2017 April Capsule

General Baptist International Missions

February 2017

CAPSULE “Christ tasted death for every man.” Hebrews 2:9

LAUNCH Give Offering 2017 We are calling the 2017 LAUNCH (VBS) Offering our “Raise the Roof” campaign.

Over the years our beautiful tejas roofs at Faith Home have developed leaks and need to be replaced. In addition we need to finish casa (cottage) three which was destroyed by the 2009 earthquake. Offering goal is $20,000.

Ed Stevens Offering The Ed Stevens Offering is in honor of the 100th Anniversary of Ed Stevens’ birth. Several missionaries need help with funding and we have designated the offering for missionary support. Offering goal is a record $100,000 and the date is September 17.

March for Missions Westwood Church in Evansville will host a March for Missions rally on March 25.

Several missionaries will be present, and we cordially invite you to attend. The rally is being sponsored by churches in the southern Indiana area.

www.facebook.com/GBIMinfo

Faith Home - $20,000 Help “Raise the Roof” The 2017 Launch (formerly VBS) Offering will be for new roofs and housing at Faith Home.

Our “raise the roof” campaign will seek to replace the existing tejas roofs, which are prone to leaks, with new metal roofs and finish a new casa. Offering goal is $20,000.00 www.gbmissions.com/VBS2017

www.gbimissions.com

Page 1

General Baptist International Missions

February 2017

Raise the Roof ! LAUNCH Give by Christina Massey

What is LAUNCH?

Faith Home experienced many changes in 2016: changes in number of children, changes in personnel, and changes in the way we see God. We can’t say enough of the greatness of our God and how we have seen Him move in the lives of the children and the ones who are caring for them. We have seen sick children miraculously healed, families reunited, and lives literally saved by God’s provision of Faith Home for the abandoned and neglected children of Honduras. But the most important changes are the ones we have seen in the hearts of the children and young adults as they accept Christ and learn to embrace His unconditional love that comforts in all circumstances. Some of their stories bring tears of joy and some just pure thankfulness for our God’s timing, which is always perfect:

For many years GBIM has received a VBS offering from churches across the denomination. Launch is an extension of that offering with a new program called GB Day of Poverty with GB youth especially in mind.

• One sibling group came with all four children very sick.

Two of them spent a week in the hospital. We were told that if there had spent another week on the street they would not have lived.

• One of the newborn babies that arrived was so severely malnourished that family services told us later they were surprised he made it through the night.

• One of the young boys who arrived this year told us this was the best Christmas he had ever experienced and one he would never forget.

• Many of the new children have shed tears of joy over the simple things of new clothing, shoes, and toys (things they never had before).

• An 11 year old was so excited to be able to attend school for the first time…ever.

• One child commented to his mother at a supervised visit that they get to eat three times a day … every day!

We are excited to see what changes God has in store for Faith Home as we LAUNCH a new year.

LAUNCH. The VBS offering in 2017 will go to help us to change more lives by bringing more children to Faith Home.

Along with the blessing of 33 new children in 2016 (13 of which were reunited with family) came challenges… and extra expenses.

We are grateful for all who are helping with additional sponsorships and funds for foster and baby care, but we also have some additional housing needs.

Currently all of our casas are occupied. We are keeping the newborns in the missionary houses. Church planting / Medical Missionaries Rodney & Teresa are the primary caregivers of baby Ely who has hip dysplasia along with fetal alcohol syndrome. Ely arrived when she was a month old and only four pounds. Faith Home Director Christina is the primary caregiver of Isaias who came to us when he was 13 days old and under four pounds.

This year GBIM will produce both VBS and Day of Poverty material with one central goal: to launch General Baptist children and youth in missions awareness and involvement.

The VBS and Day of Poverty will invite your kids to get involved locally and globally through education and giving.

Mission One will be inviting these same youth to join GBIM as interns as they approach college and career age. We pray God will raise up a generation of missional General Baptists prepared to change our world.

In this issue of the Capsule you will find an article from Christina Massey, Director of Faith Home, detailing the LAUNCH (VBS) GIVE offering and its purpose.

