For the Long Run

Just say that you are a farmer with extensive holdings... cattle, horses, and multiple other things to protect. Now you have excellent fore-knowledge that a killer storm is approaching. What do you do? You certainly don't go on a quick vacation or sleep in. You get to work! May this Mission Minute serve to get us working as this "killer storm" is rapidly approaching.

You may say, What storm? It's not our present day political scene, our even our newest buzz topic, COVID-19. It is the time where the anti-christ rules. Millions of people need to hear... millions of people need to see the love of Christ before it is too late. Let's get going...

Pray for Ethan Prater and family as they make final prep for their field of work; the country of the Dominican Republic. Since they were here on the 11th of November 2020, they have reached 100% of the support needed! Praise be to God for when GBC took them on as mission family members, they reached the 100% mark. I will let you know more as I do in the weeks ahead. Pray for the Prater family in this exciting transition time in their lives. 

Remember our Friends of Israel representative, Lee Nall in her recovery period. As well, Praise God for good news from Lomax and Linda Skinner. Remember them as Linda has had "spots" that were thought to be cancer. They appear to be a non-benign condition and she is slowly gaining her strength back. 

More news, albeit indirectly... please remember we are all working on the same goal. And that is to lead lost souls to a saving knowledge! Here it is... TransWorld Radio (TWR), of whom GBC supports Dwayne and Mildred Gow reports "special programming was created by TWR ministry teams in multiple languages with messages of hope for those under stress because of COVID-19. Mens Bible study groups were established in Japan, Kenya, Czech Republic, Nigeria, Denmark, Poland, Portugal and Norway."1

Malachi Boys Home in near by Summerfield is the only boys home in America (per director Art Shady), that does not charge anything for boys to live there.They are solely supported by churches like GBC. Despite many physical needs, Malachi Boys home was able to take on another young man, age 14. Brother Art Shady is not afraid to take on wayward young men.. remember how tough 14 can be. 

So there it is... just a small portion of the work and effort that our mission family exhibits on a daily basis. Actually, every Christian needs to pray.. give..go (In your heart with empathy for the lost), and encourage. May Christ be exhalted and honored everywhere!! 

Mission Fact: As of late September 2019; Israel's population stood at over 9 million. This is more than a 10 fold increase since 1948.2  Messianic Jew Joel Rosenberg calls Israel the "Epicenter of the world". For this is where our Lord will one day return!!!

    1. Lauren Libby, president, CEO; TWR

    2. www.Jewishvirtuallibrary.org

Outreach Ministry February 2021

Launching G.F.F. (“Gospel Friends of families” at Glen Haven)

We praise the Lord for the opportunity to serve families in the Glen Haven Apartment community for the past 7 months during COVID!  Each month, the number of children and families have been growing and we are now building relationships with 97 children reaching 36 families!  

These children are from all over the world including Burma, Thialand, Nepal, Bhutan, India, 

Afghanistan, Mexico, Tanzania , Congo and Uganda….and what a blessing that God has sent these children for GBC to share the love of Jesus and the Good News!  

Every Thursday, a team of volunteers meet at Glen Haven apartments for group activities, crafts, snacks and a Bible lesson and we are doing it all outdoors and praying for the Lord to protect all involved during COVD.  

We are inviting everyone in our congregation to get involved in the launch of 

G.F.F. (“Gospel Friends of Families”)

• G.F.F. will enable you to be a prayer partner and friend to one of the 36 families at Glen Haven apartments.  
• As a G.F.F. you receive a picture of a family, and information about the children, the country they are from, age, grade, favorite things and also any prayer needs.  
• You will also receive updates about particular prayer needs as they develop (from the GBC Outreach Ministry team who will serve as your liaison) 
• You are also encouraged to send cards to encourage and let them
• At Christmas, you will also have an opportunity to purchase a small gift for each child in your family.

 

Everyone needs a FRIEND and as Christians we want the love of Christ to shine through us!   Will you consider becoming a G.F.F., making an impact on the life of a beautiful family living in the Glen Haven apartments?  Thank you for praying and partnering with the GBC Outreach Ministry.  May all that is done for for God’s glory!  

