12/3/2008
By Don Graham
RICHMOND, Va. (BP)--Somewhere in a Texas storage shed sits a reminder of the reason Mark Moses left home and headed overseas. It’s a paper that the then 11-year-old Moses wrote for a school assignment. The first line reads: “I want too be a misiunary wen I gro up.”
“I tell folks my spelling has changed but my calling has not,” jokes the Fort Worth, Texas, native, who has spent the past 22 years as a Southern Baptist missionary in the Philippines.
It hasn’t been easy. Between the joys of new believers and churches starting, Moses also has endured bitter disappointments and devastating personal tragedy — including the loss of his wife, Jan, to cancer last year.
It’s this deep sense of calling that helps drive and sustain Moses and the more than 5,500 other missionaries who serve with the International Mission Board.
CALLING TO PERSEVERE
Today these missionaries must hold fast to their calling as they experience the fallout of a burgeoning economic crisis. That’s because missionaries’ ability to live out the Great Commission on the mission field depends on the generosity of Southern Baptists’ gifts through the Cooperative Program and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
“It’s the umbilical cord that keeps our heart pumping, our feet moving and our hands serving,” Moses says. “I used to wonder what I would do if, for some reason, my support from Southern Baptists dried up. I’ve watched other missionaries who don’t have the support structure we’re privileged to receive. They spend so much of their time focused on raising support that it limits their effectiveness overseas.”
Earlier this year, the U.S. dollar lost an average of 12 percent of its value in the world marketplace — a daunting drop given that 85 percent of the IMB’s $300 million budget is spent overseas. Though the dollar is rebounding, it has not yet achieved parity with its buying power prior to the decline.
“This means that the $150.4 million given to the 2007 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering spends more like $132 million — a loss of more than $18 million in purchasing power,” explains IMB financial chief David Steverson. “To make matters worse, Lottie Moon giving isn’t keeping pace with inflation (3 percent to 4 percent annually). … In accounting terms it’s what we would call a ‘double whammy.’”
Missionaries serving in Western Europe are among the hardest hit. Each time they exchange a dollar for a euro — the currency of the European Union — they’re losing 20 percent of that dollar’s value.
Christopher Watts and his wife, Colleen, are Southern Baptist missionaries from Georgia who’ve served in Rome since 2004. Less than 0.1 percent of the city’s population of 4.1 million is evangelical Christian. Watts calls this a “tragic reality” given that the Apostle Paul himself helped lay the foundation of the church in Rome.
“The last two years have been pretty tough for us,” he says. “The exchange rate is killing us, and while the IMB has done a fantastic job trying to keep up with it, it’s made life harder. … I just hope people are able to recognize the priority that missions should take in the life of every Christian and find a way to continue to give. We can’t accomplish the task without them.”
HEART FOR THE LOST
Southern Baptists’ goal for the 2008 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is $170 million. Though the figure may sound intimidating in light of America’s struggling economy, IMB President Jerry Rankin encourages churches to rest in God’s providence and continue their 120-year tradition of faithful Lottie Moon support.
“I know that a rough economy hasn’t changed Southern Baptists’ heart for the lost any more than it has changed missionaries’ call to reach them,” Rankin says. “Difficult circumstances don’t excuse us from fulfilling our Great Commission mandate. Hardship and sacrifice, even danger, are all part of the task that Christ has called us to. We are asked only to obey and entrust the rest to our heavenly Father.”
Whatever the outcome of this year’s Lottie Moon offering, Watts offers his heartfelt thanks for Southern Baptists’ support.
“There are no words that can express how much my family appreciates how well our Baptist brothers and sisters take care of us,” he says. “Their prayers sustain our ministries, our spirits and our health, and their financial gifts put a roof over our heads and food on our tables, not to mention Bibles in the hands of the lost and medicine in the hands of the sick and suffering.
“Without their prayers and their gifts, the whole thing falls apart. Our churches in the States are truly the solid ground upon which God builds our ministries.”
Don Graham is a writer with the International Mission Board.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Pre-Conference Thoughts
Well we are just 5 days now from Virgina and our Candidate Conference.
Continue to be humbled by Gods providence and am overwhelmingly aware of His plan and His provision. Almost daily He reminds me. Even Kim's daily devotion is speaking everyday to us.
Today's,"You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet. Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control.Hebrews 2:7,8a
Jesus is the only one who can claim having had human form and having complete control. So, if we're trying to control situations, people, or our future - we need to stop. Not our job. Do what God shows us to do and let that be all. Not try to do His job. He is clearly more qualified than we.
God has shown me what can truly happen when we submit to His will and way.
Continue to be humbled by Gods providence and am overwhelmingly aware of His plan and His provision. Almost daily He reminds me. Even Kim's daily devotion is speaking everyday to us.
