The interest in the lesson presentation this past Sunday was so amazing. The previous Sunday (and also in last week’s bulletin) we looked at what God has enabled us to do since we began the Mission Sunday approach to funding our missionary efforts. As I stand before the church it is so remarkable to think that God has blessed us so abundantly we have given $600,000 to teach the lost.
The Concept of Mission Sunday
This Sunday we will once again have the opportunity to sacrifice to get the story of the cross to a lost world. The basic concept of Mission Sunday is to dedicate the entire contribution to world evangelism. This approach has enabled us to give twice as much for evangelism in one Sunday than we gave in 52 Sundays previously! It has not been achieved without sacrifice, but it has changed lives around the world.
Our Ongoing Works
Take time to look at the pyramid on the front page and look, first, at the works listed at the bottom of it. They represent works we supported last year and that we, by the grace of God, will continue in this new year. We will continue our support in Nigeria and Zimbabwe of Nnanna Aforgi and Tamuka Arunashe. We have for years been part of the work in the South Pacific, especially with Robert Martin and later with Joey Treat. We are part of touching lives in almost every island group in Oceana. Add to this the work in the Bahamas, Apologetics Press, the Spanish work, the teen mission trips, the mailing of House to House. Then reflect what is happening in our association with the work in Paraguay. Thank God for the doors He opens before us.
New Works in 2009
There is not enough space to give details of the challenges in the upper part of the pyramid, but two of them deserve special mention. We simply must get the ability to enhance our website. Last year we had nearly 1,000,000 hits at www.pblcoc.org. Imagine having: (1) live Bible studies on the website; (2) an entire section of Bible questions and answers; and (3) David teaching a “home” Bible study using the material he developed. We must also succeed in the mailout to PBL neighborhoods. You saw the material on Sunday. Now imagine sending this to every house on your street with your name attached! We simply must make this a reality! Mission Sunday is this Sunday. Pray, sacrifice, give!