To become a G.F.F, or if you have additional questions, contact Denya Haymore at denyahaymore@gospelbc.org.

A sample of the information G.F.F.’s receive.

Let's Move On

It is absolutely wonderful to be writing the first Mission Minute in awhile. Not like nothing has happened since I last wrote in March. 

For the world as we used to know it has totally changed. We now have a new president elect, new football season with empty stands and we all have color-coordinated facemasks. Many other changes abound.

Despite all this, our Sovereign Lord and Savior is, and always has been, in control. He has not been surprised by any of the "trials and inconvenience" we live with now. That said; should we put personal evangelism/missions work on hold? NO WAY!! This upside-down world needs Jesus now more than ever before. "Many Bengali people around the world are interested in the Gospel because of the virus." Quote is from John Sircar in Bangladesh, a mostly Hindu country. As I read through the many missionary newsletters, I have not seen a single complaint about their plight, not one disparaging word about quitting. All have asked for increased prayer and more opportunities to evangelize!

This Missions Minute stands as a re-opening of our hearts to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For sure: our missionaries need financial support and our spirit one with theirs. But especially they covet and need our prayers. We cannot let them down. 

Much has occurred in the last 9 months. Coming up within the next month, the Staff and Deacons will be recommending that we take on 3 new missionary families and 1 new Mission Board. More to come on their individual field of calling as the information becomes available. They range from Honduras in Central America to the Dominican Republic to South Africa... and Boone, NC as well.

I encourage you not to let up in your prayers for them. All of the obstacles we have had with Covid, so have they, often magnified due to being in a different country and culture. For example: a couple of our missionaries have had trouble renewing their visa’s. Covid adds another factor/obstacle to hurdle as Europe and the Mediterranean region has strict travel restrictions in place. Missionary Bret Anderson and his family to Tanzania is now missionary Bret Anderson and family to Spain. Again, I will update you as information comes in.

Yet, it is not all obstacles and detours. Ed Hoagland in Mexico reported at least 30 saved via their ministries in November alone. God is still at work; so should we. I encourage you to soldier on for time is rapidly passing... Jesus is coming soon! Till then, keep looking up but wear your mask!

 

Mission Fact: Although the global church of God continues to grow despite severe persecution in some restricted countries, there are millions without access to the Gospel. There are upwards of 3 billion people who have never been reached with the Gospel. Today, there are 106 ABWE missionaries serving in 18 high risk countries.¹

Work now as one day it will be high risk to be a Christian... everywhere.

¹Message: Info magazine of Association of Baptists for World Evangelism

            Volume 67, Issue 2. 2019

Bob Idacavage, Missions Director

Your Mission

What's up with this weather of ours? One day last week it was 95 degrees... the very next day it was 68 degrees. That is how life is in general sometimes. One minute we can be on course and happy and next we are fighting for our figurative lives. So, lets always remember who is our guide, mentor and everlasting rock. That is Jesus Christ, as we all well know; so give Him the glory and get into the game.

Hey, speaking of games, it's almost football time and my beloved Eagles are heading off to training camp. Are you still in training camp? God has a purpose for each of us whether here or in Jamaica or in China. We can stay behind closed "safe doors" and never venture out to witness, help at VBS, or invite someone to church. With that approach, you will never get off the bench and be productive. However... there is an opportunity knocking on our doors right now for each and every one and that's the Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes, via Samaritans purse.

Not only do toys, socks and small precious items go around the world, but Samaritan's purse promotes "The Greatest Journey". This is an evangelistic effort that has resulted in over 650,000 children being saved in 10 years! Each child who undertakes this journey receives a Bible in their native language. Churches are being planted where only a few years ago “Jesus” wasn't even heard of. Remember Matthew 28:19 "…Go therefore and make disciples of all nations...”

Now for a quick update from the mission field:   

1- Ed & Annita Hoagland in Mexico; just having completed VBS/Summer Camp number 4. They report a heavy workload and fatigue taking its toll, however, camp 4 is about to be concluded as I write this. Pray for strength and sound decision making. So far almost 650 children have been saved.

2- Paul and Marla Fields (formerly in Paraguay) are settling in well in South Carolina as they mentor new missionaries for foreign fields. 

