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God’s Plan to Reach the World: Acts 1:8

A Strategy for Individuals, Churches and Associations

as part of Healthy Kingdom Churches

Healthy Kingdom Churches

Empowering Kingdom Growth

The Heartbeat of Georgia Baptists

Our Acts 1:8 Challenge

Every Georgia Baptist surrender to the Holy Spirit and become a witness to your Jerusalem (your hometown, association), your Judea (Georgia), your Samaria (the United States), and the uttermost parts (World). Each geographical area is engaged simultaneously and constantly because they are of equal importance to God.

Acts 1:8 Teaches

1. God says that every person in the world deserves a witness about Jesus Christ.

2. Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the world are of equal value and we must

engage them simultaneously.

3. This is God’s plan to reach the world.

CONTACTS AND MORE

Georgia Baptist Convention www.gabaptist.org www.actsone8georgia.org Mike Gravette Mission Volunteers [email protected] Jim Millirons New Church Development [email protected] Frank Nuckolls Associational Missions [email protected] Barbara Curnutt Woman’s Missionary Union [email protected] Jerry Baker Language Missions [email protected] Glen McCall Men’s Ministries [email protected] Margie Sance Woman’s Missionary Union [email protected] Chris Boltin Mission Volunteers [email protected] Connie Saltamacchio Mission Volunteers [email protected] Terrell Ruis Ministry Resources Consultant [email protected] Tom Crites Research Services [email protected]

Call 1-800-RING GBC ext. 346 or 770-936-5346 References: God’s Plan to Reach the World by Dr. Michael Gravette The Acts 1:8 Challenge by Nate Adams Acts 1:8 Key Church Strategy

COMMIT TO A NEW PERSPECTIVE

Acts 1:8 is not impossible. I. It is God’s plan for His people.

A. God’s view is the correct view. B. God’s plan will work.

1. A look at our plan shows we are falling short. 2. God’s plan can accomplish the desired goals.

a. 1.3 million Georgia Baptists with a Georgia population of just over 8 million b. 16.5 million Southern Baptists in the U.S. population of 293 plus, million c. 16.5 million Southern Baptist in the world population of 6.3 billion

C. It will work if we get an Acts 1:8 perspective II. Occupy at this until I come.

Acts 1: 2-7 A. The Great Commission - go out in the forty days post-resurrection. vs.

2-5 B. “Lord it is still about me!” vs. 6 C. Do Acts 1:8 until I return! D. Wait vs. 4

1.You can not do it by yourself. 2. It is not my plan for you to do it by yourselves.

E. The Power is coming vs. 5,8a 1. The Holy Spirit makes it possible. Acts 4: 15-20 2. The Power is coming . vs. 5,8a Acts 5: 12-16

F. The Acts 1:8 challenge is ours today. 1. Choose “my” plan 2. Choose God’s plan

-1- Would God give us an impossible task? How are we doing in our Acts 1:8 tasks? How can an Acts 1:8 perspective make it happen?

1.3 million Georgia Baptists/ 8 million people in Georgia = less than a week to witness to everyone 16.5 million Southern Baptists/ 293 million people in the United States = less than a month to witness to everyone in the United States If only Georgia Baptists, it would take less than 230 days; less than a year to witness to everyone in the United States 16.5 million Southern Baptists/ 6.3 billion people in the world = just over one year to witness to everyone in the world

-2- It will work if we develop an Acts 1:8 vision.

1. My Jerusalem is my responsibility

2. My Georgia is my responsibility

3. My United States is my responsibility

4. My World is my responsibility

5. It is possible to give a witness to everyone in the World.

6. We need to do it God’s way with God’s plan. Key question: Do I have a plan to reach the world for Jesus?

-3-

PROBLEM!

I. It’s all about me. Acts 1: 2 -7

-4-

PROBLEM!

I cannot: Power

Wait! Do not attempt alone.

-5-

Modified plans

1. God’s plan modified “one or the other”

2. God’s plan modified

“dabbling”

3. God’s plan modified “to fit my comfort zone”


“short sightedness”

5. God’s plan modified “unplugged”


“political correctness” (no offense)


-6-

SOLUTION

Every person in the world deserves a witness of Jesus Christ. I take responsibility. Every geographical area (Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the World) must be reached simultaneously and consistently. I have a plan.

Have God’s Plan

My Acts 1:8 Strategy Plan

Acts 1:8 Challenge and the Cooperative Program

New Church DevelopmentMinistries

Associational Missions Ministries

Language Missions Ministries

Georgia Baptist WMU

Men’s Ministries

Missions Resource Consultants

My Church Acts 1:8 Strategy Plan

Devotions

HAVE GOD’S PLAN

Jerusalem: Participate (go) Educate (grow) Pray Give Judea: Participate Educate Pray Give Samaria: Participate Educate Pray Give World: Participate Educate Pray Give Do you have a plan for each of the geographical areas?

MY ACTS 1:8 STRATEGY PLAN

PUTTING MY ACTS 1:8 PLAN TOGETHER

Resources

Jerusalem: Your church Your association Georgia Baptist Convention North American Mission Board International Mission Board Judea: Your church (Georgia) Your association Georgia Baptist Convention North American Mission Board International Mission Board Samaria: Your church (USA) Your association Georgia Baptist Convention North American Mission Board International Mission Board The World: Your church Your association Georgia Baptist Convention North American Mission Board International Mission Board

REACHING JERUSALEM (Church area, Association)

My Prayer Plan to reach Jerusalem. (Getting) My Education Plan to reach Jerusalem. (Growing) My Participation Plan to reach Jerusalem. (Going) My Giving Plan to reach Jerusalem.

REACHING JUDEA (GEORGIA)

My Prayer Plan to reach Judea. (Getting) My Education Plan to reach Judea. (Growing) My Participation Plan to reach Judea. (Going) My Giving Plan to reach Judea.

REACHING SAMARIA (THE UNITED STATES)

My Prayer Plan to reach Samaria. (Getting) My Education Plan to reach Samaria. (Growing) My Participation Plan to reach Samaria. (Going) My Giving Plan to reach Jerusalem.

REACHING THE WORLD

My Prayer Plan to reach the World. (Getting) My Education Plan to reach the World. (Growing) My Participation Plan to reach the World. (Going) My Giving Plan to reach the World.

My Prayer Plan to Reach My Jerusalem: Atlanta, Georgia

1. I will pray for specific churches to impact their area for Jesus.

Summit Baptist Church, Acworth Briarlake Baptist Church, Decatur First Baptist Church, Jonesboro First Baptist Church, Duluth Wildwood Baptist Church, Acworth, Kennesaw Hebron Baptist Church, Dacula First Baptist Church, Woodstock

2. I will pray for Associations to become involved in Acts 1:8 commitment

a. Noonday b. Atlanta c. Gwinnett Metro

3. I will pray for specific ethnic work in Atlanta.

Hispanic Asian Romanian Haitian

4. I will pray for specific pastors to lead out as Acts 1:8 pastors.

5. I will pray for specific ministers of missions.

6. I will pray for mission teams as they prepare and go on mission.

7. I will pray for specific mission needs that I am aware of.

8. I will intercede on behalf of specific missionaries from our Atlanta area.

My Prayer Plan to Reach Judea (Georgia)

1. I will pray for specific churches in specific places to be Acts 1:8 churches. Byne Memorial – Albany, GA Grove Level – Dalton, GA First Baptist – Americus, GA Cascade Hills – Columbus, GA

2. I will pray for specific associations to be Acts 1:8 associations.

Laurens, Dublin Columbus Houston Savannah

3. I will pray for specific ministries in Georgia to reach the lost under their

influence. Georgia Mountain Resort Ministries – Michael Flake, director Golden Isle Ministry, Brunswick Seamans Ministry – Savannah Yellow Daisy Festival – Stone Mountain Children’s Home Techwood Ministry – Atlanta

4. I will pray for our Georgia Baptist Missionaries and GBC Missionaries.

5. I will pray for partnerships within the Georgia Baptist Convention.

6. I will pray for ethnic work in Georgia.

My Prayer Plan to Reach My Samaria – The United States

1. I will pray specifically for Georgia Baptist partnership states. New York California Utah/Idaho

2. I will pray specifically for leadership in these areas to be challenged to

Acts 1:8 leadership. New York California Utah/Idaho

Terry Robertson Fermine Whittaker Tim Clark Mike Flannery Mike McCollough Bethann Williams David Jackson Dwight Simpson Dan Walker Gary Frost Chuck Clayton Mickey Andrews Shane Critser Jerry Barnett Jim Arrant

3. I will pray for specific Church Starts. Lancaster, NY The 411, NY The Mosaic, NY New York City Haitians

4. I will pray for specific Missionaries and needs.

Shower trailer in California Teaching Acts 1:8 in Shasta Association, California Teaching Acts 1:8 in Fresno, California

My Prayer Plan to Reach the World

1. I will pray for the work in international countries. Mexico Moldova France

2. I will pray for specific unreached people groups.

The Salar people of China The Southern Sudanese The Bask people of Southern France/Spain The Corsecan people The Muslims of Somalia

3. I will pray for specific Missionaries to lead the Acts 1:8 Challenge.

Robert and Carl Shehane Chris and Nancy Russell Troy and Anita Geddes Steve and Barbara Springer B.J. Collins

4. I will pray for specific Churches and Pastors.

Holy Trinity – Alexandru Malanchea Jesus Savior – Victor Poppavicci Creteil – for Pastor Angers – Bernard Delipene

5. I will pray for specific Teams on Mission.

My Grow Plan (Education Plan) to Reach My Jerusalem

1. Gather materials about my community from local news, papers and journals that describe my city. (Know my city and its make-up.)

2. Find any unreached areas of people in my city. 3. Contact our association for information about our association’s needs and

plans. 4. Find out about local help, ministries and church groups, and what they do

and are doing. 5. Visit local ministerial alliances or groups. 6. Visit local help agencies (Salvation Army, Rescue Missions, Jails, etc.) 7. Visit hospital chaplains, police chaplains and other para- church chaplains. 8. Contact the GBC for information, demographics, etc. 9. Contact the NAMB for any helpful material on my area. 10. Share my information with my church and/or group. 11. Train in evangelistic methods.

12. Support Men’s Ministry, WMU, Acteens, RA’s, GA’s and Mission Friends

in my church.

My Grow Plan (Education Plan) to Reach My Judea (Georgia)

1. Gather materials from papers, Georgia magazines, the Christian Index, about my state, including demographic information.

2. Call the Georgia Baptist Convention and my association to find unreached or

under reached people groups in our state. 3. Call Mission Volunteers at the GBC for in- state partnership opportunities or

ministry needs. 4. Get a subscription to the Christian Index and Georgia WMU News. 5. Contact NAMB about Georgia opportunities and missionaries. 6. Get a list of GBC personnel and their duties. 7. Gather census material to help me “see” my state. 8. Share my information with my church and/or group regularly.

9. Support Men’s Ministries, WMU, Acteens, RA’s, GA’s and Mission Friends

in my church.

My Grow Plan (Education Plan) to Reach My Samaria (The United States)

1. Check newspapers, local and USA Today, about events in my nation. 2. Watch the news for disasters, needs, etc.

3. Contact GBC about state-to-state partnerships and ministry opportunities.

4. Contact NAMB for personnel and specific needs. (Subscribe to NAMB

publications)

5. Gather demographic material on each area of the U.S. i.e. south, northeast, midwest, etc.

6. Listen to “experts” about opportunities for ministry: GBC, NAMB,

Associations, Missionaries

7. Share information with my church and/or group.

My Grow Plan (Education Plan) to Reach the World for Christ

1. Be very alert and interested in International news media to keep abreast of what is happening in the world.

2. Contact GBC about International needs, opportunities and partnership.

3. Contact IMB for materials on personnel and opportunities. (Subscribe to

IMB publications.)

4. Listen to personnel who have expertise in International opportunities.

5. Participate in Mission Fairs, Prayer Walks and Bible Studies for missions.

6. Seek out and nurture Internationals.

7. Share information with my church and/or group.

My Go Plan to Reach My Jerusalem for Jesus

1. Go on church visitation. 2. Visit my neighborhood.

3. Visit newcomers.

4. Be alert for opportunities as I shop, work or play.

5. Get involved with local outreach through my church, association or groups.

6. Visit hospitals, nursing homes, etc.

7. Carry Bibles/tracts with me always.

8. Reach out to unchurched areas of my city.

9. Be comfortable with internationals.

10. Prayer walk schools, hospitals, neighborhoods, etc. and invite others to

accompany me.

11. Be an outreach leader in my church.

My Go Plan to Reach Georgia for Jesus

1. Participate in state mission trips.

2. Partner with friends in other state areas to pray and witness.

3. When traveling, I will be prepared and equipped to be on mission, even on vacation.

4. Intentionally go to other towns and counties to witness, pray or give out

tracts.

5. Meet visitors to my city and plant seeds in their lives.

6. Help with in state crisis or area disaster relief.

My Go Plan to Reach the United States for Jesus

1. Participate in mission trips.

2. Help others Go on mission trips.

3. Recruit others to be involved.

4. Intentionally meet visitors in my city and plant seeds in their lives for Jesus.

5. Support NAMB Week of Prayer.

6. Share my experiences with others.

My Go Plan to Reach the World for Jesus

1. Go on International Mission trips.

2. Promote International Missions.

3. Intentionally meet Internationals in your area and plant seeds for Jesus in their lives.

4. Support weeks of prayer for IMB missions.

5. Support others who Go on International trips.

6. Request people to Go on International trips.

My Giving Plan to Reach My Jerusalem for Jesus

1. Be a storehouse tither.

2. Give to associational special offerings and church budget.

3. Support the Cooperative Program through my church budget.

4. Give to special efforts in my city outreach, i.e. Backyard Bible Clubs, scripture distribution, Christian Pregnancy Crisis Centers, Salvation Army.

My Giving Plan to Reach My State for Jesus


2. Be an advocate for Cooperative Program and Associational Missions in my church.

3. Support my State Mission’s Offering.

4. Give to special ministry opportunities like disaster relief in state.

My Giving Plan for Reaching the United States for Jesus


2. Be an advocate for Cooperative Program giving to my church budget.

3. Support the Annie Armstrong Offering.

4. Give to national mission trips to help others go.

5. Give to select groups like the Gideons, American Bible Society.

My Giving Plan to Reach the World for Jesus


2. Support the Lottie Moon Offering.

3. Be a Cooperative Program champion.

4. Go on International mission trips.

5. Support mission trips for others to go.

6. Give to World Hunger SBC Offering.

The Acts 1:8 Challenge and the Cooperative Program Southern Baptists have always been motivated by a profound love and respect for God’s Word. It is in God’s Word that we discover our mission as well as our mandate to work together to reach a lost world for Jesus Christ. Missions and evangelism have always been central to our denominational life and remain so today. This has led us to claim the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) as our mandate and Acts 1:8 as our marching orders. Taking the good news of Christ to all nations/people groups is not an option for the church. History affirms that either churches do missions or they die! Churches need to give and reach beyond themselves for the sake of their own spiritual health. Healthy churches will always be on mission for Christ. The Acts 1:8 Challenge calls for each of us to be witnesses for Christ in “Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.” How is this possible? How can you as a believer in a local church in Georgia become an Acts 1:8 Christian? Certainly you can find some way to get involved in the ministry of your local church reaching out to the community where you live. But what about your state, your nation and the world? Is there some way that you can be involved directly in making sure that our witness is extended to a lost world beyond our “Jerusalem.” There certainly is a way for this to happen and we call it the “Cooperative Program.” The Cooperative Program is a financial channel of cooperation between local churches, state conventions and the Southern Baptist Convention which makes it possible for all persons giving through their local church to support world missions. As you give through the Cooperative Program you are making it possible for the gospel of Jesus Christ to be shared in your state, throughout North America and around the world. How then does giving through the Cooperative Program assist you in becoming an Acts 1:8 Christian/Church? YOUR JERUSALEM: Cooperative Program dollars are channeled through your state convention to meet mission needs in every local area and association across Georgia. Partnerships between the Georgia Baptist Convention and your local Baptist association result in mission outreach through the starting of new churches, outreach to ethnic minorities, the starting of ethnic churches, disaster relief work, and a variety of other mission opportunities. You can be assured that as you give through the Cooperative Program you are enhancing your church’s and association’s mission outreach to your Jerusalem. YOUR JUDEA: Georgia is our “Judea” and Cooperative Program giving makes it possible for us to reach this great mission field for Christ. With a population of more than 8.5 million and more than 60% of these unchurched, your partnership with the Georgia Baptist Convention makes mission outreach across this state possible. Georgia Baptist missionaries are serving in evangelism, church planting, language missions, disaster relief, and other important ministries to do our part in reaching this state for Christ. Your support through the Cooperative Program makes this a reality every day in Georgia.

YOUR SAMARIA: North America, including the United States, is now considered to be among the top five largest mission fields in the world. With literally millions of people living in this area with unlimited access to the gospel, we still find that our mission challenge is tremendous. As you give through the Cooperative Program, a large percentage of that support goes to the North American Mission Board (NAMB)and supports missionaries and mission outreach in out homeland. There are currently more than 5000 missionaries serving through NAMB and they need our prayers and financial support. More than that they need our involvement - not only in giving but in going as well. When you give through the Cooperative Program you are making it possible for missionaries to be sent across North America. Therefore you are personally involved in taking the gospel to this great mission field. YOUR WORLD (The uttermost parts of the earth): Witnessing of Christ to the whole world has been the mandate given to the church from its very beginning. Southern Baptists and Georgia Baptists have taken this mandate seriously and through the years have been motivated by a desire to see the gospel spread throughout the world – to every tribe, language, tongue and nation. The Cooperative Program is one means of accomplishing this awesome task. As gifts are given through the Cooperative Program, a large percentage of these gifts are channeled through the International Mission Board (IMB) for mission outreach around the world. The Vision statement of the IMB says: “We will lead Southern Baptists to be on mission with God to bring all the peoples of the world to saving faith in Jesus Christ.” With more than 5000 missionaries serving across the world sharing with hundreds of people groups who have never heard before, you can be sure that your gifts through the Cooperative Program are being effectively and efficiently used to take the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth. The Cooperative Program, therefore, provides every member of every Georgia Baptist church an opportunity to be involved in giving and ministering beyond themselves – in accomplishing the Acts 1:8 Challenge. One writer expressed it this way: “The sun never sets on your Cooperative Program dollar.” With missionaries serving in Georgia and North America (our Judea and Samaria) and missionaries serving in more than 150 nations (the uttermost parts of the earth), we are doing more than ever before in accomplishing this task.

