Mission Opportunity to Tucson, Arizona

A team from Urbancrest Baptist Church will be traveling to Tucson, Arizona from November 11–20, 2011 to work with Steve Chamblee and Grace Fellowship Church. We will minister at Del Web Community Center and Diamond Children’s Hospital. We will also be helping Steve and Grace Fellowship with a block party, plan their Thanksgiving Dinner Celebration, prayer walk neighborhoods, possibly distribute gift bags during the El Tour de Tucson bike marathon, and work alongside Grace Fellowship in various projects. For those team members interested in a day trip to Mexico, we plan to assist an orphanage that had a fire last year where over 40 children perished. We will be providing light construction and ministering to the children. If anyone feels led to join the team, please contact Paul & Janet Boroff at 513-934-5518 or pebjan@aol.com as soon as possible for more information. We believe, with all our hearts, that this is a tremendous opportunity for Urbancrest and we need additional team members! If given the opportunity, Urbancrest can impact the lives of so many in Arizona and be a blessing to Grace Fellowship Church as they try to spread the Good News!

Thanks,
Paul & Janet Boroff

The New Normal ~ Part 1

Aaron & Dana Bogan packed up their four children and moved to Jinja, Uganda two weeks ago. That may seem strange to most people. After all, this is a family that had a great future without going anywhere. Aaron, after serving in the Navy, had completed his master’s degree in mathematics and was employed as a professor of statistics at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Dana is trained as a Registered Nurse. They were living the American dream!

Then, in 2005 Aaron & Dana experienced a life-changing event when they heard the gospel of Jesus Christ. They made Jesus their Lord and began a journey of obedience to Him that changed every other decision they made. In 2006, after hosting a missionary family in their home, they expressed to me that they were drawn to missions and cross-cultural ministry. Urbancrest provides many opportunities for mission experience and they began to participate in everything they could.

They became the team leaders of the first mission trip to Appalachia in 2007. Although Aaron fell off the roof of a house on that trip, that experience did not leave a negative impression of mission work! They went on to lead teams to Costa Rica in 2008 & 2009 and were involved in many of the mission events and trainings that Urbancrest provides. The Bogans definitely had been bitten by the mission bug! In 2009, Aaron & Dana surrendered to full-time international vocational ministry. They began the process of seeking a sending organization and the location of their call. They took a short trip into Honduras in 2009 and also began the application process with the IMB, Operation Mobilization, and several other mission organizations. The downturn in the economy became a factor as many organizations were reducing, not expanding, their mission staff. In early 2010, Aaron & Dana took a trip to Kenya, and it was during that trip that God confirmed their call to Africa. But, it was not until August of 2010 when Aaron traveled to Uganda to meet with the missionaries, faculty, and governing board of the Uganda Baptist Seminary that God revealed His full plan for the Bogan family. Aaron was invited with a unanimous vote to join the seminary faculty.

For the past year, the Bogan family has been preparing to make the move to Uganda. It has not been easy. They have traveled thousands of miles, written hundreds of letters and emails, and spoken in numerous churches. They had to raise thousands of dollars to make the move in addition to the monthly support of $4,000.00 per month. The financial challenges seemed insurmountable! Southern Baptists typically give to the central funding of the Cooperative Program and the denominational offerings to support their missionaries. Therefore, the story the Bogans were sharing with the churches was a new paradigm for most. Thankfully many were able to see God working in their lives and join Him to move and keep them on the field. Nothing is impossible with our God!

This is the new normal. The funding mechanisms that we have traditionally used are wonderful and have given the churches a great infrastructure of missionaries all over the world. Unfortunately, there are not enough missionaries or funding to fulfill the Great commission with this method (Matthew 28:19-20). The gospel is to be preached to all peoples, according to the words of Jesus (Mathew 24:14), and Revelation 7:9-10 tells us that there will be people from every tribe, tongue, and nation worshiping at the throne of God. Mission boards alone will never be able to make this Scripture a reality because it is a mandate and commission to the local church. Ultimately, the church will have to provide the direct resources for people who are called to cross-cultural ministry. We live in a time where the mission infrastructure is in place, but much more is lacking if we do not send our own people to the mission field. Urbancrest is a sending church that will send God-called individuals through any appropriate channels to obediently reach people for Christ. We will send people through the boards and agencies if they are accepted, but if they are not, we as a church will send them. It will take all of the resources that can be mustered to fulfill the task. The church is the point of the spear and will be held accountable, not just for how well we supported the mission boards, but how we equipped the saints and sent them to the task of world evangelization and discipleship. 

