then who will? If the church doesn’tgonow, thenwhenwillwego? If thechurch doesn’t go here, in our ownland,thenwherewillwego?WeplantnewchurchesbecausewewanttobeobedienttoJesus. Weplantnewchurchesbecauseofourfaith.WebelieveinJesusandwewantotherstobelieveinHim.Webe-lieveHeisGod’sonlymeansofsalva-tionforaworldofsinners.WebelievetheloveofGodmakesadifferenceina person’s life.Wewant everyone toexperience that love.Webelieve thatGod loves everyone and that everylifeisimportant;weexpressthatbeliefthroughchurchplanting. We plant new churches becausewe want everyone to experience thejoy of a relationship with Jesus. Weplantnewchurchesbecausewewantothers to knowHim, experienceHim,and join us in reaching our world forChrist. We plant new churches becausechurch planting has been shown tobe “the most effective evangelisticmethodologyunderheaven”(PeterWagner).ThroughchurchplantingwebringthehopeofJesusChristtomen,women,andchildrenwhoselives have been destroyed or dam-

agedbysin.Weoffer themthegoodnewsofJesusandthefellowshipofalovingchurchfamily.ThroughchurchplantingweareobedienttotheGreat

Commission.Byplantingnewchurch-es we share our faith collectively inwaysandplaceswecannotdoalone.

1. The interaction of two ormoreagentsorforcessothattheircombinedeffectisgreaterthanthesumoftheirindividualeffects. 2. Cooperative interactionamong groups, especially amongtheacquiredsubsidiariesormergedpartsofacorporation, thatcreatesanenhancedcombinedeffect.

[FromGreeksunergi,cooperation,from sunergos, working together;seesynergism.] Within the framework of Na-tionalMissionstheSYNERGYpro-gram/process brings together like-minded churches and ministriesfor the purposes of planting newchurches. SYNERGY places theaccountability foranewworkbackinto the hands of those whopartnerinitssponsorship. SYNERGY introduces athree way partnership be-tweenNationalMissions,the church planter andthelocal/regionalspon-sorsofthenewchurchplant.Thispartnershipprovides more local

ownership and involvement in thenewchurchplant. Inmanywaysitisafurtherex-tensionoftheREAPprogramstart-edyearsago.TheREAPprogramplanned for permanent partner-shipsbetweenandamongassocia-tions to accomplish church plant-ing. SYNERGY plans for specificpartnership in a particular churchplant. This allows energetic sup-portofaprojectwithoutthesome-timestediousworkofmaintainingaformal,on-goingorganization. In practice SYNERGY oftenrequires the church planter to ac-tively recruit sponsors in amatch-ing grant type of agreement withNationalMissions.ThespecificsofeachSYNERGYprojectarespelledout in a Ministry Agreement witheachchurchplanter.Thisadvancework by the church planter honeshis skills in leadership and visioncasting. With cooperation from localchurches, associations and mis-sion boards additional SYNERGYprojectscanbedevelopedtoplantmorechurchesandseemorepeo-plesaved.

I. InitialContact–usuallythisisinitiatedbytheprospectivechurchplanterandconsistsofaphoneinter-view

II. Application/Pre-AssessmentProcess - ApplicationSubmitted - ChurchPlantingSelf-Assess-mentCompleted - AwarenessofChurchPlantingDemonstrated

III. AssessmentCenter EvaluationScheduledand Completed

IV. TrainingandEvaluation Process - One-weekintensive - One-yearinternship

The Church Planting Process

V. CommunityAssessmentProcess

VI. AnAgreementProcessresultsinaformalMinistryAgreementthatincludes

- Abasicministrydescription - Astrategicministryplan - Afinancialprospectus - Benchmarksforevaluation - Afundingplanandtimeline - Expectationsforchurchplant - Conflictandgrievanceman- agementprocedures - Continuingeducationexpecta- tions - Associationalanddenomina- tionalrequirements - Coachingagreement

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When We Plant Churches

We Change Lives

The author’s name has been withheld to respect her privacy.

A real story of life change from the ministries of Genesis Church, West Plains, Missouri.

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EASTER REPORTS 2013God is doing some amaz-ing things among our recentlyplanted churches. The follow-ing reports demonstrate thatChrist isstill inthebusinessofreachingthelostandchanginglives.

Pastor Brandon Petty of Gen-eration Church, Portland, TNreportshaving1,300infiveser-viceswith95peoplecomingtoChrist.

PastorCarlNicholsofRelevantChurch, Locust Grove, GA re-ports having 6,000 people oncampusduringtheirEggDrop,800 in service on SundayAMwith35peoplecomingtoChrist.

Pastor Kris Freeman of Revo-lutionChurch,Whitehouse,TNreports having 518 in worshipattendance,3saved,17recom-mitments,largestofferingoftheyear.Gave10%ofEasteroffer-ingtosponsoringchurch.

PastorVinceDanielofRealLifeChurch, Mountain Home, ARreports 609 in attendance, 20peoplecomingtoChrist,manynewvolunteers.

Pastor Terrell Somerville ofFreedom Church, Gallatin, TNreports having 2,200 in atten-dance, 94 persons coming toChrist.

Pastor Gary Baldus of NewWalk Church, Zephyrhills, FLreports 240 people coming toChrist during their weekend ofEasterservices.Thetotalatten-dance over the weekend wasover4,550people!

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“All this time,Godhasbeenpre-paringmetoreturnhometotheHigh-lands of Tennessee, and for RefugeChurch,asafeplaceforpeopletofindJesus.InOctober,2013wewillbeginthenextphaseofplantingthatchurchby relocating to Cookeville, Tennes-see.InthisTennesseetownof65,000directlybetweenNashvilleandKnox-ville on Interstate 40 we will live outthedream.SomanyofourGeneralBaptist pastors haveshared this dream allthe way back to the1820s and the daysof our founder BenoniStinson. Our dreamis to share the gospelwith people who haveyet to hear that Jesusdied for all so that allmight be saved. Wedreamforasafeplace,aRefuge...” Even though there are 116churches inCookeville, studies showthat70%of thepopulationareeitherunchurchedordechurched.Thisfact

alone broke the heart of Dustin andMelissa Thompson when they wereprayingaboutwhereGodwouldsendthem to plant a new church. In thefall of 2013, Dustin and Melissa willmovetoCookevilletobegintheworkofestablishinganewGeneralBaptistChurch. It will be the only GeneralBaptistChurch inCookeville and theonly General Baptist Church in Ten-nesseeeastofLafayette.

DustinandMelissaare looking for part-nersinthisexcitingandgroundbreakingchurchplant. Theyneedpeo-ple to commit to prayforthemastheylaunchoutbyfaithtoplantRef-ugeChurch. They understandthat without God’sblessings their effortswill be in vain. They

also understand the importance ofhaving God’s people support themin their work. They are also lookingforfinancialpartners. Startinganew

churchisveryexpensive. In addi-tion, Dustinand Melissaare given thetask of rais-ing personalfunds for thischurch plant. This makes them part-ners with National Missions in moreways than just being church plant-ers. Dustin and Melissa are lookingforthosespecialpeoplewhofeel likethatGodiscallingthemtomovewiththemtoCookeville.Theseare“home”missionaries, people who are cou-rageous enough to launch out intothe deep and cast the net to reap aharvest for Jesus Christ. Finally, theThompsons are looking for church-es that would like to get involved bysendingoutreachteamstoworkintheCookevillearea.Theseareshort-termmissionarieswhocomeonthescene,help with the work and then returnhome.They don’t forget themission,buttheyarenotpermanentresidents.

Cookeville is a city in Putnam County, Tennessee, United States. The population was 23,923 at the 2000 census. The 2010 Census of Cookeville’s population was 30,435, and the combined total of those living in Cookeville’s zip codes in 2010 was 65,014. It is recognized as one of the country’s micropolitan areas, smaller cities which nevertheless function as significant economic hubs. Of the twenty micropolitan areas in Tennessee, Cookeville is the largest; the Cookeville micropolitan area’s 2010 Census

population was 106,042. Cookeville is home to Tennessee Technological University and its 12,158

students. Tennessee Tech is ranked among the Top Public Schools in the South.

You can help! National Missions would like to encourage you and your church to get behind this church planting couple and support them with your prayers, financ-es and even your presence. If you have any questions you can contact National Missions at (573) 714-7700, don.key@generalbaptist.com or Pastor Dustin at (417) 505-9416.

About Cookville, Tennessee

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glesiasTorreFuerte(StrongTowerChurch)hasjustcompletedtheirapplica- tionforincorporationwiththestateofNorthCarolina.PastorNicholasChavez leadsthecongregation.Theyarecurrentlymeetinginadonatedspacepro-videdbyalocalChristianbusinessmanbuthaveplanstomovetoalargerfacility.Thisrequiresarchitecturaldrawingsandbidsfromlocaltradesmenfortheworktobeperformed.TheyanticipatetheywillbeintheirnewfacilitybytheendofJuly.Currentworshipattendanceisaroundonehundred.

Thischurchwillbecomeahubfortraining leaderstoplantnewchurchesintheNorthandSouthCarolinaregion.GerardoAntivero,amemberofthechurch,whoisservingasChurchPlantingCoordinatorforNationalMissions,willprovideleadershipanddiscipleship trainingwhilewatching forpotential churchplanterswithintheHispaniccommunityintheHickory-NewtonNorthCarolinaarea.HehaspreviouslyplantedchurchesinSouthDakotaandNorthCarolina.

IglesiasTorreFuerte’s congregation ismadeupof people fromVenezuela,CostaRica,Bolivia,Uruguay,ElSalvadorandtheUnitedStates.Itistrulyaninter-nationalchurchwhosemembersareboundtogetherbylanguageandbytheirloveforChristandothers.Injustafewmonthstheyhavegrowninnumberandvision.Theyhavehadcommunityeventsthathaveincludedmarriageseminars.ThishasbroughtnewpeopletothecongregationwithmoreopportunitiestoreachouttotheHispaniccommunity.

PastorChavezandCPCGerardoAntiverowillbewithusatthisyear’sSummitinFlorida.Whenyouseethemmakethemwelcome.

Deacon Jimmy Vargas translating for Bro. Donald Key at Iglesia Torre Fuerte

Church Planting Coordinator, Gerardo Antivero teaching at Iglesia Torre Fuerte.

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erriam-Webster defines an intern as “an ad- vancedstudentorgrad-uateusuallyinaprofessionalfield(asmedicineor teaching)gainingsupervised practical experience(asinahospitalorclassroom)”.Inthecaseofchurchplantinganin-ternisachurchplantingcandidatewhoservesunderthesupervisionof an experienced church planterfor the purpose of gaining practi-cal knowledge in planting a newchurch. Those who complete achurchplanting internship haveagreaterchanceofbeingsuccessfulthan those who launch churcheswithnotrainingatall.

Internshipisaprocessofhandsontraining.Duringthistimeoftrain-ingtheinternlearnshowtosetupandtear-downeachweekinprep-aration for weekend worship ser-vices.The internalso learnshowtocastvisionandleadagroupofvolunteerstoplantachurch.Otherministryrelatedtrainingconsistsofdevelopingandimplementingchil-dren’s and youthministries along

By Donald Key, Director of National Missions

with how to lead and respond tothemanychallengeschurchplant-ersfacewhilelaunchingandlead-inganewchurch.