NEW CHURCH DEVELOPMENT MINISTRIES

JIM MILLIRONS

SPECIALIST

ACTS 1:8 Challenge: Church Planting for Rapid Multiplication

Introduction:

Extreme Makeover

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Overcoming Barriers to Church Planting

_________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________

Why Church Planting

_________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________

Step 1: Discover God’s Church Planting Vision

Our _____________

Our _____________ Culture

Our ____________________ Culture

Our Current ____________________ Culture

Step 2: Develop God’s Church Planting Strategy

Be ______ instead of being _________. Must deal with _______ ________.

Must deal with ________ ________.

Must deal with our ____________ __________ __________.

Step 3: Establish Goals and Organize Church for Extension Growth

Adopt a ________________ mission statement.

Realize the magnitude of the ______ and _____ a ___________.

_________ and ________ the On Mission Team.

Commit to the on going _______________ of the church.

Prioritize ____________ involvement.

Step 4: Prioritize Plans, Calendar, Budget to Reach Acts 1:8 Goals

________ energies by making room for significant mission processes and events in

weekly and monthly schedule.

____________ budgets to vision, mission, and value statements.

____________ goals for significant extension growth to enhance broader vision.

Seven Steps for Planting Churches

Step 1: Receive a ___________ from God.

Step 2: Define Church Planting _______________________________

Step 3: Develop a ___________________ Team

Step 4: Identify ________________

Step 5: Evangelize ______________ People

Step 6: Launch __________ Ministry

Step 7: ___________ and ___________ Ministry

Kinds of Churches

__________ Church

__________ Church

_______________ Church

______________________________ Church

_______________ Church

__________________ Church

_______________ Church

Baptist Men

WMU

Ministry

Volunteer

Minister of Missions

Pastor

Model 1: On Mission Team

Missions Education Director

Baptist Men

WMU

Ministry

Part-time

Minister of Missions

Pastor


Disaster Relief

Baptist Men

International

Ministry

Multihousing

Ministry

Chairpersons

Bivocational Minister of Missions

Mission Action

WMU

Ministry

Mission

Education


Mission

Relationships

Disaster Relief

Mission

Communication

Baptist Men

Prison

Ministry

International

Ministry

Multihousing

Ministry

Chairpersons

Full-Time Minister of Missions

Mission Action

New Work/

Pioneer Area

WMU

Ministry

Mission

Education


ASSOCIATIONAL MISSIONS MINISTRIES

FRANK NUCKOLLS

SPECIALIST

Associational Missions Ministries Accepting the Acts 1:8 Challenge

The Georgia Baptist Convention is committed to guide churches and associations in a process to become healthy. This process is based on the book, Healthy Kingdom Churches, by J. Robert White. This book includes a description of ten qualities of a healthy kingdom church. One of the qualities of a healthy kingdom church is to be “on mission for Christ.” Healthy kingdom churches and associations become healthy when they are involved in being on mission for Christ as they accept the Acts 1:8 Challenge. Associational Missions Ministries of the Georgia Baptist Convention can assist the local church and association to accept the Acts 1:8 Challenge through the following ministries. These ministries are described in relation to the four areas of Acts 1:8 (Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost). Jerusalem

1. Prayer Plan A. Associational Missions Emphasis Week Prayer Guide B. Chaplaincy Support

2. Participate

A. Equipping individuals to participate in Church and Community Ministries in the local association

B. Prison Ministry

3. Educate A. Associational Missions Acts 1:8 Strategy Development B. Associational Missions Training and Leadership Development C. Associational Continuing Education Centers D. Associational and Regional Bivocational Ministers Training Events E. Better Bridges Celebrations

4. Giving:

A. Associational Missions Financial Support B. World Hunger Fund Promotion and Support C. Better Bridges Celebrations

Judea

1. Prayer Plan A. Associational Missions Emphasis Week Prayer Guide B. Chaplaincy Ministry C. Addiction Recovery Ministries (Penfield and HEART)

2. Participate A. Church and Community Ministries across Georgia B. Enlistment and support of student summer missionaries

3. Educate

A. Continuing Education Centers for: 1. African Americans 2. Bible Institutes 3. Language Missions 4. Prisoners

B. Associational Acts 1:8 Strategy Development C. Better Bridges Celebrations

4. Give

A. World Hunger Promotion B. Better Bridges Celebrations

Samaria

1. Participate A. Support for Associational Missions Partnership development B. Appalachian Regional Ministries Mission Partnership support

2. Educate A. Associational Acts 1:8 Strategy Development B. Appalachian Regional Ministries Vision Trips (designed to educate

associational missionaries and associational missions team leaders to the mission need in Appalachia)

C. Better Bridges Celebrations

3. Give A. World Hunger Promotion B. Better Bridges Celebrations

Uttermost

1. Educate A. Associational Acts 1:8 Strategy Development B. Better Bridges Celebrations

2. Give

A. World Hunger Promotion B. Better Bridges Celebrations

Associational Missions Ministries Accepting the Acts 1:8 Challenge

The Georgia Baptist Convention is committed to guide churches and associations

in a process to become healthy kingdom churches and associations. This process is based

on the book, Healthy Kingdom Churches, by Dr. J. Robert White and includes ten

qualities that denote a healthy church. One of the qualities of a healthy kingdom church

is to be “on mission for Christ.” Healthy kingdom churches and associations become

healthy when they are involved in being on mission for Christ based on Acts 1:8.

An important means by which a church or association can become healthy in

terms of its being on mission for Christ is to accept the Acts 1:8 Challenge. This

challenge is based on Christ’s admonition in Acts 1:8 to be witnesses for Christ in

“Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the world.” The Acts 1:8

Challenge is an emphasis that involves churches and associations to be on mission for

Christ in each of the four geographic areas described in Acts 1:8. When a Georgia

Baptist church or association accepts the Acts 1:8 challenge, they are involved in

reaching out to their Jerusalem (the church and the local association field), Judea (the

state of Georgia), Samaria (North America), and the uttermost part of the world (the

international mission field). An Acts 1:8 church or association is one that is involved in

doing missions in each of these areas.

Jerusalem

Associational Missions Ministries of the Georgia Baptist Convention is

committed to assisting churches and associations to accept the Acts 1:8 Challenge and

thus be on mission for Christ. In order to accomplish this goal, this ministry seeks to

assist churches to be on mission for Christ in the following areas. The first area is to

assist churches and associations to be on mission for Christ locally in their “Jerusalem.”

Associational Missions Ministries seeks to assist churches and associations in praying for

their Jerusalem. Prayer for the association’s Jerusalem is encouraged through

Associational Missions Ministries’ support of Associational Missions Emphasis Week in

May of each year. This support is provided through the publication and distribution of an

Associational Missions Emphasis Week Prayer Guide. This prayer guide includes stories

on how associations are involving volunteers and leaders to be on mission for Christ.

Each association and church in Georgia receives this prayer guide as a reminder to pray

for the work and ministry of churches and associations in “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria,

and the uttermost part of the world.”

Associational Missions Ministries seeks to assist churches and associations to

participate in missions locally in their Jerusalem. Many associations are involved in

church and community ministries. These ministries are designed to help meet the needs

of people who have both physical and spiritual needs. Associational Missions Ministries

seeks to involve individuals in this area of ministry through the ministry of student

summer missionaries, church and community ministry leaders in associations, and

numerous volunteers who support church and community ministries through the local

association. When associations involve individuals to participate in church and

community ministries, they are accepting the Acts 1:8 Challenge. Associational Missions

Ministries provides financial support to associations through the World Hunger Fund to

help them provide food to people who have nothing to eat. Also, training is provided to

associations on how to establish a church and community ministry as well as how to

enlist, train, and involve volunteers in this ministry and thus to be on mission for Christ.

The development of a missional strategy is important to the association’s

acceptance of the Acts 1:8 challenge. Associational Missions Ministries seeks to assist

associations in the development and implementation of this strategy through the Set the

Journey process. This process helps to educate the strategy development team in the

local association in the development of an Acts 1:8 strategy. Assistance is provided to

the association through finances and the assignment of a trained consultant who can

guide the association through a missional strategy process.

Financial support for the association is vital to the development and

implementation of Acts 1:8 ministries locally. Associational Missions Ministries can

assist associations in the development of a budget that focuses on each area of Acts 1:8.

