May 2004 

Dear Supporters of Home Missions,

     The Bible tells us that where your treasure is, there your heart is also.  That means we could accurately say that many folks are more committed to professional sports than they are to the church.  In 1993 the total attendance at worship services in America was 5.6 billion, while the total attendance at professional baseball, football, and basketball games combined was only 103 million (less than 2 percent of the worship attendance, or for every 100 people who attended church less than 2 were at a sporting event.)

     That looks good, but as Paul Harvey would say, “Now for the rest of the story.”  Contributions to churches for the year totaled $56.7 billion (that’s just over $10 per person), but the amount spent on professional baseball, football, and basketball totaled $4 billion (that’s nearly $40 per person or almost 4 times what people gave to their local church per person). 

     These statistics were reported in Citation:  National & International Religion Report, 5/2/94, and while they are ten years old I don’t think things have exactly improved.  Is it any wonder that we look at some fans and say that they really are fanatics when it comes to sports?  I think it’s safe to say that most sport fans are more sold out for their team than many church members are to their church.  Just think what we could do together for home missions if our churches quadrupled their commitment to the church?

     Thank you for supporting the WBF Home Mission program.  Because you care, a man like Bro. David Crosby in Granbury, Texas is being helped as one of the presently three home mission projects.  Bro. Crosby and his wife, Terry, are doing a great job.  Terry graduates from ABC this month and hopefully will be employed by the Granbury Independent School System.  Pray for these folks and the work there.  

   

                                                    Unworthily His,

Wendell & Daisey Hiers

World Baptist Fellowship Mission Agency
817.274.7161   .   817.274.2742  .   Fax: 817.861.1992  .  E-mail: whiers@joimail.com