GeneralBaptistNationalMissionshas two programs of internship.Oneconsistsofanintensiveweek-long program of training. Duringthis time a seasoned, successfulchurch planter leads the church-planting candidate. The internspends his time in the companyof and observing the lead pastorashegoesaboutthedailytaskofleading a church plant. NationalMissionsusually fundsweek-longintensives.

GeneralBaptistNationalMissionsalso offers a longer internshipprogramthatusuallylastsforoneyear. During this time the internactuallybecomespartof thestaffof an existing church plant. Re-sponsibilities are many and var-ied.However,duringthistimetheintern learnshow to lead,how todevelop a ministry plan, how to

develop a budget, and other es-sentialsrelatedtochurchplanting.

Theone-year internship isapart-nership between the intern, thehost church, and National Mis-sions.Typically, aministry agree-ment will be developed and ap-proved, stating that the internwillraise one-third of his salary, thechurchwillpayone-thirdandNa-tionalMissionswill pay one-third.This insureseveryone is investedin the process. This gives thechurch an extra staff person foroneyearatareducedcost. Thisgivesthe internagreateducationand this gives National Missionsa future church planter who hasbeen assessed and trained forchurchplanting.

National Missions and RelevantChurchhasenteredintoanintern-shipagreementwithIrvRyder.Irvhas pastored in Tennessee andGeorgia and is looking to plantsomewhere between Nashville,TNandNorthGeorgia.

Irv Ryder Family

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1911: “The first organized women’s work ofGeneral Baptistmet on June 30, 1911, approxi-mately twomonths before Rev.Arthur andMrs.EdithLogansailedforGuamasthefirstGeneralBaptistmissionaries.”(Duck,pi)Themottoofthatfirstsessionwas:“TheWomentotheFrontinCon-centrated,ConsecratedEffortforMissions”(Dos-settandGann,p103).

1926: The General Baptist Women’s Boardreleased$3000 inproperty fundsspecifically setasideforbuildingexpansiontotheworkofRever-endA.L.LuttrellonGuam(Carr,p66).

Mid 1940’s (following the retaking of Guam from Japanese occupation during WW II): “Through the “GiftsForGuam” committee, orga-nizedbyaformergovernorofGuam,theGeneralBaptistWomen’sMissionarySocietieswereableto send seventy-two largeboxesof clothing andshoestoGuam.TheboxesweredeliveredbytheNavy before mail service to the island was re-sumed.ToRev.Sablanandhispeopletheboxesmeantfarmorethanjustthemuchneededcloth-ing. The boxes represented justification of theirfaithandconfidenceintheGeneralBaptistpeopleinthestatesuponwhomtheyweresodependentformissionsupport”(DossettandGann,p100).

1953:At theWomen’s Conference that yearthenewlypublishedbook,General Baptist at Work in the PacificbytheWomen’sMissionBoard,waspresentedforsale.TheMiteBoxofferingthatyearwas$13,440.

1989: The 1980’s were another era of greatprogress andgrowth in thewomen’swork. ThewomenbecameKeyDonorstotheHeadquartersCampaignFundgiving$5000totheproject.Overthe ten-year period Foreign Missions received$590,271andHomeMissionsreceived$489,250.Other allocations for specific projects or areaswerealsogiven(DuncanandRunyon,p395).

1990’s:TheWorldMissionsEndowmentwasdevelopedduring thatyear. Thegoalof theen-dowmentthen,asnow,was$1,000,000,withtheinterest from theendowmenthelping to fund theexpenses of the Executive Office (Duncan andRunyon,p397).In1997,theBylawsoftheWom-en’sMissionaryConferencewererevisedandthenameof theorganizationwaschanged toWom-en’sMinistries,Inc.(DuncanandRunyon,p401).

2000-2010: Throughout this decade theWomen’sMinistries groups across the denomina-tion have remained true to theoriginalmotivationbehindthecreationofWomen’sMinistries:supportforGeneralBaptistministries.GiftstoInternationalMissions,NationalMissions,GeneralBaptistBibleCollege, Compassionate Care, and Oakland CityUniversityhaveallreceivedmuchneededmonetarysupportfromWomen’sMinistries.Lookingbackatourearliestbeginningswecouldusethesloganofan old, old cigarette commercial, “You’ve come alongway,Baby.” Looking ahead to our next 100years,wedonotknowwhereGodwill leadusorwhatdoorsHewillopenforWomen’sMinistries,orwhatHemightaskustodo,butonethingiscertain:thereisanexcitementinanticipatingthejourney.

This abbreviated history was compiled by Linda Jenkins for our 100 year celebration at the 2011 Mission & Ministry Summit. I came across it while looking for another document, and found myself ab-sorbed in its content. I am in awe of the accomplish-ments of General Baptist women over the years, and find it incredibly encouraging to be reminded of our “chutzpah”!

I get many questions about changes in Women’s Ministries. Yes, we have changed; and no, we have not. The way we communicate, work, and dream changes with our culture. WHAT we communicate never does.

WM is no longer the primary group linking senders with goers. Websites, social media, e-letters, and efficient International and National Missions offices covers that. We ARE vital as conduits of hope. • Hope for missionaries struggling with day to

day battles. • Hope for church planters stepping into the

scary world of faith-living. • Hope for international sisters and ministries. • Hope for women across the world or across

the pews scarred by divorce, disappointment, abuse, and self loathing.

Last November, women clearly stated their opin-ions. Summarized briefly they said, “Don’t quit”! Dr. Murray must have been whispering in their ears.

We still exist to carry out the job we are on this earth to

do. We. Carry. Hope. That, my sweet friends, is missions.

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A Journal of the HeartMelissa Thompson (called with her husband, Dustin, and daughter, Ava, to plant a church in Cookeville, TN)

October 2010: The Dream My husband just challengedmyworld. I had justarrived in Georgia to help our teens assist RelevantChurch with their launch. I arrived ratherlate,butDustinwaitedupforme. Isensedhis heartwasheavy themoment as I sawhim.HetookmetothesideandaskedmetoprayforhimbecausehefeltGodleadinghimtodosomethingbig.Ipanickedabitatwhat this big thingmight be. I knew, but Ididn’twanttoadmitthatIknew.Ihadafeel-ingourlittlefamilywasabouttotakeahugeleapoffaith.

Dustin looked at me and said, “Godwantsustoplantachurch,andIbelievehehasgivenmeavisionforit.ItwillbenamedRefuge.”Hewentontoshowme inScripturewhereGodhadrevealed theplantohim.Iwasscaredandexcitedatthesametime.HowcouldGoduseusinthatbigofaway?WearejustDustinandMelissa.

WeekshavepassedandIamstilltryingtowrapmyheadaroundwhatthisjourneywillbelike.IfeelblessedtohavethesupportwehavefromTerrellSomervilleandourchurch; theyareexcited foruson this journeyaswell!Iamalittleanxioustoseewhattheassessorssayaboutuswhenwemeetwiththem.Theywilleithercon-firmourcalling,orletusknowthatweshouldbemovinginadifferentdirection.

May 2011: The Assessment The week long assessment process has finally comeand gone. This was one of the hardest weeks I haveeverexperienced,butIamgrateful.Foraweekwewerescrutinized.Wewerejudgedforeverywordwesaidormove wemade.We were challenged about our past,present,andfuture.Weweretestedandpusheduntilall

ofourwallsweredown.Itwasinthosemo-mentsDustinandIcouldseewhowereallyare;weareagreatteam!Iamsohonoredtobeonthisjourneywithmyhusband.

We received a “green light” to plant achurch! Now, the realitybegins. Iknewwewerecalledtodothis,butpartofmethoughtthatmaybewewouldbetoldwewerewrong.ButGodwasusing this time topreparemyheart.Thereisnoturningbacknow!

August 2011: The Move Wow,wehaveahugeopportunity!JeffSmith,pas-torofGenesisChurchinWestPlains,hasofferedtoputus on staff, allowing us a two year internship to learnasmuch aswe can about church planting. I am anx-iousaboutmovingfortwoyears.Avaissoyoung,andweareleavingourfamily.Thisisgoingtobehard,butIknowthatitistherightsteptotake.Thiskindofhands-ontrainingwillbeagreatwaytoprepareusforwhatwewillbegoingthrough.

Startingfromscratchwillbethehardestpart. Iamstrugglingwithinsecurity.Whatiftheydon’tlikehowwelead?WhatiftheyloveDustin,buthateme?God,Ijustpraythatyouwalkwithusonthisjourney.

Acrossthestateoracrosstheglobe,familiescalledtothemissionfieldfaceuniquestruggles.OneofthewaysWomen’sMinistries“plugs”intomissionsisbysupportingmissionaryfamilies.Readtheaccountsofthesetwoextraordinarywomenwhohavefollowedtheirhusbandsto

leadextraordinarylives.

October 2012: This Is Real We have been here in West Plains forabouta year.Wearestarting toget calls tocomeandpresentourvisionforRefugeatdif-ferentchurches,andweareraisingmoneysothatwecanplantinthefallof2014.Ishouldbemoreexcited,butIamkindofscared.Ourpas-torandhiswifehavejustrecentlyexperiencedpersecutionbysomemediavenueshere,andIknowourfamilyshouldbepreparedforthesame.ThiswasthefirsttimeIwitnessedsuchslanderupcloseandpersonal,andmyheartisbroken.IknowthatJesussufferedpersecu-tionandyetHecontinuedHis journeytothecross!IknowthatGodhasbroughtustothis,andHewillbringusthroughit.

April 2013: Preparing for The Big Move Alright!Hereweare.Wearejustmonthsawayfromtheendofourtwoyearinternship,andwehavelearnedmuch.Aswepreparetorelocateagain,Iamfeelingapprehensive.Thisdreamthatwehavefollowedis justabouttocometrue!Haveyoueverwantedsomethingsobadly,butwhenitwasalmostinreach,youhaddoubts?AmIqualified?AmIready?

ThismovewillbeespeciallyhardbecauseAvahasgrownandsheloveseveryonehere.Shehasherownfriendsnow.Sheisherownlittle personwith her own life, andas far asshecanremember,ithasbeenhereinWestPlains.Thismovewillbeharderonherthanthepreviousone,anditwillbeharderformethanIthoughttoo.Iamleavingfamilyagain.IjustkeeptellingmyselfthatGodispreparingustobethatkindofchurchforsomeoneelse.Wearegoingtobefamilytothelost!WewillbethatsafeplacewherepeoplecanmeetJe-sus.WewillbetheirRefuge!

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People often ask how they canbless missionary & pastoralfamilies. There are the obviousanswers, of course: contributemonetarily and pray. But whatif we kept a storehouse of giftsthat could be showered on themto help them through transitionaltimes?ConsiderjoiningWomen’sMinistries in building a bank ofgift cards that can be distributedto international missionary andnational church planting familieswhen they embark on a newjourneyorreturntoanoldone.

Buy gift cards (find them inany grocery/department store)for online shopping sites orcommonly found departmentstores. For a small fee (around$5 usually) a loaded credit/debitcard allows flexibility. They canbe used anywhere credit cardsareaccepted…likeinairportsandgrocerystores!

