From the 2020 News and Views Archives: Mission Ministry Opportunities...

With the 2020 summer approaching plans are being made by churches, pastors and youth pastors to take groups to specific destinations with the purpose of getting their hands stained with ministry. Each year, most especially in the summer months, church vans and buses are crowded with excited travelers headed out for another chance to serve a missionary and his congregation. These ministry opportunities abound and seem to grow every time the calendar is replaced. That is, of course, exciting for us here in the Secretary-Treasurer of Missions’ Office. We prioritize the missionary and the mission work he is doing but we also welcome and encourage all efforts which work to this end.

This edition of the Missions News and Views, consequently, focuses on ministries which aid the missionary. I encourage you to read the articles and listen with spiritual ear as to how the Lord how might direct you to take advantage of these ministries or support these ministries, or both.

On the subject of supporting missionaries and their ministries, allow me to take this opportunity to express a hearty “thank you” for your faithfulness toward the 2019 Thanksgiving Mission Offering. In June, the New Standing Missionary Committee established the lofty goal of $300,000.00 for this offering. When the dust settled the offerings did not quite meet that goal, but God most certainly used His churches to provide an incredible offering for the missionaries. To date, the annual Thanksgiving Offering totals $250,507.20. Praise the Lord for the willingness, faithfulness and generosity of the Lord’s people. These offerings came from 290 churches and individuals. Churches from the United States of America, Japan, Philippines, Mexico and Costa Rica gave. The blessing of seeing God’s people give so handsomely is exceeded only by the blessing of seeing our sister churches in other parts of the world make significant sacrifices to give in support of ABA missionaries around the globe.

A recent report from National Missionary Jose Bernardo in the Philippines recorded the organization services of Jesus Saves Missionary Baptist Church in Barangay Kayam, San Remegio, North Cebu Island, Philippines. Under the leadership of Brother Bernardo, the work was organized on Sunday, February 9, 2020. These are the moments we anxiously await and hearing of these blessings causes us to want to do even more for the Lord.

I pray that the pages which follow will encourage you to get involved, or more involved, in the mission work of the American Baptist Association and that you will see the great need around the world. Indeed, there are many ways your church might become a part of the plan to reach more people for Christ.

Furthering the Gospel,
Dr. Roger Stewart
Secretary-Treasurer of Missions
American Baptist Association