During July our church family is emphasizing Connecting with Missions. Our sermon series this month is about “Doing Good Everywhere We Go.”
This summer members of First Baptist are putting the Great Commission in to action, literally traveling around the nation and around the world to participate in missions. This past March one of our teams traveled to India to do missions in an extremely remote location. This past spring Rev. Mark Dahn spent a couple months doing mission work in his native country of Liberia. On June 27, our Chapel Choir returned from their “More Than Music” tour in California. Last Tuesday evening another one of our mission teams returned from an effective week of work in Russia.
Last Sunday a group of our Middle School Students departed for Mission Fuge in Jackson, Mississippi. This week Dr. Lou and Lisa Valbracht are doing medical missions in Equador. This Saturday our Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra depart for their “Go Ye Tour” which will take them to Munich, Florence, Venice, and Rome. Next Wednesday, July 14, we have a team of 26 leaving for a mission trip to Costa Rica. On July 19, a group of our high school students will be traveling to Franklin, North Carolina to work with World Changers. And we are now assembling a team that will depart for Haiti on October 30.
In addition to these groups, some of our FBCP students are doing missions in Costa Rica with East Hill Christian School. Claire Stubblefield is working in North Africa with Jason and Beth Davis. And three of our retired couples, the Bookers, the Logsdons, and the Minchews, are working at Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly this summer.
Every four years when our choir and orchestra are away on their Go Ye Tour, Bob Morrison emphasizes the importance of both the “Go Ye Choir” and the “Here Ye Choir.” The “Here Ye Choir” are those who form the choir that leads us in worship at home while others are on mission.
Having a large group of individuals participate in national and international missions this year is a tremendous blessing. However, those of us who are here in Pensacola have an even greater responsibility while larger numbers are away. Some of us may be called to fill the shoes of those who are traveling by greeting guests at the Welcome Center, teaching a Bible study group, driving a cart on Sunday morning, working at Samaritan’s Hands, or singing in the choir. But all of us can strengthen the summer ministries of our church by faithfully participating in worship and Bible study during July.
This Sunday I will be sharing a message from Psalm 82 on “Rooting for the Underdog.” We are glad that Amy Roby will be leading the Worship Team in our Early Service this week while Tina is on tour and Mike Richardson will be leading the “Here Ye Choir” in our Mid-morning Service while Bob is on tour.
I hope to see ye in the “Here Ye” Congregation this Sunday.
