STATE MISSIONS: Babies and Bathwater

I personally have said things from the pulpit I later regretted, and most can feel my pain. Many times, it is not so much what we say as the tone in which we say it. Trying to be convincing, we may raise our voices or write with a know-it-all attitude, thinking it will give our words more credence. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Prov. 25:11).

         “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20).

      The late James Coker made a statement in class one day that has always stayed with me: “If you get onions in your potato salad and you don’t like onions, pick them out, don’t throw away the salad.” I dare say if two people were to sit down and talk long enough, they would find areas where they would disagree. There is a fine line between sound biblical doctrine and opinion. Opinions are like belly buttons, everyone has one.

      I hear all the time concerning self-defense that if you should have to shoot, you are accountable for very round sent down range. If you say something, own it. I always told my congregation, if I said something that was interpreted as negative in a personal way, one of three things happened — either I did not say it the way I meant it, you did not hear it the way I meant it or I had lost my mind.

From Our Missionaries

         Misión Creciendo en Cristo (Growing in Christ), North Little Rock: Juan Carlos Posadas writes, “I was invited to preach at the Men of Conviction retreat of the Hispanic churches of Texas. Oscar Gómez and Oscar Lopez accompanied me as we drove on Friday to Daniel Springs Baptist Camp and returned on Saturday. The communion with the brothers from Texas was very pleasant. I thank God for the beautiful privilege of sharing a biblical foundation of being a man. Comparing Adam with Jesus Christ, we established that a man leaves passivity; assumes responsibility for his family, church and community; and leads with courage, aware that a greater reward awaits him.

  I thank God for these people who are investing their resources to prepare for ministry.”

      “This week, I was focused on a new family arriving in Little Rock. They have been in town for two weeks and someone contacted me so I could help this family. They are from Venezuela, are fleeing the socialist dictatorship and are in need of work, a place to live, clothes and food. As a missionary, I listen to so many stories of many immigrants and their circumstances — bad governments, corruption, much poverty. These are people with the desire to work and prosper. I am moved by their stories, and it makes me reflect on the blessings we have in America and the great opportunity to reach these people with the gospel. We, as the Lord’s church, are salt and light to a fallen world. We need to pray for our nation that we will have the wisdom to elect good leaders. Today, more than ever, let us live so that God may be glorified in our nation. There is much work to be done. To God be the glory!”

      “We had some very special visitors with us — several of The Master’s Builders. They are back for the next two weeks to help us with our classroom addition, and it sure is good to see them all. Several of them who were here last year are not here, and there are a few who were not here last year. But it is so good to have them back. We have a lot to do, but we have the right ones to do it with! Praise God!

      “We received two very generous gifts for our building fund this past week from College View Baptist Church in Magnolia and Landmark Baptist Church in Elizabeth. We were also informed that the Jonesboro Association has voted to help support us. We sincerely thank each of these, and we thank God for them! There have been so many of you who have helped us — individuals, churches and local associations. We have tried to acknowledge and thank the ones who haven’t specifically asked us not to since we started this mission, but it would be extremely difficult to thank everyone by name without leaving someone out. We do know you don’t give for recognition, but we just want to thank each one of you for helping to support our mission with your gifts and your prayers. It is humbling to be on the receiving end of such selfless generosity. We just look forward to the day we can follow your example and give out of love to BMA of Arkansas missions and churches because we know firsthand that through supporting missions, the gospel is spread and God is glorified.”

      “We celebrated this year’s graduating class at our sending church Sunday morning. It is always a heartwarming time sending out these bright, inspiring young people into the world to chase their dreams. We hope we have poured into their lives the importance of building a solid relationship in Christ and to be a shining light to those around them. Joshua 1:9 tells us to be strong and courageous, and we pray over these young people’s hearts that they will continue to be faithful in their walk with the Lord.”

       “Wednesday was the discipleship in the home of the Garcia brothers and, with much joy, we can see the work of God in Juan and Maria Laura, a married couple who recently joined the group. They are very happy after having received Christ as their Lord and Savior. Their children (Mathias, Costanza and Amanda) really liked Sunday Bible school and now ask, ‘Mom, is this church day?’

      “Thursday, in our Springdale group, we had to move our meeting to Sister Nanie’s house to encourage and support her through a difficult family situation.

      “Sunday, we had heavy rains and storms, so the attendance dropped. But the beautiful thing is that, despite the heavy rain, the brothers arrived and we had a beautiful time of collective adoration.”

 I traveled to Pigeon Forge, Tenn. to share at a homeschool convention. One of the things I’m excited about with Epic Life is that we are trying to reach families by taking what we’re doing in our homes and helping other families do that. That program is called Rooted. This week I was sharing my children’s books and the rooted program at the largest homeschool convention in the county.

      “While I was gone, our Connection Groups continued to rock! The Woodbridge Connection Group met, and Brian King stepped in and led that. They had a great night and great group. Then the Garfield Group, led by Rodney, Melinda and Tara, had one of their best nights. They do food once a month, but when they do, it rallies everyone together. This week, they had two couples who had both moved further away over the last year but came back to celebrate with the group!”

      “I have also been building a friendship with an agnostic, and I left him a Life of Christ booklet at his work. One night he started texting me questions at 11 p.m. I am praying that God’s Word will not return void and this will continue to open his understanding of the gospel!

      “Guilmar came over and took a group of people visiting for us on Saturday. I sure appreciate him.

      “I ask you to keep Daisy and Jorge in your prayers. He doesn’t have an article every week in the Trumpet anymore to inform the churches, but she is battling cancer, and her latest MRI indicates that it has spread from her colon to her liver.

      “I appreciate the Advisory Committee and the meeting we had last week. Right now, we continue to have more questions than answers on my diagnosis. My follow-up is June 11, and I hope to have some concrete answers and a treatment plan. Thank you for your prayers and support!”