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How God Uses Mission Conferences
by Dr. Robert Lehn
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n Acts 13:2 we read that, during a time of fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit designated Barnabas and Saul (Paul) from among the church leaders at Antioch to become the first New Testament missionaries. Acts 13:3 adds that the church leaders laid their hands on Barnabas and Saul, indicating the church’s identification with their ministry, and sent them away. The Greek word for sent, apoluo, can mean, “they let them go” or “they released them.” In so doing, the Antioch church became their sending agency, commissioning these men for the ministry.
fed, which gives church families wonderful opportunities to open their hearts and homes to God’s servants. Such pure religion can be God’s means to endear these missionaries to their hosts, creating a more personal burden for missions. It always makes a difference when a church member commends a particular missionary as a great blessing and urges church support.
Further, God uses mission conferences to call church members Just as the church at Antioch did, our Bible-believing into His harvest. Often, we hear how God used a missionary’s churches do today. We commission men and women presentation to help someone hear the Macedonian call, as missionaries to fulfill the Great “Come over and help us” (Acts 16:9). Commission, that is to: evangelize the lost, baptize new believers and disciple A mission conference Finally, for our consideration, God them to become disciple makers uses mission conferences to bring can provide this needed themselves. And just as Barnabas and favor to the missionaries. The ones Saul returned to Antioch, gathered opportunity, encouraging ministering are, in turn, ministered to. the church together and rehearsed This reciprocation comes in a variety all that God had done through them pastors, churches and of ways. As a missionary hears the (Acts 14:27), so our missionaries truth of God’s Word from a fellow missionaries in fulfilling relate God’s work today. A mission “sent one,” his heart and resolve are conference can provide this needed their commission. strengthened. Mission conferences opportunity, encouraging pastors, give missionaries ample time to learn churches and missionaries in fulfilling from each other. Sharing experiences their commission. and insights learned on deputation and the mission field can greatly aid in their growth and development. Let us look first at the benefit of a mission conference in the life of a pastor. Certainly, the senior pastor sets the tone and the direction for the ministry of the church. If he is burdened for missions, the church he pastors will be burdened as well, and God often uses mission conferences to bolster this pastoral burden. Personally, my heart is always greatly challenged when I hear missionary after missionary share their Christ-like compassion for the unsaved of this world. In fact, my heart cries out, “Lord, here I am, send me. Lord, if it is your will for me to go, I am willing and ready.” Thereafter, a pastor’s passion can motivate the hearts of the congregation to have a greater role in giving to and praying for its missionaries. A mission conference not only inspires the pastor but also provokes the congregation to love and good works. This love is beautifully displayed in God’s people serving the missionary families. Missionaries need to be housed and
Every two to three months, I meet with some pastors in a Whetstone group. These gatherings give us a chance to learn from each other, as we share Scriptural challenges and warnings. Such an exchange can be vital to the missionary as well. Spiritual reciprocation is also realized as the missionary ministers in various churches. Every congregation and every pastor can teach a missionary something invaluable. Think of the wealth of knowledge and experience that passes before these missionaries. What an opportunity to further learn the work of the ministry! Although I was in school for nine years studying for the pastorate, my greatest learning came after the classroom through applying biblical truths to my life. Such application continues to deepen my understanding of Continued on page 3
In This Issue
2 Highlights from the Highways & Hedges
3 Mission Matters: Answered Prayer and Honored Servants How God Uses Mission Conferences (cont.) Ready to Go/Gone Christmas Gifts
4 Itineraries
Haiti
Puerto Rico
Italy
In 2009 circumstances made it necessary for Dr. Anne Livingston to leave her previous location in the St. Raphael area of Haiti. The missionaries at the nearby Maranatha Baptist campus in Wallondri graciously provided living space and a place to open a new clinic, the Grace Baptist Clinic. The clinic ministry has helped their church-planting efforts, providing care for the saints, evangelistic outreach to the lost and good medical care to both missionaries and national pastors and their families. The staff and Dr. Anne are thankful to the Lord that they have been able to move the clinic to its permanent location and give back the space so generously loaned to them. She writes, “The staff is enjoying more space to work, and our patients are pleased with the new location. One lady said, ‘Look what God has done! Just see what God has done!’ Truly, God has done great things for us. To Him be all the praise and glory!” Dr. Livingston has served with BWM since 2010.
Paula Van Natta discovered hidden fruit at camp this year. As Paula taught one of the young ladies how to present the daily object lesson, she shared her testimony with Paula. She attended camp at age 10 and listened to Paula give the object lesson. She realized she needed Christ as her Savior just as the boy in the story had. Now, years later, she is standing in Paula’s “shoes,” teaching the timeless truths to a new generation’s ten year olds. Paula has served with BWM since 1997.