SendthemtoWomen’sMinistries,100StinsonDrive,PoplarBluff,MO63901;orbringthemtoSummit2013!

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Thee and Me and Three in TowPatricia Hammond (called with her hus-band and three children to Davao City, Philippines)

“...where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you” (Ruth 1:16, 17 ESV).

ThisistheverseIprayedovermy future husband long beforeJosh came into the picture. LittledidIknowhowliterallyGodwouldplaythatoutinmylife!Iprayedthathewouldbeamissionary,butthe“where”,Iwasjustthinking“China”,butHeshowedmetheworld.Other thanChina, we’ve been inSaipan,HongKong,andnowthePhilippines.The longer we worked overseas, the morewe realizedwhatahindrance itwas toholdaChinesepassport.Inthepastsevenyearsorso,wealwayshadtomakeatripbacktothe States every year in order to keep myUSGreenCardstatus. Itwas timeconsum-ingandexpensive.AsofFebruary22,2013,afteryearsof “battle”withUSImmigration, IfinallybecameacitizenoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica,onenationunderGod.Ithassofarmade itmucheasier travelwiseas IamallowedtoentercountrieslikeThePhilippinesforacertainamountoftimewithoutavisa.

“When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Proverbs 16:7 ESV).

WestartedservinginHongKongin2008,

andIalwaysthoughtitwouldbetheplacewecalled“home”.Welovedthecity, thecultureand the church.We invested in the lives ofmanypeople,wehadgreatfriendsthere,andmyfamilywasclose.ThenJosh“hadto”gotoThePhilippines.Hecamehomeandsharedtheexcitingexperienceswithme,andthenhe

asked, “What do you think aboutmovingtothePhilippines?”Myan-swerwas“No!”Ilistedalltherea-sons,buthewasn’tconvinced,soIwent toGod.Mymainconcern/worry was the safety of my chil-dren.Even our Filipino friends inHongKongsaidtheywouldnotgoback to a place that’s known forkidnapping and terrorism. I wasreadingtheBibleandprayingoneday,hopingGodwouldshowme

aversetoshowmyhusbandthatHewasnotcallingustothePhilippines.Whatstoodoutto me, however, was “When a man’s wayspleasetheLord,hemakesevenhisenemiestobeatpeacewithhim”(Proverbs16:7ESV).IhadnomorewordsbuttrustandfollowHislead.

“By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise” (Hebrews 11:9 ESV).

ItwaseasyformetosayIwillgowher-everGodcallsmeuntilmy threekidscamealong. We’ve been here in the PhilippinessinceMarch 28.We flew on four airplanes,moved fromone city to another, transferredfromhoteltohotelandevensleptonthefloor.My two toddlers have had numerous incon-solablemeltdownsat “home”and inpublic,anditdoescausemetoask,amImakingtheright choice formy kids?Then I amalways

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broughtbacktotheverseamissionarywifesharedwithmewhohadlivedinaforeignlandforover30years.“Byfaithhewenttoliveinthelandofpromise,asinaforeignland,livingintentswithIsaacandJacob,heirswithhimofthesame promise”(Hebrews 11:9 ESV).MychildrenshallbewithuswhereGodhascalledusasAbrahamhadhissonliveinthelandwherehedwelled.

“For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike” (1 Samuel 30:24 ESV).

This people group calledGeneralBaptisthasbeenatremendousbless-ingtomeandmyfamily.IrememberthetentmakingdayswhenIonlyhadthe equivalent of one U.S. dollar tospend each day. God brought Joshand theGeneralBaptist brothersandsistersintomylifeandIwasabletodofull-timeministry.Iknowmanyofyouhavebeensupportingusfromtheverybeginning. Wewould not have beenable to do what we did without yourobedientandfaithfulgivingtowardourministry. It’snoteasy foran introvertlikemetostandinfrontofpeoplerais-ingfunds,butI’mgratefulthatmanyofyouweresokindandwelcomingtous.Iknowitmusthavebeenforthesakeofourthreecutelittlekiddos!Wehavenow embarked on a new journey inmissionsandwedosoknowingtherearebrothersandsisterslikeyoubesideusaswego.

Just try building a castle out of Legos using only abasicsetoftheseiconicplasticblocks.Itwillneverwork.Notonlywillyoufail,butyoumayneedtovisitanangermanagementexpertbeforeyou’redone. Imagine, if youwill, hundreds of small groups gath-eredtogether.Eachgroupisassignedaprojecttocom-pleteandasmallboxofplasticblockswithwhichtobuild.Everygrouphasatleastonecreativegenius.Youknowthetype.Theyseeagranderstructurethancanpossiblybeassembledusingonemeaslyboxofblocks. Thentheyrealizethatthesmallgroupbehindthemistryingtodothesamething.Theydiscoverthattheycancreatesomethingclosertowhattheyhadoriginallyenvi-sioned if they throwall theirblocks in thesamepileandstartthere. Thenanothergroupjoinsin,andanotherandanotheruntilthepiecesformabeautifulcastlecompletewithland-scaping! Thinkof yourWomen’sMinistriesBoardas thecre-ativetypesthatwant tocreateaKingdom-worthycastle.We see ministry possibilities that multiply faster than achurchplanter’sfamily(sorry,guys…couldn’tresist.)WeNEEDacastle ifwearegoingtoresourceandworktheActs1:8challengeofgoingintoalltheworldwithHishope. Ifyouattend the2013Mission&MinistrySummit inTampa,Florida,youwillbehandedaconnectioncardandbuildingblockfromWomen’sMinistries.Bringyourblockto theWMdisplayareaandadd it to theothers. Whileyou’redoingthat,returnyourcardwithcontactinformationsothatwecanconnectwithyou,answerquestionsaboutWomen’sMinistriesyouhavewantedtoask,and/oraddyoutothemailinglistforElevate(theWMweeklye-letter). Then, join us for theWomen’s Ministries workshopsessionatSummit. PattiThorntonandWomen’sMinis-triesBoardmemberswill facilitateThe Woman Connec-tion as we launch a “building program” for this nationalorganization of women connecting as leaders, mentors,missionaries,andlearners.Youcouldbethecrucialblockweneed! Notgoing?JustvisitusonFacebookhttp://tinyurl.com/GBWomen, email wmofc@generalbaptist.com, orwatchforournewblogsite! Wearebuildingsomethingnewonasturdy,provenfoundation.Bepartofthere-construction!

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The Challenge Lastyearwhileonatripoverseas,Ifoundmyselfinthemiddleaveryinterestingconversationwithadearfriendofmine,oneofournationalleaders(youknowwhoyouare).Wewerediscussingthechallengesofdenominationalandlocalchurchministry,thefrustrationsofleadership,andthefeelingsofnotbeingequippedappropriately tosucceed. Iassuredhimhewasnotaloneinhisfeelings…..

In fact, Iwould imaginemostofushavehadtimes inministrywhen ourweaknesses became glaringly obviousandtheneedfor trainingandequippingwerenevermoreevident!Ihavefoundthatatsuchmoments,weeitherfindawayforwardtotheinformationandexperiencesweneedtobeabetterservantandperson,orwestarttodevelopafeelingofbeingtrappedandlimited,victimsofourenviron-ment.Ultimately,ifwearenotequippedcorrectlyforminis-try,wehavealowlevelofsatisfactionandwewilldryup,burnout,oratbestplateau.Butitdoesn’thavetobethisway.

Imagine If Howwouldyoufeel inministry ifyouhadmoreconfi-dence?Howwouldyoufeelifyouhadamorecomprehen-sivegameplanforthedirectionofyourchurch?Howwoulditimpactthingsifyouhadabettergrasponcommunicationskills or how to build biblically sound relationships? Howwouldyoufeelifyouhadmoretoolsinyourmanagementtoolbeltasitrelatedtoministry,thepastorate,orthemis-sionfield?Whatifyouhadadevelopedtheologyofdealingwithpaininministry?

IfyouhadagrasponthesethingsIbelieveyouwouldhavemuchmoresatisfaction.Youwouldruntheracealittlefaster.Youwouldnotbeasdiscouraged,sincediscourage-mentistheoccupationalhazardofministry.Allinall,youwouldfeellikeyouarelivinguptomoreofyourpotentialinChrist.AMEN?Andwhodoesn’twanttodothis?

By Sean Warren, Director of General Baptist International Ministries

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Mission Reality SohowdoesthisrelatetoGeneralBaptistInternationalMissions?Webelieveitishardbeingchurchleadersandpastors…andmissionariestoo.Inthepastwehavehadanun-healthyturnoverinmissionaries.Althoughthereisalwaysturnovertherearesomethingswecandotolimitthem.Hereareafewthingswehavebeendoingoverthelastcoupleofyears.

1. Significantassessmentsbeforeplacementbytrainedprofessionals. 2. Realisticexpectationsoftheministryandlifeoverseas. 3. Pre-fieldtrainingprogramattheCenterforInterculturalTraining. 4. MinistryDevelopmentforourmissionariesonthefieldbyattendingtheLeadership

MattersCourse(LMC).

Webelieve thisdramaticallyhelpsusgetandkeep therightpeople for theministry.Ministryishardandwhateverwecandotobetterequipourmissionariesiswhatwearecommittedtodo.

Not Just Missionaries, BUT Training Opportunities for YOU! I would like to highlight thetypeoftrainingwearegivingourmissionaries now through theLeadership Matters Course.And we want you to know, this training is available for the lo-cal pastor, elders/deacons, or any leader in the church. That means YOU!

InourstrategicpartnershipwithLMC,wenowcanofferthefollowingareasofskillde-velopmenttrainingtoourmissionaries:

1. Communication 2. Management 3. Relational 4. Motivational 5. Devotional 6. LifeManagement 7. Training 8. PublicRelations 9. Leadership

Formorespecificsonthecurriculumyoucanvisithttp://www.lmccourse.org/curriculum.html.

BeckyCoomer,JasonWarren,Dr.Prakash,SamRamdial,JoycePorca-dilla,KennethMuputol,JoshHammond,JanMercado,KeithBowers,KrisYeo-mansandIhavefoundthistrainingextremelytransformational.Itallowsustobeonthesamepage,andequipsuswithanewsetofskillstotackletheministryaheadofus.

Butthistrainingisalsoforyou!Ifyouareinterested,youcangothewebsitehttp://www.lmccourse.org/index.htmlandregisterforthecourse.Trainingtakesplaceallovertheworldinsmallgroupsrangingbetween30-36people.Thetrainingishighlyinteractivewithamix-tureoforganizationsandculturesrepresented.IfyouareapastororleaderofoneofourGeneralBaptistchurchesandyouthinkyouneedtoexpandyourleadershipskills,pleasecontactusandletusknow.Wecanevenseeifwecanfindsomescholarshipmoneyforyou!

Thanksforbelievinginyourmissionaries,andsupportingthemastheybuildtheirlead-ershipskills!

