05.30.07
HEADED SOUTH OF THE BORDER…
We are going on a mission trip to Mexico! This July 7-14 a group from our church will be joining a group from Bethel Baptist Church in Parkersburg WV to assist missionaries and a local pastor in Guadalajara Mexico. We are excited about this since it is our first missions trip for our church family.
Our primary focus will be to assist the local church in Guadalajara to contact local residents of outlying villages. We will have a ministry for children and families, to introduce them to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to inform them of their need for a savior. Many of these people have their own religion, but one which does not lead to eternal life since it is based on human works for acceptance with God.
Many people would fault followers of Christ for attempting to sway people who have their own religion and are satisfied with it. This comes from the mistaken belief that all religions are equally valid, and that all roads will eventually lead to God. This teaching is directly in opposition to what God has said in His word. Jesus himself told us in John 14:6 that “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, nobody comes to the Father, except thorough me.” We read in Acts 4:12 that Peter confessed…”there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven, given to men, by which we must be saved” as he preached about Jesus and His death and resurrection. The apostle Paul reminds us that “There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men…” who is Jesus Christ. (1 Tim.2:5)
If what the Bible says is true, all who have ‘their own religion’ that does not confess Jesus as Lord and rely upon His atoning death and resurrection for salvation are ’still in their sins’ and are doomed to an eternity in hell. How compassionate is it to have the ‘way, truth and life’ and to not share it with those who need it? This is our calling as believers, to be God’s ambassadors, bringing the message of reconciliation and peace with God. (1 Cor.5:18-21, Rom.5:1, 8:1)
Please pray for us as we prepare for this mission, that we would go in the power and leading of God’s Holy Spirit. This is not our mission, it is God’s, and we must be prepared to go and speak as He leads us. Pray that we would be faithful, and that God will provide for our needs. Pray that God will open our eyes and hearts to the needs of the people that we meet, and that we would truly be His hands and feet, and witnesses of His grace and mercy. Pray that God’s word will be powerful and effective! Thank you! We will keep you updated on this site as the trip commences.
God bless you!