Today's,"You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet. Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control.Hebrews 2:7,8a
Jesus is the only one who can claim having had human form and having complete control. So, if we're trying to control situations, people, or our future - we need to stop. Not our job. Do what God shows us to do and let that be all. Not try to do His job. He is clearly more qualified than we.
God has shown me what can truly happen when we submit to His will and way.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Urgent Plea
IMB trustee chairman: History suggests sacrifice needed now to support missions12/1/2008
By Paul Chitwood
RICHMOND, Va. (BP)--In my seventh year as a trustee of the International Mission Board, I continue to stand in awe of the incredible thing God has done by bringing together Southern Baptist churches. The largest missionary-sending agency in the world is not our invention. It is an act of His grace. This work, however, has required the enthusiastic and sacrificial support of Southern Baptist churches from day one. With very few exceptions, Southern Baptists have provided all the resources needed for every called, qualified and willing Southern Baptist missionary candidate to be appointed.
The only recent exception to that fine record occurred about seven years ago. After 9/11, the downturn in our nation’s economy and the resulting drop in charitable giving caused us to restrict the number of new missionary appointments. When Southern Baptists received that news they responded as never before. Within one year, all restrictions were lifted and workers once again began to flow to the harvest fields. Still, the fallout of that financial crisis continued for several years. What did we learn? Two lessons stand out.
First, we learned that restricting missionary appointments is not a temporary move with temporary consequences. It takes a long time to regain lost ground — years. The seriousness of the decision to restrict appointments cannot be overstated. Every time a missionary is delayed, a witness among an unreached people group is delayed, new church starts are delayed, baptisms are delayed and salvations are delayed. For the sake of those dying without Christ, we cannot miss that lesson.
Second, we learned Southern Baptists respond to needs when they know about them. As reports of insufficient funding and delayed missionaries began to circulate among our churches, we witnessed an immediate and unprecedented response. Record gifts began to pour in from our churches. In one year’s time, gifts received through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering increased by more than 18 percent!
Why do I share these lessons with you? Because we are on the verge of repeating history. With a record number of missionaries depending on Southern Baptists for financial support and the ongoing worldwide financial crisis, the 2009 IMB budget is now under strain to support growth in our missionary force.
I am sounding the alarm. If nothing changes, we will do well to support our current missionaries and replace those who complete their service and choose not to return to the field. Growth will be restricted as new missionary appointments are slowed for want of funding. This news comes at a time when we are seeing record numbers of missionary candidates attend candidate conferences to learn about opportunities to serve overseas.
In a step of faith, the IMB currently has placed no restrictions on new appointments. The dilemma is obvious. With more missionaries ready and willing to go than ever before, but no money readily available to send them, Southern Baptists have a decision. Either we will say no to the missionaries, no to the unreached, no to baptisms and salvations, or we will say yes to unprecedented, sacrificial giving to the 2008 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. The consequences of saying “No” are too great. Join me in saying “Yes!” Paul Chitwood is pastor of First Baptist Church, Mt. Washington, Ky., and chairman of trustees for the International Mission Board.
I have challenged my church who which is already in the top 1% of all Southern Baptist church's in IMB giving to give like never before. Anyone who visits this blog may also give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Mission by sending your offering made out to Faith Temple Baptist Church, please put Lottie Moon on the check. FTBC 11214 FM 1565, Terrell TX 75160
By Paul Chitwood
RICHMOND, Va. (BP)--In my seventh year as a trustee of the International Mission Board, I continue to stand in awe of the incredible thing God has done by bringing together Southern Baptist churches. The largest missionary-sending agency in the world is not our invention. It is an act of His grace. This work, however, has required the enthusiastic and sacrificial support of Southern Baptist churches from day one. With very few exceptions, Southern Baptists have provided all the resources needed for every called, qualified and willing Southern Baptist missionary candidate to be appointed.
The only recent exception to that fine record occurred about seven years ago. After 9/11, the downturn in our nation’s economy and the resulting drop in charitable giving caused us to restrict the number of new missionary appointments. When Southern Baptists received that news they responded as never before. Within one year, all restrictions were lifted and workers once again began to flow to the harvest fields. Still, the fallout of that financial crisis continued for several years. What did we learn? Two lessons stand out.
First, we learned that restricting missionary appointments is not a temporary move with temporary consequences. It takes a long time to regain lost ground — years. The seriousness of the decision to restrict appointments cannot be overstated. Every time a missionary is delayed, a witness among an unreached people group is delayed, new church starts are delayed, baptisms are delayed and salvations are delayed. For the sake of those dying without Christ, we cannot miss that lesson.
Second, we learned Southern Baptists respond to needs when they know about them. As reports of insufficient funding and delayed missionaries began to circulate among our churches, we witnessed an immediate and unprecedented response. Record gifts began to pour in from our churches. In one year’s time, gifts received through the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering increased by more than 18 percent!