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n1947youngEdStevenscame totheIslandofSaipanwithhisfam- ily.ReverendStevenshadavision andthatvisionwastoseethatallthepeopleoftheislandwouldcometoheartheGospel,theGoodNews!Heworkedforseveralyearstoseethatvisioncometofruition,includingplantingachurch,untilGoddecidedtotakehimhome,muchtooearlybyourearthlystandards,beforehewas40yearsold.EventhoughRever-endStevens’timeontheearthended,theministryonSaipandidnotend. Overthelast66yearsotherministershavecomeandgonedoingtheirpartstofurtherthecauseofChristonthistinyislandinthePacific.Inthattimeaschool

waslaunchedtohelpfacilitateaqualityeducationtothechildrenoftheisland.Thatschool’snameisSaipanCom-munitySchool.Asyoucansee,thevisionEdStevenscastcontinuestothisday. IhavehadtheprivilegeoverthepastschoolyeartobethefourthgradeteacheratSaipanCommunitySchool.Myunderstandingofthatministryandhowitimpactstheislandforfuturegenerationshasgrownbyleapsandbounds.Thesechildrenliterallyarefromallovertheworld.Everyday,inaclassroomsetting,Iamallowedtoseedifferingcultures

interactingandcomingtogetherasone.Ittrulyhasbeenablessing! AlsoforthispastschoolyearmyfamilyandIhavehadtheopportunitytobeapartofSaipanCommunityChurchandlearnaboutthepeople,thecultures,andthebackgroundofthisuniquefamilyofGod.Italsohasbeenanamazingblessing.Wehavebeentouchedbytheirgenerosityandwillingnesstoacceptusasoneoftheirowninsuchashorttimeperiod.Thebeautyofamulti-culturalchurchissome-thingthatcannotsimplybedescribed.TheclosestIbelieveIcangetisthatitisasmallglimpseofHeaventoseemany“tribesandtongues”professingthenameofourLordunderoneroof.Itisanexcitingtimeonourislandasmanythingsarehappeningforthebetterandmanypeoplearecatchingaglimpseofwhatcouldbe. OneoftheexcitingthingshappeninghereontheislandofSaipan,isactuallyhappeningrighthereinourownchurch.InFebruaryitwasannouncedthatIwillassumetheLeadPastorroleofSaipanCommunityChurchonJune1stof2013.Theroleservesadualfunction,sincetheLeadPastorisalsotheDirectorofSaipanCommunitySchool.IwilltellyouthesamethingthatIhavetoldthecongregation:IamassumingthemantleofleadershipofthischurchthatstartedwiththeReverendEdStevenssomanyyearsago;itnowfallstome.ThispositionissomethingIdonottakelightly,infactitscaresmesome,andthatisagoodthing.IfIfeltthatIcouldhandleitallalone,thenwhatroomisthereforfaith?

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FaiththatallowsGodtodothethingsthatonlyHecando.IamwellawareIcannotdothiswithoutHisinterventionandwithoutthehelpofthosewhoarepartofGod’severgrowingfamily.IamremindedofaquotebyamannamedPowlison,“Itiscuriouslycomfortingtoknowthatwearecalledbeyondourcapability.” Withtheseunfoldingeventsthereisanexcitement,aswellasabuildinganticipation,fortwomoremembersoftheteamwhowillbejoiningusonthismission.ReverendPhilWarrenandfamilyalongwithRobbieMyersandfamilywillbeworkingalongsidePastorRogerAbe,ourassociatepastorandleaderofthelargeFilipinocongregation,andmebytheendofJuly2013. Theimplementationofthisfour-manteamhasexcite-mentwrittenalloverit!WeallhavespokenaboutourvisiontoexpandthechurchhereinSaipan,toraiseupnewleaders,todisciplenewbelievers,andtosendoutchurchplanters.TeamSaipanislookingforwardtowhatGodhasinstoreforeachofuspersonally,thechurch,theisland,andtheworld! ThismissionfieldhereinSaipanisoneofthelongeststandingforeignministriesofGeneralBaptists.Wearelook-ingforwardtowhatGodhasplannedforitsfuture.PleaseprayforeachofusaswestrivetodoourpartsinministeringtothepeopleofSaipanwhoaretrulyfromallovertheworld.Infactthatispartofourvision,“ReachinganIslandtoTouchtheWorld.”Willyoujoinus?

The Vesper Service of Saipan CommunityChurch, a Filipino service, was organized in1978. It has over 100members in attendance.Aside from regular worship every Sunday, 13CellGroupsmeetweeklyforBibleStudy.Theseinclude30youthwhogatherforspiritualnurtureandtrainingeverySaturday. Godhasblesseduswith the rare privilegeto celebrate our Silver Anniversary February17,2013withourTheme: PressingonHigherGrounds.As an initial salvo to our celebration,webaptized11members(7youthand4adults)onFebruary16withPastorsJasonandGregas-sisting.WeinvitedtheformerPastorRev.ErniePinzon from Canada to be our guest speaker.Hiscomingwasamiracleinitselfsincewedidn’thavemoney topay for his fare.Godused twoformermembersoftheVesperServicetocoverhisairfare. Onthedayofthecelebrationeachcellgroup,includingourSundayschoolkidsandyoungpeo-ple,tookturnsingivingspecialpresentationsde-pictingGod’sfaithfulnessusingdanceandsonginterpretations.More than 225 people came tocelebratewithus.Allof themweretreatedtoaspecialmealattheendoftheservice.DuringtheprogramPastorGregandSandyDickermansaidtheir partingwords as theywere heading backto theU.S. for good. Wewerealso treated toanimprompturenditionofGreat is Thy Faithful-nessbyallthepastorspresent.PraiseGod,thecelebrationturnedouttobeagreatsuccess,andallmembersaretakingthechallengetowalkwithGodtoHigherGrounds. With the installation of 20 ministry teammembersweare confident in theLord thatweshall meet our key objectives in 2013. Pleasepraythatallourmemberswillobtainproperimmigration status so they can continue work-inginSaipan.Intercedealsoforgrowthofallourministries and that all members remain highlymotivated to serveGod and expand His King-domhereinSaipanandbeyond.

Saipan Community ChurchVesper Service Ministry Update

By Roger AbeFilipino Congregation Pastor, Saipan Community Church

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y whole life I have attended a GeneralBaptistchurch.Forthe past40yearsIhavebeenapartof Fellowship General Baptist Church inPoplarBluff,Missouri. Being in the samecommunity as our denomination’s head-quarters, I had the opportunity to go tochurchwithseveraldenominationalleadersthroughtheyears. Dr. Ken Kennedy, who had served asexecutivesecretary, ledmetoChristatanaltarcall.Rev.RileyMathias,whoheadeduptheChristianEducationdepartment,bap-tizedme.BrendaKennedy, formerdirectorofWomen’sMinistries,wasmybestfriend’smotherandwaslikemysecondmom.Rev.DwightChapman,formerexecutivedirector,andIflewtogethertothePromiseKeeperseventheld in theMall inWashington,D.C.Other headquarters staff had familymem-

By Robbie MyersMissionary to Saipan, Outreach & Small Group Ministry Coordinator

berswholedmyyouthgroup,taughtmeinschool or were classmates. Even with allthese connections interwoven inmy life; Ihadneverexpectedtobecalledtoministry.IdefinitelyneveranticipatedthatIwouldbecalled overseas. Last year however,GodsuddenlycalledmetoserveasamissionaryinSaipan.ThroughprayermywifeLoriandIknewimmediatelythatthiswasthepathHeintendedforourfamily. My career experience has been fo-cusedinpublicservice.Myexperiencein-cludesservingat the local, regional,state,andfederal levels.Ihavehadtheopportu-nitytoserveinvariousleadershippositionsandbeanassettomycommunity.Theskillsets Ihavedevelopedwill bebeneficial toourteam’sministrytothepeopleofSaipan.Inourvisiontriplastsummerwemetpeoplefrom16differentnations.Theministrycon-ducted inSaipanhelps reachpeople fromall overAsia. I look forward to implement-ing community outreach programs on theisland and working to expand ministry ontheneighboringislandofGuam.Weplantostart small groups forBible studyanddis-cipleship.Lori,our14-yearoldson,Reagan,and I are scheduled to leave to begin ourtwo-year commitment in July shortly afterTheMission&MinistrySummit.Wewouldlovetosharewithyoumoreaboutourmin-istry at The Summit, your church, or yourhome. We are extremely grateful for thepartnerswhohavecommittedtosupportus.Weask that youpray for ourministry andconsiderpartneringwithusastogetherwecanobeytheGreatCommissionbyspread-ingtheGospelintheAsiaPacific. Email us at robbie.myers@general-baptist.com;ordonateonlinetoanyofourGeneralBaptistmissionariesathttp://www.gbimissions.org/#/giving.

Robbie Myers Family

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GBIM: Phil, how long have you been a General Bap-tist?

Phil:IhavebeenaGeneralBaptistallmylife.OurfamilyhasservedwiththeGeneralBaptistforsixgenerations.

GBIM: When did you first receive your call into min-istry?

Phil: I think that I have always sensed thatGodwascallingmeintoministry.Myparentstaughtusthat thegreatestthingwecoulddowithourlivesistofullyserveChrist.However,Iwasabout27whenIknewbeyondadoubtthatHisSpiritwasleadingmetopreparemyselfforfull-timeministry.

GBIM: What was God’s greatest accomplishment through you as a pastor?

Phil:ThatisadifficultquestiontoanswerbecauseIamnotsurehowGodmeasuresouraccomplishmentsandtheendresultsarehardtoquantify.Ofcoursethegreat-estjoysformehavebeentowalkwithpeoplethroughlife;thejoysandsorrows,thefaithandthefears.Pas-toringisaboutrelationshipsanddevelopingfriendshipsandnotjustaboutpreachingandleadingwhichIenjoydoing. I thinkabout the teams Ihavehelpedsendonshort-term mission tripsandthenhearingtheex-citement in their voicesas they tell theGod-sto-riesfromtheirexperienc-es. Perhaps my great-est accomplishment isseeingmykids loveandserveJesus.

GBIM: When did you get the calling to move your family to serve God overseas?

Phil:IhavewonderedformanyyearsifGodwouldallow me the privilegeto serve on the greaterglobal mission field butalwaysfeltthatweneed-ed strong churches to

Phil Warren, former Congregational Ministries Director of General Baptist Ministries and Pastor of Liberty Hill General Baptist Church in Aid, MO, sat down with General Baptist Inter-national Missions to answer some questions about the connec-tion between the local church and global missions.

support thosewhowere sent. I pouredmy heart intodevelopingandleadingchurcheswhohadanActs1:8heart.ThenonourwaytoTheSummitlastyearmywifeaskedifGodwasleadingustogo.Isaidno,butthenImetDaveandhiswife fromoneofGBIM’sstrategicpartnershipsand therewasa spiritual switch that gotflippedon,andthenGodjustpourediton.

GBIM: Why Saipan?

Phil:Ididn’treallyexpecttogotoSaipanandwasreadytogotoChinawhenIwasaskedtoconsidergoingtoSaipan. I was confused because I really sensed thatGodwascallingustoChinasoIcalledaformermis-sionary toSaipanwho Ihad followedatmyfirstpas-torateforadvice.Hesaid,“Philyouhavealwaysbeena leaderbutwhydon’tyoutrust that theHolySpirit isspeaking to your leader.”Thatwasa freeingmomentandnowIcanseethatthiswillprobablybeamuchbet-teruseofourgiftsandexperiences.

GBIM: What excites you the most about serving in Saipan?

