"Ye are the light of the world...Let your light so shine before men..." (Matthew 5:14, 16). We were blessed to be able to be a part the missions conference at our sending church, Pine Forest Estates Baptist Church. This year's theme was "Sending light into the world one missionary at a time." I was able to help out by putting my design abilities to use in creating our name badges for the conference.We began our week on Wednesday with a brief skit. Our focus this year was emphasizing the importance of our responsibility in world-wide missions. Almost all of the missionaries featured are, or were at one time, members of PFEBC. The skit featured each of the missionaries who are currently members, including Amy and I, as well as a representative for the church with respect to our missions trip to Canada this summer.
The need of the countries of Peru, Australia, and Canada were presented. Then certain church members, representing those countries, stood up and cried out "Will someone bring us the the bread of life!" Then, each of us stood and professed God's calling on our lives to take the bread to those countries. We had a physical loaf of bread which we broke and gave out. It was a powerful presentation and a great way to kick off the conference.
Each night we had a series of messages from a variety of individuals. Our keynote speaker was BIMI's Caribbean director, Gary Sprunger (pictured right). Brother Sprunger is a member of PFEBC and is sent out of our church. The messages were focused on the Biblical basis for missions, the importance of the sending church, and the responsibility missionary. Messages were concluded on Sunday with an emphasis on Faith Promise giving.Sunday morning, I challenged the young adult Sunday school classes to be open to God's leading. God does not call everyone into full-time missionary work, but I believe, with all my heart, that He wants each and every one of us to be willing if He calls us. That evening, we had an international dinner before the service.
Then in the evening service, each missionary showed a brief presentation and shared God's burden on their hearts for their country of service. At the very end, God's power was evident as the lights were turned off. In the darkness, our pastor broke a glow stick. He asked us to consider the darkness of the world. Then gave each missionary a glow stick. The light began to grow.
A call was given for anyone in our church to come forward and take a light if God had called to be missionary. One young man answered the call! I wanted to shout out loud in praise to God! Then additionally, pastor asked anyone who would be faithful in praying and giving to come forward and take a light. Family after family left their seats and began to turn on their lights. Lights filled the auditorium. What was once darkness was flooded with light. The picture here does not accurately show the amount of light in the room due to the abilities of the camera, but you can see just a portion of those standing.We had a great time this week. It is now my prayer, that the commitment of our church to be faithful in doing our part for worldwide missions will be a lasting commitment. I pray that it is not a commitment easily forgotten, that God's work will be accomplished, and that many souls will come to place their faith in Christ. May our light, through Christ, bring hope and light into the darkness.
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