NEWSLETTER

APRIL 2004

 It is always exciting to be in a mission conference in one of our churches and to see the excitement that builds as the people are challenged for missions and then see them express their faith in the commitments to world evangelization that they make.  Through the years millions of dollars have been raised for world missions through Faith Promise mission conferences in churches throughout the world.  It is especially thrilling to be in conferences in mission churches that are learning from their very founding that they have a responsibility to reach out to the world with the Gospel.  During the month of March I was privileged to be in three conferences in Hawaii and to see the faith of God’s people as they responded to the challenge of missions.  Our missionaries are doing a wonderful job in not only starting new churches, but also in training these new churches in world evangelization.  This is true in churches around the world where our missionaries are laboring.  While we here in the United States have a great responsibility to reach our world with the Gospel, we can be blessed in knowing that there are other Independent Baptist churches throughout the world that are also giving and sending out missionaries.  The Great Commission of our Lord is being fulfilled!

We are beginning preparations for this year’s Candidate Seminar and Mission Retreat.  This is one of the high points of our year as we spend time with our missionary candidates in helping them prepare for deputation and life on the field.  The Retreat is a time of spiritual and physical refreshment for our deputation and furlough missionaries when they are blessed by the Word of God and with good fellowship.  Pray for this year’s seminar and retreat that the Lord will add His rich blessings to these important events.

Please remember the WBF May Fellowship meeting at Arlington Baptist College, which will take place May 17-20, 2004.  Make your plans to attend this great meeting.  The Fall Meeting this year will take place in conjunction with a combined meeting with the Southwide Baptist Fellowship, the Baptist Bible Fellowship and other groups of Independent Baptists.  This meeting will be held at the Highland Park Baptist Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee from September 26 to September 29, 2004.  I am told that this will be the largest gathering of Independent Baptists in history.  There will be some wonderful preachers on the program and the emphasis will be on reaching our world with the Gospel.  One of the highlights of the meeting will be a great missionary rally at 11:00 A. M. on Tuesday, September 28, 2004 when the missionaries present will be recognized and honored for their dedication to the fulfillment of the Great Commission.

Phil and Debi Harris are taking a short furlough from Brazil.  Pray for them as they visit some of their supporting churches and take care of some important business for Debi’s mom, who has MS.

Please continue to pray for our missionaries who have health problems.  Bro. Jack Weaver is doing as well as possible in his battle with Lou Gehrig’s Disease.  Sandy Janky continues to have tests done and is not doing well in her struggle with blood clots in her lungs.  Miss Bessie Millican has fallen a number of times and is now using a wheelchair part of the time.  Pray for her as she continues her work in Mexico in spite of her physical problems.  Pray for the following missionaries in their ongoing battles with physical problems:  Debi Harris, Monnie Bacon, Gloria Higgins, Mary Gagnon, Lanny Wood, Joe Hawkins, Cecil Henderson.  Prayer is still the best medicine!

Thank you for your continuing prayer and financial support for all our missionary families as well as those of us who labor in the Mission Office.  Your support of the General Fund keeps the office operating and serving our missionaries.  We need more churches to have a part in supporting the General Fund.  If each church would send in just a little support for the General Fund we would appreciate it so very much and it would make our ministry here on behalf of our missionaries easier.

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