More Than a Concession Stand

Most of us, when asked, are willing to serve in just about any area as long as fear doesn’t take over.  As an example, almost anyone is willing to volunteer to run a concession stand for Upward Basketball; yet very few would say their heart's desire is to serve as a referee.  But how many of us when we serve are really tied into the mission and vision of our church?  Better yet, how many of us as we go around our daily lives are completely in tune with the mission and vision of Jesus?   What was His mission?  To seek and save the lost.  If you’re like me, it’s easy to sleep walk through entire sections of a day or week with no awareness of the mission that Christ has us on.  Unless I put myself on mission first thing in the morning the tyranny of the urgent quickly presses me. 

Last week I observed something special happen at an Upward Concession stand.  One of our members was selling hot dogs.  Normally this would be a simple transaction to give a hot dog and take a buck. In this instance, I saw engagement in the mission.  “How long have you been involved in Upward?” “What do you love about it?" “Do you have a church you worship at?” Ah, the art of asking questions!  Getting outside my own bubble and caring about someone else. Isn’t this what Jesus wants?  For us to take more than a passing interest in others?  For some of you this comes naturally.  You are wired for relationships and you gain energy by reaching out, connecting, and having conversations.  Others are more reserved and need to be prompted by the Holy Spirit.  As the hot dog buying couple replied to my friend, “We live in Keizer, but we’ve been commuting to a church in Portland for 4 years,” he was able to offer a simple, sincere invite to come join us at one of our weekend services.  Whether they come and become involved in our local fellowship for our mutual growth and edification isn’t really the point.  My friend looked beyond a hot dog.  He peered over the concession stand counter.  He saw a couple that are deeply loved by Jesus and that perhaps may join a local fellowship in the community in which they live.  The mission of Salem First Baptist Church is to bring people into a life changing relationship with God and each other.  I would say the Upward concession stand is as good a place as any to live that mission out. 

Kudos to all of you around the city living the mission each day.  May God strengthen you by His mighty hand.  May His Spirit guide you into each interaction and conversation He wants.  May your life continue to be transformed into His image so that He can use you to transform the culture of our city to more closely reflect God’s heart.
--Pastor Nate

Missionaries in Our Daily Lives

What a joy it has been to work with the Global Mission Team (GMT) at SFB.  This team has such a great heart for the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They believe that the Living God is a missionary God. They have the great privilege of taking your hard earned dollars and allocating those funds toward fulfilling the great commission. Our desire is that all of our missionaries will bring people into a life changing relationship with God and each other. Did you know that our church helps support 30 missionaries in our city and around the world?  Do you know any of these missionaries’ names?  How about their children’s names? Do you know where they serve and what they do? More importantly do you pray for them?  Would you like to know them better, contact them once in awhile and be a prayer partner with them? If so, please contact us. Let me share a few things that I am learning from our missionaries that I believe we could incorporate in our daily lives: ·         They have a purpose and a longing in their hearts to be a friend to the Lord God, to become a co-worker with Him and live for a purpose larger than themselves.  The way we can live with significance is to devote ourselves to a purpose that is larger than our life.  ·         They have a passion in their hearts that is both seized and satisfied with the ambition for Jesus to be ardently worshiped.  Is our heart set free to pursue that which is truly worthy?  ·         Our missionaries pursue a God-given vision and plan. They no longer dream about what could happen. They become convinced that certain things must happen. Are we willing to give our utmost for God’s purposes? ·         Our missionaries have a strategy for winning people to Christ, not hesitating nor hurrying, but persistently continuing to do whatever it takes to finish the task God has given them.  What task has God given you? ·         They dutifully perform what is required and so they are sometimes overwhelmed in the face of sacrifice. Despite the high cost, our missionaries are faithful and dedicated to Jesus.  Are we faithful when God asks us to sacrifice? Why do they do what they do? They believe the Word of God.  Jesus said GO and they are GOING daily to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ trusting Him to transform lives. Do you truly believe that what you believe is really true?  If so, are you an ambassador for Christ in your daily lives? Serving together, Leon and the GMT