Lots To Do

The NFL sport's world is preparing for a new season with trades, rumors and draft days. It's the "off season" where there is no action on the field; so let's compare the season of the year our missionaries are in.

For you see, there is no "off season" for any one of them. Sure they go on furlough; brief respites from their chosen field of work. For they are never out of work or totally unavailable to their fields of ministry. Actually, the same goes for all of us.

The Bible refers to nations (Matthew 24:14); this means people groups as there are around 1700.¹  Missionaries sent from the West took the gospel around the world. Men such as Ad Judson, Hudson Taylor and the late Daryl Champlin, took up the challenge and went. We are not all called to Burma, China or the Amazon rainforest. But we are all called to minister right here... right now. Whether that be Greensboro, NC or Jamaica, we have a mission. That is to support, encourage our missionaries; and to introduce others to the love of the Almighty God who saw it fit to die for us.

Some quick family updates:  

1- Bret Anderson (Tanzania, Africa): The newest member of our GBC mission family is now at the 70% level of support. April 2020 is their estimated time to start in Tanzania. 

2- Chris M'wala (Kenya- Word of Life): He reports progress being made with his children's schooling. As well, he request prayers for them as they seek career guidance 

3- GBC Jamaica Mission team: Remember our mission team heading to the island in July/ August. Consider supporting them and definitely pray for them and the people they will be ministering to.

4- Danny Ingram (Alaska): The church planted by Danny and Jan in Alaska reaped a double harvest this year. The congregation built a greenhouse to raise vegetables. The project produced plenty to give away to unchurched neighbors resulting in hearts being softened and visits to their church.²

There is a lot coming up for GBC. There will be many opportunities to put on your mission shoes and follow God's order to evangelize. Our motive for ministry must be the people. Ministries are just a tool God uses to reach people. Our field missionaries have a willingness to love others and so should we. Anything short of that is unacceptable.

My beloved Eagles will soon be starting practice and their games. They are relaxing now... we can't relax, as time is running out. Soon Jesus will return as the days grow ever the more evil. Let us work while we can and forever give God all the Glory!

Mission Fact: The year 2000 saw the mission board of "Advancing Native Missions"(ANM) join up with a man from Tanzania, Africa. This man had single handedly started 14 churches in his native country. Today there are 250 churches planted and the number is growing.³ Our church supports ANM and a missionary to a closed country.

¹Advancing Native Missions newsletter.   Spring, 2019.  Pg. 2

²Advance - 2018 In Review.  Baptist Mid-Missions.   Pg. 10

³Advancing Native Missions.  "A Native Missions Story" Spring, 2019

                                                                                                                           Bob Idacavage, Missions Director

Time To Go

     Since the end of winter is on the horizon, let us evaluate the upcoming season of work ahead of us. Before we blink too many times, it will be homecoming, VBS and the other activities we find ourselves doing during the warmer weather.

      For two years now (2017/2018), GBC has sent a missionary team to warm Jamaica in late July. A third trip is planned for this year. Pray and seek God's guidance about going along or helping with fund raising as the team raises most of their own travel monies. Never forget that these are our representatives and family members going to a very needy location.

       Once again this team will be working a football clinic soccer style along with visiting and encouraging patients at a medical clinic. It is always a busy week of work. They will assist whoever needs them. No special training required: only a sincere desire to glorify our God. 

      Now onto a more singular focus with regard to Jamaica. Kara Lamberth, one of GBC's youth, will be heading down to Jamaica June 6, 2019. She plans on working with the same missionaries that the team will be with later in the summer. Pastor Andrew Pryce of Bay Life Baptist Church, Montego Bay, his wife and Cletus and Tammy Titus are the missionaries Kara will spend 8 weeks assisting. GBC has actively supported this Jamaican outreach for years. Her duties not only include assisting pastor Andrew but helping the other American youth teams that will arrive weekly all summer. Beautiful surroundings in many ways but still a lot of hard work. First pray for her and then stay tuned for how we can help Kara.

       Still more for you as GBC has another one of our young people heading to "Word of Life”. Bermuda. Kathleen Mahaffey will travel to the island of Bermuda June 24 and return to the US August 19, 2019.W of L is a Christ honoring organization with locations in Florida, upstate NY and Bermuda. Since this is a volunteer 8-week camp, she must raise her own room and board. Coming March 15, 2019 there will be a one-night fund raising event for Kathleen. Please stop by; it's an easy way to help send one of our very own church members to the mission field.

       Never stop praying for these 2 young ladies who are giving up their summer time to assist others. Let’s rise up and send the mission team to Jamaica in July as well as we give God all the glory for this mission endeavor each and every day!

   Mission Fact: Born shortly after America fought for it's independence from England; Adoniram Judson (1788-1850) was one of the earliest missionaries to leave North America. His journey ended in Burma. Present day Myanmar.... where for 34 years he translated the Bible into the Burmese language. He was falsely accused of being a spy and lived 21 months in jail. When he died in 1850,thousands of Burmese nationals had been saved by his hard work and perseverance.¹let us not stop. 

     ¹Adoniram Judson, Missionary Biographies.    World Wide Missions

                                                                                                                           Bob Idacavage, Missions Director

One More Time

A Zen Master once wrote... "the trouble is you think you have time." We all do that. How many had that very thought while prepping for Christmas? July 4th was just here last week... right? 

So, it’s almost time for your annual New Year's resolution. Or, will they be, "New Year's revolutions"? A revolution changes things; hopefully for the better. Let's resolve to "revolt" against any thoughts, actions or lusts that keep us from working in our God directed missions field. Pray first for God to show you (us), what we can and should do. Then... jump in.

Think on this. What if there were no missionaries at all to "closed countries?" Now, a closed country is one that openly opposes missionaries, foreign or domestic, from spreading the word of God. Often, these brave brothers and sisters in Christ risk prison and death by doing what God has assigned them. So, how can we find it difficult to serve and witness here in the USA while some risk their very lives daily? 

Back to the New Year's thoughts... let's usher in 2019 with some good reports: Samaritan Purse (the driving force behind Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes) reports from Mongolia. A man Sam P. aided years ago with medical help has now "helped lead 100 youth into a saving relationship with Jesus."¹ As well; ABWE reports over $2 million came in for a Christian Hospital in Hindu/Muslim heavy Bangladesh. As you can see, opportunities are out there. 

Read Paul's missionary journeys in Acts 8, et al. It's a story of great risks and trials. Sounds like our lives up to a point. Paul persevered and prevailed, thus turning the then known word upside down. Let's make 2019 our turn to cause a spiritual revolution for the glory of God! Now that’s a New Years resolution we can eternally live with! Time is short and there is work to be done. Pause today and lift up praises to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then humbly get back at it.

^1. Samaritans Purse newsletter: Fall 2018

Mission Fact: While many countries and people groups resist evangelistic efforts, almost one half of the world population live in acknowledged closed countries. That is over 2.9 billion souls. Remember our fellow believers that reside in these tough situations.   

- Bob I.  //  Missions Director