We claim to be missionary churches--some of us even have that as an official part of our name! Yet, when all is said and done, there is often more said than done.
Last Monday at Pastors' Conference, Janet Packard, Global Missions Coordinator for North Carolina Baptists, informed and inspired us as she passionately shared her heart for getting churches involved in supporting our missionaries more intentionally. Janet told us about being on the field, along with her husband, in difficult places and dangerous situations--and often feeling forgotten. Not only the Packards, but others they knew that had crises--health issues, government interference, and such--with little to no contact from the churches of the US that sent them.
Janet gave us a book, "Holding the Rope: How the Local Church Can Care for its Sent Ones," by Ryan Martin. Here is a paragraph from the introduction:
It's not enough to be a sending church. You need to be a staying church. A staying church doesn't let the rope fray or the bond loosen. As inconvenient as the relationship may be, the staying church remains involved by praying faithfully, communicating regularly, visiting occasionally, and always looking for new and creative ways to help. This is how we hold the rope, and mustn't let go.
There is no reason why each of our Haywood Baptist Churches could not intentionally adopt one of our IMB Missionaries from NC (there are around 500 to choose from). I am eager to assist you in this, if you would like.
I thought of these sorrowful words from Paul--that great missionary--as he sat on death row in prison:
Be diligent to come to me quickly; for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica—-Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry. And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm. May the Lord repay him according to his works. You also must beware of him, for he has greatly resisted our words. At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. (2 Tim. 4:9-16 NKJV)
Let us get a grip on missionary support!
Your Fellow Servant,
Dennis Thurman, AMS
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