Phil:Workingasateamisthefuelthatexcitesmemostandbeingabletodomoretogetherthanwhatonemis-sionarycoulddoalone.Wehavetomaximizeourop-

portunitiesandIthinkthattheLordistakingadiversegroupofpeoplewhocanserveincommunitytoreachacommunity,anislandandevenaregion.

GBIM: What causes you the most apprehension?

Phil:Ihavealwaysbeenmotivatedbychallengessothechallengeofministeringinacross-culturalenvironmentdoesn’tbotherme.Ithinkitisthetypicalanxietyofleav-ingfamilyandfriendsbehindandnotbeingtheretodolifewiththem.

GBIM: What has been the greatest accomplishment during this deputation process?

Phil:Justgettingintothelocalchurchandsharingourstory. It is a privilege tomeet old friends,make newonesand thenhopefullymotivatepeople toshare theKingdom with the two billion people who have neverheardaboutJesus.

GBIM: What has been the greatest struggle during the deputation process?

Phil:ThebiggeststruggleisbeingtiredfromthetravelandtryingtodivestourselvesofourAmericandreamforagreaterdream.

GBIM: If you could share one thing with General Baptist pastors and lay people alike, what would it be?

Phil:WhatwearedoingshouldbethenorminChristi-anityandnotlimitedtojustafew.Ifourgreatestdesire

AswehavebeeninvolvedwithraisingoursupportforthelastfewmonthsIhavedevelopedawholenewapprecia-tionformissionaries.AsapastorIhavealwaystriedtogivemissionariestheopportunitytocomeandshare,butIamnotsurethatIgavethemthefullsupporttheyneeded.Thisisafaithjourney,asalloftheChristianlifeis,butoftenwearegladtoseeothersanswerthecallandthinkthatGodhasletusoffthehookinsteadofseeingthatwearethebodywhomusthaveeachothertobringGodglory.

WehaveseenGoddosomeamazingthingsalongthisfaithjourney.WehavelearnedthatweneverknowwhomGodwillspeaktoandhowtheywillrespond,andweshouldneverjudgetheresponsebaseduponthesizeofthechurchorthebankaccountoftheindividual.OnesmallassociationofabouteightchurchesinArkansasgaveusalargegift,andduringthesamemeetingamangavethembackthesameamounttheygaveus.AsingledadwhofeltthatGodwantedhimtogiveus$200.00amonthhumbledme.IhavebeenencouragedbyalloftheWomen’sMis-sionsgroupswhohavesupportedus,andtheyhavealwaysbeenusedbyGodtoexpandtheKingdom;wherewouldGeneralBaptistbewithoutthem?

Wewillstillhavetosellourhome,butwebelievethatGodwilltakecareofthatshortly.InJuneweareinNorthCarolinaforcross-culturaltraining,andthenwearehomeforaweek;aweeklaterwewillbeleavingforSaipan.

IamexcitedtoseewhatGodisgoingtodoandbelievethattheOnewhocallswillbefaithfultoprovideaccordingtoHisrichesinglory.

istofillheavenwithworshippersthenweallplayapart.AsJohnPiperhassaid,“Weeithergo,wesendorwedisobey.”

GBIM: How can General Baptist people stateside help missionaries during the deputation process and in the transition to cross-culture ministry?

Phil:Ofcoursemissionariesneedthefinancialpartner-ships….they can’t do thiswithoutGod’speoplebeingwillingtogiveandevensacrifice.Butencouragementismuchneededaswell.IhopethatpeoplewillprayandthenwhentheHolySpiritshinesalightofunderstand-ingandinsight,sharethatwithusaswell.

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By Phil Warren, Director of Leadership Development & Church Planting,

Northern Mariana Islands

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hroughoutmylifeIhavebeenblessedtovisitmanypartsoftheworld.Ihavehad theopportunitytoserveinHondurasmultipletimesinthepastsixyears.Thisis wheremyheartwasbrokenforGod’speople.Twoyearsago,whileinterninginHonduras,IknewIwasbeingcalledtoserveoverseaslong-term,butAsiawasnotwhatIhadinmind.God,however,hadotherplans.Thispastyear,whileatTheSummit,Iwasintroducedtoapartnerorga-nizationandtheneedtoteachEnglishinAsia. ThisdecisiontoteachEnglishinAsiaforayearwasdifficultandneededalotoftimeinprayer.Itwasdifficultbe-causeIwasbeingaskedtostepoutofmycomfortzone.Thismeantfacingpersonalfears,leavingfamilyandfriends,andstrugglingtoknowifthiswasreallyGod’sidea.ThroughsomeamazingpeopleGodhasguided,confirmed,andencouragedmeinthisdecision.ThroughonepersonspecificallyIwasremindedhowblessedIamandshouldtakethisopportunityandshareHope.ThisworldisachingforHope.IhavefoundaHopethatwillnotdisappoint,andIdesiretosharethatHopewiththeworld. Since the timeofsteppingoutandsaying“Yes, Iknowthis iswhatYouarecallingmetodo,”GodhasbeenteachingmeenduranceandtrustinHistiming,notmine.AsIstruggletoraisethesupport,attimesIgetdiscouragedespeciallywhenfriendsandfamilytellmethatwhatIamdoingiscrazyandIwillneverraisethatkindofmoney.That’swhenIhearGod’svoicesayingtheyareright,youcan’traisethatmoney,butIcan;IamtheOnewhocreateditall.SoasIcontinueonthisnewjourneyIrememberthatcourageisnotaboutknowingthepath,it’sabouttakingthefirststepandsayingYES.WhereHeleadsIwillfollow!

ince 1981 we have been placing passion- ately committed people in teaching roles acrossAsia, who primarily serve through the

medium of English instruction. We accomplish thisthrough recruiting, training and sending men andwomen from theUSA,Canada and other countries,tomeettheever-growingdemandforqualityEnglisheducationinAsia.Thecomprehensivegraduate-leveltrainingprovidedtoournewteachershasraisedthebarsignificantlyinthecountrieswhereweserve.On-goingprofessionaldevelopmentopportunitiesforourteachersincludeearningMaster’sDegrees,graduatecertificateprograms,andtwoPh.D.options.

Wehavevibrantprogramsforcollegestudents,graduates,singles,couples,familiesandsecond-careeradults.OurpresentcountriesofserviceincludeChina,Mongolia,Laos,Vietnam,CambodiaandMyanmar.Inmostcaseswemaintainbothyear-longandsummerprograms.Whilewearefocusedprimarilyonuniversitycampusesandteachertraining,weteachinavarietyofothersettingsdesignedtobestserveourhostcountriesandgovernmententities.Wearecommittedtowork-ingwithourhostcountriesandgovernmentagenciestodesignteachingprogramstobestmeet their ever-changingneeds. Increasingly this includessupplying keyindustryexpertsfromtheWesttoengagewiththeirAsiancounterpartsthroughlec-turesandroundtablediscussions.InthecomingyearweareexcitedtobeaddingnewteachingprogramsinbothMongoliaandLaos.InChina,weareforthefirsttimesendingSpanishlanguageteacherstocomplementourEnglishlanguageteamsonuniversitycampuses. AdditionalinformationandprogramoptionsforELICcanbediscoveredontheirwebsitewww.elic.org.GeneralBaptistMinistriesmaintainsapartnershiprelationshipwithELIC.FormoreinformationcontactGeneralBaptistMinistries573-785-7746orwww.generalbaptist.com.

By Heather LeeEnglish Teacher, Southeast Asia

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alvaryBaptistChurchwasestablishedin India in 1984 by Rev. Charles Vemula whowasbornandbroughtupinaHindufamily.Hegotsavedin1981andwenttohispar-ents to tell them thegoodnews.However, theyrejecteditandtoldhimifhedidnotconvertbacktoHinduismhewouldbecastoutofthefamilyandnot receive his inheritance. Rev. Charles knewthatthiswasgoingtohappenbutnevergaveuphis faith in Jesus.Hecontinued togrow in faithandspirituality.WhenGodcalledRev.Charlestofull-timeministryhelefthisjobandstartedservingtheLord.

By Jessey Vemula, Missionary to South India

God has put a burden in Rev. Charles’ life toreach the outcasts, isolated groups, and tribes ofAndhraPradeshbyplanting churchesand sharingtheGospelamongthem.Hehasalreadyfacedop-positionfromhisneighborsbecausehehasSundayworshipservicesinhishouse.HewasstoppedfrompreachingtheGospel,conductingopenaircrusades,visitingnewbelieversandpraying for the sick.Hewasthreatenedandevenpersecutedseveraltimes.Also,hewasimprisonedtwicebutnevergaveuphiscalling. Thetoolsheusedtoreachpeopleandproclaimthe good news were personal evangelism, gos-pel tracts, open air crusades, Jesus Filmministry,medicalcamps,streetevangelismwithgospelskits,andsingingsongswithtraditionaldance.Overthecourse of serving the Lord for 29 years in remoteareasofsouthIndia,CharlesVemulaestablished42churches, raised 27 missionaries/church planters,constructedthreechurchbuildings,andestablishedan orphanage for 23 abandoned kids. His lifetimegoalistoplant200churchesandraise100mission-aries. Rev. Charles Vemula says, “It is possible foranyone to accomplish things forGodwith humilityand thegraceofGod, and I amdetermined todoGod’swillandexpandthekingdomofGod.”Galatians 6:14 - ‘May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.’

BrotherAshirvadamisaPastorofCalvaryBaptistChurchinNarsapurIndia.HebelongstoacastecalledOddilu,whichdoesearthenworklikediggingholesandwaterwells.HeheardtheGospelandacceptedChristashispersonalsaviorin1995.ThroughhimhisfamilycametoknowJesusChristandwasbaptized. Laterthesameyearhewascalledtoministry.Hesaid“I’mcalledtoaspecialministrythatisamongprosti-tutes.”Indiahasahighrateofhumantrafficking,andthereisagreatneedforevangelism.Unfortunately,intheIndiancontextitisnoteasytogetacquaintedwithsuchpeople.Whenhestartedvisitingthem,allhecoulddowassinggospelsongsforthembecauseheisil-literate.Inhiscommunitypeoplenever

appreciatedhimandmisunderstoodhimbysayinghewasgoingthereforthewrongreasons. SeveraltimesBro.Ashirvadamwasthreatenedandbeatenbythepimps.Infact,ratherthanbeingafraidforhislife,hisfaithwasstrengthened.Amongmanywomenhefoundonewhowasinterestedinwhathewassayingbutsheneversaidanythingopenly.Morethanayearlatershegotsavedandwastheonlybelieverinthatcommunityatthetime. AfterthatoneladywassavedandstoppeddoingthebusinessthecommunitybecameclosedofftoBro.Ashirvadam.Itwasthenharderforhimtomeetandevangelizethesepeople.Hedecidedtomarrythisaforemen-tionedladyandstaytheretodohis

ministry.AfterstrugglingforalmostthreeyearsBro.Ashirvadamhasplantedachurchwithinthatcommunitythroughhiswife.Atpresent,22womenhaveac-ceptedChristastheirSaviorandLordandhavebeenbaptized. HewasrecentlygiftedabicycleforhisministrybyGeneralBaptistInterna-tionalMissions.