GBIM Director, Mark Powell, shares information about the new Day of Poverty (LAUNCH Give), and recent intern (LAUNCH Go) Kaebra LaGrange shares about her recent internship on Saipan.

For more information about LAUNCH, please contact the GBIM office. For specific information about an internship please contact Dr. Jim Pratt, Mission One Coordinator.

Baby Samuel arrived when he was seven days old and a little over three pounds. We have a night nanny that keeps Samuel and another nanny who works with our teen girls to help with the babies during the day.

www.facebook.com/GBIMinfo

www.gbimissions.com

Page 2

General Baptist International Missions

Day of Poverty LAUNCH Give Welcome to Day of Poverty, a chance for General Baptist young people to tackle the advancement of the Gospel of Christ through social change! The clear teaching of scripture is for Christ followers to faithfully proclaim the Gospel of Christ. The example of Christ is that often the proclamation was accompanied by works of compassion.

General Baptists are firmly committed to the proclamation of the Gospel, but the focus of our Day of Poverty is also to understand the social climate in which that proclamation is often made.

The Challenge Our challenge for your group is to host a Day of Poverty for your church or community. The challenges are simple: Understand the mandate of the Gospel is to proclaim Jesus Christ.

But also realize the example of Christ in feeding those who are hungry, healing those who are sick, meeting needs as they are found.

Create poverty awareness beginning with your community and then focusing on GBIM’s response to poverty around the world.

Respond to poverty in several ways: Do something for your local food pantry, food bank, school backpack program, etc. Involve your group/school/community in child or student sponsorship. Our programs at this time focus on Honduras, India and the Philippines. Present the LAUNCH Give fundraising challenge. The challenge for this year is to replace all the existing clay tile roofs at Faith Home, a children’s home in Honduras, and to complete a new cottage for orphaned/abandoned children at Faith Home.

Contact GBIM for details.

www.facebook.com/GBIMinfo

February 2017

We have a house for each age group of boys and girls, and we are currently at capacity. We are praying for additional staff and children in 2017, which means we need additional housing and repairs to current casas.

Casa Three (destroyed in the earthquake of 2009) is currently being rebuilt but needs an additional $30,000 to complete.

Casa Three will be able to house up to 16 children depending on age. We have built flexibility into the design of this casa, so that it can be used as a toddler house or for older transition children depending on the needs we have at any given time.

The children are growing up quickly, so the dynamic of our campus is constantly changing.

Casas Five, Eight, and the transition houses outside need metal roofs (approximately $2,000 each) to get the weight of the tejas (clay tile) off of the aging casas. There are also several possible remodel plans that could allow us to house more children in 2017, all of which take additional funding.

Please consider how you can help Faith Home LAUNCH 2017 by helping with our housing needs and allowing us to impact more lives in Honduras with the Love of Christ.

A Calling to Go… LAUNCH Go

by Kaebra LaGrange

Finding your purpose in life is a difficult task. Many of us go through life searching for it. What is our purpose, and how are we as individuals best able to serve God? That was a question I had been dealing with until recently. It was not until I went on a life-changing trip that I truly found my calling and what I wanted to do with my life. I went to Saipan on a missionary internship opportunity and left changed.

For most of my life I had sort of just glided through. I went to school and decided to settle with an easy major. I felt no calling toward the degree I was pursuing. I was simply doing it to finish school and to be done. I knew it was a fast track way to a decent and easy life. I wouldn't venture out of my comfort zone. I had everything planned out. That was until God threw me a curveball and my plan crumbled. It felt as though my whole life had crumbled. I now had no idea what I wanted to do with my life or how I was going to do it. I was searching for God, for answers, and for my purpose.

God then proceeded to open doors for me, and He led me to GBIM. I applied for the missions internship and was thrilled when I was accepted. I was going to go overseas and serve somewhere.

It was scary. I had no idea what to expect. I was sent to a school in Saipan. I had no idea where Saipan even was, but I was excited to go. I knew this was God's plan for me, and I was eager to go where He led me.

God orchestrates trials and tribulations in our life to grow us, deepen our faith, and to push us where He wants us to be. If it wasn't for my trials I wouldn't have ended up in Saipan, and I wouldn't have found my calling and love for teaching. In Saipan I felt God truly speaking to me and showing me what He wants for my life.