Giving to the association is encouraged through the work of Associational Missions

Ministries. Churches are encouraged to become Cooperative Missions Champions that

leads to a commitment to give at least ten percent of the offering plate dollars to the

Cooperative Program and at least three percent of these same dollars to the association.

Judea

Associational Missions Ministries of the Georgia Baptist Convention is

committed to assisting churches and association in reaching their Judea for Christ. Judea

can be defined as the state of Georgia. Within the Georgia Baptist Convention, there are

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ninety-two associations. Each association is seeking to be on mission for Christ in order

to mobilize churches and volunteers to reach its “Jerusalem” for Christ and thus impact

“Judea” (Georgia) for Christ. One of the major ways Associational Missions Ministries

is committed to involve associations and churches to reach out to “Judea” (Georgia) is

through the enlisting, training, and commissioning of student summer missionaries.

These summer missionaries serve through various associations across Georgia for a ten-

week period each summer. Their ministry assists associations in discovering prospects

for new church starts, teaching the Bible to unreached children through Backyard Bible

Clubs, conducting sports clinics for inner city children, and resort ministries. This

ministry leads associations, summer missionaries, and volunteers to participate in

mission work that impacts “Judea” (Georgia) for the cause of Christ.

Associational Missions Ministries seeks to impact our Judea with the gospel of

Christ through the Chaplaincy ministry. This ministry involves chaplains in praying for

people and ministering to them during times of crisis. The Chaplaincy ministry is one

way that lives of people can be touched across Georgia. Training is provided for

chaplains through this ministry area. The Chaplaincy ministry also partners with other

Georgia Baptist ministry areas to minister to people across our state.

Associational Missions Ministries seeks to involve associations, churches, and

individuals in learning how to minister in Georgia through Continuing Education

Ministries. This involvement seeks to educate individuals from different cultures to be

on mission for Christ. Associational Missions Ministries is available to assist

associations in the development of Continuing Education Centers that can be designed to

reach various people groups and equip them to be on mission for Christ reaching their

segment of our Judea with the gospel of Christ.

Samaria


individuals in impacting Samaria (North America) with the gospel of Christ and thus

accept the Acts 1:8 Challenge. The plan for involving associations in reaching Samaria

involves partnering with Mission Volunteers, Men’s Ministries, and other ministry areas

in the Georgia Baptist Convention. This involvement assists associations in the

development of partnerships with other Baptist associations in states that partner with

Georgia. Also, Associational Missions Ministries seeks to involve associations to partner

with Appalachian Regional Ministries to reach this large unreached area with the gospel

3

of Christ. Associational Missions Ministries provides training to associations in how to

develop partnerships with Appalachia and other partnership areas. This training helps to

educate leaders and volunteers from associations in how to accomplish effective mission

work and thus accept the Acts 1:8 Challenge.

Uttermost

Associational Missions Ministries partners with Cooperative Program and State

Missions Development in the planning and implementation of Better Bridges

Celebrations. The celebrations help to educate churches about the Southern Baptist

cooperative mission work in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the uttermost. Also, these

celebrations encourage individuals and churches to pray for the cooperative work of

missions. Speakers assigned to churches provide a personal testimony of what God is

doing through Southern Baptist missions and thus encourage churches to participate in

missions projects in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, or the uttermost. The results of a Better

Bridges Celebration is the education of the church about Cooperative Program missions

and the commitment to accept the Acts 1:8 Challenge.

Men’s Ministries and Associational Missions Ministries work together to provide

training for associational leadership in planning for and implementing On Mission

Celebrations. These mission celebrations involve churches within associations to pray

for Acts1:8 missions, to be educated about missions, and to be encouraged to go on

mission for Christ.

Conclusion


individuals in Acts 1:8 missions. Our ministry team is available to assist churches and

associations in planning for Acts 1:8 missions through each of our ministry areas.

Associations are encouraged to develop and implement a missional strategy that leads to

accepting the Acts 1:8 challenge.

4

1

The Healthy AssociationThe Healthy AssociationThe Healthy Association

Accepting the Acts 1:8 ChallengeAccepting the Acts 1:8 Challenge

What characterizes an Acts 1:8 What characterizes an Acts 1:8 association?association?

2

On Mission Scriptures

Deuteronomy 31:12Matthew 28:19-20Acts 1:8

Components of Strategy DevelopmentCore Values

Mission Statement

Vision

Critical Issues

Priorities, Goals, and Action Plans

The Associational Acts 1:8 TeamThe Associational Acts 1:8 Team

• Works with churches to mobilize individuals for mission involvement.

3

What is an Acts 1:8 Association?

• A network of churches that are on mission and mobilized to cooperatively accomplish Jesus’commission in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the World.

The Associational The Associational Acts 1:8/On Mission Acts 1:8/On Mission

TeamTeam

The Size of An Acts 1:8 Team• The Acts 1:8 Team could be composed of at least

five members to include;– Associational Director of Missions– One member to represent each of the four geographic

areas of Acts 1:8:JerusalemJudeaSamariaUttermost

4

The Organization of an Acts 1:8 Team

Organized to focus on thoseunreached by the Gospel.

Be given authority to enlist and dissolve special groups to accomplish tasks.

Be given authority to fulfill its responsibilities.

The Task of an Acts 1:8 TeamMobilize the association and

its churches to prioritize Acts 1:8 and be on mission.

Customize a comprehensive Acts 1:8 mission strategy.

Personalize missions involvement.

The Goal for an Acts 1:8 TeamThe Goal for an Acts 1:8 Team

• Facilitate participation of the association in strategy-based partnerships to accomplish Acts 1:8.

5

The Goal—Act

Lead churches to be on mission corporately and cooperatively in the local associational area, the state,North America, and internationally.

The Goal—Commit

Help fine-tune the focus of the association’s prayer ministry,strategy, and mission leadership.

The Goal—Tell

Share the mission story through the churches by conducting missions events that lead to local church involvement and the encouragement of churches to equip individuals for missions service.

6

The Goal—Support

Advocate personalized mission support that leads to increased missions giving, in-depth mission leader training, and mission advice.

The Plan of Action for an Acts 1:8 TeamDevelop missions

opportunities for the association.

Utilize strategic mission projects activate mission advocates.

Share what God is doing in the lives of those who serve in Acts 1:8 areas.

The Foundation for an Acts 1:8 Association

• Two components make up this foundation”– On Mission Teams (Acts 1:8 Teams)– On Mission Christians

7

Developing an Acts 1:8 Strategy

• Lead churches through the mobilization process of:– Awakening– Adjusting– Activating– Advocating


• Develop a work sheet based on the four mobilization principles and ask the following questions:– What?– Who?– When?– Where?– How?– Why?


• Evaluate and develop a strategic plan to:– Provide mission opportunities– Develop or strengthen the prayer ministry– Develop mission education

8


• Adjust strategy and structure• Activity becomes intentional and is

centered around:– Educating – Equipping– Empowering other to be on mission with God

Advocate/Acts 1:8 Champion

• Awakened:– To God– To people (lost and unreached)

Acts 1:8 Champion

• Adjusted:– In personal life– In corporate life

9

Acts 1:8 Champion

• Active– Participant– Discipler

Acts 1:8 Champion

• Advocate– Champion– Supporter

Activating an Acts 1:8 Association

• The primary task of the Acts 1:8 Associational Team is to mobilize the churches to:– Pray– Give– Know– Go in response to the Great Commission

10

Acts 1:8

• “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you shall be My witnesses . . .”

LANGUAGE MISSIONS MINISTRIES

JERRY BAKER SPECIALIST


Jerusalem

Prayer Plan • Prayer requests from church planters, www.gatracking.org Participation • English As a Second Language classes • Adult Reading and Writing/Alfalit (Spanish Adult Reading and Writing) • Children and Youth Tutoring • Baptist Mobile Health Ministry – free medical, dental clinic • Ethnic Bible Study, Home Fellowship, Mission church plant • Interpreted ministry for the deaf • Laser Project, starting new ethnic mission Educate • Cultural Distance of Immigrant Populations • A Beginner’s Guide to Crossing Cultures • Language Church Starting Process • Engle’s Evangelistic Countdown Giving • None


Judea

Prayer Plan • Prayer requests from church planters, www.gatracking.org Participation • English As a Second Language classes • Adult Reading and Writing/Alfalit (Spanish Adult Reading and Writing) • Children and Youth Tutoring • Baptist Mobile Health Ministry – free medical, dental clinic • Ethnic Bible Study, Home Fellowship, Mission church plant • Interpreted ministry for the deaf • Laser Project, starting new ethnic mission Educate • Cultural Distance of Immigrant Populations • A Beginner’s Guide to Crossing Cultures • Language Church Starting Process • Engle’s Evangelistic Countdown Giving • None