By Jessey Vemula, Missionary to South India

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eing a missionary never crossed my mind until a coupleyearsago.AtthatpointinmylifeIwaswork- ingasaMedicalLaboratoryTechnician.Iwasanac-tivememberofFirstGeneralBaptistChurchinBloomfield,MO,singing inchoirandteachingaSundayschoolclass.Aftermeetingmyfuturehusbandeverythingchanged.

WhenmyhusbandandImetwetalkedalotabouttheministryheandhisfatherhadinIndia.Hetoldmeabouttheorphanageandaneedforawomen’sministrythatcaughtmy interest. Aftermeeting and talkingmore I decided toprayabout this importantdecision. I askedGod toshowmeasignthatJesseywastherightpersonformeandthatIneededtogotoIndia.GodansweredmeatchurchthenextSundaythroughasermononRomans8:28,“allthingsworktogetherforgoodforthosewhoareinChrist.”AttheendofthatserviceIdedicatedmylifeandservicetoChristandHiscallingforme.

Jessey and Brittany Vemula

By Brittany Vemula, Missionary to South India

Iamveryexcitedfor thethingsthatGodhas instoreformewhenIgotoIndia.Onepriorityofmineistobuildaneworphanageforall23kidstostayinandtogetthesechildrenadoptedintogoodChristianfamilies.Next,IwouldliketoteachEnglishandpromoteeducationforlowercasteadultsandtheirchildren.Aburdenthatweighsheavilyonmyheart is female infanticideandhumantrafficking. Fe-maleinfanticidesaremainlycausedbythedowrysystem.What I would like to do is form a charitywheremotherscouldcomeandgetsupplies(diapers,formula,etc.)oroffertoputtheirbabyupforadoption.Ialsowanttoraiseaware-nessofhumantraffickingbyeducatingpeopleandteachingself-employment.

With lessthan10%of thepopulationbeingChristian,thereisagreatneedformissionworkinIndia.ItsaysintheGreatCommissionweare togo into theworldandmakedisciples.PleaseprayforourministryandprayforGod’swilltobedoneinyourlife.

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fterthreedaysofplanerides,taxis,busses,andhotelstheplane landedatourfinaldestinationandtheterrorbegan.Traveling anywherewiththreesmallchildrencanbeanepicadventureevenmoresowhenmovingtotheothersideoftheworld.FormonthsduringourtimeintheUSmyoldestson,three-year-oldJosh,wastell-ingushewantedtogotothePhilippines“rightnow.”WhenwelandedinDavaoCity,ontheSouthernislandofMindanaointhePhilippines,therealityofwhathehadbeensayinghithimhard. Whenthedooroftheplaneopenedhewascryingandscreaming;hewantedtogobackhome.Iliterallyhadtopryhislittlehandsfromeachseatwepassedas Icarriedhimoff theplane.By the timewemadeitoutoftheairport,whereasmallcrowdoffriendscametogreetus,allthreechildrenwereintotalmeltdown.Itwasquiteahumblingexperience. BeforeweleftforthePhilippinesseveralpeople,withgoodinten-tions,politelysuggestedthatweremainintheUSforafewyearssoourkidscouldputdownsomerootstohelplessenthetraumaofanoth-ernewlandandculture.Standingthereoutsidetheairportwiththreeinconsolablyterrifiedscreamingchildrenthatdidn’tseemlikesuchabadidea.

The Hammond Family

by Joshua, Patricia, Josh, Judah and Jerusha Hammond, Missionaries to the Philippines

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There was, however, somethingelse I couldn’t stop contemplating.Every day 70,000 unreached peopledie without ever hearing the gospel.Theydon’thave the luxuryofwaitinguntil it’smoreconvenient forus,whoare called, to go. Saying goodbye tothoseyoudearlylovetostepintotheunknownwhereGod is calling is noteasy.It’sasacrifice,butIheardapow-erfultruthrecentlythatsacrificeisgiv-ingupsomethingyou love forsome-thingelseyoulovemore. We love our families and ourcomfort,butweloveChristmore.Welove to see Christ glorified when thelosthearthegospelandruntograce.We love toseematurebelieversandchurches from the first world to thethirdworldriseuptotakethegospeltothosewho’veneverheard. Theselastfewweekshavebroughtchallenges,butthey’vealsobroughtarenewed vision of howGod ismobi-lizing a new generation of Christ fol-lowerswhoarewilling tosacrifice forChrist’scall. Iwasasked tospeakatthe graduation ceremony at GeneralBaptistBibleCollegeinDavaoCity.As Josh Hammond and graduates.

IlookedinthefacesofthosegraduatesIsawpeopleempoweredandemboldenedbythegospel.Isawpeoplereadytochangetheworld. IamconvincedthatGodhasnotonlycalledustoSTANDwiththemastheygointodarkplaces,butthatwealsomustbewillingtoGOwiththem,“DoingTogetherWhatWeCannotDoAlone.”

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swelookbackoverthepastyearorso,itisamazing toseewhatGodhasbroughtusthrough.Westart- edourdeputation journey inearly2012. Duringthistime,wehavesharedatabout50churches,metmanywonderfulpeople,andbeenblessedinmorewaysthanweeverthoughtpossible. Ourmostmemorable tripwas theweekendofMarch9-11,2013. WetraveledtoMissouri toshareatPleasantViewChurch(Risco,MO)andSunnyvaleChurch(Malden,MO).ThatMondaymorningatthehotel,ouroldestsonJa-son(age8)acceptedJesusChristashisLordandSavior.KeithhadtheprivilegetobaptizeJasonthefollowingSun-dayatourhomechurchofCenterPointinHendersonville,TN.Wordscannotexpresswhatanexperiencethatwas! During the month of February, we moved to UnionMills,NC toattendCenter for InterculturalTraining (CIT).Althoughtheclasseswere intenseandthehomework leftusexhausted,wetrulyenjoyedthisexperience.Wemetsomanywonderfulpeoplewhowerealsopreparing to leavetheirhomesandbeginanewjourneyasmissionaries.Welovedhearingtheirtestimoniesandtheircallings.Thefa-

cilitators at CIT were all former missionaries who had awealthofknowledgeand lifeexperience. Theboysevenwentthroughtheirownmissionstrainingclass.Theyhadthemostwonderfulteacherswhospenttimeteachingthemaboutotherculturesandalsopreparingthemforthetransi-tionsahead.Itwastrulyanawesomeexperience! OnApril14,2013,ourhomechurch,association,andGeneral Baptist International Ministries commissioned usas missionaries to the Philippines. We were extremelyhumbledandgratefulatthenumberofpeoplewhocametosharethisspecialtimewithus.Itwasalsoawonderfulwayforustosaygood-byetosomanypeoplewhoholdaveryspecialplaceinourhearts. OnApril20,2013,weendedthischapterofourjourneyandbegananewoneinthePhilippines.WejoinedJoshandPatriciaHammondandtheirfamilyaswebeganwork-ingtogetherwithourFilipinobrothersandsistersinChrist.GodhasamazingplansforthePhilippinesandwearehon-oredtogettobeapartofit. We are so very thankful for everyone’s continuedprayersandsupport!

By Keith & Carrie BowersMissionaries to the Philippines

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Did you knowthatmorewomencometoIslameachyearthanmen? Did you knowthatmanyofthosewomenconvertinlessthanamonth? Did you knowthatitisnotuncommontofindwomenconvertingtoIslaminpursuitofmarriage? Did you knowthatitisevenmorecommontoseelonelywomenfindingfriendlyMus-limsandthinkingfinally-someonewhowillacceptme? IattendalotofIslamicoutreachevents.ThesweetMuslimladiesnowcallmebyname,“ohyouareback!”theysaywithasmile.Don’tworry-I’mnotconverting.Tragically,thesegenuinelyniceladieshavenoideaofthedeeperbeliefsofIslam. OneofthespeakersattheconventionIattendedkeptaskinggroupquestionslike,“HowmanyofyoucanrecitetheQuran?”Mostraisedtheirhands.Whenheasked,“HowmanyofyouknowArabic?”veryfewraisedtheirhands.Thespeakerclaimedthatthisisthetrans-formationalvalueoftheQuran.Thismeanstheydon’thavetoknowwhatitsays;iftheycanreciteitinanon-understoodlanguageitjusttransformsthemastheyreciteitinsong. Manypsychologistsbelievethatsingingsoothes.ListeningtosomeonechanttheQuranallowsyoutoseethesamerelaxationthathappensinchantingritualsinreligionsaroundtheworld.Bytheirownadmission,however,thelistenershavenoideawhattheyaresaying. Inanotheropenforumwherequestionswerebeingasked,IaskedwhataspecificQuranictextmeant,andtheleaderreplied,“Oh,Muslimscholarshavestudiedthattextforgenerationsandnotfullyunderstoodthemeaning.”ThatwastheanswerbeforeswiftlyswitchingtootheritemsthatmakeIslamsoundbetter. I’mwritingthispostBostonMarathonbombingsandmyheartaches.Myheartachesformycountry.Myheartachesfora19yearoldwhowasbornintoafaithandmostlikelydraggedintoanactofterror.MyheartachesatreadinghorribleFacebookpostsbyChris-tiansagainstMuslims.Theyoungmanmessedup.Iamnotdenyingthat.Hemostlikelydiditinthenameofhisfaith. Ineedyoutorealize,however,thattherearemillionsofMuslimsthroughouttheworldwhoaren’tparticipatinginactsofterrorinthenameoftheirfaith.Theyneedyoutoeducateyourself.BythatImeanlearnaboutIslam.LearnhowtohavedialoguesaboutfaithwithMuslims.MostMuslimsarewillingtotalkaboutfaithissues.OftentheyhavestudiedtheBiblemorethantheChristianshave.Toshareourfaithwitheveryone,wemustunderstandwhytheybelievewhattheybelieveandthenusethatknowledgetoLEADthemtoChrist.

By Becky Coomer, serving in Southeast Asia

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During themonthofFebruaryFaithHomehostedamedical teamthathelddailyclinicsinthesmallsquattervillageofNuevaPlan.Theteamserved1,330patientswithmedicaltreatment,prescriptionglasses,medicineprescriptions,hygienepacks,alongwithotherthings. Mostimportantly62peopleacceptedChristassaviorand401Bibleswerehandedtopeople.WithsuchanamazingoutpouringoftheHolySpirit,achurchwasplantedwithinthecommunity.ServicesarebeingheldthereonSundayevenings. Asmallconstruction teambuiltashelter toserveasa temporarymeetingplace.

ConstructionwasdonewiththehelpofthechurchmembersandacoupleoflocalGeneralBaptistpastors. OnoneofourvisitsIdecidedtowalkfartheronupintothecommunitytoseewhatitwaslike.SeveralhousesupfromtheconstructionsiteIspottedanoldermansittingonthestoopofhislittlemudshackreadingaloud.Iwalkedpasthimacoupleofhousesuptheroadbeforedecidingtoreturn.AsIwaswalkingbackIdecidedtostopandtalktotheman,justtomakesmalltalk.Iaskedhimhowhewasdoing,andhesaidhewasdoingwell;hewasstudying.HeliftedupthebookthathewasreadingandIquicklyrecognizedthatitwasoneofthe401Biblesthemedicalteamhadpassedoutinthecom-munity.HequicklyinformedmehewasreadingJohn3.BeforeIcouldsayanythingelsehequicklystartedsharingwithmetheverseshewasstudying.Hereadtomethefirst18versesofJohnbeforequicklysayingAmenenthusiastically.WediscussedtheversesforafewminutesbeforeIcontinuedbacktotheworksite. WecanblessthepeopleofHonduraswithmuchneededitems,butOneThingRemains,theloveofChristandtheknowledgethatsalvationisattainable.ThewritersofthesongOneThingRemainswrote,“Yourloveneverfailsitnevergivesupitneverrunsoutonme.”Thatmanandthepeopleofthecommunitywhohavebeenreachednowhaveaconstantintheirlivesthatwillneverleavethem.

