This week’s thought is from Marie Babcock, who served as a messenger to the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention this year. I am thankful for her – as well as the other messengers’ – prayerful and thoughtful participation this year. I thought it would be a good thing for you to hear the perspectives of some of those who attended and not just my own. ~Pastor Roy
“For His name’s sake, we will go,” were the words spoken by the 26 missionaries that were being “sent out” during the Southern Baptist Convention this past month.
Southern Baptists have been sending missionaries all over the world for 174 years, and that afternoon we heard the stories of those who answered and obeyed God’s call to missions.
“I served as a semester missionary in Bangladesh in 2013, with a focus solely on the Deaf,” signed Kevin Rance.
“After that trip, I understood God wanted me to be a missionary to the Deaf. After serving two years as a journeyman, I went to the Deaf Theological Center at Brentwood Baptist Deaf Church. I just graduated, and now I am going back to take the Gospel to people in Thailand, sent by Prince Avenue Baptist Church.”
“After 34 years of serving overseas with IMB, Pat and I returned to the States,” said John Gordy.
“We built our first house and enjoyed our jobs, but still felt the call of missions,” his wife Pat Gordy said. “The gap between the millions who have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ, and those of us who have, burdened our hearts.”
“After much prayer, we are being sent back to Sub-Saharan African by our home church, Calvary Baptist.”
The musical ambience that had been playing in the background grew in volume, and the worship band led the convention attendees in praise to God.
“O praise the name of the Lord our God! O praise His name forevermore!” the audience sang out as the missionaries walked the aisles carrying banners representing the different people groups that they were being sent to. Thousands of people gathered around, laying hands on them and praying for their mission.
“Missionaries, look around the room. You are surrounded by churches who love you. They covenant together at this moment to pray for you,” said Paul Chitwood, president of the International Mission Board. “IMB missionaries, we not only pray for you now, we commit to praying for you and to support you as God takes you to the nations. Together, we now — as your Southern Baptist family — send you to the nations.”
I am grateful for the opportunity to attend this year’s Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting as a messenger sent by Faith Baptist Church. I am especially grateful for being able to witness this sending celebration for our missionaries. I am thankful for their hearts for missions. I thank God for their willingness to fulfill the Great Commission wherever God calls them, even to the parts of the world that may be hostile to the Gospel — Gospel Above All.
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