At their commissioning at Urbancrest on August 28, 2011, Aaron stood with his family on the stage and commented that they were just ordinary people that had been saved by the blood of Jesus and the grace of God. Then he said, “Take a look at us. This is normal for followers of Jesus. We are to follow Him wherever He sends us.” This really does have to be the new normal.

The Bogans are on the field in Uganda and Jesus is being glorified in their lives, both there and here. It is pretty amazing to see the church be the Church. Numerous churches are participating in sending the Bogans, and hundreds of individuals are praying and giving. It will take all of us doing all we can to keep them on the field in Uganda. May we be found faithful! You can follow the Bogans and find a link to their blog at http://www.gatewayglobaloutreach.org/Bogan/.

Unreached People Group Summit ~ September 30-October 1, 2011

Call Urbancrest Baptist Church at 513.932.4405 to register!

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” ~ Matthew 24:14

“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” ~ Revelation 7:9-10

Jesus was explicit in His command that His followers should go tell every people group His good news. Sometimes that requires much effort. Many times the cost is great compared to the number of souls won, especially to Americans who love to keep score. I have been told twice in the last month by men I consider to be mission mentors that the price is too high. “How can we spend so much money to go to the ends of the earth when we can use that money to do so much good right here?” Although it may sound ridiculous, this is what the King has told us to do. God’s economy is different than ours, as are His ways. We are not the score keeper. He is.

There are 11,228 people groups on our planet today. We have been commissioned to make sure they all hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Every Christian, and certainly every church, should be taking part in this divine endeavor, even if we are unsure of the outcome.

To that end, Urbancrest is hosting an Unreached People Group Summit on September 30 – October 1, 2011 with the America Peoples Affinity of the IMB. Please read the information below and participate in our attempt to reach those who have never heard the Gospel in a way that they can understand it. Urbancrest will begin the process of adopting one of these people groups in the near future. It will take the efforts and support of all of our church members to reach them, and it will take the effort of every church that this blog touches to reach all 462 of these people groups in the Americas that have zero exposure to the gospel. I invite you to come and see how we can partner together to fulfill God's plan for the nations!

Event Details/Schedule:
"Our vision is a multitude of disciples among all Peoples of the Americas equipped to fulfill the Great Commission to the ends of the earth."

This event is being held in hopes of finding churches that will co-labor with us to see that vision become a reality.

With 462 specific People Groups with 0 missionaries and 0 churches among them, we desperately need SBC churches to be actively involved in efforts to reach every one of these.

The Connection Event will help equip your church to effectively engage People Groups through focused prayer, practical methodologies, realistic long term strategies, and reproducible models.

Highlights will include general sessions with Terry Lassiter (Affinity Global Strategy Leader), breakout sessions with experienced field missionaries, specific information about Unreached and Unengaged People Groups, utilizing Orality/non-literate methods among Oral People Groups/cultures and more.

Join us as we seek ways to see Matthew 28 become Revelation 7:9-10 among every Unreached People Group within the Affinity.

Please make your own hotel and ground transportation arrangements. Click the image above to see a list of several lodging options on the Lodging Page for your convenience.

Registration Fee: $35
Call Urbancrest Baptist Church at 513.932.4405 to register!

Friday, September 30
Check-in from 3:00-5:00p.m. followed by dinner, worship and a general session

Saturday, October 1
Registration and continental breakfast - 7:30-8:00a.m.
Morning sessions, including break - 8:00a.m.-12:30pm.
Lunch - 12:30-1:00p.m.
Afternoon sessions - 1:00-4:00p.m.
Break/Snack - 3:45-4:00p.m.
Optional Orality Workshop - 4:00-7:00p.m.
Dinner - On your own

The gospel works in every culture. The only way it can fail is if, due to our fear and disobedience, we do not share it.

There is coming a day when we will worship before the throne of God. There with us will be people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. That day is as much of a reality as today. I do not know how many people will be in heaven, but I know that there will be a minimum of 11,228 since there will be at least one from every people group. Among those represented will be the 462 people groups that are living in the Americas. Will you make the time to learn how to reach them?