We,Ryan,Amanda,Thomas,Emily,andSamSteadareexcitedtobecomepartof thevisionestablishedsomanyyearsagoinHonduras–avisiontoreachHondurasthroughtheministryofFaithHome.GodhasplacedthechildrenofFaithHomeintotheloving hands of somanywho have previously served, and nowHe has granted us asharedpassiontodiscipleandpreparethosestudentstoliveinthepurposeforwhichGodhassetthemaside.WebelievethatGodwantstousetheselovedonestochangeHondu-rasforChrist. SomethingstruckmeasprofoundtheotherdaywheninBibleclasswithmychil-dren.Theteachermentionedthatapotterdoesn’tthrowawayhisclay.Heneverchucksitinthetrash.Iwasn’tsure,soIresearcheditandfoundallsortsofrecommendationsforstoringitorreclaimingit.Ididnotfindanythingotherthansparingitandsavingitforamoreopportunetime.IamsogratefulthatmyPotterneverthrewmeaway.

Iguessthisfacthasreallymadeanimpressionuponourheartsduringthepastfewmonths.TheWordtellsusinIsa-iah64:8thatGodisthePotterandweareHisclay,Hisworkmanship.WearecreatedforgoodworksinChrist.Hedoesn’tthrowawayclay,andeventhoughinthegrandschemeoflifeclayreallyisn’tworthmuch—inthepotter’shandsitbecomessomethingprecious. Intheworld’scastesystem,somepeoplearevaluedandsomepeoplearenot.Scripturespecificallytellsustoremem-bertheseforgottenones—thephysicallyandspirituallypoor.Whatweloveaboutmissions,specificallyFaithHome,isthatclearlyChrististakingthebrokenanddiscardedofthisworldandissettingthemaside,protectingthem,preparingthem,andenablingthemtoentertheworldaseffectiveministersforHisKingdom.Wearesoexcitedtohavetheopportunitytobecomepartofthisministry! Ecclesiastes11:6says,“Inthemorning,sowyourseed,andintheeveningdonotwithholdyourhand;foryoudonotknowwhichwillprosper,eitherthisorthat,orwhetherbothalikewillbegood.”ItistimetostepoutandsowtheseedthatGodhasgivenallofus.WouldyouprayabouttheroleGodwouldhaveyouplayinsupportingusaswemoveforwardinfaithtoserveHispeopleinHonduras?

By A.J Ford, Child Sponsorship Coordinator,

Faith Home, Honduras

By Ryan & Amanda Stead, Missionaries to Honduras

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grewupinasmall,poorcommunityinHonduraswith abusiveparentswhohardlyeverhadenoughfoodto feed us. One ofmy earliestmemories is of helpingmyfathermovesomefirewood.ForashortmomentIfelthappyandpeaceful.Butwhenwereturned,myfathergotangrywithmymotherfornothavinganyfood,andhehitherandthenleftfortheriver.Mymothergotangryandranovermyfootwiththebicycleandbrokeit. Mymombecameaprostituteandbroughtmanymentoourhouseinfrontofmeandmysisterandbrothers.WhenIwas11,Ilivedaloneinthestreetsforalmostayear.Isweptcourtyards,workedwithcows,andcutbananasata farminordertogetfood.Iwasdeterminedtodowhateverwasnecessarytosurviveandfindawaytohelpmysisterandbrothers.ImetmanypeoplewhileIlivedinthestreetsandlovedtolistentothemtalkabouttheirlivesandhomes.IprayedthatsomedayIwouldhaveahomeandafamilyandfeelsafe. Oneday,anamazinglady,Maria,toldmeaboutawon-derfulplacecalledFaithHome.Shesaidthatitwassafeandfullofloveandwouldbetheperfectplaceforme.Mariatookcareofeverythingandtoldmeitwastimetogotomynewhome.Whenweroundedthecurve,throughthefenceIsawwhatlookedlikeaparadiseinthemiddleofthemoun-tains: beautiful buildings, green grass, and a playgroundwithchildrenrunningandplaying.IthoughtIwasdream-ing.THISismynewhome!Godreallyheardmyprayers.Suddenly,Iwassurroundedbychildrenandintroducedtothepeoplewhowouldtakecareofme. IwasalittlerougharoundtheedgeswhenIfirstcameand knew that I needed to clean upmy language. As Ilistened to themorningdevotionalsand themessagesatchurchservice,IstartedtoseeGodasmorethanjustsome-

one to ask for help. IstartedtoseethatGodhad a purpose for mylife. I accepted Christinto my heart and amtrying hard to becomethe man God createdmetobe. I am so thankfulthat God brought meto Faith Home. Oneofmyfavorite thingstodoisreadmyBibleandpray with my Tio. HehelpsmetounderstandmoreaboutGod.Ilovetogotochurchesoutinthe communities withPastor Miguel. I hopeto someday be ableto help my sister andbrothers.Mydreamforthe future is to lead,preachthegospeltoallnations,besaved,andgo heaven to be withGodintheHolyCity.

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haps,someday,evenabuildingofworshipmightbebuilt,if thenumberscouldsupportone.Ibelievedthen,asIdonow,thatthiswaswhatGodwouldwantandexpectofHispeople. IwasimpressedwiththeGeneralBaptistcommitmenttotheGreatCommissionandtheirzealtoseeitbefruitful.IalsorecognizedthatifHewereforit,thensurelytheenemywouldbeagainst it.Many times itwasapparent that thisproject faced spiritual attack, but General Baptists wouldnotturnback.However,severaltimesinrecentyearsIbe-gan towonder if theenemywasperhapsgaininggroundandthatmaybethefocuswasshiftingtojustraisingbeauti-fulchildrenwhileabandoning themost important taskHisChurchhasbeengiven...thatofevangelizing. Iknewthatthemedicalteamswerecontinuingtoseesalvationresults,butIfeltsupportforthattoomightdimin-ish.IquestionedwhysomanyteamscouldcometoFaithHomeonlytocareforthephysicalandnotbeparticipating,

Iamoftenasked, “Howwasyour trip?”Letme try toexplain. Twelveplusyearsago,whileonmyveryfirstHondu-ranmedicalteam,IwastoldofavisionthatGeneralBap-tistshadfortheirpartnershipinbringingsalvationtomanylost, impoverished,and forgottensoulswhodidnotknowor understand theGospel.The visionwas two-fold.FaithHomeOrphanagewas created not to seek adoptions forthechildrenbut rather tonurture thosechildrenbygivingthemawonderfulplaceto livewhilebeingraisedasedu-cated Christian young adults who would be equipped toimpact andevangelize their ownpeopleandnationuponreaching adulthood.Additionally, themedical teamswereto be used to reach out beyond thewalls of FaithHometo bring theChurch to theHonduran peoplewith health-careas the incentive for them toattendachurchserviceandhearaGospelmessage.Thosewhobecamebelieverswouldbefollowed-upbyapastorfordiscipleship,andper-

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insomepart,inthegreatestthrillanybelievercouldhave...thatofplantingandsowing,nottomen-tion,theopportunitytoworkwithand involve the local populace.WouldHonduranseverbeableand equipped to evangelizetheirown? Overthelastcoupleyearsthe medical teams grew andseveral churcheswereplanted,but was this just a fluke andwould therebeanymomentumtosustainthem?Couldweeverregaintheoriginalvision?Thenit happened, the acceleratingloss ofmissionaries in and outofFaithHome.Woulditbepos-sibletodomuchmorethanjustpatch it together? Many lovingandconcernedlong-timepartici-pants were becoming dissatis-fiedandfactionsweredevelop-ing.DidSatanhaveuswherehewantedus? ThursdayMarch7th,whenIgotofftheplane,IhadasensethatGodhadalready begun toanswermyquestions.ChristinaandIweredrivingtotheairportto pickup the secondgroupofarrivals. She said, “I hope youwill have an opportunity to seewhatGodisdoingwhileyouarehere.” I told her that I alreadyhad affirmation enough andcould sensewhat Hemight bedoing. My expectations werewaytoosmall!Iknewtherewassomethingdifferent.FaithHomehadasuperintendentwholovedthechildren,butshehadspent

allherprevioustimeoutsidethegatesandhadaheartforsavingthelost.Atthesametimeamostcompetentassis-tantwasonboard tohelphandle thenecessaryadminis-trativetasksofFaithHome.ThefollowingFridayafternoonIwasprivileged toattend thededicationofanewchurchjustconstructedthatweekbyoneofourconstructionteamsalongwiththehelpofourpastors,thelocalcommunityandsomeofouryoungpeoplefromtheorphanage.Thischurchwasbuilton thevery landwhere18monthsagoweheldourmedicalclinics.As Iwatched theproceedings Icouldnothelpbutcrytearsofjoy.Thecirclewascompleted.ThatvisionIhadsoeagerlyembracedhadcometofruition.Wewerenolongerseparateteamsandgoalsbutnowpartsofonebodyunified inGod’sgreatestcalling:winningheartsforHim! ThatSundaytherewasevenmoretocome.ChristinahadpreviouslyaskedmewhatIthoughtifinsteadofgoingtooneofourexistingchurchesforaservice,weheldone

onthesitewherewewouldbeworkingthenextfourdays(NuevaPlan)? It seemedagreat idea tome,and then ithither“what ifwhenwepassout theclinic invitationswealsoaskthemtoattendtheSundayservice?”Wehadnoideawhat toexpect.Wewouldputup the tents,ourpas-torswouldarrangetheservice,andtheyhadseveralFaithHomeyouthprovidethemusicandsinging. When we drove up to the service we were all over-whelmedbythehugewaitingcrowd.Itwasapowerfultimeofworshipandninepeoplegavetheir livestoChrist.ThemusicwasbyHondurans,thevocalssungwerebyHondu-rans,themessagepreachedwasbyHonduransanditwasnineHonduranswhoweresaved!Weheldclinicstherethenext four days and another 53 adults received salvation.HelpingwiththeclinicswereseveralofourownFaithHomeyoung adults whowere eager and prepared to preach amessagetootherstheirage.ThatfollowingSaturdayafter-noonourpastorsconductedtheirfirstchurchserviceforthenewbelievers.Itwasheldunderaleakingtarpinpouringdownrain,butsomecameanywayandourpastorsmadeacommitmenttothemthattheywouldbetheretoconductaservicethreetimeseveryweek. Thenextchurchwasnowplanted!Itisnotourchurch;itistheirs.Perhapswecanhelpfacilitatebuildingastruc-tureusingall ourentitiesand theirs toachieve that com-monobjectiveofadvancingandmultiplyingtheKingdomofourLord.Hispeople,youngandold,plantersandbuilders,HonduranandAmerican,pastorsand laity,workinghand-in-handwithonemindtobringsalvationtothelost.That’swhatIsawandwhataglorioussightitwas!BecauseHeis,andHeisworthy.

