Black River Baptist Association Beacon Newsletter

Transcription

1 Black River Baptist Association Beacon Newsletter Mission Statement: A Family of Churches Dedicated to Dec. 2018/Jan Obeying the Great Commission Our family wants to wish you and your family a Joyous Christmas and a Christ-filled New Year. I pray that we will all truly worship the Lord Who came to earth to save sinners which included us all. I pray and trust we will carry this precious gift with us in the days ahead and not only enjoy it personally, but will tell the lost world around how they too may receive it. By His Grace, The Carters

2 She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins. Matthew 1:21(CSB)

3 Charlotte Lottie Moon was born into a wealthy Southern family in Though her mother was a devout Christian and member of the Baptist tradition, Lottie was not converted until adulthood. For many years, she was a skeptic, due in part to the influence of her older sister Orianna. Orianna was one of the first women to graduate from medical school in America; she was incredibly intelligent, politically progressive, and intensely cynical of religion. The Holy Spirit was working on behalf of these 2 sisters despite their disbelief. While on a trip to the Holy Land in the spring of 1858, Orianna s eyes were opened to the gospel, and she returned home a believer in Jesus. God used Orianna to speak into Lottie s life, and the younger sister began to reconsider religion. By winter of that same year, Lottie also came to know the saving power of Jesus. She professed her faith in Christ and was baptized December 22, Lottie was highly intelligent and one of the first American women to earn her master of arts degree. While in school, the desire to serve overseas began to grow in Lottie s heart. She was ready to go immediately, but the Lord had her wait. She worked as a teacher and a nurse during the Civil War, trusting God with her desire to go overseas. Finally, after many years of uncertainty, Lottie s dream became a reality. On September 1, 1873, she boarded a boat and set sail for China, leaving behind everything familiar to bring the gospel to those who had never heard it before. 2 Lottie was accompanied by another one of her sisters, Edmonia, and other women and men who shared the call to missions. Upon their arrival in China, they quickly realized there were great challenges to the missionary life. While serving on the field, Lottie and her partners faced incredible difficulties, including political unrest, severe loneliness, debilitating famine, and funding needs. 3 Edmonia eventually returned home, unable to take the pressure and hardships of life on the field. 4 While the trials were deep and the difficulties constant, Lottie faithfully continued in her call. She taught in schools, traveled to many villages, planted churches, cared for children, and advocated for woman-towoman discipleship. Missionary life was not easy, but Lottie was committed. She knew God had created her for this task, and she wasn t going anywhere. While on the field, Lottie communicated frequently with Southern Baptist women. She was vocal about the difficulties of the missions field and challenged those in the States to provide better support for missionaries. Her determined and insistent push for improvement was a pivotal factor in the formation of WMU. In addition to assisting in the establishment of the organization, Lottie also inspired WMU to take up an offering to support foreign missionaries. This began when Lottie refused to take her much overdue furlough until missionaries were in place to continue her work. She pleaded with WMU to raise the money to send 2 people to take over in her absence. WMU delivered, raising enough money to send not 2 but 3 people to relieve her. 5 The 1888 fund-raiser was such a success that WMU continued to take it up every year, eventually developing into the Christmas offering we collect today. Lottie served on the field faithfully, sacrificing her home, energy, and even her food for the sake of others. She gave her life for China, ministering there for almost 40 years until her death in Five years after Lottie died, WMU s fund-raiser for foreign missions was named after her, engraining her name and her legacy into Southern Baptist history forever. 7 The Lord honored Lottie s commitment to His mission and blessed thousands of people through her w Lottie Moon sacrificed her life so that people in China would have the opportunity to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The question we face is WHAT ARE WE WILLING TO SACRIFICE THAT PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THIS WORLD WOULD HEAR THIS SAME GLORIUOS MESSAGE OF CHRIST? That answer may come as we reach into our billfolds, purses, or take out our checkbooks. Give generously to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. It is a gift that will have eternal impact!

4 World Day of Prayer The World Day of Prayer was hosted by the WMU ladies of the Hornersville Baptist Church on Monday, November 5. Despite the rainy weather we had 39 women and 3 men present. The Hornersville ladies were very gracious hosts as we enjoyed a very tasty salad supper. Rose Polk, Interim Pastor s wife, FBC, Kennett touched are hearts with a devotional message from God s Word. We then spent time interceding for people groups all over our world. What a privilege to come before the throne of God on their behalf. It was an enlightening and encouraging evening. We want to express our gratitude to Kelly Miller for her planning and organizing this event. And a special thank you the kind ladies at Hornersville for hosting and serving us. God Bless you! First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone. 1 Timothy 2:1(CSB), pray also for us that God may open a door to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ,... Colossians 4:3(CSB) Office Hours: Monday Thursday 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Lunch Hour: Monday Thursday 12:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m.

5 REMINDERS 2019 Church Health Conversations for Pastors at Monthly Pastors Fellowship/Prayer Times. Executive Board Meeting Thursday, January 3 7:00pm TRUE LOVE WAITS Youth Rally Wednesday, February 13 Spring Prayer Gathering Monday, March 25 VBS CLINIC Tuesday, April 9 Ely Baptist Church 6:30pm

6 Spiritual Food for 2019 Because of the Lord s faithful love we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! LAMENTATIONS 3:22-23(CSB) Associational Event Executive Board Meeting Thursday, January 3, 2019 Association Office 7:00pm Associational Directory Director of Missions Kevin Carter Moderator..Paul Moore Vice Moderator.Chris Maynard Treasurer.Dallas Draffen Clerk..Ruth Ann Shelton Pastors Events Pastors Prayer Time...December 17 Pastors Fellowship...January 7 (Church Health Conversations) Pastors Prayer Time..January 22 (Church Health Conversations) David Livingston, the great explorer and Christian pioneer, wrote in one magnificent sentence, I will go anywhere -- provided it be forward. W.M.U. Director..Kelly Miller Baptist Men on Missions. The website is frequently being updated with new information, announcements, and prayer requests. Contact Us dom@blackriverbaptist.org (573)