Just Say "Yes!"

 

 

Many people think about going on a mission project but do not follow through with it for what are sometimes the wrong reasons. In my own life, I can look back and remember the invitations that God gave me to join Him. I am saddened that I allowed the evil one to keep me away from God’s will for my life for so many years. The Lord would speak to my heart in that still small voice, usually through a friend, brochure, or something similar. “You can go!” is what I always heard in my heart. “You need to check that out!” was another pull that I would usually dismiss. I had many excuses. See how they compare to yours:

• I am really busy that week/month/season of life and I just don’t have time. (No time for God? Really?)
• I am afraid to go to another country. What if they don’t like me? (This expresses a lack of love for Jesus or the things He loves. Perfect love casts out fear!)
• I just don’t have the money. (If Jesus calls you to go, it is His job to get you there. Could there be a pride issue?)
• I am not sure I can do what needs to be done in that culture. (“I can do all things through Christ.” Could it be a lack of faith?)
• I am not sure I can eat the food. (He feeds the sparrows. How much more does He care for you?)

There are many more excuses that I personally have used, and even more that I have heard over the years. Satan is the deceiver and there is no end to the lies he will tell you. Who will you listen to? The call of every Christian is to reach the world with the Gospel, which means that you are to either pray and/or give to someone that is going, or go yourself. Are you going to be obedient? If you decide to be obedient, the question becomes whether you will be the one to go (and if so, where?) or the one to pray and give. Who does God want you to partner with? You don’t have to wait for someone to send you a support letter!

 

Here is the truth about going on a mission trip. Those that go usually survive! They eat, work, and get really tired. They come home and are forever changed. God has used them!! The Kingdom was impacted and enlarged because God used them. Souls will be in Heaven for eternity because God used them! Then, they can’t wait to go back.

 

We have the following mission projects that are in need of volunteers to step up and be obedient:

 

Malawi Mission Trip: July 18 - 31, 2011

Next Meeting: Saturday, May 7 @ 6:30pm at UBC

Joe Veal is in Malawi this week. His last report said that over 11,000 souls had already come to Christ! This July, Urbancrest will send a team to work with Joe. We will evangelize with him, but we will also be working at the Lighthouse project. Lighthouse is an orphanage that is supported by You-Turn Ministries. We want to minister to the orphans and set up discipleship opportunities for the children, women, men, and especially pastors. We need workers of all types to catch the vision for this work. In the future, we hope to build other orphanages and teach these new believers.

Uganda Mission Trip: June 29 - July 12, 2011

Next Meeting: Saturday, May 7 @ 6:30pm at UBC

Urbancrest has sent teams to Uganda for several years. This year we will deploy two of our own families to Uganda: the Bogans and the Whitmers. We are still in need of several people to go on this short-term trip. There is a need for volunteers who can teach and train pastors, work in schools, or teach women and children.

 

Please pray about these important opportunities. Then, say “Yes!” Come to the meeting and learn more. Is Jesus calling you to go, or give and pray?

Urbancrest Missions Calendar Updates ~ May 2011

Urbancrest Mission Internship
Applications are being accepted during the month of May for the UBC Mission Internship. Please email destep@urbancrest.org for more information.

Witnessing to Muslims Training – May 4, 11, and 18 @ 6:30pm in Room 203
This training is mandatory for mission interns and those participating in the Impact Ohio Mission Project (see information below). This is a Crescent Project DVD-driven study. The cost is $10.00 for study materials. Reservation is required. Contact Doss Estep at destep@urbancrest.org.

Impact Ohio Mission Project Information Meeting – May 1 @ 12:30pm in Room 201
We are called to reach Ohio with the gospel! This is a new project that will be in 2 locations with Linda Estep as the team leader.

Location #1: Bellefontaine, Ohio on July 15-16, 2011. This first location will be in conjunction with our State Convention to impact the West Central Association. UBC will provide a Block Party and also prayer walk the city with other churches from around the state and the Beautiful Feet ministry of Ohio Baptist Women’s Ministries. Joe Veal will be preaching.

Location #2: Toledo, Ohio on July 17-21, 2011. Our team will travel to work with the American School for Women and Children (http://www.asfwc.org/) which serves families from all over the world. The team will:

• Assist in childcare, women's classes, and office work.
• Make friendships with international families that may continue beyond your week.
• Be prepared to witness by participating in the Witnessing to Muslims Training  This training is required and will be available on Wednesday evenings in May at Urbancrest (see details above).

For more information and to sign up for the Bridges study, please email Doss Estep at destep@urbancrest.org.

Argentina Mission Project Information Meeting – May 1 @ 12:30pm in Room 207
Leah Busick will be the Team Leader. The dates for the Argentina mission will be July 3-11, 2011. The team will work with Will Herndon in Cordoba, Argentina. The Copa Games of South America are being played in Cordoba that week. Our team will distribute Challenge newspapers and witness around the games. They will also work with local churches.

Safe Travel Training – May 21 @ 8:30am-4:00pm in Room 203/204  

Safe Travel Training is required every 3 years for those going on short-term mission trips. Registration is required. See your team leader for more information.

Key West Mission Trip – June 2-9, 2011
Please contact Dave Bickers at dbickers@urbancrest.org if you would like to pray for the Key West team while they are on mission.

Urbancrest Missions Calendar Updates ~ April 2011

Sharing Jesus Without Fear Workshop
You could begin to make an eternal difference in the lives of others in just 4 Wednesday night sessions right here at Urbancrest! Workshop sessions are scheduled to begin Wednesday, April 6th from 6:30-8 PM. Learn in just 4 weeks! Workbooks are included and paid for by Urbancrest. For more information, contact Mike Wright at mwright@urbancrest.org.

Short Term Mission Leader Training on April 9th from 8:30am–3:00pm
This training is required for those leading short-term mission teams for Urbancrest. If you would like to know more about leading short-term mission teams please contact Doss Estep at destep@urbancrest.org.

Cuba Mission Team Report on April 10 @ 6:00pm
Hear about the recent mission trip to Cuba and how God is at work there!

Southern Hills Association Semi-Annual Meeting April 12th @ 7:00pm
Location: Central Baptist Church Williamsburg, Ohio
For more information go to http://www.southernhillsbaptist.org/.

Malawi Team Meeting April 16 @ 7:00 pm
Room 202 @ 7:00 pm at Urbancrest
Contact Doss Estep at destep@urbancrest.org.

Uganda Team Meeting April 16 @ 7:00 pm
Room 202 @ 7:00 pm at Urbancrest
Contact Doss Estep at destep@urbancrest.org.