Urbancrest Missions Calendar Updates ~ September 2011

Faith Promise Stewardship Meeting
September 6, 2011 @ 7:00pm in Room 202

Mission Intern Class/GCP
September 7, 2011 @ 6:30pm in Room 206

Men’s Summit
September 9-10, 2011
The registration deadline is September 6!
http://www.mens-summit.org/MensSummit/HOME.html

Mission Staff Meeting
September 10, 2011 @ 5:30pm

Living Word Bible Church Launch Service
September 11, 2011 @ 6:00pm
Production Services Unlimited
575 Columbus Avenue
Lebanon, Ohio 45036

Southern Hills Baptist Association Annual Meeting
September 13, 2011 @ 7:00pm
Northview Baptist, Hillsboro, Ohio

Mission Intern Class/GCP
September 14, 2011 @ 6:30pm in Room 206

GIC Coordinator Meeting
September 18, 2011 @ 4:30pm in Room 206

Mission Intern Class/GCP
September 21, 2011 @ 6:30pm in Room 206

Mission Staff Meeting
September 25, 2011 @ 5:00-7:00pm in Room 202

Mission Intern Class/GCP
September 28, 2011 @ 6:30pm in Room 206

Unreached People Group Summit
September 30 – October 1, 2011 @ Urbancrest
For more information and to register, visit:
http://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=974501

Malawi Mission Summary ~ Part 3, Orphan Care

“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” ~ James 1:27

“Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’ And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’” ~ Matthew 25:37-40

Many people do not realize that Urbancrest supports many orphan ministries all over the world. In Uganda, Urbancrest partners with Alfred Adundo’s Macedonian Child Outreach Project, Richard & Susan Angoma’s Family Empowerment-Uganda, and George & Geraldine Smith’s Bavuma Island ministries. Urbancrest also helps take care of orphans in various locations such as Svitlana Mayboroda’s Orphans for Christ in Russia and Brent Gambrell Ministries in Haiti. Locally, our church works alongside Larry Bergeron’s A Child’s Hope International to help feed children and support foster care/adoption worldwide. Though we have been a major partner with Joe Veal’s You-Turn Ministries in Malawi for many years, our involvement with the orphan ministry there just began a new chapter.

Two years ago, Joe Veal through You-Turn Ministries was led by the Lord to expand his extensive evangelism ministry in Malawi to work with orphans. Orphan care is a huge need throughout the world, where over 30,000 children die every day due to poverty, malnutrition, and preventable illnesses. In Africa, most of those who die are orphans and children that have no one to care properly for them. The life expectancy in Malawi is only 34 years due to the AIDS epidemic. As you can imagine, the adults who die at that age leave numerous children in need of care.

With the help of God and many supporters, Joe was able to purchase property that had a house already under construction. After researching other orphanages in Africa, he designed a kitchen and a porch to add to the house where the children could be fed. The house was redesigned as a training center and also serves as a new church plant for the area. This is what is known as the Lighthouse. Currently, 63 children are being cared for in this location and receive daily food, school fees, and other provisions.

The strategy in Malawi seems simple to me. First, as stated in James 1:27 we are to be obedient in caring for the widows and orphans. In Malawi, it is difficult to ignore the orphan problem. Second, the focus should be on evangelism. By feeding and caring for orphans, the love of Jesus is shown to the community and each individual child. The name of Jesus is glorified to them and through them. Most receive Christ, and an army of evangelists is made ready to reach the next generation. The final element of the strategy is discipleship. The leadership of the community is impacted and becomes open to receiving input into their lives and the lives of their village through Bible and leadership training. Our Urbancrest team had 88 village chiefs at the first leadership training conducted!

The primary reason that I went to Malawi was to see the work at the orphanage so that I could assess whether Urbancrest could help duplicate the efforts in another location. The ministry leaders in Malawi had already been searching for a location before I arrived. We visited a city called Dedza that is south of the present Lighthouse location. The Mpingo Baptist church there has agreed to use their building for a Lighthouse orphanage and training center in their city. The location is great! The church building is African-style and large enough to accommodate the training seminars. The property is four or five acres and will accommodate more buildings. What sealed the deal for me was the fact that they had already installed a water line the day before. If we are going to feed 50 children a day, water on the property is a necessity.

Much work is needed to prepare for the orphans. A kitchen and feeding porch just like the one at the original Lighthouse will be built. The church is new and has been meeting on a dirt floor. A concrete floor will need to be poured. The Lord has allowed Urbancrest to adopt this site and partner with Joe for this new Lighthouse. Our FPF team has approved $5,000.00 to complete the construction projects. In November, this will be completed and the Lighthouse in Dedza will be ready to receive children. Our great need now is to raise the $10,000 per year that will be needed to care for these children. Please pray with us that God will raise up regular givers that will meet this need. Our Faith Promise budget does not include this orphanage. Yet, we have been assigned this responsibility by the Master long ago.

The current plan is for Urbancrest to send a team each year to Malawi to train and care for these children. Pray now and prepare to join us next summer. We will need men and women to teach, evangelize, and care for orphans. If you are lead to give, you may do so through the Faith Promise Fund by designating that your gift is for Lighthouse Dedza.