Priority One "Back to the Future"

In the 1870’s God birthed in our church a heart for the lost across the street and around the world.  We were one of the first churches that reached out to Chinese migrant workers.  We removed the pews to serve a Thanksgiving meal to the poor.  It has never stopped from that point in our church’s life.  We sent out missionaries as early as the 1890’s both nationally and internationally. 

Through the years God has continued to stir in our hearts the “Great Commission” given to us in Matthew 28:18-20 and Acts 1:8.  This has led to dozens of missionaries being supported by our church.  It has led to over 25 short term mission trips in the past 14 years.  It has be the impetus of millions of dollars that have been invested in building God’s church around the world.  Priority One:  Pursuing God’s Missional Destiny for our church is back to the future.  It is the history of our church and will be the future of our church.

For the past four years we have rekindled a “Mission Conference” (Priority One) to make sure that we are always fanning into flame God’s Great Commission for the church.  We have seen people commit to going and serving around the world out of these conferences.  We have seen people live with a new sense of commissioning to our city.  God has blessed Priority One. 

This year we expect God to once again stir our hearts toward His call to be His followers, proclaiming His gospel, in the valley and around the world.  I am very excited to hear Bill Jack speak at our weekend services.  Bill is a smart man, who loves God with all of his mind and has equipped people around the world through World View Academy and Answers in Genesis.  Take a look at a YouTube clip to get your mind juices flowing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ1LcBb95l8.  If this link does not work go on Youtube and type in Bill Jack/Answers in Genesis. 

Schedule for the weekend with Bill Jack

Saturday October 25,

9:00 am – 12:00 pm—“The Ways of the Wizards vs. The Way of the Wiseman.”  All are welcome

12:00 pm-2:00 pm—Optional video practicum on the streets of Salem. 

6:00 pm—Worship Service “Seven Habits of Highly Suppressive People.”

Sunday October 25

9:00 am & 10:30 am-- Worship Service “Seven Habits of Highly Suppressive People.”

6:00 pm—Panel Discussion: Pressing cultural issues facing Christians today

Hope to see you there

Pastor Mark

Priority One - Follow Up

So what?

It is one of the best questions in the world.  It is short and to the point.  It should be asked of every sermon, every Bible study, every class and every Priority One conference.  So what?  What happened?  It is a question you can ask corporately and individually.  We were praying that God would raise up 4 people to consider international ministry.  We wanted every missionary and mission representative to be encouraged by the passion of one local church’s love for the world.  And we prayed for 1200 people to be encouraged in their willingness to say yes to God:  Anything, Anytime, Anywhere.  So what? 

1.    We met with one person who indicated she wanted to pray to receive Christ as her personal Savior.  She had actually asked Christ to forgive her a week earlier, but confirmed it P1 weekend.  We have celebrated her name being written in the lamb’s book of life and currently she is in a Bible study. 

 

2.    The GMT has two new members. 

 

3.    Four of the “global prayer team” responders came to the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church prayer time.  There are five others who desire to participate in a global prayer team who were not at the IDOP meeting, but most of those are elderly members who may not be comfortable driving after dark, which it was when the meeting ended.

 

Now, we are looking for someone who would take ownership and leadership of an ongoing prayer time for the unreached people and the international church.

 

4.    Five people requested information on unreached people.  They have been contacted and directed to the World Missions Center for Unreached Prayer Cards, the touchscreen Unreached Info, and also to www.JoshuaProject.com.

 

5.    Six of the seven who desired more information on becoming a Home Team Partner with our missionaries are moving ahead with Rebecca Alvey on the link-up.  Rebecca is pursuing people personally to join the HTP and is speaking of a HTP dinner event following the holidays to draw us all into a focused group.

 

6.    A couple is following through with talks about entering more officially the International Student ministry.

 

7.    Six people have expressed an interest in short-term mission trips and we have given them information about trips planned for next year.

 

8.    50 people came to the first Dominican Republic short-term mission trip meeting.

 

9.    Multiple people signed up to be mentored.

 

I received this note from one of the participants.  She captures well the fruit of P1 2013.  “I really appreciated the weekend and the challenge to my thinking about the church and her mission - somehow in all my growing-up in a Christian ‘bubble’ I've never learned to think that way - either I missed it or it wasn't being taught.  Thank you to the leadership of the church for teaching this and making time for it, making it a priority.”

Now on to Priority One 2014.  Brace yourself, you will be changed. 

Pastor Mark, for the Priority One team

 

 

Get a Head Start on Priority One!

Here is a rundown of all the things you will need to know for Priority One this week!

• Priority One Prayer Meetings - 6 a.m. Room 424 each day this week - come for an hour and pray for those involved in the weekend.

• Thursday, October 24, 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the CLC Cafe - Professionals who want to know how God can use your skills in His global plan to restore hope in the world.  John Brian and LaVonne Buhler as they share a brief update on their work in India and introduce you to Vernon Laverty, President of IDEAS, and his team as they share how IDEAS can help you to use your profession to bring real hope and transformation to Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. RSVP - Scott Grandi at, scott.grandi@ideasworl.org or phone him at 619-321-9005.

• Friday, October 25, SFB Leadership Training with Dr. George Murray

• Saturday Morning, October 26,  Dr. Murray, "Raising up the Next Generation of Missionaries"

• Saturday Evening, October 26, 6:00-7:15 p.m. Dr. Murray, "Making God Great in Our Hearts"  

• Saturday Evening, Hope Alive - 6th-12th Grade Students, Dessert & Perspective, 6:00-7:15 p.m. - CLC Student Room #429

• Sunday Morning, October 27, 9:00 & 10:30 a.m., Dr. Murray, "Making God Great in Our Hearts"

• Sunday Evening, October 27, 6:00 p.m. "What is Missions Today?"  Panel discussion - church auditorium

First Baptist website: www.fbcsalem.orgto respond to this email: fbc@fbcsalem.orgtwitter@markwhanke