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Women On Mission January 2017

UNDERGIRDING ALL THINGS SOUTHERN BAPTIST

As Southern Baptists, we work together to help people around the world hear and accept the good news that salvation through Jesus Christ is available to them.  We work together in a variety of ways: mission trips, associational ministries, etc.  One of the most effective ways we work together is through the Cooperative Program.

According to the Southern Baptist Convention’s website, Southern Baptists are a fellowship of almost 16 million members in about 45,000 churches in all 50 states and Canada.  These churches work together through about 1,100 associations, 42 state conventions, and the SBC to accomplish through voluntary cooperation far more than they could ever do alone.

During the year, we collect specific offerings, such as the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions, the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions, and the Global Hunger Relief Offering (formerly the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund).  These offerings are designated for specific needs.  Undergirding all these is the Cooperative Program.

For example, all the money given to the Global Hunger Relief Offering is used specifically for hunger-related ministry.  None of the offering is used for administrative costs.  Because those costs are covered through the Cooperative Program, every dollar given to this offering is used exclusively to feed the hungry.

Women On Mission will not meet in January or February.

Women On Mission October 2016

Missionary Prayer Request

“It is a mother’s greatest calling and is my first priority,” Diana Bledsoe said of making disciples of her and her husband James’ three sons.  The role coincides perfectly with her calling as an IMB missionary in home and community evangelism in Tigoni, Kenya, after having previously served in Unganda.

“My second ministry is to be a disciple-maker in the community around me,” she said.  While in Uganda, she befriended Christine, a Catholic, and Sabah, a Muslim, with whom she was eventually able to share Bible stories.  Continuing this outreach in Kenya, one morning she offered a ride to a young Kenyan woman named Hannah, who often stood waiting for a matatu, or minibus, to take her to work at a nearby hospital.  Diana says of the blossoming relationship, “Hannah is definitely my person of peace.  She has even asked her supervisors at the hospital if I can come to pray for patients.”

“Prayer has been the most vital discipline in our ministry in East Africa.  One of my roles in complementing my husband is holding up his arms, like Moses in the desert when the battle went long.  I know that he needs me to wrestle not against him but for him in all kinds of prayers and petitions at all times.”  James is busy establishing a school of missions at Kenya Baptist Theological College near the town of Limuru.

Diana asks that you please pray for Sabah, Hannah, their three sons, her family’s safety, and wisdom for James.
                                                                                    —  Diana Bledsoe
                                                                               Sub-Saharan African Peoples

We shipped 110 stocking caps this week to Marshal Bundren, chaplain at the International Seafarer’s Center on Lake Michigan.  Bettye Busch made 91 hats for us.  Many thanks, Bettye, for all you do for us!

Our World Hunger receipts are $891.31.  Thank you to all the families and individuals who respond each year to this important ministry.

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Women on Mission will meet Monday, October 10th at the church at 6:00 p.m.  All our ladies are invited to be with us.