Ministry Update (con't)
As this year unfolds there will be many opportunities for ministry. Especially exciting is the planned Franklin Graham Festival that takes place May 2-4. There is strong involvement from around southwest Virginia, and to date, about eleven of our Association churches have become involved in one form or other. There is still plenty of time for your church to become part of this outreach ministry. Just contact the SBA office or go online to the Graham page found at www.sbava.org. You will find everything you need to get plugged into the effort. We strongly encourage all of our churches to invest the time needed to share in this ministry. It will pay lasting dividends.
The Graham organization says that southwest Virginia’s response thus far exceeds previous interest and preparation in similar events around the world. This is significant and shows a true interest and hunger to reach our region with the Gospel. Children are encouraged to sign up for the children’s day activities on May 3 including a 1,000 voice choir and the Bibleman Gospel presentation. On April 26 there will be an area-wide visitation and prayer blitz. If your church has not yet looked into this, a word of encouragement to local leaders would be appreciated.
Our Partnership Missions committee continues to promote and look for volunteers to journey to foreign fields in 2003. To date we have requests from Brazil, Paris, and Russia. There are other requests for Washington, D.C. If you sense a calling to any of these, please contact Kathy Smith immediately. You can reach her through our Website or by calling the SBA office.
Our English as a Second Language ministry celebrates its one year anniversary this month. It has been a challenging year but one filled with victories. New workers are needed, and there will soon be a training event to prepare those who want to help internationals living in our area learn English. Watch for the training sign-up dates, and contact Winnie Agee or our office for more information on this unique opportunity.
Have you taken time to pray for our churches without pastors? Presently there are five that are at one stage or the other in the search process. Hunting Creek, Thaxton, Big Island, Mt. Hermon, and Trinity appreciate your committed prayers. Please pray specifically for hearts to be at peace and to focus on Jesus Christ; for genuine love and a spirit of humility and servanthood among the members; for encouragement; for wisdom as they begin to search for the one God is raising up to be their pastor; for the pulpit search committees; for the many local leaders and committee members; and that in all things said and done, Jesus Christ will be honored.
Be obedient as fellow laborers in the privilege to serve the Living God through the ministries of the Strawberry Baptist Association.
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