World Mission Offering – October 20th

By Rev. David Chapman,
Member of the Mission and Social Concerns Cluster

It’s no secret that my family is seriously dedicated to missions. I look back with gratitude upon the thirteen short-term mission trips I’ve personally taken to El Salvador and Nicaragua. I’ve loaded my smart phone with hundreds of photos that I use to tell stories. Tears often come to my eyes when I share those pictures. But I have experienced a lot of joy and fulfillment in my mission adventures, working with folks in other countries who have welcomed me with open arms.

It’s also no secret that First Baptist Church is seriously dedicated to missions, locally as well as globally. FBC has sponsored all but two of the mission trips which I have undertaken. Dozens of our church members have benefitted from these experiences. But even this congregation historically owes its mission identity to our American Baptist Churches denomination which has been dedicated to overseas missions for over two centuries. So, while I have visited the mission field a few times, the really dedicated people are the more than 100 missionaries (now called “global servants”) trained and commissioned by American Baptist International Ministries for full time work in some 70 different countries. The work they do in primary education and theological education, agricultural development, career development, local conflict management, immigrant and refugee advocacy, combating human trafficking, social organization, pastoral training, health promotion and medical intervention, career guidance, and of course evangelism is nearly overwhelming in scope. And it is all in the name of Jesus Christ, the source of all mission (Matthew 28:18-20; John 3:17; Acts 1:8).

Once again this October our mission-impassioned denomination seeks to raise a significant portion of the necessary financial support for our Christian work around the world. And once again we appeal to each member’s generosity. Online giving will be accessible, and offering envelopes will also be available in the sanctuary pews.

We are all partners in this mission work. Together we make a difference in this, God’s world.