Monthly Archives: May 2014

To the Least of These

DSCN1920Many residents of Rockcastle County took advantage of free laundry service, free clothing, a health fair, cooking classes, flee dipping for their pets, and other activities as four churches in the Rockcastle Baptist Association (Fairview, Macedonia, Mt. Zion, and Ottawa) hosted their first Operation Inasmuch Day on Saturday, May 17th.  Children enjoyed face painting, puppets, and other fun “kid” activities throughout the day as well.  This was all a part of the churches’ attempt to show the love of Christ to those in the community.  There were reports of at least four new families in church on Sunday morning as a direct result of the outreach event.

Other Kentucky churches and associations have also hosted Inasmuch Days.  Several churches in the Somerset area have done so for the past several years.

Operation Inasmuch is a national organization founded and directed by David Crocker which, he says, “helps churches to mobilize their people in compassion ministry to people in need within their own community.”  The organization gets its name from Matthew 25:40 where Jesus talks about giving the hungry something to eat, giving the thirsty a drink, inviting a stranger in, giving clothes to those who need clothing, looking after those who are sick, and visiting those in prison.  Jesus then says, “Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (NIV).

Although this was a special one-day event, compassion ministry should be a way-of-life for the Christian.  First John 3:17 says, “If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?” (NIV).

I think of my mother when I think of compassion ministry.  Many years ago a little neighbor boy came in from playing and asked, “Mom, who died?”  His mom said, “I don’t know that anybody died, why.”  To which the little boy replied, “I saw Sadie (my mother) putting a pot of food in the car and I just thought somebody had died.”

Another time I recall a neighbor man coming to our house and asking my mother to come and help his sickly wife get ready to go to the hospital.  My mother dropped everything and went to the man’s house.  The words of Jesus came to mind again when, after washing the disciples’ feet, He said, “Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14, NIV). for, when my mother returned, she spoke of washing the neighbor lady’s feet.

It isn’t very costly to show the love of Christ.  It may simply be free laundry service; a bar of soap, water, and a towel; or, a pot of beans and cornbread. What resources do you have to meet the needs in your community?

You can find information on Operation Inasmuch at www.operationinasmuch.org.

Embracing Europeans with the Gospel

europeanmapEurope is a place rich in scenery and history.  In fact, Europe is a place rich in Christian history.  Unfortunately, that Christian history is all but forgotten by Europeans.  With 800 million people in Europe, it is estimated that 99% are lost without Christ.  99% lost!  That reality might strike you as surprisingly as it did me.  99% lost!  Back in March Eric Allen, Larry Brannin, and I went on a vision journey to Europe in order to prayerfully consider how we might effectively mobilize Kentucky Baptists for gospel advancement among the European Affinity.

How could it be that the region of the world that once sent the gospel to the nations is need of churches to send the gospel to them?  Of the 800 million people in Europe, there are 1,000 people groups.  900 of those people groups are unreached with the gospel.  We have 600 workers who are currently engaging Europeans in Canada, Brazil, Australia, and Europe.

Money alone is not the answer.  We are in need of man power…of boots on the ground.  Our IMB workers in Europe are calling on us as Kentucky Baptists to come alongside of them in order to multiply our impact for the gospel among Europeans.  Along with our European IMB personnel, we are asking you to prayerfully consider a strategy to embrace and reach Europe. We’re looking for a multi-year, multi-team approach.

In other words, we need churches and associations who will commit to embrace and reach Europeans with the gospel for 3 to 5 years, and send multiple teams a year in order to impact and saturate those areas with the gospel. These partnerships will be among local churches and associations with that particular European people group.  We can help connect you to missionaries who are eager to help you multiple your lives for gospel impact in Europe.

This request from our European IMB personnel reminds me of the clarion call we have to proclaim this gospel to the nations.  The apostle Paul’s words in Romans 1:14-16 echo today, not as an option for us to select, but as an obligation to follow.  He states,

“I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.  So for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Kentucky Baptists, the obligation before us is clear.  Europe needs the gospel!  Will we be obedient to our obligation to take the gospel to Europe?

The task is too great for only a handful of people to accomplish.  We need every church and every association mobilized in order to reach Europeans for Christ.  In fact, we need every church and every association mobilized to reach the world for Christ.  Your Kentucky Baptist Convention is here to help you do just that because we were created by churches, for churches, to help churches reach Kentucky and the world for Christ.  So…will you join us in embracing and reaching Europe with the gospel?

For more info visit:

http://www.kybaptist.org/homepage/missions-mobilization/mission-strategy-services/missions-partnership-europe/

Is Your Church Ready?

West Liberty -6Disasters often strike with little warning, and no community is beyond the reach of natural or man-made catastrophes.  Because of this, a church must plan on how to respond to disasters, large and small.

Studies indicate that most businesses, organizations, and churches fail to prepare for any kind of disaster event.  For the church, this can mean missing a great opportunity to demonstrate the life-changing power of Christ.

Is your church ready if disaster strikes?

A response strategy plan should:

  • Assess the most likely disaster threats
  • Be flexible and adaptable
  • Consider the needs of individuals and families
  • Focus on specific ministries and target strategic gaps of need
  • Develop a disaster relief leadership team
  • Include a review of potential church resources that could be utilized in disaster response (The church’s greatest resource may be making their facility available to meet the needs of those affected)
  • Make training a key part of preparation
  • Center on ministries that fit the giftedness of the church body
  • Coordinate their strategy with local emergency management and other disaster relief partners
  • Remember that prayer is always appropriate and is the greatest act of compassion that we can offer
  • Share the hope and Good News of Christ 

The church that is prepared can make a difference in their community when a disaster hits. Disaster preparedness can enable us to offer help, healing, and hope to our hurting neighbors.

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”  

(1 John 3:18)

Need help getting prepared? Check out these resources available through the North American Mission Board: