A View from the Fields, Dec 2004

12.01.2004

We have a wonderful treat the first Sunday in December. Dr. Will J. and Marie Roberts will be with us for the weekend.

Dr. Roberts will preach the morning service and he and Mrs. Roberts will both speak in our evening service about mission work in Africa.

The Roberts are friends of the Burkes and have been Southern Baptist Missionaries in Kenya and Tanzania from 1962 – 2000.

Dr. Roberts was a church planter and taught Theological Education by Extension (TEE). TEE is when the professor takes the class to the students in the field.

Presently, Dr. Roberts is serving as an interim pastor in Willow, OK. In July 2004, they went on a mission trip with Jamall Badry back to Kenya and Tanzania.

We are having the Roberts in connection with our Lottie Moon Offering for Foreign Missions. All of the money we give to missions during this emphasis goes overseas.

Yes, it goes to help the Browns and the McDowells in their work, too!

The convention wide goal is $150 million. Our goal at ARBC is $21,500 and the money you give will go far. Here are a few things your giving will do for world missions:

• $1,000 will buy 1,000 cassette tapes with Gospel portions that will be distributed to un-reached peoples in the Horn of Africa.


• $200-300 for portable DVD player to show Jesus film in Northern Africa & Middle East


• $40 will buy one digital mpeg player with 50 hours of bible stories recorded - These units cannot be used for any other purpose but to play the bible stories that are digitized on them.


• $2 for a bowl of great Yemeni stew for about 5 people


• $400 for a Copy machine to copy tapes that spread the Good News


• $5 for a Bible


• $2 for New Testaments


• $0.25 for Tracks


• $100 will buy a space in the vegetable market for a month where you can set up a stand to share the gospel, give tracts away, and make contacts in South America


• $3.50 for a Study Bible for Chinese leaders


• $20 for a hand-wind cassette player - these are used with nomadic tribes that do not have electricity to let them listen to Gospel tapes and Christian music in their language.

As we move toward Christmas, I have just one word of caution for you. Don’t be a “Scrooge” but don’t let the hustle and bustle of the season rob you of the Joy of the season either.

Jesus is truly the “Reason for the Season”. All of the noise, singing, presents, and special events are to celebrate the birth of a little boy about 2,000 years ago. That baby grew up and, as a man, died on the cross to atone for our sins.
As the angel told Mary years ago “You’ll give birth a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins”. (Mt. 1:21)

The angels rejoiced at the birth of Jesus. So should we! But remember the celebration is to have a focus and Jesus is to be that focus. It will please Him for you to enjoy yourself during the holidays. But in your enjoyment, please remember Jesus is the “Reason for the Season”!

He told me to remind you.

See you on the Lord’s Day,
Jim Perkins

Posted by arbc at 06:48 PM