Samaria

Prayer Plan • Prayer requests from church planters, www.gatracking.org Participation • English As a Second Language classes • Adult Reading and Writing/Alfalit (Spanish Adult Reading and Writing) • Children and Youth Tutoring • Ethnic Bible Study, Home Fellowship, Mission church plant • Interpreted ministry for the deaf • Laser Project, starting new ethnic mission Educate • Cultural Distance of Immigrant Populations • A Beginner’s Guide to Crossing Cultures • Language Church Starting Process • Engle’s Evangelistic Countdown Giving • None


The World

Prayer Plan • Prayer requests from church planters, www.gatracking.org Participation • English As a Foreign Language • English As a Second Language classes • Adult Reading and Writing/Alfalit (Spanish Adult Reading and Writing) • Children and Youth Tutoring • Ethnic Bible Study, Home Fellowship, Mission church plant • Interpreted ministry for the deaf • Laser Project, starting new ethnic mission Educate • Cultural Distance of Immigrant Populations • A Beginner’s Guide to Crossing Cultures • Language Church Starting Process • Engle’s Evangelistic Countdown Giving • None


Resources

1. 8 Language Missionaries, 13 Literacy Missions Regional Consultants in state to help locally and within Georgia

2. Church Planting Information System- www.gatracking.org 3. Assessment for potential church planters 4. Basic Training I for new church planters 5. Basic Training II for new missions/churches 18 months old 6. Mentor Training for those mentoring church planters 7. Partial initial pastoral financial support 8. Refugee resettlement and immigration information 9. Translation equipment for short term loan 10. Resource list of video training and information tapes 11. Sources for materials, Bibles, videos, etc 12. Evangecube information, training 13. Conferences for ethnic pastors and workers among ethnics

• Migrant Ministry • Language Leadership Conferences • Interpreter Training Program for Deaf Ministry • Georgia Baptist Conference of the Deaf • Literacy Mission Conference • Literacy Missions Workshops

14. Contextual Leadership Development Classes – Spanish, Asian, Deaf, Korean 15. Camps – International Youth, Spanish Youth (S. GA), Spanish Youth (N. GA) 16. Baptist Mobile Health Ministry 17. Church Planter Management System, English and Spanish 18. Retreats – Arabic, Asian Indian, Korean, Asian pastors and wives, Asian pastors’

kids For more information contact Language Missions Ministries 770.936.5217, see Georgia Baptist Digest, GBC website, www.gabaptist.org.

GEORGIA BAPTIST WOMAN’S MISSIONARY UNION & WOMEN’S

ENRICHMENT MINISTRY

MARGIE SANCÉ CONSULTANT

Georgia Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union & Women’s Enrichment Ministry

Georgia Baptist Convention Acts 1:8 Challenge of Georgia Georgia Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union was organized in 1884 for the purpose of encouraging and equipping Georgia Baptists to understand and to be involved in the mission of God. While our methods and structures have changed through the years, our purpose has remained the same. WMU consistently has followed the biblical mandate of Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28:18-20. Through age-specific organizations and churchwide resources, WMU helps a church to fulfill its missionary purpose by leading members to:

• Pray for and give to missions • Learn about missions • Do missions • Develop spiritually toward a missions lifestyle • Participate in the work of the church and the denomination

Jerusalem (hometown, association)

• Participation

o Project Help: Poverty o Praying for local schools o Angel Tree Ministry o Baptist Nursing Fellowship of Georgia Medical Mission Fair

• Education

o WMU provides missions awareness through its age-level organizations: Mission Friends for preschoolers, Girls in Action (GA) and Children in Action (CiA) for grades 1-6, Acteens and Youth on Mission for grades 7-12, Legacy for young women, and Women on Mission and Adults on Mission for all adults.

o WMU curriculum encourages support of local and associational missions. • Pray

o Women in every church and association are invited to participate in Georgia WMU’s prayer network, “Hearts Called to Pray.”

o WMU curriculum encourages prayer for associational missions.

• Give o WMU encourages participation in the special emphasis in May for associational

missions.

Judea (Georgia)

• Participation o Ministry Day in Metro Atlanta o Baptist Nursing Fellowship of Georgia Medical Mission Fair o Project HELP: Poverty o Operation Christmas Child: Samaritan’s Purse Christmas shoebox ministry o Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree ministry o Christian Women’s Job Corps (CWJC) sites in Augusta, Mableton, Atlanta,

Decatur, Columbus, and Thomasville o Missionary Parents Fellowship o Ministry to internationals and international students

• Education

o Churches are encouraged to participate in the Season of Prayer for State Mission by utilizing GBC curriculum and state missionaries.

o Church leadership training is provided in 16 regions of the state. o Associational WMU Leadership Training is provided each summer. o Conferences and retreats are offered for language and African American WMU

leaders o “Celebration of Missions in the Association” events are scheduled across the

state. o Seven weeks of summer missions camping for girls is provided at Camp Pinnacle

in Clayton. o Statewide events are planned throughout the year for Girls in Action, Children in

Action, Acteens and Women on Mission.

• Pray o Women across the state are encouraged to participate in the statewide prayer

network, “Hearts Called to Pray.” o “Stepping Out and Praying for Georgia Schools” is encouraged in all associations

in August.

• Give o WMU encourages support of state missions and the Cooperative Program.

Samaria (USA)

• Participation o WMU promotes involvement in the GBC-State Partnerships, and sponsors

mission trips for women to partnership states. o WMU promotes involvement in Disaster Relief ministries.

o WMU encourages women to participate in MissionsFEST and FamilyFEST, which are sponsored by National WMU.

• Education o WMU curriculum supports North American missions. o WMU encourages participation in the Season of Prayer for North American

Missions.

• Pray o WMU provides prayer calendars with missionary needs in the United States.

• Give o WMU promotes and encourages support of the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering

and the Cooperative Program.

Uttermost parts of the World (World)

• Participation o Georgia WMU sends out International mission teams each year. o Christmas gifts are given each year to Missionary Kids who are attending college

in Georgia. o Financial assistance is provided to Georgia MK’s who choose to attend the IMB-

sponsored MK Re-Entry Retreat.

• Education o WMU curriculum provides current International Missions information for

Mission Friends, Girls in Action, Children in Action, Acteens, Youth on Mission, Women on Mission and Adults on Mission.

o WMU encourages churches to support the Season of Prayer for International Missions.

• Pray

o WMU provides prayer calendars with needs of international missionaries around the world.

o Through “Hearts Called to Pray,” Georgia WMU is praying specifically for Muslims living in the Pacific Rim.

• Give

o WMU promotes and encourages support of the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program.

Resources:

Free pamphlets, catalogues, and Week of Prayer materials:

• Woman’s Missionary Union • Women on Mission • Adults on Mission • Acteens • Youth on Mission • Women on Mission • Adults on Mission • MissionFEST • FamilyFEST • WMU Ministries • Baptist Nursing Fellowship of Georgia • Christian Women’s Job Corps • WMU Materials Catalog • New Hope Catalog • WorldCrafts Catalog • Georgia WMU Supplement • New Start information for Mission Friends, Girls in Action, Children in Action,

Acteens, Youth on Mission, Women on Mission and Hispanic women • Season of Prayer for North American Missions and the Annie Armstrong Easter

Offering • Season of Prayer for International Missions and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering

Our ministry area provides consultations and customized training for churches and associations.

Georgia Baptist Woman’s Missionary Union & Women’s Enrichment Ministry

Barbara Curnutt, Executive Director Treasurer 2930 Flowers Road South, Atlanta, GA 30341

1 800 746-4422, x 324 www.georgiawmu.org

Vision Statement

Because we believe He is who He says He is and can do what He says He will do,

we are empowered to engage a lost world through ministry and witness that will be modeled, taught and nurtured among future generations.

Bible Focal

And without faith it is impossible to please God. Hebrews 11:6a

MEN’S MINISTRIES

GLEN MCCALL SPECIALIST

Men’s Ministries and Acts 1:8

“We can’t get our men to do anything.” This is a frequent statement made by church and associational leadership concerning the men of their churches. From an Acts 1:8 perspective, this represents a great spiritual problem among our men. The Bible teaches that even before time began, God had His purpose, plan, and the power required to live our lives in the service of His mission and ministry (2 Timothy 1:7-9). God’s plan calls men to the ministry of reconciling men and families to God as Ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). That reconciling work is part of fulfilling the Great Commission of Christ to make disciples of every people, baptizing them, and teaching them to obey Christ fully as followers. Thus, Jesus would be with us in that work to the end of the world (Matthew 28:18-20). Jesus taught us in Acts 1:8 to carry out His reconciling Great Commission in our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the uttermost part of the earth. Men’s Ministries is engaging men in the Great Commission of our Lord, with a Great Commandment attitude, and through an Acts 1:8 strategic approach.

Men’s Ministries

Partner in the Acts 1:8 Strategy

Men’s Ministries purpose is to assist the living partnership of churches within the Georgia Baptist Convention in the fulfillment of the Great Commandment and Great Commission by seeking to involve men and boys in missions through education and personal involvement, so that everyone, everywhere will have an opportunity to know Jesus. Our objective in fulfilling that purpose is to empower men and boys for Kingdom Service through development and deployment for missions and ministries as Acts 1:8 Christians. Our strategy to reach that objective is to motivate men and boys to see their God-given potential for leadership through on-going lifestyle actions that live out their leadership in mission actions and ministries.