Frank and Jennie Maietta are thankful to have finally completed some much-needed renovations to their church building in Grosseto and for God’s blessing on their summer VBS program. “The ground-level restroom is finally installed, and some new doors are now in place. This brings all our major building projects to a close. Thank the Lord, all of this work is paid for. We are so thankful for this attractive and useful building.” They are also rejoicing in the results of their first fiveday VBS program. The church members helped significantly and 33 children attended. The Maiettas have served with BWM since 2003.
Highlights from the Highways & Hedges
Argentina
Uruguay
Cameroon
James and Amy Greenwood benefited from a mission team’s tireless efforts. This group of 22 teens and sponsors from Faith Baptist Church in Taylors, South Carolina, “left a remarkable and lasting impression during their ten days in Buenos Aires.” Their activities included a teen leadership retreat, distribution of over 7,000 tracts and VBS flyers, working the VBS, and a task tailor-made for teen guys—demolishing the Greenwoods’ old church building. The Lord blessed their efforts with a very successful VBS that grew throughout the week and resulted in six professions of faith. The building of their new church facility has been accompanied by spiritual growth with 11 recent baptisms, the addition of 11 new members and the development of 3 deacons. The Greenwoods have served with BWM since 2002.
Jon and Micki Rehfeldt report a huge step forward for their church and seminary ministries with the recent purchase of a building in Colonia, which will function both as a church for their growing El Real congregation and as a seminary. “It is a beautiful property that the Lord granted to us through the sacrificial giving of our own church and mainly through that of our U.S. friends and supporters. The building comes at a perfect time, as the El Real congregation has outgrown the home they have been meeting in and as students from outside Colonia have expressed interest in coming to our seminary. Now they have a place to stay, and we have a place to grow!” The Rehfeldts have served with BWM since 2011.
Ben and Becca Sinclair recently conducted an especially meaningful baptism, because the man pictured once said to Ben, “If I only had a spear, I would kill you right here and now.” That was ten years ago when Ben’s truthfulness foiled his neighbor’s plan to con an unsuspecting buyer. The subsequent frosty relationship continued until recently when Ben preached a funeral service for a mutual acquaintance. Ben writes, “The former hustler clearly heard the Gospel that day and was deeply convicted.” He attended church that Sunday, and Ben led him to Christ in a follow-up visit later in the week. Mr. “M” is now diligently working through discipleship materials. “My once mortal enemy has become my brother!” The Sinclairs have served with BWM since 2001.
MISSION MATTERS: Answered Prayer and Honored Servants by Dr. Bud Steadman
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ometimes the Lord answers a prayer quickly in our lives, demonstrating that He hears and heeds the cry of His child. At other times, He tarries in His response, the timing of His provision not yet being fulfilled. A little over two years ago, I began to pray with Jesse Garza, BWM administrator for Latin America and South America, for the Lord to provide a replacement for him in the vital role in which he has so faithfully served for nearly eight years. Significant medical problems had been creating complications for Jesse in travel and ministry, so we began seeking the Lord for wisdom and provision. How thankful we are for answered prayer! We are delighted to report that the baton of leadership in Latin America and South America has successfully been passed from Brother Garza to Mike Martin, former BWM missionary to Brazil. Jesse and Laura Garza came to their new role in 2008 with a wealth of administrative and ministry experience. As a young man, Jesse served as a supervisor in the information technologies department of Blue Cross Blue Shield in Indianapolis. After attending Indiana Baptist College in Indianapolis, he began pastoring the first Spanish Baptist Church in Indianapolis, sponsored by Eagledale (now Crosspointe) Baptist Church. From that pastoral role, God called them into missions. The Garzas were appointed with Baptist World Mission in 1986 and served in Guadalajara, Mexico, until 2008. During that time, the Lord used this dear couple to plant several churches in and around
that great city and to send missionaries to other Hispanic regions of the world. In addition to his oversight role of Latin America and South America in the past eight years, the Garzas have been actively involved in assisting the establishment of Hispanic outreach ministries in various parts of the United States. Jesse and Laura will be greatly missed in Decatur, but we rejoice in continued opportunities for them with Hispanic church planting in the United States.
him that he had been on my short list of men who I believed would be an ideal candidate for field administrator. Mike is a gifted speaker, a good communicator and an able administrator. His family is a joy to be around–he and Hannah have four children (Stephen–15, Joshua–13, Caroline–11 and Julia–9). We are thrilled to have them as a part of the key administrative leadership of Baptist World Mission.
Mike Martin grew up in a ministry home. His parents served for a number of years in Brazil as missionaries. He was saved at the age of four and surrendered to the call of full-time ministry during his freshman year at Bob Jones University. Changing his major the following year from aviation to missions, the Lord began to direct him toward Brazil. Following his marriage to Hannah in 1999 and the completion of his academic training, the Martins were appointed by BWM to service in Brazil in October of 2002 and arrived on the field in May of 2006. Since that time, they have been a part of a church-planting team, a ministry that continued when Mike took the leadership of the seminary in Porto Alegre a little over three years ago.
