Weekly Update 1-29-16

I had the great and humbling pleasure of attending my first board of directors meeting for the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina this week. The men and women whom have been elected to serve, some 106 persons from around the state, are men and women who love Jesus and have a passion to serve the Lord in accomplishing His mission on this earth. North Carolina Baptists embrace this mission with this simple statement, “Impacting Lostness through Disciple Making.” It was refreshing and encouraging to begin learning all that our state convention is doing and planning to do to minister the gospel to those in NC and around the world. I learned that we have some amazing partnerships through NAMB and the IMB. It was impressive.

I was assigned to serve on the evangelism and discipleship team, and I am looking forward to my assignment. One of the new aspects of this team has to do with church revitalization, helping troubled, declining, and dying churches and their leaders move in a direction that leads to a healthy vibrant church and ministry that “impacts lostness through disciple making.” I would encourage you to check out the convention website and follow what’s going on via social media outlets like Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo, and Instagram. You will be amazed, challenged, blessed, and encouraged as you see all that is going on. You may even find a place to “impact lostness through disciple making” with your own skills, gifts, and passions. Your life, in Christ, has purpose and meaning, and can make a huge impact in the world around you as you choose to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”

Two things I want to share with you. The first item is that there are currently people from 154 different countries living in NC right now. Many of these people are only hear for a little while, and many of these people are actually from unengaged and unreached people groups. God has brought the nations to our doorstep (www.peoplesnextdoornc.org) and we need to actively engage them while we can. Just think of what might happen if we see these people come to faith in Jesus and then take the gospel back home to people who have never heard. The second item is that NC Baptists gave more to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering and Lottie Moon Christmas offering in 2015 than any other state in the USA! I am proud that Highland Baptist Church had a part in giving to spread the gospel to the nations. God is moving among NC Baptists to see people come to know Him through Christ, and we are part of that as we follow Him, obey Him, celebrate and worship Him, and become like Him. Thank you for “impacting lostness through disciple making.”

As I learn more in the coming months I will be sharing what I learn with you. Remember, “It’s only good news if they hear it in time.” Tell someone about Jesus today. Invite someone to come with you to worship King Jesus at Highland this weekend. Let’s commit to do more than we’ve ever done. Jesus invited us to “Follow Me.” Let’s do it!

Serving Him,

Pastor Mike