UBC Mission Class

January 23rd – Introduction to Biblical Missions at UBC in Room 205 at 6:00pm. This class is for everyone and is a must if you have an interest in missions, or just wonder what we are doing and why. Future mission interns will need to have had this class to enter the internship program. But, whether you serve in local missions or travel the world, this class will help you focus on the real reasons we do what we do.

Mark Your Calendars!

Here are some dates you will want to put on your calendar. Don’t miss a minute of what God is doing through Urbancrest!

January 9th – Uganda Mission Team Information Meeting in Room 207 after second am service. If you have thought about going on this mission trip, now is the time to find out more and get started on your journey to Africa.

January 9th – Disaster Relief Preparedness Class in Room 201 at 6:00pm. Wanda Lovely is facilitating this class to help us prepare for what is coming and how to minister in the midst of it. See previous blog post for the details.

January 9th – Argentina Team Report at 6:00pm in Pastor Tom & Pastor David's classes. Leah Busick and the team will present their experiences in Argentina last summer.

January 16th – Haiti Team Report at 6:00pm in Pastor Tom & Pastor David's classes. Jeff & Deanne Clem will present their experiences in Haiti last summer.

January 23rd – Introduction to Biblical Missions at UBC in Room 205 at 6:00pm. This class is for everyone and is a must if you have an interest in missions, or just wonder what we are doing and why. Future mission interns will need to have had this class to enter the internship program. But, whether you serve in local missions or travel the world, this class will help you focus on the real reasons we do what we do.

January 30th – GIC Team Leader Meeting at 12:30pm in the Gym
February 5th – Short-Term Mission Team Leader Training in Room 203/204. This training update is required for UBC members that are current short-term mission trip team leaders and also for invited guests that would like to be eligible to lead a UBC mission team in 2011.

February 6th – Malawi Mission Team Information Meeting in Room 207
March 16th – 20th – Global Impact Celebration
Over 40 missionaries from all over the world will converge on UBC to share their ministries and stories. Plan now to attend every event. You will be glad you did!
Theme: "The Night is Coming" from John 3:9
Speakers:
Aaron Coe of SendNYC
Travis Ogle from Hope Baptist Church, Las Vegas, NV
Steven Khoury from Jerusalem, Israel.

Combined Missions Offering Goal Surpassed! $55,600.07

Today, I stand awed, humbled, and fearful before the Lord to be a part of such an amazing church. Our member families have gone through many trials this year such as job loss, illness, and family problems. Satan has attacked nearly everyone that is connected with Urbancrest, and especially those that have been involved in missions. It would have seemed to be a good year to batten down the hatches, take God’s 10% and pay down some bills, or to simply back away from trying to do the extra “sacrificial” stuff.

But that is not how God’s people at Urbancrest responded to the incredible opportunities to carry out the Great Commission mandate to reach the yet unreached people groups of the world, and to minister to the needs in our Jerusalem here in Lebanon, Ohio.

The Combined Missions Offering taken in November and December totaled $55,600.07 which put us over our goal of $50,000.00! I sometimes think that God is tired of my small faith. I have had to repent and at the same time praise Him for HIS love for the lost of the world and HIS desire to use Urbancrest to reach them. The Combined Missions Offering is our annual offering that goes to Southern Baptist Convention missions: 40% to the Lottie Moon Offering for international missions, 40% to the Annie Armstrong Offering to reach North America, 10% to support missions in Ohio, and 10% to World Hunger. In addition to that, during the last week of December another $43,980.00 was given to the Faith Promise Fund. $10,000.00 of that came in as a year-end gift and is designated for our Baskets of Hope from the Arington Foundation. Now you might think these additional offerings came to the detriment of the General Fund tithes. Not so, as that weekly budget was met and exceeded by $18,061.00 for the last week of December. Praise the Lord!

God is so good and so faithful when his people pray, give, and go! I am amazed by this church and our GOD! Thank you for giving, and for your work and continued prayers for me as we humbly seek to lead Urbancrest to the ends of the earth!

Disaster Preparedness Series Begins January 9th

Are you ready?

No matter where we turn these days, we are confronted with disasters. Natural and man-made disasters are the probability of a planet that groans for redemption. These frightening events have plagued mankind since the curse entered through Adam. Every inhabitant of earth accepts the inevitable—disaster will come. As a matter of fact, many of us end our busy day by peering into high-definition clips of earthquakes, floods, bombs, fires, or any number of tragedies that others endure.

Rarely, though, do we find ourselves in such trauma. The two-dimensional images we look at sadden us, even alarm us, but almost never touch our lives in a tangible way. We can all be thankful for that. But, what would you do if you found yourself in the midst of a disaster? Are you prepared for a calamity that threatens your home, your livelihood, or even your life? For most, the answer is “no”. And all too often, the helpless state of victims is worsened because little, if any, emergency planning took place before the crisis. Having a plan and critical supplies can be the key to surviving during and after a disaster.

So, even though disasters can seldom be predicted or averted, there are important things that individuals, families, and communities can do to lessen the long-term impact of life’s natural tragedies.

As caring believers joined in purpose to see Christ’s body work in the Great Commission, it is vital that we also prepare for the troubles that we will suffer. Urbancrest Baptist Church invites you to attend a series of eight Sunday evening teachings focusing on disasters. While none of us wants to consider the possibility of catastrophe, we owe it to ourselves and to those who cannot care for themselves to learn and prepare for the most difficult times.

On Sunday, January 9th at 6pm, the first class will begin with the introduction of relevant and interesting themes designed to assist individuals in preparing for disasters in our neighborhoods. As the weeks proceed, discussion will reveal the “big picture” of how our nation is affected by natural phenomenon and how Christian believers are having a positive impact by showing mercy and care to the afflicted. Everyone is welcome and urged to join in a dialogue that concerns all of us in a very personal way.

We have provided a quick look at the series below. It is our hope, that as we continue to minister to the lost and hurting in our world, you will begin putting safeguards in place. In helpingeach other now, we will be better ready to come to the aid of others in their time of need.

January 9 ~ Introduction to Disasters: What makes a disaster a disaster?
January 16 ~ Coping in Disaster: The unseen crisis within us
January 23 ~ Winter Storms and Floods: Ohio is in the Zone
February 6 ~ Thunderstorms and Tornadoes: April showers bring May flowers...and insurance agents
February 13 & 20 ~ New Madrid Fault: Look who else is waiting for "the big one"
February 27 ~ Choosing to get Ready: Victim or victor?
March 6 ~ The Good News in Disaster: Serving Christ in crisis

For more information, contact Wanda Lovely at 513-932-4405 or wlovely@urbancrest.org.