Why do I share these lessons with you? Because we are on the verge of repeating history. With a record number of missionaries depending on Southern Baptists for financial support and the ongoing worldwide financial crisis, the 2009 IMB budget is now under strain to support growth in our missionary force.
I am sounding the alarm. If nothing changes, we will do well to support our current missionaries and replace those who complete their service and choose not to return to the field. Growth will be restricted as new missionary appointments are slowed for want of funding. This news comes at a time when we are seeing record numbers of missionary candidates attend candidate conferences to learn about opportunities to serve overseas.
In a step of faith, the IMB currently has placed no restrictions on new appointments. The dilemma is obvious. With more missionaries ready and willing to go than ever before, but no money readily available to send them, Southern Baptists have a decision. Either we will say no to the missionaries, no to the unreached, no to baptisms and salvations, or we will say yes to unprecedented, sacrificial giving to the 2008 Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. The consequences of saying “No” are too great. Join me in saying “Yes!” Paul Chitwood is pastor of First Baptist Church, Mt. Washington, Ky., and chairman of trustees for the International Mission Board.
I have challenged my church who which is already in the top 1% of all Southern Baptist church's in IMB giving to give like never before. Anyone who visits this blog may also give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Mission by sending your offering made out to Faith Temple Baptist Church, please put Lottie Moon on the check. FTBC 11214 FM 1565, Terrell TX 75160
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Thoughts before Conference
I know I have not posted in a while and really probably will become much more active after our Conference next week. I ask you for prayer this week as we seek to prepare ourselves. As I have prepared to go into the mission field I have been preaching on the Disciples and their time with our Lord. This is the result of having gone through a sort of metamorphosis myself in what it means to truly be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
One thing that has become so apparent is that God is truly speaking to me as I dive deeper into the time when Jesus called and taught these 12 men. The past few months have been spent searching the Come and See stage of Jesus' ministry found in John 1-4. I now am exploring deeper the Come and Follow me stage and for maybe the first time truly understand what was going on here in Mark Chapter 1 and Luke Chapter 5.
Andrew, Peter, John, Phillip and Nathaniel had been with Jesus for four months and gone back home to their fishing. And now Jesus has come to them after giving them time to consider their calling. They had tasted new wine and now the fish stunk and the net cleaning and mending which was their life before all seemed so trivial. He approaches them with the ultimate choice, "Follow Me."
I have known the Lord for many years. But it has been in a very real sense never beyond the Come and See stage. I have sought the Will of God and answered His call, but in many ways only as those first five did in the first four Chapters of John. I continued to fish and mend nets in my life.
I now find myself on the banks of the Sea of Galilee, tired if fishing and mending and fishing and mending, and Jesus is saying Greg, go out into the deep, and cast down your nets once more. And I'm ready. Ready to be faithful. That is what next week is about for us.
Pray for us. The closer this reality comes the more I find myself forced to fish and mend nets. That is what happens to us all. We are called by Jesus to "Follow Him" and we keep going back to our fishing and net mending. In a few short weeks I will be homeless, car less, furniture less, probably even job less for a while. Might even be money less. But I know for the first time in my walk with Christ I will truly have forsaken all, to follow Him, and become a fisher of men.
Who will go with me.....
One thing that has become so apparent is that God is truly speaking to me as I dive deeper into the time when Jesus called and taught these 12 men. The past few months have been spent searching the Come and See stage of Jesus' ministry found in John 1-4. I now am exploring deeper the Come and Follow me stage and for maybe the first time truly understand what was going on here in Mark Chapter 1 and Luke Chapter 5.
Andrew, Peter, John, Phillip and Nathaniel had been with Jesus for four months and gone back home to their fishing. And now Jesus has come to them after giving them time to consider their calling. They had tasted new wine and now the fish stunk and the net cleaning and mending which was their life before all seemed so trivial. He approaches them with the ultimate choice, "Follow Me."
I have known the Lord for many years. But it has been in a very real sense never beyond the Come and See stage. I have sought the Will of God and answered His call, but in many ways only as those first five did in the first four Chapters of John. I continued to fish and mend nets in my life.
I now find myself on the banks of the Sea of Galilee, tired if fishing and mending and fishing and mending, and Jesus is saying Greg, go out into the deep, and cast down your nets once more. And I'm ready. Ready to be faithful. That is what next week is about for us.
Pray for us. The closer this reality comes the more I find myself forced to fish and mend nets. That is what happens to us all. We are called by Jesus to "Follow Him" and we keep going back to our fishing and net mending. In a few short weeks I will be homeless, car less, furniture less, probably even job less for a while. Might even be money less. But I know for the first time in my walk with Christ I will truly have forsaken all, to follow Him, and become a fisher of men.
Who will go with me.....
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