3- GBC Jamaican missions team is sandals on the ground as you read this. Pray for open, receptive hearts and safety for a fruitful mission. They will be back Saturday August 3rd. 

As always, it’s a long, hot summer. Don't let temporal things trip you up. Set your goal higher and remember; Horizon's are NOT boundaries. To God be the glory!! 

  Bob Idacavage, Missions Director

Go... It's Time

Well, we survived… VBS that is, If you say you weren’t tired last week and you were there… maybe you weren’t  “there”.  It was tough nonstop action. But, there are 31 souls entering into Jesus presence when they leave this life. Makes it all worth the effort, doesn’t it?  

Okay then… the next order of events is almost here. That being the Jamaica Missions Trip. It’s only 5 weeks away, so let’s not rest on our laurels from VBS. We need to see the work that lies ahead for all of us.

There are 14 adults/youth going to Montego Bay, Jamaica from July 27^th to August 3^rd. They will be working with Pastor Andrew Pryce and his wife Tanesha. As well, they will work closely with Cletis and Tammy Titus, missionaries to Jamaica for years.  The team’s ministry includes a soccer camp for youth, visiting an orphanage as well as a health clinic.  It is always a jam packed week.

So, what can we do to help? First, pray. See me or Pastor Jason Wilson as to who is going and then partner with one of them and fervently, earnestly pray for/with them.  Encourage them. Sure, it’s nice and sunny there but sin is thick in Jamaica and this brings an element of danger. Let’s remember… “Fear thou not: for I am with thee; be not dismayed, FOR I AM THY GOD.”  Isaiah 41:10

Something we all need to take to heart and never forget is the fact these 14 people are working “a higher calling”.  They represent us but more importantly they go presenting our risen, loving Savior to a dying world. There is no greater mission one can undertake. 

VBS saw our church rise up and work hard. Time for us to rise up again and send our mission team out to a lost world. For soon we will be standing before our God. Lets get to work while we are still able to.  To God be the glory!  

                                                                                                                           Bob Idacavage, Missions Director

This One Thing I Do

This is the time of year for special events. Graduations, weddings and vacations are certainly on the list. As well... last week was Memorial Day. All the aforementioned events are nice but let us never forget why we serve the Risen Savior. Remember always the sacrifice of Jesus for all of us; for without Him and His love for us... well, it’s not a pleasant thought.

       I'm sure many of you have watched the movie, "Saving Private Ryan". The opening 30 minutes will forever dispel any grandiose thoughts that war is fun, glorious or clean. A lesson learned from "SPR", among others, is that to be successful, a blessing to others and to fulfill God's mission for us, we need to persevere. That means through the tough times. We may take casualties and be wounded. Probably be outnumbered, but I ask... Who do you serve? Our personal strength will not get us through in and of itself. As a team we must work onward with Jesus leading.

  So here are a few updates from the mission teams GBC help support:

1-Central Missionary Clearinghouse: This is the board for Josh Florence, Papua New Guinea. Seems they have outgrown their offices and seek prayer for growth decisions that need to be made.

2-Speaking of Josh Florence... Josh and family hope to return to New Guinea this fall when their furlough ends.

3-Trans World Radio: Africa--plans are in the works for launching the  "Oasis Transmitter" project. Based in West Africa, these broadcasts will be able to reach Nigeria and several other neighbor countries. Here is potential to reach about 190 million more souls.

4-Dan and Kristy Elmer in South Africa will also be heading back to their appointed field in June.

5-Louise Champlin in Surinam continues on. You may remember she has been in South America for well over 50 years now.

6-Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) -their annual report states that 198,000 people were reached via events here and abroad. As well, the Athletes Bible has been translated into 7 different languages now. GBC supports FCA missionary Eddie Miller here in NC.

          As we honor and remember our fallen heroes today, let us also remember all of these hard working men and women as their mission is critical. We at GBC have the same mission. Let us never alter our path. For every Christian needs to be molded in the cause of missions and ready to reach out to this dying world with the Gospel. Time is rapidly ticking away. So let us humbly remember our fallen, encourage the one's still in the fight and never stop giving God all the Glory!! 

                                                                                                                           Bob Idacavage, Missions Director