Perhaps you read the WHBC Odessa Mission Blog this month and saw the article on the summer camp for the children of Ilyinka Village. Getting on a plane and going half-way around the world is not everyone's comfort zone. Working with children in the park in NYC or rehabilitating a house in the wake of a hurricane may not appeal to others. However, God is calling you to be a servant model to the world. It begins right here in your back yard in Williamsburg.
Our blog article on the camp told about children who have never heard Bible stories before and their parents who are shackled by alcohol and despair. They have no hope; they see no future for their children. They worry about keeping a roof over their heads, food on the table, heat and clothing for their children this winter. Are they any different than we are? Yes and No. No because we have the same worries about income, expenses and taxes. Yes, in the fact that we have hope, an eternal hope in the knowledge of our salvation through Jesus the Christ.
God is now bringing the world to our doorstep. We have a growing Hispanic and Russian speaking presence in our regional area; we have more international students coming to our institutes, colleges and universities. The question He is asking you is this...what will you do to reach them for me? You don't have to travel half-way around the world, but you do have to get out of your comfort zone. The world is waiting, right here in Williamsburg, right in your own back yard. He stands and waits. His hands are outstretched. Will you join Him?
The Missions Council is coordinating WHBC mission ministry calendars for the remainder of 2007 in an effort to ensure that in-gathering projects do not overlap or result in duplication of effort during the same periods of time. Another goal is to assist WHBC in providing an intentional mission ministry focus which contains the element of evangelism in everything we choose to do as a congregation.
If you are working on or planning a mission ministry project that involves WHBC congregational resources (non-budgeted) we would ask that you contact one of us for calendar coordination.
Listed below are Council members you may contact for your particular area of ministry:
Giving a cup of cold water is just a shared experience until it is given personally in the name of the Lord, with the message of love, hope, and redemption.Summer Missions update from Brittany and Mattie