Missions Update - August 2022

NEWS & PRAYER REQUESTS

FROM THE MISSIONS COMMITTEE & THE FIELD

This month and next we will be focusing on the upcoming INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES WEEKEND, SEPT. 23rd-25th.

Each day [Friday, Saturday and Sunday] will offer special events at which you will be able to meet some of our missionaries and learn more about various mission organizations we support at FBC. The goal is to provide fun, fellowship and food for you AND for our missionaries. In addition, there will be a special emphasis on prayer. You can be involved starting NOW by praying for our visiting missionaries as they plan their travel and arrange details so that they can be with us. Thank you for doing so.

The theme for IMW 2022 is WHAT'S The STORY? Sermons, songs and suggested opportunities for involvement will relate to the greatest Story ever: the Gospel of Christ and salvation offered through His shed blood.

You should have recently received a letter about IMW which included a schedule of events. Sign up sheets for the various events are at the Welcome Center just outside the sanctuary. PLEASE SIGN UP FOR EACH EVENT AS SOON YOU CAN. Friday night will feature a Chili Cook-off and guest speaker with special activities for the children. Saturday will offer a Men's Breakfast and Ladies' Luncheon. During Sunday morning Study Hour we will hear from more of our visiting missionaries; and the worship service will have our keynote speaker, a special presentation by the Kingdom Kids and interviews of our visitors. Following the morning service, we will gather in the gym for our annual International Banquet and final time of fellowship with the missionaries.

As you may know, our Missions budget at FBC is totally separate from our General budget. It is funded with your "Faith Promise" offerings. Included with the letter [and available at church] were the Prayer and Faith Promise cards. Please be praying about how the Lord would have you support our missionaries both financially and prayerfully. Your Faith "Promise" is just that...a promise made based on faith that the Lord will provide what you feel led to give. This is over and above your tithe and giving to the General Fund budget.

Our 2023 Faith Promise Goal is: $52,000

Thank you for your prayers as we finalize details for this year's IMW and celebrate THE STORY!

ONGOING PRAYER CONCERNS

PEPE MORALES Family [with SPANISH AMERICAN MISSION]

Please continue to PRAY for Pastor Pepe & his family as much work remains on the restoration of their house after a fire and related water damage destroyed it and all their belongings.

NOTE: The Missions Committee is having a "Gift Card Shower" for the Morales family. Having lost ALL their possessions due to the fire, they will need to replace everything. If you choose to participate, please purchase gift cards [of any amount for any store or a generic VISA or M/C gift card] and place them in the offering plate or in the "house" on the Missions table in the foyer. During the IMW we plan to present all the cards to Pepe.

HINT: make sure the cards have NO EXPIRATION date.

KEITH [& TERRI] RASCHER...whom we have supported for many years.

Recently Keith was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. He continues to undergo chemo treatments as he fights this ugly disease. Keith has reported some favorable test results but admits that the chemo is taking its toll on him.

PLEASE PRAY: for Keith's healing, emotional and physical strength.

Also pray for Terri and their family as they travel this difficult path.

You may send a personal word of encouragement or prayer directly to Keith & Terri if you'd like by signing on to Keith's site at: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/keithrascher

MATTHEW WALKER [in Germany with European Baptist Fellowship]

Since the homegoing of Matthew's wife, Christi, he has been suffering deep personal and emotional loss. The EBF Board has enabled him to take some time off from the missions field and his work to give him time and resources to recover.

PRAY: for Matthew as he leans on the Holy Spirit in the wake of his wife's death and the loneliness that he is feeling...and that he will find the refreshment and strength he needs to move forward in his service to our Lord.

THANK YOU for your financial and prayer support for our missionaries. They tell us repeatedly how much they need and appreciate it.

You can make your financial gifts at any time throughout the year by simply designating "Missions" on your envelope, check, online or electronic bank giving.

FBC Mission Partners

"And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20

In obedience to King Jesus, we devote ourselves to the advancement of His kingdom, knowing the Church is called into being by Him and for His glory. One of the ways we do this is by supporting missionaries and mission agencies who share our vision, values, and beliefs. We provide them with encouragement, prayer, and financial support to help them proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. You can learn more about the missionaries and mission agencies we support by visiting their websites.