We’ve had a full two weeks! On Sunday, April 12th we joined Faith Baptist Church in Jefferson City, TN and the voted to be our sending church. I attended Faith for about 4-5 years two decades ago, and God directed us there once again. On Thursday, April 16th, Baptist International Outreach voted to bring us on board their mission agency, so that is exciting as well! If you’re curious of the difference, our accountability is to our church and Pastor. The mission agency is like a home office that relieves missionaries and their sending churches of many logistical tasks such as processing funds, providing health and life insurance, providing retirement plans, obtaining visas.
We drove to and from Tennessee from San Antonio which was about 1100 miles each way. It was quite an adventure with the kids, and we made sure to have some fun coming and going. We also enjoyed good fellowship with our new church family and will be returning in June for a few weeks more.
My last day as a federal employee was Friday the 24th and I am so happy to close that chapter of my life! With our newfound missionary status and no job interfering, I immediately got on the phone to talk to pastors and book some time to present our ministry. I think God knew I needed a little confidence boost going into the weekend, and within 2 hours scheduled our first one at the end of June! We will be in Tennessee at the beginning of June and wandering down to Florida at the end and into July. We are hoping to book a few more in the area, but with it being so close, we aren’t holding our breath. But remember the God we serve? He does some wild things, so who knows!
Going into this time of deputation, our key verse is Psalm 66:5a, “Come and see the works of God.”
Our message is not, “Look at what we could do for God if people give.” Our message is, “Look at what God is already doing.”
Missionaries need funding; that’s a fact. Also, a fact is that God is going to provide, especially if He called you to do something or go somewhere. We won’t ask for money, but we WILL ask for prayers. God is working in people or churches right now who, when our paths cross, will know, “This is where God wants me/us to put some support.” All we have to do is execute the assignments He gives us, and keep shouting, “Come and see the works of God!”
Missions in simple terms is the overpouring of the local church – to me that means the church is so healthy, the people so blessed and seeking righteousness – dying to themselves daily, that they join in sending people like us other places to help them do the same. We aren’t special, we are simply a part of the body – remember, the first martyr, Stephen, was brought in to ensure widows got their daily food rations. Never underestimate your job your church body.
Keep praying, stay in the Word, and keep your eyes on Jesus!