God answers prayer in His time and directs His servants according to His plan–and we give Him all the glory for the wonderful wisdom of His provision. He is ever faithful!
BWM has an unwritten policy of never asking a missionary to return to the United States for service in the home office–we want the Lord to make it clear to the missionary that his church-planting role is complete overseas before we approach him about a need at home. When, in April of this year, Mike called to notify me that the Lord was directing him and his family back to the United States, their ministry in Brazil being complete, I revealed to
How God Uses Mission Conferences (continued) Who Christ is and my dependence on Him. As Jesus said, “Without Me, ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). I pray this reliance on Christ is my own testimony before our BWM missionaries. Although mission conferences take much planning, prayer and perspiration, the time, the money and the effort given are eternally beneficial for the pastor, the church and the missionary. Everyone reaps spiritual growth, and the cause of the Gospel is advanced, both here and around
the world. Dr. Robert Lehn holds a Bachelor’s degree in Bible from Maranatha Baptist University and a Master’s degree and Ph.D. in Church Administration from Bob Jones University. Dr. Lehn pastors at Westside Baptist Church in Martinez, Georgia, where he and his wife Kay have faithfully served since 1983. Dr. Lehn also ministers on the board of Baptist World Mission. He was elected to the Board in 2003 and currently holds the office of secretary, while simultaneously serving on the Executive and Deputation Committees.
READY TO GO! These missionaries have almost reached 100% support. They are READY TO GO! Perhaps the Lord of the Harvest will enable you or your church to help get them to their fields of service. Contact them today!
Ben & Andrea Hamilton (Bronx, NY) 86%
bhamilton@baptistworldmission.org
Aaron & Jenny Peterson (Germany) 83% apeterson@baptistworldmission.org
GONE! Don and Jill Vanderhoof (Germany) are fully supported and are on the field.
Christmas Gifts
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he safest way to send monetary gifts to missionaries is through the BWM home office. Donations marked as “Christmas gift” are non-taxable to the missionary, but are not tax-deductible for the donor. BWM will issue a receipt for Christmas gifts—but not a tax receipt. Donors who wish to send tax-deductible gifts should designate their gift as “missionary name—additional support.” Christmas gifts should be received by BWM no later than November 30 to ensure the missionaries receive them by Christmas.
Itineraries
Steve Anderson September 3–December 12 Furlough Replacement New Zealand
Kevin Brosnan October 5–7 Grace Baptist Bible College Missions Conference Winston-Salem, NC
October 20–31 France and Germany
November 1–7 France and Germany
November 13–16 First Baptist Church Missions Conference Pecatonica, IL
David Canedy September 18 Bethel Baptist Church Tucson, AZ
October 2 Northside Baptist Church Charleston, SC
October 3–6 Bob Jones University Missions Emphasis Week Greenville, SC
October 9 Colonial Hills Baptist Church Indianapolis, IN
October 17–19 Crown College Powell, TN
October 24–26 Appalachian Bible College Missions Conference Mount Hope, WV
October 31–November 4 Ambassador Baptist College Missions Conference Lattimore, NC
November 13 Kettle Moraine Baptist Church Whitewater, WI
November 14–18 Baptist College of Ministry Menominee Falls, WI Maranatha Baptist University Watertown, WI
November 20
Mike Martin November 2–6 Calvary Baptist Church Missions Conference Huntsville, AL
November 13 Faith Baptist Church Decatur, AL
September 14–18 Heritage Baptist Church New York City, NY
September 21–22 Faith Baptist Bible College Ankeny, IA
September 25 Grace Baptist Church Pelzer, SC Community Baptist Church South Bend, IN
Pat Delaney
Faith Baptist Church Warren, MI
Bud Steadman
October 2
First Baptist Church Woodridge, IL
November 6–9
All the administrators will be attending the BWM Annual Meeting:
October 10-12 Colonial Hills Baptist Church Indianapolis, IN
October 3–6
September 18 Spring Meadow Baptist Church Franklin, TN
September 21–October 5 Bible Baptist Church Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Bob Jones University Missions Emphasis Week Greenville, SC
October 9 Colonial Hills Baptist Church Indianapolis, IN
October 15–16
October 9 Thompson Road Baptist Church Indianapolis, IN
Grace Memorial Baptist Church Bedford, VA
October 18–21
October 12
Bob Jones University Block Class Greenville, SC
Grace Baptist Church Muncie, IN
October 13–16 Calvary Baptist Church Charlotte, MI
December 4
October 31–November 4 Ambassador Baptist College Missions Conference Lattimore, NC
Schedule an Administrator or Director at Your Church! BWM administrators and directors offer a wonderful blend of passionate preaching and current field experiences. Please contact the mission if you would like to schedule any of these men for your next conference.
Tabernacle Baptist Church Virginia Beach, VA
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