We live out at Siloam Missionary Homes with all the missonaries. We are surrounded by people who think nothing about going all the way to the other side of the world simply to tell them about the love of Jesus. Since we have been living there I have realized that I understand very little about what make them tick. But then, no man can know what is in the heart of another.
I had this friend once who was a missionary to Indonesia. Indonesia is a very dangerous place if you are a Christian. We were talking once and he was telling me about his life in Indonesia. The more he told me about it, the more dangerous it sounded. In my opinion, it was an incomprehensible life. I told him "There is no amount of money you could give me to do what you do." His response was amusing. He smiled at me and said "That's ok Chris, I think the same about your job." It never occurred to me that my job, which I love so much, could be viewed that way. I realized that day that my friend was wired for Indonesia and I was wired for Saxapahaw.
We never know what is in the heart of another. We are all wired differently. Each of us sees the world through the filter of our gifts, talents, cares, hurts and background.
It is striking that the Lord would use a people, many of whom would never leave their home to partner in the sending of a people who rather go to the darkest, deepest corners of the world just to tell them God loves them. We are taking up the Annie Armstrong North American Missions Offering this month. The money you give by faith will go to support ministries all over the United States and Canada. It will pay for church and community ministries, resort ministries, and literacy missions, sports evangelism, Scripture distribution, and evangelism events.
So many of us will never leave Saxapahaw but Southern Baptist Missionaries will never accomplish their goals without people just like you and me. Mumbai, Jordan and Somalia cannot know Christ without Saxapahaw. I encourage you to ask God how you might partner with North American Missionaries through the Annie Armstrong Missions Offering.
I love being your Pastor
Pastor Chris