November 2012 Mission Sheets [PDF & Flip-through]
Your November 2012 Mission Sheet is now available in PDF format. Follow the link below to view it!
BFM Mission Sheet November 2012
You can also flip through the mission sheet at the link below:
(Once you get there, click at the bottom of the page to flip through.)
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Missionary Update: Odali & Kathy Barros in Brazil [December 2012]
Odali and Kathy Barros have served the Lord in Sao Paulo, Brazil for many years. In addition to leading their newest church, they also run “Alpha Omega Family Development,” which provides a home and stability for needy people, many of whom are recovering drug addicts, etc.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We hope all are enjoying on this Thanksgiving the blessing of our Lord and Savior. We are all doing great. God has done and is doing great things in our lives and ministry. At the moment we have no plans for our furlough. We still have not received our children’s documents. Pray that they will come at the right time.
Our services have been wonderful. Sunday morning we work to a great extent with children and teens. We have a group of about 60 that come faithfully. It is so wonderful to see them change their
behavior as they keep coming. They come from homes that are a total wreck.
The Sunday night services have been great. We have several couples that have been coming for about a month now. Sunday night we had 3 of them that made professions of faith. Pray for these new converts. We will continue teaching on the doctrine of the Baptist church. Several of these adults had attended other evangelical churches. So they have been taught several doctrines. They will be a great blessing to the church.
We still spend lots of time with our children on Sunday morning. Since they come from so many homes where the suffer abuse of all kinds. Kathy and I love to sit out in front of the church and the children come and hug us. The young man that we mentioned a few months ago that came to church high on drugs is still coming. He has changed so much. Pray for him. His name is Clayton.
On Sunday night we plan for the next Sunday school. We decide what the menu is and everyone helps giving something for the meal. Everyone loves to give for the kid’s meal. Below is our last meal. The little boy in blue that is watching me cook is my helper. When he started coming to church he was absolutely terrible. His name is Bruno and his mother is HIV positive. That can kind of tell you where he is coming from!!!!!
Bruno (in the blue shirt) is Odali’s special helper.
Bro. Odali prepares the kids’ meal–a weekly event!
We are coming to a close of another year and we are making plans for our ministry for the coming year. We will share with you in our next letter what God has placed on our hearts. Thanks for all your prayers and support. God bless all of your tremendously.
Odali & Kathy Barros
odali_kathy[at]hotmail.com
Blog
Caixa Postal 182
17400-000 Garca, SP
Brasil, S.A.
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Missionary Update: The Tates in Kenya [December 2012]
The Tate Family has served the Lord in Kitale, Kenya since January 2008. Their main ministry is indigenous church planting.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
This month I want to do something a little different and instead of talking directly
about the ministry I want to address something that will effect the lives of every Kenyan –The upcoming Kenyan presidential elections (and so, in a very real way, I WILL be addressing ministry because this event will not only effect the lives of every Kenyan, but our lives also and the ministry that we do here). I know that we just finished a presidential election in the States. And whether you like the results or not, I’ll bet none of you reading this worried, even for one moment, about losing your life because of the election process. Well, that isn’t the case here in Kenya. The last presidential election in Kenya in 2007 resulted in mass rioting, ethnic cleansing, tribal warfare, murders, looting, and crop burning. People were targeted, profiled and killed simply for being in the wrong tribe. Others ran to churches for refuge only to lose their lives when those churches were intentionally set on fire and burned to the ground. Thousands of people lost their lives, many of whom lived in Eldoret, a city not 50 miles from where we live in Kitale. This went on for months before things finally got settled down and the rioting and killings stopped.
Why am I mentioning this? Because we have another presidential election coming up
in March, 2013 and there is already tension in the air. Nobody is certain how things will
go and so we are beseeching your prayers.
Most of you probably don’t know this but I am the warden for the United States embassy here in the Kitale region. That means that I work with the embassy to distribute information and help the American expatriates in the Kitale region try and stay safe in Kenya. So, to help me in this position I attended a meeting at the US embassy to hear what they were saying concerning the upcoming elections. They related a number of problematic scenarios that could occur over the next couple of months that I would like to relate to you so you can be praying for us, for our ministry, and for the people of Kenya.
First, a change in the registration process here in Kenya is cause for concern. The new constitution made it available for Kenyans to register and vote within whatever district they wanted. That means that if a presidential candidate thinks he has a certain district locked up, he can send followers from that district to another district that he doesn’t have locked up. The bottom line is that people from other districts, who have no links or connections to Kitale whatsoever, could be bused to Kitale to register and vote. Having people in Kitale with no links or care of this place could bring unwanted abuses.