While I was in Saipan my duties at Saipan Community School were being a teacher's aide, helping around campus wherever they needed me, coaching volleyball, helping in the lunchroom, helping in the library, and substitute teaching. While I was there, one of the teachers left, and I had the opportunity to substitute until they found a replacement. After they found a replacement I was allowed to teach Bible in the morning and Science in the afternoon. This allowed me to gain experience teaching and was when I truly felt my calling to be a teacher.

www.gbimissions.com

Page 3

General Baptist International Missions

February 2017

Saipan is much more than a tiny island. It's a place with culture, it's a place where people welcome you, and it's a place that now has a very special place in my heart. I went to Saipan because I felt God leading me there. I went to help and to get a feel for being overseas. While I was there I found that I loved it. I loved teaching. I loved being out of my comfort zone. I loved living overseas and exploring the world, and I loved being able to serve.

LAUNCH MINISTER DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM LAUNCH Go

I no longer desire to do the easiest thing. I no longer desire to stay in my comfort zone. And I no longer desire to be complacent and glide through life. I want to live a life of vigor for the Lord, even if it means being overseas. I want to teach and change lives and spread the love of Christ and Good News while I'm doing it. I don't know if missions or teaching overseas will be something I do for the rest of my life, but I do know I'm not finished yet. I plan on doing much more, taking trips and going where God leads me.

1. Participants are self-referred or referred

by Pastor/Youth Pastor to the Launch Program. Participants will also be recruited through NYC, Summit, Association Meetings , Mission Team involvement and other student/young adult gatherings.

The purpose of the Launch Ministry Development Program is to recruit, find, and assist older teenagers and young adults in discovering and fulfilling their God-given calling as vocational ministers/ missionaries.

Through all of this I have learned a lot about myself and about God. I've learned lessons that I wouldn't trade. God is good and I am forever thankful for the opportunity I was given to go be a missionary intern. I am thankful to have found my calling to be a teacher. I am also thankful to have found Saipan and for all the wonderful people I met. God works all things for His glory, and I praise Him for all the experiences and opportunities He has given me.

New Ministry in Baja California Mexico Eylin Rodriguez is the daughter of Pastor Rene Rodriguez, Director of Ethnic Ministry in Southern California. Born in Honduras, Eylin says of her childhood, “Some people can say that being part of a Pastoral family is difficult, I can say that, on the contrary, I am blessed to be able to learn from them. I feel truly blessed to be a witness of the work that our Lord has done through many great men and women who have taken on the privilege of expanding the kingdom of God.” In 2015 Eylin and husband Jose Carlos had a long conversation with Pastor Rene, about the necessity of a new work in Mexico. Her family felt the call to make themselves available to work for the Lord and go wherever He desired to take them. As Eylin so aptly states, “So now here we are in Mexico.”

On Saturday October 22, 2016, they had their first meeting in Tijuana Baja California, Mexico.

Five Pastors decided to associate with General Baptists, giving birth to the Northern Mexico Association of General Baptists. They have also started a Bible Institute under the guidance of Pastor Rene, the director and teacher of the Bible Institute in California. There are approximately 30 students and three fully accredited teachers.

Eight associated churches have started working with General Baptists and are ready to carry on the Great Commission. There are more meetings scheduled with pastors who want to know more of the work of General Baptists. Eylin states, “I am honored and thankful for being part of the all the work that is being done through International Missions of General Baptist here in Mexico.”

www.facebook.com/GBIMinfo

2. Participants will complete the AssessMe Assessment that evaluates the participant's personality, leadership skills, and spiritual gifts.

3. Participants will have their assessments evaluation by the Assessment coordinator.

4. Participants will be referred for internship and mentoring based on the results of the assessment. NOTE: The three main categories of referral will be International Ministries, National Missions(Church Plants), and Established Church Ministries 5. Upon completion of the internship, the participant will again meet with the Assessment coordinator to determine next steps for ministry involvement including but not limited to additional internship, short term mission assignment, or staff ministry involvement 6.Included in the mentoring aspect of the program will be the participant’s involvement in ministry training which could include, LAMP, CTI, and /or formal education.

