Missions Banquet and Missions Conference

Tonight I was blessed to be able to attend the 18th Annual Free Will Baptist Area Wide Missions Banquet in Northport. The Missions Banquet is a time when pastors and members of our area churches can get together and fellowship with the missionaries that we support.

After a great meal and music by the Fields Family Trio, Bro. Dexter Guin (Missionary to Colorado Springs, CO) spoke.

He read from Ezekiel 22:30: "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found none."

1. God has a place

• God has a specific place of service for each believer.
• "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few: Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest." Matthew 9:37-38
• God is still calling people into the ministry!
• When God opens a door for a ministry opportunity, no man can shut it. (Colossians 4:3 and Revelation 3:7-8)
• You have to take the opportunity when God gives it to you - don't miss it!
• Are you doing all that you can do where God has placed you?

2. Jesus has the plan and the program

• The plan is to GO, the program is to PREACH!
• "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matthew 28:19-20
• "And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15
• "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Luke 24:47
• "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." 2 Timothy 4:2

3. The Holy Spirit has the power

• "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8
• "Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the Lord unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." Zechariah 4:6
• "And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." Luke 24:49
• It doesn't matter where or in what capacity you serve God - you are powerless without Him!

Don't forget that our Missions Conference begins tomorrow during the morning service! We will have a guest speaker tomorrow in the 8:00 a.m. and the 10:30 a.m. services. Also join us Monday - Thursday at 7:00 p.m. each night as we host missionaries in our services.