Showing items filed under “Ministry Highlight”
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Can you believe it is Christmas time already? The year flew by and I notice that as the years behind me grow and those in front shrink, it seems to fly by even faster!

In 2016, the Missions ministry was busy—three foreign mission trips, three six-week training events, and hosting a pastor and then a missionary from Panama within the last month. As givers, FBC Wentzville was all in for the 2015 Lottie Moon Christmas offering and the 2016 Annie Armstrong Easter offering. Our Lottie Moon offering goal was $25,000 and you gave $26,153. Three months later for the Annie Armstrong offering, our goal was $12,000 and you gave $14,145. Church, you are generous!

So, let me add some color to the black and white above. In January, five of us went to Panama to work with First Baptist Church of Chitre, led by Pastor Cecilio Solis who visited us the end of October and early November. We helped with Vacation Bible School and there were 72 children attending, up from 56 in 2015. Then, although just three of us returned in March to share the gospel in the public high schools, we were still able to go into 43 classes and share with 753 students and teachers.

In July, a medical team of fourteen of us went to Puebla, Mexico for a week. We worked in two villages, Guadalupe Tecola and Santa Maria Tecola, where we helped 363 people and had 68 professions of faith. Tracy Smith wrote a great blog about that trip back on August 9, if you want to read more. But, in short, it was a marvelous trip and I hope more of you take the opportunity to experience it.

On the training side, we had three classes this year, each session a little more than an hour for six sessions. We had 16 people complete the program this year, with nine of them going on a mission trip this year! The scholarships that have been generously donated helped people to go, who otherwise would not have been able to afford to make the trip.

We have three mission trips scheduled for 2017. Two trips will return to Chitre, Panama—January 21-28, and then September 16-23. We will return to Puebla, Mexico on July 22-29. The work will be community assistance with Vacation Bible School, or evangelism in the schools or neighborhoods. Details are being refined, but watch the weekly bulletin and the church website for announcements with details.

For training in 2017, we are trying something different. In addition to the six week class, we are going to offer two alternatives. On February 19, 26, and March 5, we will complete two chapters per meeting, so the classes will be two and a half hours long, but will be finished in three weeks! The other option is a little more difficult. It will be all day, May 6, from 8AM to 4PM—one session. But, it will be completed in a single day! Think about these options when you start considering how you are going to spend your time next year.

Several members of the church indicated interest in working with a church in St. Louis. In October, five of us met with Todd Genteman, the pastor of Apostles church which is a new church plant down off the Del Mar loop in St. Louis. We are still in early discussions, but don’t be surprised when we start looking for volunteers for work in the city next year.

In closing, let me finish the way I began. The year 2016 flew by and the Lord was gracious, letting us help in His work around the world. By His grace, 2017 will be just as busy, if not more so! This time of year, we celebrate the gift of our Savior and share our blessings with others. The 2017 Lottie Moon Christmas offering is in full swing, supporting over 5,000 missionaries around the world. The SBC goal for 2017 is $155Million. Our goal is $27,000, an increase of $2,000 from last year. Pray about what you can give. If you heard from our missionaries to Central East Asia in worship, or Tim Louderback at the Missions Dinner, you know how much they and all SBC missionaries rely on the Lottie Moon Christmas offering. Remember what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 9:7, “Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

We look forward to discovering what the Lord has is store for us in 2017, and we want each of you to join us as we engage in ministry at FBC Wentzville.

 

Posted by Glen Locklear with
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140 struggling families will have a homemade Thanksgiving meal thanks to the selfless volunteers from FBCW. Both the givers and the receivers were in high spirits on Tuesday evening November 22 as FBCW handed out un-cooked packaged dinners. They included a frozen turkey, with all the fixings for a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

The outreach event is more than just addressing hunger in the community; volunteers say they hope to demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ to those in need. The church feels called to feed the hungry, and pray for everyone who comes to get the free items.

This event reminds those that volunteered as a community, they are all one. It’s important to always remember that God has been good to them and blessed them, which allows them to be a blessing to someone else.

This is the 11th year the church has provided free Thanksgiving meals to the community.

Additionally, on Saturday November 19 FBCW opened up its doors to a record breaking crowd for the annual HOPE Thanksgiving Dinner. HOPE Pantry volunteers and children's ministries offered hospitality to the clients from the Pantry with serving them dinner and waiting on them throughout the evening. Twenty-five gift baskets containing household items and food were given away that evening.

Finally, FBCW will be involved in a Christmas Store to be held at the LINC Community Center December 13-15.

The Christmas Store exists to provide new toys at Christmas to children in low-income families by engaging volunteers in meaningful community service.

Following the instructions of Jesus, the Christmas Store is designed to help families in this area who are in need during the holidays. There are many families who do not have adequate resources to purchase gifts for their children at Christmas time. They find themselves struggling just to “make ends meet” with the necessities of life. Additionally, there are many other people in this area who have abundant resources. They find themselves wanting to help their neighbors, but do not know what the need is or how to help. The purpose of the Christmas Store is to bring those two groups together.

If you care to participate in giving gifts for the store or volunteering your time, please contact Kathy Thompson at 636-332-5127 ext.222

 

Posted by Kathy Thompson with

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