Second, the high court of Kenya is supposed to vote soon on whether two presidential candidates can even run for president. The problem with these two guys is that they were indicted by the ICC at the Hague for stirring up the people to riot and murder after the last presidential election. These guys are guilty of mass murder and yet are trying to run for president. Depending on the high courts decision, this could cause further rioting and problems.
Last, the elections take place in the first week of March. But since there are many candidates running and since they need 50% of the popular vote to win the election, there is a potential for a run-off or even several run-offs before one candidate gets elected. This means the election process could drag on for months with lots of uncertainty and tension. The embassy’s advice has been “prepare for the worst and hope for the best.” Hopefully the Kenyan people have learned from the last time that they don’t want a repeat performance of the rioting and murders of 2007. But when I ask Kenyans what they think will happen this time around, only about half of them feel comfortable and think things will go smoothly. I tell you all this because, again, I desire your prayers for our family and this country. May God receive glory in Kenya even throughout this entire process.
Until next month, beloved.
May God’s peace and joy be with you.
For the glory of God in East Africa,
Roger & Julie Tate (and Emily, Amy, & Josiah)
P.O. Box 96
Kitale, Kenya 30200
rojuta[at]gmail.com
Visit their blog!
Click here to donate to BFM.
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Thanksgiving Conference Recap [Wednesday Morning]
Missionaries Sheridan Stanton (Peru) & John Mark Hatcher (France) opened up the final session of our 58th Annual Thanksgiving Conference this morning by singing “I Love to Tell the Story.”
Bro. Michael Jackman from Twelve-Ryan Baptist Church in Warren, Michigan delivered the first message from Mark 4:35-41.
There were multitudes following Jesus. When He crossed the sea, they were faithful and followed. Why does Jesus give them a task they cannot do?
He expects obedience. [Micah 6:6-8]
Why do storms arise? So we will seek Him. He alone calms the storms. [James 1:2-4]
Parable of the Mustard Seed [Mark 4:30]
The first thing the seed has to do is die. Then it must be completely dependent on the Lord. [Philippians 1:6; 1 Corinthians 1:27]
Bro. John Mark Hatcher, missionary to France, preached the final message of the conference from Matthew 13:36-43.
vs. 24- They sowed good seed.
vs. 36- The disciples asked about it, defining it in terms of the parable of the weeds.
We must penetrate the soil where God has placed us. How do we penetrate the soil?
The best way to penetrate soil is by serving them–by doing good. [Acts 9:36-39; 10:37; Matthew 5:16]
The best broadcasting stations don’t work unless there are good receivers tuned to the same frequency.
Do good because it is commanded. [Matthew 5:44-45; 1 Peter 3:13-17] What makes you tick?
When you win them with your behavior, they will listen to your words.
To reach people:
1. Involve everyone [Titus 2:9-11]
2. Observe [Ephesians 5:15]
3. Act.
4. Don’t be weary in well doing.
You can find all the Thanksgiving Conference Recaps by clicking here.
You can give to our Thanksgiving Offering by clicking here and typing “Thanksgiving Offering” in the Memo field.
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Thanksgiving Conference Recap [Tuesday Evening]
Our 58th Annual Thanksgiving Conference continued Tuesday evening at New Hope Baptist Church in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.
Bro. Randy Jones, President of BFM spoke during the first evening session. He had a video presentation that covered BFM’s purpose statement and current directions, noting that “The Mission Sheet” today is mainly our website. He discussed the current state of what is being accomplished administratively through BFM and our goals for the future.
Overview of Accomplishments Year-to-Date:
-Highlight Founders Day Offering
-4% of offerings go to administration; 96% goes to missionaries
-New Brochure
-New Facebook Page
-Mission Sheets in PDF Format
-YouTube Channel
-Email Newsletter
-Giving has increased 3% over the past year. The goal is 25% over 3 years.
Goals:
-Increase giving 25% over 3 years
-Add a missionary each year for 3 years
-Increase salaries by 5% this year
-Change the retirement plan
-Visit missionaries on a 3-year cycle
-Eliminate car fund
-Establish a repository for BFM Documents
-Try to visit all supporting churches every 3 years
-Encourage churches to visit the mission field
Bro. Sheridan Stanton, missionary to Peru, sang “Let the Lower Lights Be Burning,” which can be viewed below.