A Vision for Your Men’s Ministries

Create an environment in which men and boys will sense and respond to God’s call for salvation and service, and honor the Lord through an “ON Mission” lifestyle to fulfill the Great Commission with a Great Commandment attitude in an Acts 1:8 strategic plan.

Men’s Ministries Elements As Related to an Acts 1:8 Strategy

Some mission and ministry elements of Men’s Ministries are Acts 1:8 Comprehensive, touching the full scope of our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth. Others help the convention and churches target more specific mission and ministry fields and needs of the Acts 1:8 strategic concept. The following list relates the Men’s Ministries elements with the Acts 1:8 Strategy to help identify the specific mission/ministry fields and Men’s Ministries elements, which address them.

Men’s Ministries Elements and Acts 1:8 Strategic Mission/Ministry Fields

I. Men’s Ministries Elements Encompassing Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, The

Uttermost a. Prayer Plan – involves all comprehensive men’s ministries elements b. Participation Plan

Baptist Men on Mission Baptist Builders Disaster Relief Mission Fellowships Summer Mission Trips Volunteer Mission projects World Changers Macedonian Call Foundation

c. Education Plan Baptist Men on Mission On Mission Celebrations Royal Ambassadors/Challengers Summer Camp Ministries

d. Giving Plan Baptist Men on Mission On Mission Celebrations Royal Ambassadors/Challengers Support of Annie Armstrong, Lottie Moon, and World Hunger

Offerings

II. Men’s Ministries Elements for Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria a. Prayer Plan, b. Participation Plan, c. Education Plan, d. Giving Plan –

involved in the following: Church Lay Renewal Weekends Pages for Annual GBC and SBC

III. Men’s Ministries Elements for Jerusalem and Judea a. Prayer Plan – involves all comprehensive men’s ministries elements b. Participation Plan

Camp Volunteer Projects Camporee State Racer Derby State Track and Field Meet

c. Education Plan Camp Kaleo Encouragement and Accountability Groups Experiencing God Weekends Fall Campout Congress Legacy Builders Retreats Mission Education Training Conferences Spiritual Development Conferences

Men’s Ministries partners with our Georgia Baptist Convention Churches to provide these ministries to assist them as they equip their members for personal and corporate “On Mission” lifestyle missions with an Acts 1:8 perspective. The following information will describe the various elements of mission/ministry opportunities for your Acts 1:8 Strategy.

(Training Ideas Follow)

Comprehensive Men’s Ministries Training Men’s Ministries can train local churches and associations to be On Mission from an Acts 1:8 perspective with the following training conferences:

Opportunities For Men’s Ministries (Power Point is Available along with Men’s Ministries Activity Handbook)

Organizational Chart for a Comprehensive Men’s Ministries Team Approach (Attached at the End of this Section)

Baptist Men on Mission Training Conference (Church, Association, Region)

9:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Schedule

8:30 AM - Doors Open

9:00 AM - Training Outline Welcome and Introductions What Do Men Like in General? Where Are Men in Relation to Their Churches Today? Where Do Men Need to Be in Relation to their Churches &

Kingdom Work? Is There a Consistent Plan for Engaging Men in Missions and

Ministry through the Local Church? What are some plans with which you are familiar?

9:30 AM - Baptist Men on Mission –“Not Just For Breakfast Anymore!”

History of Baptist Men – from Leading Baptist Men on Mission Laymen’s Missionary Movement – (Preface) Goals of the Laymen’s Missionary Movement – (Preface) Are Those Goals Viable Today?

What Background Information Do Men Need to Know for Mission Readiness? Great Commission of Jesus – Matthew 28:18-20 Strategy of Jesus – Acts 1:8 GBC & SBC Cooperative Program Process Work of Missionaries Support of the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering and Lottie

Moon Christmas Offering, World Hunger Process, etc. A Strong Foundational Baptist Men On Mission Ministry

Process (Overview) 10:00 AM - Break 10:30 AM - Becoming An “On Mission” Christian

Leadership Lifestyle – For Men, It’s Not an Option Are You An “On Mission” Christian? – p.20-21

1. Spiritually Awakened 2. Continually Adjusting 3. Evangelistically Active 4. Passionate Advocate

o Mapping Your Spiritual Process – Elements of a Mission

Mindset o Finding Your Fit by Focusing Your Vision p.24-25

(Corrective Vision May be needed) 12:00 Noon - Lunch

12:30 PM - Skills And Fields for “On Mission” Baptist Men (see later pages) o 12 Skills o 9 Fields

Men @ Work – Organizing Your Monthly/Quarterly Meetings Comprehensive Men’s Ministries Team Mission and Ministry Opportunities for Men Planning Your Work and Working Your Plan

o Calendar

o Projects

o Budgeting

o Recruiting and Enlistment

1. Goals and Objectives 2. Holy Spirit Directives 3. Carefully Selective

A. Glen McCall Men’s Ministries Specialist, GBC

(Call Us for Resources related to this Training)

Men’s Ministries Leadership Team for the Church and

Association

See Organizational Chart That Follows On Next Page

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12 Mission Skills Of Acts 1:8 Men

Knows the Mission Prays

Focuses on a Group

Trains Cross-Culturally

Develops Relationships

Strategizes for Mission

Develops Relationships

Trains to Serve

Implements Plans

Delivers the Message

Disciples New Believers

Shares with Other Christians as advocate and mentor

9 Mission Fields Of Acts 1:8 Men

My Life (Jerusalem)

My Family (Jerusalem)

My Church (Jerusalem)

My Workplace (Jerusalem)

My Neighborhood (Jerusalem)

My Association (Jerusalem)

My State (Judea)

My Nation (Samaria)

My World (Uttermost)

MINISTRY RESOURCE CONSULTANTS

TERRELL RUIS

MINISTRY RESOURCE CONSULTANTS

Accepting the Acts 1:8 Challenge

The “Purpose Statement” of the Ministry Resource Consultants is: “To represent the

ministries of the Georgia Baptist Convention in strengthening and assisting pastors and churches

of a certain geographic area in partnership with the needs and goals of the associations of that

region.”

The ministries of the Georgia Baptist Convention guide churches and associations in a

process to become healthy kingdom churches and associations. This process is based on the

book, Healthy Kingdom Churches, by Dr. J. Robert White and includes ten qualities that denote

a healthy kingdom church. All ten qualities relate directly to Acts 1:8: (1) Preach and Teach the

Gospel of Christ; (2) Worship That Inspires; (3) Priority on Prayer; Conscientious, Visionary

Leadership; (5) Engage in Church Multiplication; (6) An Environment of Unity and Joy; (7)

Cheerful Stewardship; (8) On Mission for Christ; (9) A Good Reputation in the Community; (10)

People Being Added to the Church. Each of these qualities is directly related to a church and

association being on mission in its setting and to the ends of the earth. A healthy church and

association is one that has a heart that beats with God’s heart in His love for a lost world. The

Acts 1:8 Challenge provides the empowerment and the framework for a church and association

to be on mission with God.

The Acts 1:8 Challenge is an emphasis that is long overdue in Southern Baptist Life. For

many years, we have emphasized only the Great Commission to the omission of the “Power

Commission” in Acts 1:8 and the other aspects of Christ’s last commission as stated in Mark,

Luke and John. The Acts 1:8 Challenge is an emphasis that encourages churches and

associations to involve their constituents in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to reach out

simultaneously to the four geographic areas described in Acts 1:8. When a Georgia Baptist

church or association accepts the Acts 1:8 challenge, they are involved in reaching out to their

Jerusalem (the church and the local association field), Judea (the state of Georgia), Samaria

(North America), and the uttermost part of the world (the international mission field). An Acts

1:8 church or association is one that is involved in doing missions in each of these areas

simultaneously.

Ministry Resource Consultants (MRCs) are deployed geographically and strategically

around the state. They are ministry partners who possess extensive training and resources in all

ministries of the convention. They are generalists trained to minister predominantly to the

churches in their region. They are missionaries who encourage churches and associations to be

on mission with God not only in their Jerusalem, but also in Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of

the earth.

Each ministry of the Georgia Baptist Convention is a “tool” that MRCs use to encourage

churches and associations to be on mission with God. Each of the multi-faceted ministries of the

Georgia Baptist Convention is uniquely related to Dr. White’s book, Healthy Kingdom

Churches, and to the Acts 1:8 Challenge.

The only proper method to list the work of the Ministry Resource Consultant under the

Acts 1:8 designations of: (1) Jerusalem, (2) Judea, (3) Samaria, (4) To the ends of the earth,

would be to place each of the strategies, plans and actions of each of the Georgia Baptist

Convention ministries under one of the above four categories.

