The challenge of Mission Sunday is one of the highlights of the calendar year at Palm Beach Lakes. It was eight years ago when our elders decided to fund the activities of this church with the contributions from 51 Sundays and then to use all the funds given on that other Sunday for evangelism. It has truly been a success. We have averaged giving $116,895 every year for this effort. This means that this congregation has worked together to sacrificially give over $900,000 to world evangelism.
This past Sunday we looked as some of the ways these funds have been used. Over 500,000 copies of the House-to-House/Heart-to-Heart have been sent to thousands of homes around our building. The results from that have been so encouraging. We also developed our own special mailing, which we sent to 48,000 homes in the areas surrounding our building. In 2006-2007, we touched 300,000 homes for 36 weeks using the TV spot ads. Evangelism truly starts in our building and reaches out to all the world.
Because of Mission Sunday contributions, we have been involved in helping support 13 missionaries as they reached out to 26 different countries. Monies were also used to touch souls in 22 countries as we helped those who went on short trips to help in mission work. We also have sent more than 60 of our teens on 26 mission trips to assist 22 congregations in 11 different states and one foreign country.
Then, on top of all of this, think about the work which has been done in Paraguay. Three missionaries who have worked there or are now working there have deep roots in this congregation. We thank God for Chris, Josh and Troy and all they have done. Mission Sunday has supplied their needs!
Now keep it in focus! This has nothing to with us—it has everything to do with God! On Sunday we talked about the prayers of thanksgiving others would bring to His throne because of the glorious gospel which has changed their lives. It is God who has brought this about! The light which comes from Palm Beach Lakes is not ours. It is His! We are simply a tool in His hand which He has used to fulfill His desires for letting others know of the cross. To God be the glory!
I hope you will be praying for the success of this year’s contribution. I hope you will make a special effort to be present on Sunday as we share together the challenging tasks which lie before us. I have never been more excited than I am right now. Pray every day this week, and be making your plans to be here this Sunday. It will be great!