This summer some established ARP churches are partnering
with our church plants for summer mission trips. We hope this great opportunity
will flourish and grow over the next few years. I'd like to mention some of the benefits that
will make this a win-win adventure. From my personal experience, my husband and
I have taken high school students on a mission trip to Wales for many summers.
Even though many miles separate us most of the year, we have built
relationships that continue year round. We communicate with and pray for our
brothers and sisters over there regularly. Two years ago we went to Sarah and
Paul’s wedding in Wales. This January we even had a family from Wales come
visit us in the USA! Think of what you can have with another congregation
closer to home!
1. Christian Education Ministries (CEM) has been overwhelmed by the number of churches wanting to participate in the Appalachia mission. CEM is having difficulty finding enough ministry sites in Appalachia for all the churches that want to participate. It is great that ARP churches are excited about missions and ONA wants to help provide opportunities for mission trips to support our ARP church plants!
1. Christian Education Ministries (CEM) has been overwhelmed by the number of churches wanting to participate in the Appalachia mission. CEM is having difficulty finding enough ministry sites in Appalachia for all the churches that want to participate. It is great that ARP churches are excited about missions and ONA wants to help provide opportunities for mission trips to support our ARP church plants!
2. Having an established church partner with a church
plant for a week will make them personally involved and concerned for the
mission. The benefits could be endless including fellowship, prayer support,
mutual encouragement, and financial support. One of the proven factors that will reduce the
risk of church planting is having supporting churches that really care that you
succeed.
3. One of the challenges to short term missions is
follow-up. Who will nurture new Christians and seekers when the one week
missionaries leave? Church plants that host a summer mission trip will be there
year round to follow-up.
4. There are endless opportunities for spreading the Gospel:
VBS, Backyard Bible clubs, work projects, community outreach, mercy ministries,
and the list could go on!
The Apostle Paul understood the importance of supporting
other believers, “For this reason, because I have heard
of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the
saints, I do not cease to give thanks for
you, remembering you in my prayers” (Ephesians 1:15-17).
If you are interest contact Tessa (ttaylor@arpsynod.org or 864.232.8297 ext
241) or one of our church plants directly.
No comments:
Post a Comment