Posts by "System Administrator"

We teach our children how to tie their shoes, make a bed, and help clean up the kitchen after dinner. Often, however, we neglect teaching them (by example and words) the importance of giving to others. Part of our own spiritual journey as adults is teaching children and students to love giving.

The author of this article in Missions Mosaic suggests 4 ways to teach children about the joy of giving. Help them understand the needs boys and girls around the world have for food, water and safe housing

1. Teach children how to garden, explaining how missionaries help people learn to grow food for their families. Many hunger relief agencies provide opportunities to give money for seeds, hoes, and shovels. Contact www.gobgr.org for more information.

2. Use crafts to show children they can make things people need, such as sewing kits or decorating items for others to use. Similar kits may help someone begin a business making items to sell to give their family money needed for school supplies or food.

3. Baptist Global Response (BGR) has a catalog from which you and children can choose a food packet gift for someone who doesn’t have access to food. Help them understand many persons go to bed hungry and show them anyone can help.

4. Take a prayerwalk through your house thanking God for all He has given your family. There are many families who have no shelter. Millions of refugees live in cardboard boxes or under tarps. The BGR has a “new beginnings bundle” or blankets that can be purchased.

These suggestions are not things to be done by us as parents and teachers but avenues for teaching children about the biblical principle of giving. In order to do the projects listed above, there is a financial investment. Adults can help with funds, but the lesson will be best learned if the child or children work to earn the amount or contribute out of their own savings. A child learning to work with others to make a difference in the world is a good thing – a very good thing!

(* Missions Mosaic is a monthly magazine for adult women that can be ordered online at: wmustore.com. Telephone 1.800.968.7301

There are several church plants in our association, and there are many things you can do to demonstrate your support of the work that is being established. Church planters have accepted the challenge to reach others for Christ in southern Indiana, but our help is needed. Here are several steps to take when considering supporting one of our local planters:

• Choose a plant. You can get the most current contact information through the SEIBA office. Pray that God will direct you to the one He wants you to help.
• Contact the planter and tell them of your desire to help. Be certain you (and your church) are ready to make a strong commitment to the church planter and his family.
• Talk to the planter about his vision for his work. Invite him to lunch or his family for a meal and begin to form a relationship. Get information about children’s ages, family embers’ birthdays, etc.
• Develop a prayer plan for the church start and ask for specific prayer requests. Do a prayerwalk around the area where the new church plant is.
• Help with the actual work that needs to be done. This might be a survey of the surrounding neighborhood, work on a building or teaching in Vacation Bible School.
• As you find out about specific needs, try to meet them. This may be supplies, equipment, or other materials.
• Make your church aware of the growth and progress of the new church. This will help sustain the support you are providing.

Planting a new church is often stressful and frequently frustrating! Your church’s support may be exactly what the planter and his family need to encourage them to continue working.

Consider these seasonal mission projects for community groups or the entire church:

1. Show love in February – Bake love cakes and deliver to shut-ins who are not able to attend church. Rather than delivering cakes to church members only, ask for the names of individuals who are not part of any church.

2. Contact Pearl Street feeding ministry personnel here in our association and offer to provide a hot meal during the cold winter months. You might make chili and take crackers or cornbread for a hearty meal. Volunteers for this ministry are always needed. Contact information is available through SEIBA’s office.

3. Ask community groups to donate mufflers, gloves, and hats for the Louisville mission. Information is online for how to deliver your donations.

One of the best kept secrets is Children’s Missions Day observed in February of each year. Over its 12-year history, thousands of children have showed God’s love in their communities. This year’s theme is “We’re Telling!” Children in grades 1-6 participate in the outreach event designed specifically for them. Develop a project that will not only meet a need in your community but will also inspire children to serve others. To learn more about participating in Children’s Missions Day visit www.wmu.com/cmd   

If it’s been a while since you went to the Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU) website, you will be surprised at what you find! Remaining relevant is critical for any organization in our society today. In light of our changing needs and culture, WMU has redesigned its website and introduced many exciting options for involvement in missions. Ministries, blogs, news articles, and resources have been designed with Southern Baptist life and churches in mind.

Visit the website soon and discover how you can lead your church, small groups, and all ages toward a lifelong journey that will further God’s kingdom work and bless your life! Go to www.wmu.org

Click here to read an article “Keep Calm and Carry On’ written by Linda Clark and recently posted on Woman’s Missionary Union’s website. You may find it helpful in developing your leadership skill set.

December is the month to emphasize how Southern Baptists support mission efforts around the world.  Named for a missionary to China, Lottie Moon, gifts to the mission offering now total more than $2 billion! Moon’s name has become synonymous with love and sacrifice. Week of Prayer materials are printed every year to encourage churches to support more than 5000 career missionaries in over 100 nations.

Prayer resources are available through the Indiana state Woman’s Missionary Union office. Call or email to order free posters, Week of Prayer guides, and offering envelopes. Go online to imbconnecting.org to download videos for use in worship and to promote giving to your church’s offering goal. The resources are excellent and certain to motivate giving!

Many people don’t know about the fair-trade ministry called WorldCrafts sponsored by Woman’s Missionary Union. WorldCrafts is making an eternal impact on the lives of artisans around the world as it embraces its mission to develop sustainable, fair-trade businesses among impoverished people around the world. One way to support this ministry is to purchase your Christmas gifts through WorldCrafts! Items include gifts for women, children, and men as well as home décor handmade crafts. Christmas products are very popular for nativity collectors, ornaments, and stockings. The WorldCrafts Support Freedom campaign actively empowers customers, buyers, and artisans by supporting those groups working to free women involved in or at risk of human trafficking. Go to www.worldcrafts.org to view the catalog and place your order.

Southern Baptists focus on world hunger during the month of October. There are several ways your church can participate alleviate the needs associated with hunger. Pray for those working around the world to prevent hunger and malnutrition and for those who live with food insecurity. Pray for rain and abundant harvests! Encourage your church to give to the World Hunger Fund. 100% of your donations goes directly toward meeting hunger needs. Explore ways you can engage in hunger relief in your community such as kids’ food backpacks and food distribution. Host a churchwide Global Hunger Event using the downloadable resource from Woman’s Missionary Union for $9.99.

Bring the Unshakable Pursuit theme to life with activities, posters, and a circus event. By using a circus theme, help your children unpack what it means to have unshakable faith. As they study Bible stories about unwavering faith, they will develop a stronger spiritual understanding of what they believe and why they believe it. Resources for Children in Action are available through Woman’s Missionary Union at www.wmustore.com