We recently completed the annual mission conference at our sending church, Buford Road Baptist, which was the highlight of our furlough. Surely, every missionary feels this way about their sending church but allow me to state the obvious.
No other event on the church calendar receives as much attention nor requires as much planning as does the Mission Conference. Dr. J Tony Kohout Jr and his staff very carefully consider each missionary family in prayer before inviting them to participate. Every detail is considered from being the greatest blessing for each member of the missionary family to exposing each church member to the importance of missions. The end result is a desire to see the missions program grow each with an increase in giving so the ministry can stretch further around the world.
The first meal and orientation on Saturday is always an indication as to what the week will be like. Well planned, organized, and uplifting. Each day featured a different missionary. While there was always reason to rejoice at what God was doing through the ministry of each missionary the reality that there is still a great work to be accomplished was made clear. As active members of Buford Road Baptist we have the privilege to support each of the missionaries featured this year.
Sujo John is a dynamic evangelist who preaches all over America but also in India. He has a burden to rescue young people who are victims of human trafficking. I truly believe that this problem is greater than we realize and touches every society around the world. Roy and Patti Pierce with Amazing Grace Mission represent our church in fairs and conventions all over the east coast. They have seen many profess Christ as saviour and always seek a local church to follow up with the individuals who made decisions. This method has proven itself to be effective. It was exciting to hear of stories where some have returned a year later to share their testimony of how God has changed their lives. The Burgeys to South Africa were a new family to our church this year. They too had a powerful testimony and burden for the oprhaned of South Africa. We were reminded that the Great Commission includes discipleship. Through the ministry of orphanages it is possible to see young people give their lives to Christ. The result would be their service in a local church or even becoming missionaries themselves.
The conclusion of the week is the apex. There are presentations to each missionary with gifts that are far more than we deserve but very helpful to each individual considering their wants and needs. Then the members form a circle around the sanctuary with candles. The pastor lights the two candles closest to him and the light spreads. What is most amazing is to see how quickly the darkened room is illuminated with the light from each candle burning. This year I watched as some candles' flame burnt out; others reached out to them to reignite their light. Our light has definitely been brightened.
We return in two months to Croatia with the Light of Christ burning brighter in our lives. We will rekindle the lights that may have dimmed in our abscence and to share the Light chasing the darkness that has overtaken the country. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment