Jesus said, “You will be my witnesses..”
September 6, 2008 (Saturday)
For the sake of organizing mission work effectively, we as Baptists speak of State Missions, North American Missions and International Missions. We also speak of local missions, and other types as well. Those churches which support the Cooperative Program support these three types of missions both through a budget and through special offerings. At Christmas, it’s International Missions, at Easter, North American Missions. At this season of the year, it’s the Mary Hill Davis Offering for State Missions.
Last Wednesday evening when our church met for Bible Study and Prayer, we saw a DVD produced by the Baptist General Convention of Texas which presented four examples of mission work in the State of Texas that will receive support from this special State Missions Offering. The mission projects are also the objects of prayer by the Baptists of Texas.
People are in need of the Lord in Texas. They are in need of skills for work, and a means of earning a living for their families. They need teaching and training. Helpless people need help from compassionate Christians. In many specific ways Baptist churches reach out beyond their sanctuaries and classrooms to their community and the world around them. We attempt to meet many of these needs in Texas with our special prayers and offering.
There is really only one mission program for churches. It begins where they are and doesn’t end until it reaches out with prayer, offerings and presence to the ends of the earth. Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NIV).