He then delivered the final message of the evening, giving an overview of his experience in church planting.
Bro. Stanton was sent out under the authority of Jordan Missionary Baptist Church and received support from churches and BFM.
Lima–the capital of Peru– was designed for 3 million people and has a population of 12 million people. The Stantons started three churches in Lima. They have been in Huanuco, Peru for 15 years planting New Testament Baptist Churches that are Gospel-motivated and doctrinally sound.
The Stantons have found that it takes approximately 5-7 years to establish a church. They should be doctrinally sound and able to take care of their pastor and building…then they move on. The newest work should be established in two years.
The Stantons also run a Baptist Institute with about 120 pastors. They prepare and print material for Sunday School and training and love to host mission teams.
You do what you do because you believe what you believe.
Over 160 churches in Peru started with the determination of Bro. Richard Hallum with one church plant.
Mission work is for all of us. Start social networking. Learn. Share.
Pastor Darrell Messer presented Pastor Terry Adkins with a plaque of appreciation on behalf of the BFM Board of Directors, as seen below.
You can find all the Thanksgiving Conference Recaps by clicking here.
You can give to our Thanksgiving Offering by clicking here and typing “Thanksgiving Offering” in the Memo field.
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Thanksgiving Conference Recap [Tuesday Morning]
Our 58th Annual Thanksgiving Conference continues this morning at New Hope Baptist Church in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.
Pastor Dan Hillard from East Keys Baptist Church in Springfield, Illinois delivered the 9:45 morning message from Mark 4:26-29 concerning “The Work of Grace in Our Soul.”
1. There must be a sower.
We don’t have to grow weeds; the earth grows weeds like man’s heart grows weeds and wickedness.
We need to sow seeds of the Gospel. Sunday School teachers plant seed–they are the first to cultivate the ground!
2. There is much beyond our comprehension. [Mark 4:27]
Some seeds germinate. Some don’t. Why?
It’s the same with the Gospel: God gives the increase.
3. There is much beyond our control.
-Growth [Lamentations 3:26; Jeremiah 29:11]
-We are to sow the seed. Rely on God and we will not die until we become fully grown. [Mark 4:29]
Pastor Peter Santisteban from Victory Baptist Church in Russellville, Kentucky preached from Ephesians 2:11-22.
Why do churches plant in all kinds of soil?
1. Because of the authority God gave us. [Mark 16:14-20]
2. Because of authority He gave us. [Luke 24:42-49]
3. Because of antichrist spirit. [1 John 2:18-23]
4. Because of the awesome calling of God. [Acts 15:36-16:5]
—–Be humbly led by the Spirit. [Acts 16:6-11]
5. Because we have an amazing foundation. [Acts 10:36-43; Ephesians 2:20; Isaiah 45:18, 22]
Pastor Raul Bergerman from West Griffin Baptist Church in Griffin, Georgia preached the final morning message from Luke 16:19-31, “The Message of Missions.”
1. Hell is real.
2. The Rich Man did not go to hell because of money.
3. These two men were Jewish.
The rich man did not want to hear. We have the responsibility to go and preach. They have the responsibility to respond.
The Gospel according to Abraham
The Rich Man’s plan was to send Lazarus back from the dead and they will believe. That won’t work. God’s plan works. [Acts 2:41; Acts 4:4] Preach the Word!
[Click to view a clip from Bro. Raul Bergerman’s sermon]
You can find all the Thanksgiving Conference Recaps by clicking here.
You can give to our Thanksgiving Offering by clicking here and typing “Thanksgiving Offering” in the Memo field.
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Thanksgiving Conference Recap [Monday Evening]
Our 58th Annual Thanksgiving Conference began this evening at New Hope Baptist Church in Dearborn Heights, Michigan.
Pastor George Sledd who pastors Jordan Baptist Church in Sanford, Florida, and also serves as Treasurer for BFM, was the first speaker. His text was 1 Corinthians 3:1-6 about the sowing of seed, nourishing of seed, and obtaining the increase of what’s sown and nourished. Below are some notable quotes:
Only God can give the increase. The very heartbeat of God has an evangelistic rhythm–a soul-winning rhythm.
Are you interested in growth? To grow, you must plant.
Increase means to be greater.
The harvester is not greater than the planter. (vs. 8)
God has planted you where you are now. Delight yourself in the Lord. (Psalm 1:1-3)
Grow up. Do greater things. Increase means glory to God.
