All The News, Free Article, Arkansas State Missions
STATE MISSIONS: Keeping You Informed
Paul White
It is our prayer that with the combination of the weekly missions’ reports featured in the Trumpet, along with an occasional insert like the one in this issue, coupled with a new bimonthly newsletter that will be starting in December, our people can stay informed and involved in sharing the blessings of their mission work.
Beginning in December of this year, we will start sending out a bimonthly newsletter that will keep you abreast of the current happening in your State Mission’s Department. Please be sure and drop by the State Missions table during the BMA of Arkansas meeting to sign up to receive it, as well as to register to win an iPad. It could be a win-win situation for you. After all, someone will be leaving with it! You will need to be present Friday morning for the drawing.
Also, if you don’t attend the state meeting and you would like to receive a newsletter be sure and email us (bmaofarkfrontdesk@gmail.com) your email address and we will put you on the list.
First Time Happening
This year, you will be receiving not only recommendations from the Missionary Committee, but also from the Revolving Loan Fund Committee. The Advisory Committee is a sub-committee of the Missionary Committee and is elected by that committee. The Revolving Loan Fund Committee is elected from the floor and, being a standing committee, answers to the body directly.
From Our Missionaries
Ebenezer, West Little Rock: Ruben Isturiz writes, “Prayer is a very important part of ministry. Every new congregation should begin because we have been praying. At Ebenezer, this truth does not escape us. Last week, I asked them to pray that God would introduce me to people to minister to, people in need of Him.
I had the opportunity to talk for about two hours with a young agnostic man named Ricardo. I sowed the Word of God in his life, and we are praying for God to grow that seed.
I also had the opportunity to talk with a family who recently arrived from Venezuela. I talked with Eduar for about an hour, and he told me how he has seen the hand of God in his migratory process. He is now in the process of adapting to a new country and a new city. I ask for your prayers for Ricardo and Eduar — only God can bring change in their lives. Ask God for wisdom so I will know how to deal with them and sow the Word of God.
“Pray that God will continue to introduce me to people in need of Him. May God be glorified.”
Faith Chapel, Flippin: Johnny Shew writes, “We had a great week at Faith Chapel! We had very good attendance, even with two of our families with children out. We still had our second-largest attendance ever with four first-time visitors. If those two families had been there, some would have been standing. We are going to try and rearrange some this week to see if we can fit any more chairs. It is a good problem to have.
“We are very busy with planning and getting cost estimates for material and labor for a new building. And we are looking forward to seeing you all at the State Meeting this week. Thank you for your prayers, please continue. God is hearing and answering them.”
Faith Chapel, Flippin: Johnny Shew writes, “We had a great week at Faith Chapel! We had very good attendance, even with two of our families with children out. We still had our second-largest attendance ever with four first-time visitors. If those two families had been there, some would have been standing. We are going to try and rearrange some this week to see if we can fit any more chairs. It is a good problem to have.
“We combined our meeting this week with our sending church, Celebration Baptist Church in Haskell, as they held their annual Fall Fest. There was a great turnout from church members and the whole community! There were games, food and a hayride for everyone to enjoy! We are looking forward to the time when we grow as a mission into a church and can host our own Fall Fest!”
Misión Gracia Soberana (Sovereign Grace), NWA:Roberto Marcelletti writes, “When we look for the difference between Christianity and other religions, we realize that other religions think they must always do something to earn salvation if there is an expectation of eternity. Christianity is the only one that teaches that salvation is granted by the merit of Another.
In other words, Another earns it for you, and that is called ‘grace’ — since our salvation is a gift from God to a sinner who is guilty and unworthy of it. It was out of the sheer affection of His will that He saved us because we did not deserve it.
“When we began the church planting project, we prayed that God would give us a meaningful name so that every time we said it, we would remember the precious gospel — that we would be amazed to remember that it was ‘by grace alone’ that our great debt was paid, that it was ‘by grace alone’ that today we are saved that it was ‘by grace alone’ that today we have eternal life and that it is ‘by grace alone’ that allows us to serve Him. So, every time we repeat our name, ‘Sovereign Grace,’ it is not just a name, it is a reminder of all God did through Jesus for His glory and for our good and that there is no merit in us that gives us the humility to depend every day on Him.
“We call our small groups ‘Missionary Zone.’ So far, we have two Missionary Zones — one in Springdale in the house of Francisco and Maria and the other in our apartment in Rogers. These are places where, every week, we see the work of God through the testimonies, and how they want to please God.
“On Friday, in our Rogers Mission Zone, a woman who is a new believer asked a question: ‘What was the purpose of continuing in the world after being saved?’ I said, ‘Very good question. I congratulate you for seeking what we call the purpose of life.’ We went to the Bible because that is where our rules of faith and conduct are, and we spent the rest of the night thanking God for saving us and for having these two purposes of life — make us every day in the image of His son, Jesus Christ (Gal. 4:19) and fulfill the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20). Since they came to us, we tell them that all Christians have a mission and that ‘Sovereign Grace,’ our church, is the training center for them to fulfill the mission God has for them where they are.”
Epic Life, Pea Ridge: Jake McCandless writes, “Blurred lines between church and life — I love it. When I pastored in Central Arkansas, it was in a very close-knit community. I would find it fascinating that there would be someone in the hospital, they’d have 15 family members, neighbors and friends, who were all church members, visit them.
But once they were back home, they’d say that no one from the church or just the pastor came by. There was a clear line between church and ‘real life.’ I get where they’re coming from, but I see some irony. My hope with Epic Life is to erase those lines.
“We saw a glimpse of that yesterday at our Bonfire and Hayride. Everyone from our core Connection Group was there, but it wasn’t clear if the event was a ‘church event’ or ‘just family or friends hanging out.’ Perfect!
“Amazingly, that blurred line made it so natural for members to invite family and friends. It wasn’t a church event, but a life event with people who go to church together.
“We blurred the lines again as the Epic Life families with kids went to trick or treat together.”