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IcanstillvividlyrememberthesadnesswhichfilledourheartsintheteamhouseinAugustof2012atFaithHomeafterwe firstmetMaria IsabelQuintanilla.Not a dry eyecouldbefound,andwefelttotallyhelplessasweearnest-ly sought God in prayer. Threeyear old Maria Isabel came toourmedicalclinicheldlovinglyinhermother’sarms in thepover-ty-strickenvillageofElBanano,Honduras.Maria’spreciouslittlefingersandlipswereturningbluefromalife-threateningheartcon-dition we were not equipped totreat.Wecoulddonothingmorethanprayforher.Merewordsdi-rectedHeavenward,whenwhatMarianeededwasadangerousheart operation, seemed muchtoolittletoofferanddidverylittletocomfortanyofusatthetime.WedesperatelywilledourselvestotrustinGodandbelieveinthepowerofprayertellingourselvesoverandoveragain, “WithGodallthingsarepossible.” The Bible tells us that Godhears our prayers and caresenough to answer them. Skep-tics find this idea to be ratherludicrousanddemandproofbe-foretheydaretosubscribetobe-lievinginsuchathingaspowerinprayer.They thinkweChristiansare fools forbelievingwhat they say cannot be physically proven, but they aresadlymistaken.Forthosewhodemandproof,justconsiderthisoneexample. MynameisJimJenkins.Iamalife-longChristianwitha longing to serveGod, a union carpenter and an aspir-

ing Christian-fiction author and motivational speaker. InAugustof2012,mybeautifulwife,Sherry,andIwerepartofanamazingteamofindividualsfromaroundtheUnitedStateseacheagerlylookingforwardtogoingonaChristianMedicalMissiontrip toanorphanagecalled“FaithHome”inHonduras.LedbyamanofGod,Scott(Buck)Strouse,wecouldonlydreamof the life-changingpossibilities thatwouldoccur.Manyofuson the teamhadnevermetandknewnothingmoreofoneanotherbeyondthefactthatwesharedseveralthingsincommon:weallfeltcalledbyGodtogotoHonduras,servetheendearingpeopleofHondu-ras,sharetheloveofJesus,andministertothosewhodidnotyetknowHim.WewereallanxioustoactasthehandsandfeetofChristandweprayed.WeeachaskedGodtoblessanduseusinamazingwayswhileatthesametimerevealingHimselftousandthoseweweregoingtoservethroughmiracles, actsof loveand theundeniable feelingofHispresence.Godanswered thoseprayersahundredtimesover in somanyways that Iwouldhave towrite abooktorevealthemalltoyou.ThestoryofMariaIsabelisperhapsourteam’sfavoriteexample. WehadnoideawhenwesetoutintheGeneralBap-tistbusthathotSeptemberdaythataprecious,dark-eyed,three-year-oldwasgoingtostealourheartsandbreakthematthesametime.ShewasafatallyilllittleprincessdearlylovedbyJesus,herfamilyandfriendsandinstantlybyall

of us as well. After examiningMaria, our teammade arrange-ments for her to see a doctoratamedical facility inanearbytown.Noonecouldbelievethatshehadmadeitthislonginherphysical condition. They saidthatshedidn’thave long to liveandthatheronlychanceofsur-vival was an operation with a50% chance of success. Mem-bers of our team fought backtearsastheyreturnedMariaIsa-belandhermothertotheirmod-est homewith ourmeager giftsoffood,vitamins,hygieneitems,aSpanishBible,afamilyphoto-graph,prayers,hugsandsmiles.When our teammates returnedtotheclinicsiteatElBananoandtold us the devastating news, itwasdifficulttobearandhottearsfilledoureyes.Despitetheglo-riesGodrevealedtousthrough-out the rest of the day, real joyeluded us. Each of us prayedforMaria every chancewe got.Godheardthoseprayersandev-

eryprayerofferedupsincethen,andletmetellyou,fromMaria’sfamilytoFaithHome,fromHondurastotheUnitedStates and through Facebook, emails and social media,thoseprayershavebeenmany. AfterourteamreturnedtotheStateswelearnedthatar-rangementshadbeenmadeforMariaIsabeltoreceivethe

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heartoperationsheneededfromateamofspecialistswhogoon theirownmission trips toHonduras.Several timesadatewassetfortheoperation,butforvariousreasonsitcouldnotbeaccomplished.Asfrustratingasitwas,howev-er,webelievedthattheset-backsdidnotdiminishtheloveor powerofGodandeveryonecontinued topray.SherryandIansweredacallingGodplacedon our hearts andwere blessed toreturn to Honduras once again inFebruaryof2013. ThestoryIyearnedandprayedfor came true. Maria received heroperationwhilewewere inHondu-ras inFebruaryandherwholesitu-ationwasbathedinloveandprayer.Themorningofthesurgerywewerein thefieldatNuevaPlanwhenwereceived a call to pray for Maria.Afterweexplainedwhatwasgoingon, the villagers we were servingjoinedusinprayingHonduranstyle.ItwasabusydaywiththeLordwork-inggloriesallaroundus,butevery-one’s thoughts were on Maria anditwasaratheremotionaltime.Thatafternoon we received the gloriousnews that theoperationwasasuc-cess,takingamuchshorteramountof time than anticipated, and thatMarianeverevenhad tobeputonaventilator.Thenexttwenty-fourhourswerestillcriticalsowecontinuedtopray.Weweretornbetweengreatjoyandastillpresentfearoftheunknownfuture.Thenextdaywerejoicedlearningthat

“Over 100 people gathered in a circle today around Maria Isabel to pray, as well as thousands in the United States. What an amazing moment! I could feel her mother trembling beside me as the Spanish & English voices all went up in unison. Wow!” – Christina Massey, Director, Faith Home Ministries

Mariawasalreadyupandwalkingandherfingersandlipswerenowaperfectlynormalshadeofpink.WehadgreatcausetopraiseGodonceagainwhenwelearnedthatMa-riawasreleasedfromthehospitalafewdayslater,justaftermostofourteamreturnedtotheStates. Maria and hermother returned to FaithHomewhere

she could heal with minimal riskof infection and be cared for byseveralpeoplewholoveherdear-ly. Recently through emails andFacebook, we shouted prayers ofthanksgivingwhenwelearnedthatMaria has returned home to herfamily. God is going to bless herwith that long, happy and healthylife we all so desperately prayedfor. MywifeandIfeelGodleadingus to return to Honduras in Sep-tember. We eagerly look forwardtotheblessingHehasplannedforthistrip.Itwillbegreattoseedearfriendsfromourprevioustrips,theawesome children at Faith HomeandtoactasthehandsandfeetofJesus oncemore.Whether or notwewillgetthechancetoseeMariaagain is unknown, but the tripwillmostdefinitelybestowuswithnew

testimoniesoftheloveandpowerofGod.Newchallengeswillariseandourfaithwillbetried,butfaithandprayerwillovercomeeveryobstacle.AllwehavetodoiswhatIchal-lengeeveryonetodo,“DaretoBelieve!”

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ntheaftermathofallthesepagesaboutmissionsandmissionaries,I’vebeenthinking aboutasimplequestion.Whatismissions?Everychurchwillhaveitsmission,itspur- posethatdefinesitslocalexistence.Mission,however,differsfrommissions.Thatistosay:everythingachurchdoesisnotmissions.Ithasbeenmyexperienceinthelocalchurchthatfourexpressionsoflegitimateministryareoftenmisstatedasmissions. Benevolence, thoseactsof kindnessextending toothers, isoftenconfusedwithmis-sions.Benevolenceisanimportantministryofthechurch.ItismandatedbytheLordJesusinhiscatalogofnobleactivityinMatthew23.TheGoldenRuleguidesourbenevolencebuttheGreatCommissionmandatesmissions. Localevangelism,theintentionalsharingoffaithandwitnessinourcommunity,isoftenconfusedwithmissions. Local evangelism is an essentialministry of each local church.Without evangelistic efforts any local churchwill becomea single generation church thatsoondisappears.ThefirststatementoftheGreatCommissiongovernslocalevangelism;theremainderofitdefinesmissions. Socialjustice,advocatingonbehalfofthosewhohavenootheradvocate,isoftencon-fusedwithmissions. Thesociallyactivechurchoftenengages in legislativebattles inanattempt to right social wrongs. Social justice oftenmotivateswell-intentionedministry tomitigatetheplightofthosewhoarehomeless,impactedbyaddictionormarginalizedbythelargersociety.Jesus’ministryprovidesapatternforsocialjusticebuthismandateofaGreatCommissiondrivesustomissions. Churchextension,developingandadapting localprogramming, isoftenconfusedwithmissions.EvenchurchesthatcarrytheSimpleChurchmodeltoitsextrememusthavesomeleveloforganizationaldetailandstructuredprogramming.TheinfantchurchintheBookofActsfoundthatlevelsoforganizationwereessentialtotheirministry(seeActs6)buttheyalsosawabroaderneedofmissions(seeActs13). Missions isanorganizedeffort topropagatetheChristianfaithbeyondthespheresoflocalinfluence.ThisorganizedeffortshowsclearlyinActs13whentheleadersoftheAn-tiochChurchunderstoodthemissionarymandatetosetapartBarnabasandPaulforthefirstmissionaryjourney.In1786theprecursortothemodernmissionarymovementbeganwhenWilliamCareyraisedthequestionofwhetheritwasthedutyofallChristianstospreadtheGospelthroughouttheworld.J.R.Ryland,issaidtohaveretorted:“Youngman,sitdown;whenGodpleasestoconverttheheathen,hewilldoitwithoutyouraidandmine.” Maybeapracticaldefinitionbestanswersthequestion.Whatismissions?MissionsisthatorganizedefforttowintheworldforJesusChrist.IsawitprintedonaT-shirtonce.“Ourmissionismissions.”

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“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15

By Franklin R. Dumond, Director of Congregational Ministries

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My Hope America with Billy GrahamisanationwideefforttoreachpeopleacrosstheUnitedStateswiththeGospelofJesusChrist.Followingasimplebiblicalmodel,My Hope America with Billy Grahamcombinesthe impactofvideoprogramswith thepowerofpersonal relationships.Under theguidanceof their localpastors,ChristiansacrossAmericawillopentheirhopestosharetheGospelmessagewithfriends,family,colleagues,andneighborsusingvideosfeaturingBillyGraham,dynamicmusic,andtestimonials.

InviteInviteyourfriendsandneighborswhodon’tknowJesusChristtoyourhomeforamealordessert—orgatherthematyourchurchorfavoritehangout..

WatchUseaTVbroadcast,DVD,laptop,ormobiledevicetoshowaspecialprogramfeaturingpopularmusic,real-lifestories,andapowerfulnewmessagefromBillyGraham.

ShareNext,brieflysharehowJesusgaveyouhopeandtellwhatHeisdoinginyourlifetoday.

AskAskyourfriendsiftheywouldliketomakethesamedecisionyoudidtoreceiveJesusChristasLordandSaviorandpraywiththem.