He gave the example of Adoniram Judson who had one convert in 5 years, 18 in 10 years, and thousands at his death. Robert Morissey had one convert in 7 years. Other examples included Noah, Jeremiah, and Jonah.
Isaiah 9:7- The increase of His glory!
He also read a poem called “The Bridge Builder.” There is a new generation coming up after us. God is preparing someone to take the place of those who have been faithful.
Pastor Denny Herndon from Immanuel Baptist Church in Riverview, Michigan preached from Matthew 13, using the parable of the sower scattering seed.
One seed has the plan of God. (Matthew 28:19)
A seed needs three things:
1) Proper food
2) Water
3) Sun/Son
To plant is to instill truth.
The Word needs to be taught.
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FaithWORKS Report [November 2012]
2012 THANKSGIVING OFFERING
We are now receiving our 2012-13 Thanksgiving Offering. We will use these funds to provide support services and other periodic commitments we make to our missionaries over the course of the year. Last year’s Thanksgiving Offering was $56,365.38. Coming into November, we have only $3,735.44 of that amount remaining after we have provided the services and honored the commitments to our missionaries so far this year. It is essential that we give as generous an offering as the Lord enables you to give.
Our Lord Jesus Christ commands each one of us to personally participate in the
advance of His Gospel “into all the world” “to all nations”. There are two ways
each one of us can participate: [1] Go ourselves…in person – as our faithful
missionaries have done and are doing; [2] Give offerings to help them go – as in
Romans 15.24, 2 Corinthians 10.15-15, and Philippians 4.15-17.
PASTORS: will you open the opportunity for the members of your church to give
to this much-needed offering? Encourage them to personally participate in the
increase of the Glory of Jesus Christ in every nation where our missionaries are
serving.
GIVING FRIEND: will you personally give an offering to help supply our
missionaries’ needs over the next year? If your church is not receiving a
Thanksgiving Offering, you can send your personal offering via any of the means
provided on our Donate/Support page. Click here to make a one-time donation via e-check or credit card now. “BRING AN OFFERING…Psalm 96.8”
THANKSGIVING CONFERENCE
We hope you can attend November 19-21. Please be in prayer for this conference as well! You can find the program and other additional information in this post.
KEEP UP WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING – AS IT HAPPENS!
You can keep up with what is happening in BFM as it happens by logging on to our website regularly, and especially the FaithWorks blog page. As our missionaries write their monthly newsletters, they are immediately posted there as we receive them.
ALSO OUR FACEBOOK – www.facebook.com/baptistfaithmissions
We are making daily posts there not only with our missionaries newsletters, but also with daily developments and updates. Bookmark the page and be in the know!
BFM EMAIL NEWS – we want to include you in our email bulletins. If you have not
signed up to receive our email reports, please do so by subscribing either through our
Facebook page, or by sending us an email at baptistfaithmissions@gmail.com.
ADVANCE PDF COPY OF THE MISSION SHEETS – This Mission Sheets issue
will be posted on our website before it goes to the printer. We will post links to the PDF
Mission Sheets on Facebook and also via emailed BFM NEWS.
MONTHLY GENERAL FUND OFFERINGS
We also continue to need increased and faithful MONTHLY GENERAL FUND OFFERINGS to supply their monthly Essential Maintenance Transactions [EMT]. Those essential commitments amount to more than $45,000.00 every month.
$20,426.00 for their salaries;
$10,950.00 for their standard housing and ministry allowances;
$11,918.11 for their monthly hospitalization premiums;
$1722.50 for the printing and distribution of their monthly newsletters and reports in The Mission Sheets. These disbursements must be made every month. They must be supplied through your monthly GENERAL FUND offerings, or else we will be required to reduce either their salaries or expense allowances to make the monthly GENERAL FUND supplies/disbursements balance.
YOUR FAITHFUL AND GENEROUS MONTHLY GENERAL FUND OFFERINGS ARE SUPPLYING THESE NEEDS so they can maintain their daily ministries unhindered by shortages of funds and undistracted from their service by wondering what they will have to curtail to keep their ministries going.
We love you and thank God for each one. All our offerings working together will keep them GOING AND GROWING for the Glory of God!
WINTER CONFERENCE
January 20-23, 2013
Hosted by Park Ridge Baptist Church, Gotha FL
Host Pastor, Ben Glover | 407.719.9861 | bentonglover@aol.com
Please make your plans to attend this Conference. We will be posting the
program and other additional information on our website’s Events page
and also on our FaithWorks Blog page soon!
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