The reason is that each of the ministries of the Georgia Baptist Convention comes under

the umbrella of the MRCs’ responsibilities as he ministers to churches and associations in his

region. His unique giftedness under the Holy Spirit determines how the MRC carries out his

ministry in implementing the use of these ministries as he encourages churches and associations

to be on mission with God. The MRC is responsible for evaluating the needs of the churches and

associations, collaborating with pastors and associational missionaries as they struggle to be on

mission with God, and then bringing the resources of GBC ministries into the partnership

between church, association and Georgia Baptist Convention.

The Ministry Resource Consultant is vitally aware of the need for churches and

associations to accept the Acts 1:8 Challenge and the privilege of working with the ministries of

the Georgia Baptist Convention in meeting that need.

Following is my personal involvement as a Ministry Resource Consultant in implementing the Acts 1:8 strategy personally and professionally. I am not able to speak for all the Ministry Resource Consultants, but I can speak of my own personal involvement.

I. Jerusalem (My city and association) A. Prayer

1. I pray as I pass by churches that they will really be involved in God’s mission to His world.

2. I pray with pastors and associational missionaries regularly that we will all be concerned about the whole world.

3. I promote the Weeks of Prayer for International, North American and

Associational Missions in my church and association.

B. Participate 1. I visit homes of lost people regularly with pastors in their church outreach

programs.

2. I encourage bold witnessing at the Ministries of Georgia Baptists tent at the Sunbelt AG EXPO.

3. I distribute tracts regularly at restaurants, gas stations where I encounter

people, particularly internationals.

C. Educate 1. I encourage churches in my association to be Acts 1:8 churches every time I preach.

2. Barbara and I teach missions studies in many churches throughout the year.

3. I teach Conversational Spanish Classes to encourage outreach to Hispanics in my association.

D. Giving

1. I give my tithe through my local church with the prayer that it will become more involved in missions giving, particularly the Cooperative Program.

2. I give above and beyond my tithe to the Lottie Moon and Annie Armstrong offering.

II. Judea (Georgia) A. Prayer

1. I pray for missionaries in Georgia regularly in our family devotional time.

2. I preach at several churches during the Season of Prayer for State Missions.

B. Participate 1. I participate in Better Bridges Weekends regularly each year. 2. I participate in On Mission Celebrations in Georgia each year.

3. I encourage churches to participate in mission trips to other locations in

Georgia.

4. I work with Georgia Baptist Builders and Habitat for Humanity to provide new churches and better housing.

C. Educate

1. I lead churches on mission trips in Georgia.

2. I lead churches and associations to start ministries to Hispanic and other ethnic groups.

3. I encourage GAs, RAs, Mission Friends and other missions education in the churches.

D. Giving

1. I give to the State Missions Offering through my local church. 2. I encourage others to give through the State Missions Offering and the Cooperative Program. 3. I give above my tithe to special projects in my state.

III. Samaria (North American Missions) A. Prayer

1. Barbara and I pray regularly for North American missionaries in our family devotion time.

2. I am on the e-mail prayer chain of several North American missionaries and

and pray for their specific needs.

3. I participate in North American mission studies during the Week of Prayer for North American Missions.

B. Participate

1. I participate regularly in mission projects in North America, i.e., New York Mission Trips.

2. I encourage and train people who are involved in mission trips and mission

projects. C. Educate

1. I encourage churches to participate with our North American Mission Partnerships, i.e. New York, Utah-Idaho, California.

2. I work with missions education groups: WMUs, Baptist Men, on a regular basis to inform them of mission opportunities.

3. I have taught ESL to those who used it on mission trips to North American

destinations. D. Giving

1. I give to support the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. IV. To the Ends of the Earth (International Missions) A. Prayer

1. Barbara and I pray regularly for international missionaries in our family devotional time.

2. I am on the e-mail prayer chain of several international missionaries and pray

for their specific needs.

3. I participate in International Mission Studies during the Week of Prayer for International Missions.

B. Participate

1. I participate regularly in mission projects in other countries, particularly Latin American countries.

2. I encourage and train people who are involved in mission trips and mission

projects.

3. I teach conversational Spanish classes for those who are going on mission trips to Spanish-speaking countries.

C. Educate

1. I encourage churches to participate with our International Partnerships, i.e., Moldova, etc.

2. I work with missions education groups: WMUs, Baptist Men, on a regular basis

to inform them of mission opportunities.

3. I have taught ESL to those who used it on mission trips to International Destinations.

D. Giving

1. I give to support the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions.

2. I give through the Cooperative Program, which supports our International Missionaries.

MY CHURCH’S ACTS 1:8

STRATEGY PLAN

MY CHURCH’S ACTS 1:8 STRATEGY PLAN

We will PRAY for our Jerusalem. ( city, town)

1. Will develop a Missions prayer team(s). 2. We will pray for specific churches in our city.

1. 2. 3.

3. We will pray for specific ministries in our church and town. 1. 2. 3.

4. We will pray for specific missionaries from our town. 1. 2. 3.

5. We will pray for specific mission projects/events. 1. 2. 3.

6. We will pray for adopted unreached or undereached people groups in our town. 1. 2. 3.

7. We will pray for mission teams at work in our city/people on mission trips. 1. 2. 3.

8. We will pray for our Association leadership and ministries. 1. 2. 3.

9. We will pray over our CP and missions commitments. 10. We will pray for new church starts.

We will PRAY for our Judea (Georgia)

1. We will pray for specific churches, pastors and church planters in Georgia. 1. 2. 3. 4.

2. We will pray for GBC state missionaries.

1. 2. 3. 4.

3. We will pray for specific ministries and events in Georgia.

1. 2. 3. 4.

4. We will pray for missionaries from Georgia.

1. 2. 3. 4.

5. We will pray for ethnic church planting in Georgia.

1. 2. 3. 4.

6. We will pray for mission teams on mission from Georgia.

1. 2. 3. 4.

7. We will pray for specific Georgia Associations/leadership.

1. 2. 3. 4.

8. We will pray for CP and State Missions emphasis.

9. We will pray for Better Bridges Celebration weekends.

We will PRAY for our Samaria (United States)

1. We will pray for churches by name in New York, Utah/Idaho, California and Appalachia. 1. 2. 3. 4.

2. We will pray for NAMB missionaries by name.

1. 2. 3. 4.

3. We will pray for the unreached in the United States.

1. 2. 3. 4.

4. We will pray for ethnic groups in the United States.

1. 2. 3. 4.

5. We will pray for specific partnership projects and events.

1. 2. 3. 4.

6. We will pray for volunteer teams on mission in the United States.

1. 2. 3. 4.

7. We will pray for partnership leadership.

1. 2. 3. 4.

8. We will pray for CP and Annie Armstrong emphasis.

We will PRAY for the World.

1. We will pray for specific churches in Moldova. 1. 2. 3. 4.

2. We will pray for specific churches in France.

1. 2. 3. 4.

3. We will pray for unreached people group(s).

1. 2. 3. 4.

4. We will pray for specific IMB missionaries.

1. 2. 3. 4.

5. We will pray for disaster victims.

6. We will pray for CP and Lottie Moon offering emphasis.

7. We will pray for IMB leadership.

1. 2. 3. 4.

My Church GROW (Education) Strategy for My Jerusalem.

1. We will expand/intensify or start a mission education programs in our church. 1. WMU, GA’s, Mission Friends 2. Men’s Ministries, RA’s 3. Mission Committee

4. Integrate mission’s emphasis in Awana or any other program. 5. 6. 2. We will start an On Mission Team.

3. We will support all SBC Missions Weeks. 1. 2. 3. 4.

4. We will subscribe to SBC and GBC missions periodicals.

5. We will research the SBC and GBC missions web sites.

6. We will gather demographic material for our church field.

7. We will invite mission personnel from the Associations, GBC, NAMB, and IMB to

visit and speak regularly.

8. We will plan a mission fair or conference annually.

9. We will visit local mission’s ministry works.

10. We will preach/teach regular missions emphasis/inspirational messages. (See Appendix)

11. We will schedule mission testimonies as part of worship.

My Church GROW (Education) Strategy for My Judea (Georgia)

1. We will gather information about Georgia. 1. demographics

2. ethnic 3. lostness 2. We will discover the ministries of Georgia Baptist.

1. 2. 3.

3. We will learn of possible Georgia partnerships.

1. church to church 2. church to ministry 3. mission trips

4. We will invite GBC missionaries to train/teach our people.

5. We will attend GBC conferences on mission work. 6. We will support CP and State Mission’s week.

My Church GROW (Education) Strategy for the United States.

1. We will learn about New York.

2. We will learn about California.

3. We will learn about Utah/Idaho.

4. We will support the Annie Armstrong Offering and NAMB Week of Prayer.

5. We will go on a partnership mission trip.

6. We will invite partnership people from N.Y, CA and U/I to our church.

7. We will contact WMU.

8. We will contact Men’s Ministries.

My Church GROW (Education) Strategy for the World.

1. We will learn about Moldova.

2. We will learn about France.

3. We will learn about Mexico.

4. We will learn about the IMB Week of Prayer and Lottie Moon Offering.

5. We will contact WMU for information.

6. We will contact Men’s Ministries.

My Church GO Plan in Jerusalem.