NOTE: National Mission Trips will be developed for students age 12 and up.

International Mission Trips will be developed for ages 14 and above. It is hoped that additional participants in the Launch Program will be identified through increased emphasis on Mission Trip involvement by teenagers and young adults.

www.gbimissions.com

Page 4

General Baptist International Missions

February 2017

Update from Prakash and Jemima Pamu, India

Christmas Outreach in India by Jessey Vemula

Dr. and Mrs. Prakash Pamu recently sent an exciting update on the ministry in India. The Pamu family ministry is in the Kakinada/ Pithapuram area of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Pradesh has a population of 84 million with 1.51% being Christian.

As you consider this information, please keep that important fact in mind. General Baptists have been working in this area since 1982.

Christmas caroling is a common form of outreach during the whole month of December. Calvary General Baptist ministries has done caroling since the ministry began. During the Christmas season there are less persecutions from unbelievers, which makes this the perfect time to preach the Gospel. The old way of caroling was going from street to street singing the gospel songs, playing musical instruments, dancing with Santa Claus and giving candy, and preaching the gospel for ten minutes. Unbelievers would come outside to see Santa, why we were singing, or to hear the preaching. However, we decided to do something different in 2016.

• Dorcas Sewing Centers (DSC): Ten DSC are now operating among poor people in ten communities.

They are 1 ) Zaddangi ,2) Bodlanka, 3) Bangarayyapeta, 4) Ravikampadu, 5) Donthamuru 6) Gollaprolu , 7) U. Kothapalli 8) Rachapalii, 9) Venkatanagaram, 10) Chitrada.

Over two hundred girls are in training and listening daily to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thanks to all our beloved sponsors for this good work.

• New Sewing machines to DSC girls: As a Christmas gift, 40 DSC girls received sewing machines on subsidy. It is a blessing to all our General Baptists to show the love of Jesus Christ in our deeds. Thanks be to Our Lord for you, all our General Baptists in USA. • DSC and Pastors' Christmas: We have had a Christmas gathering of 300+ believers , non-believers, DSC girls, Bible women and Pastors on December 27, 2016 at our General Baptist church in Pithapuram. New blankets and bed sheets were given to pastors and Bible women, and new clothes were given to believers as a gift of Christmas. It is wonderful to share gifts on behalf of all our General Baptists in USA. Thanks to one and all of our sponsors.

• Christmas, Watch night service, and New Year worship services; We had a blessed service in our main church at Pithapuram.

• Baptisms: Seven new converts were baptized in Bay of Bengal ocean on 1st of Jan 2017. Praise the Lord!

www.facebook.com/GBIMinfo

This year our caroling method involved more planning and work. A couple of new things included going to village elders and asking them to come and celebrate Christmas with their village people, also the Jesus film. Total we went and asked permission from 22 villages around the Siddipet district. Only eight of the 22 gave permission.

This may seem like a low number but we were blessed to do outreach in this many different villages. Caroling in the villages involved a whole new method of outreach. The event lasted three hours or more and included preaching, a visit from Santa, traditional dancers (told Jesus story in a cultural way), showing Jesus film, and a cake cutting to share with everyone. Outreach this year allowed us to share the gospel to 450-500 new people. In the coming years we hope to do this more and get more response. Our best response came from Boggulabanda, where many raised their hands to receive Christ. We were very thankful to have six new families attend our Christmas day service. They were given free bibles. We will continue to help them grow spiritually in the Lord.

Many seeds have been sown this Christmas season. We thank the many supporters who prayed for this outreach.

An outreach like this does have risks and persecutions as well. One of the eight villages called Appanapalli had given permission, but after the gospel team arrived in the village the elders changed their mind. Only after a Christian family (our church members) went to the police did we receive permission to do the outreach two days later. We are thankful that everyone involved did not get hurt. Please start praying for 2017 and upcoming events.

Prayer has helped CGBM India to be able to do great things this year, but greater things will come in 2017.

www.gbimissions.com

Page 5