1. We will plan, enlist and complete local mission projects. 1. 10 Backyard Bible Clubs

2. Plant one new mission

3. Do prayer walking around government buildings.

4. Start a “soup kitchen”

5. Start a Bible Study at the local nursing home

6. Start a pregnancy crisis center

7. Start three house Bible Studies

8. Start a house Sunday School

9. Adopt an elementary school

10. Adopt and mentor a local struggling church

11. Get involved in two Associational mission projects

2. We will send mission trip volunteers to speak at other churches and groups.

3. We will encourage staff to be involved in Association work.

My Church GO Plan for Georgia

1. We will have (3) Georgia mission trips: Stone Mountain Ministries Georgia Mountain Resort Ministry Golden Isle Ministry Georgia Baptist Children’s Home Church to Church partnership Savannah Seaman’s Ministry

2. We will visit and minister at a Georgia Baptist Children’s Home campus.

3. We will partner with another Georgia church.

4. We will adopt an Association in South Georgia and provide educational support.

5. We will go to Acts 1:8 training each year.

6. We will actively seek out visitors from Georgia to our city and evangelize/help

them.

My Church GO Plan for the United States

1. We will take two mission trips to New York – Buffalo, Albany or _____________.

2. We will adopt a church in Utah/Idaho.

3. We will take mission trip to Shasta, California.

4. We will invite a team from San Diego to visit our church.

5. We will send our leadership team to Los Angeles to help an Association.

6. We will help build a shower trailer for California Baptists.

My Church GO Plan to Reach the World.

1. We will take two teams to work in Moldova.

2. We will take a sports team to Corsica, France.

3. We will take books in Spanish to the seminary in Tijuana, Mexico.

4. We will take a medical group to help with the recovery in Indonesia.

5. We will actively seek and befriend Internationals in our city.

My Church GIVE Plan to Reach our City.

1. We will raise our CP giving by 10% for 5 years. 2. We will double our local missions budget in three years.

3. We will support Associational missions giving by 5% of undesignated funds.

4. We will support the Lottie Moon, Annie Armstrong, State and Associational annual offering. 5. We will raise scholarships to send people on mission trips.

6. We will support the World Hunger Program.

My Church GIVE Plan to Reach Georgia for Jesus.

1. We will become Cooperative Program Champions.

2. We will increase our State Missions Goal by 10%.

3. We will raise scholarship money for people doing missions in Georgia.

4. We will support the World Hunger Program.

My Church GIVE Plan to Reach the United States.

1. Cooperative Program 2. Annie Armstrong Offering

3. Scholarships

4. Budget items

5. World Hunger

My Church GIVE Plan to Reach the World for Jesus.

1. Cooperative Program

2. Lottie Moon

3. World Hunger

4. Scholarships

5. Special Offerings for specific need discovered

6. Church Budget for yearly project

ACTS: AN INTRODUCTION

ACTS 1: 1-5

INTRODUCTION

The Acts of the Apostles is the travel diary of one Luke, a physician. Luke is Lucanus of

Antioch who associated himself closely with the Apostle Paul. The details found herein are both

first hand and dictated events characterized by numerous “we” passages. The chronicled events

cover 33 years of time, up until 62 A.D, the approximate time of its writing.

I. The connection bridge between the Gospel and the Acts is evident. v. 1, 2

A. Theophilus is a Greek name of some public stature.

B. The former treatise is the Gospel.

1. It was an historical narrative.

2. It was to show Jesus’ teachings and His deeds.

II. Jesus fulfilled the disciples’ need for Assurance! v.3

A. The disciples needed proof of Christ’s resurrection. (He showed Himself).

1. To the twelve - Acts 1:3, John 20:19, 24; 26-28

2. To James - 1 Corinthians 15:17

3. To more than 500 brethren - 1 Corinthians 15:6

4. To Saul – Acts 9:1-5

III. Jesus taught them of the Kingdom. vs. 3 (The message clarified)

IV. Jesus empowered them to do the work. vs. 4-5

A. They must wait in Jerusalem.

B. The power was to be the Holy Spirit.

C. The Spirit comes from God.

D. This empowering is the fulfillment of prophecies.

1. Joel 2:28 ff

2. Matthew 3:11

3. John 14:16, 26

E. The baptism shows the imagery of abundant supply.

EMPOWERED ACTS 1: 1-8

INTRODUCTION

When I reached my sixteenth birthday I was ready to begin the exciting life as an automobile driver. I wanted a car of my own, so I began the arduous task of finding a car that was absolutely beautiful and affordable! Affordable for me was less than $150.00. I found just what I wanted. It was a gorgeous 1959 Galaxy 500, red/white for only $100.00. I shared my dream care with my dad who kindly suggested that something had to be wrong. I checked further to discover everything was perfect except the engine – which had been blown up! I finally purchased a 1955 metallic blue Chevy for $145.00. It had whitewall tires, fender skirts, spinner hubcaps and …a six-cylinder engine that topped out at 60 M.P.H. and went 0-50 in about 15 minutes. It looked tough, but it looked better sitting still than running! Everything needs power to run. God has given us a great mission, but He has also “empowered” us to accomplish our mission. Our power is the Holy Spirit and through Him we can do all things. Read Acts 1:1-8

I. Jesus presented Himself alive (vs.1-3). A. He gave many convincing proofs.

1. They handled Him. 2. He ate with them.

B. He appeared to them. 1.Forty day after His resurrection He appeared to His followers. 2. He appeared twelve recorded times in these forty days. 3. He appeared to over 600 people during this time. (1 Cor. 15:6)

C. He spoke t them concerning the Kingdom of God.

II. Wait for the power to do the work!

(vs. 4-5) D. He commanded them to wait! E. Wait for the Holy Spirit of promise.

1. Joel 2:28 “And I will pour out my Spirit upon you….”

2. John the Baptizer “He who

comes after me will baptize in the Holy Spirit and fire.”

3. “And Jesus breathed on them and said, ‘Receive you the Holy Spirit ’.” (John 20:22)

F. Jesus is the Giver of the Holy Spirit. (vs. 5)

III. The Holy Spirit empowers to do His work. A. Jesus was empowered by the Spirit. B. The Spirit makes us witnesses.

C. The Spirit fulfills the Great Commission of Jesus. 1. It is recorded in all the Gospels and Acts. Matthew 28:19, 20 Mark 16:15 Luke 24:46-49 John 20:21 Acts 1:8

2. The Spirit makes disciples of Jesus.

3. The Spirit is the one baptizer. 4. The spirit teaches us all things in

Jesus. 5. The spirit is our omnipresent

Jesus. CONCLUSION Jesus never gives us a job without the tools to do it well. Let us strive toward the mark of the high calling of Jesus. He will indeed empower us to do the impossible for Him.

KINGDOM EYES John 4: 32 – 38 INTRODUCTION

“The Big Picture” at the movies Birthday surprise – hot air balloons, different perspective. Jesus had Kingdom Eyes and He earnestly desired to get His disciples a Biblical World View with Kingdom Eyes. I. Kingdom Eyes see God’s will as a priority. v. 32, 34

A. Jesus lived to do God’s will. B. Jesus desired most of all to accomplish

God’s goal for His life. C. Jesus had a God world view

II. Kingdom Eyes see through differently. A. “Do not say” v. 34 B. The fields are white for harvest. v. 35

1. Samaritan’s wine of no value to Jesus.

2. Jesus looked at them with God’s Kingdom Eyes.

3. Everyone is of value to God. 4. Everyone needs to be reached. 5. Everyone is a field.

C. Not all will be saved but many will. Example: NY City – Puerto Rican youth Example: 89 year old Korean

III. Kingdom Eyes know its harvest time. v. 36 A. Already! B. Rejoicing it’s the harvest C. Reap where you have not labored!

A Devotional “On Missions”

INTRODUCTION

For years there was a television program called Mission: Impossible (recent movie by the same name, starring Tom Cruise, relates back to this T.V. series). This spy adventure was built around a team of people dedicating themselves to complete an impossible mission. Each week they were successful because of their planning, dedication and determination to accomplish the mission. Likewise, the church has a mission that requires our planning, dedication and determination. I. The Mission Defined Read Acts 1:8 Matthew 28:19, 20 To give the world a witness of the Savior Jesus Christ II. The Perfect Mission Example Jesus – a man on mission “Not my will but yours will be done.” Luke 22:42 Ephesians 6:6

A. God’s will was not an option for Jesus. Read Matthew 16:21-23 B. Jesus was determined to accomplish

God’s will. Read John 10:17, 18

C. Jesus knew His mission and dedicated Himself to accomplish it.

III. God Has a Plan for Us.

A. It is for each of us to be Acts 1:8 Christians. B. We are to be people on mission with Jesus. C. Following is not optional for the Disciple. D. For this cause (missions) we are born-again. E. On mission to make a difference.

Conclusion/Invitation

Today I challenge you to accept God’s plan to reach the World – Acts 1:8, and to become an Acts 1:8 Christian on mission to make a difference.

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