Blog - Page 11 of 34 - Baptist International Outreach

Men’s Work Trip to Louisiana

By David Peach | Published: November 8, 2016

Join BIO for a trip to help rebuild churches in Louisina!

Bro. Terry Childers, Director of SMART Ministries, is organizing a work trip to help churches in the flooded area of Louisiana. Previous construction experience is appreciated but not required. In fact, part of the purpose of the trip is to help missionaries learn some basic construction tecniques that can be helpful on the field. You need not be a missionary to join the team.

WHAT

To help repair some flood damaged church buildings

Frame interior partitions
Install insulation
Electrical work
Hang drywall
Install floor coverings

WHO

Those who have construction skills
Laborers who are willing to follow instructions

WHEN

November 28th a few Faith Baptist Church men will leave from Jefferson City, Tennessee and stay on the project until December 10th
Others are welcome to come and go as their schedule permits

WHERE

St. Amant, LA; 675 miles from Jefferson City, TN

LODGING:

Two spare classrooms will serve as our sleeping quarters
Bring some type of bed and bedding, e.g. air mattress sleeping bag/sheets & blanket
Showers are available in the church gym
The church has laundry facilities

TRANSPORTATION

Let Terry Childers know what days you plan to go and return; we’ll try to carpool you with others who may be planning to go around the same time

MEALS

Church members will be providing our meals
Please let us know if you have some special dietary needs

OTHER

Let Terry Childers know ASAP if you’re planning to go
Nov. 20th we’ll let you know the specific projects we’ll be working on so you can choose which tools/equipment to bring

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Babylon’s Three Missionaries

By Dr. John Yingling | Published: October 11, 2016

Daniel 3:28 “Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.”

We clearly see the influence that these three young Hebrew missionaries in our text had on the entire world. We learn from the Word of God that Nebuchadnezzar published a decree throughout the known world regarding the one true God as a direct result of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s influence. We are very familiar with this Bible story, but let’s see exactly what these three men did to be used in such a manner.

First, they trusted God. They believed that God was sovereign and that He had their best interest at heart even if it meant death. Look at what they said in Daniel 3:16-18, “…O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.”

They believed that God was able to deliver them and they trusted God even if He chose not to deliver them. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” This is the first step toward great influence as a missionary – trust.

Next, we are told that they changed the King’s word. This simply means that they obeyed God rather than King Nebuchadnezzar. Jesus sets the standard for us. Hebrews 5:8 says, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.” God ordains the circumstances of our life to make us like Christ and to use us for His glory. We must always obey Him and choose what we know is right. This is the second step toward great influence as a missionary—obedience.

Last, we see that these three young men yielded their bodies. In other words, they were willing to die if need be for the glory of God. John gives us the key to great spiritual influence and victory in Revelation 12:11. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” In this humanistic day and age in which we live, happiness is often a priority; nevertheless, the final key to great missionary influence is found in yielding – yielding everything to God.

Are we trusting God? Are we obeying God? Are we yielding to Him today? These three Babylonian missionaries did, and they were used to touch the entire world.

Posted in Missions | Tagged Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar | Comments closed

Into All the World: Volume 5, Issue 9

By David Peach | Published: October 7, 2016

News From Danny and Jordan Bonikowsky

Missionaries to the Basque Region of Spain

In addition to the regular preaching and teaching ministries, throughout the summer we have had numerous activities for our young people, as well as fellowships with other churches. In August we had our yearly workers’ retreat at Aierdi. This is a four day retreat for church workers throughout Spain and is always a time of great spiritual refreshment and teaching.

Jordan and I have also continued to get involved in our town activities and events. Both of us teach weekly English classes and we are continuing to make friends and contacts. The Lord has given us several opportunities for spiritual conversations and witnessing in these past months.

Throughout the summer, Jordan has spent countless hours studying Spanish with Tete Alvarez. She is making progress! Last Sunday at church, we had a visiting couple from the USA. At one point I was delighted to overhear Jordan translating back and forth between them and one of our local believers. Her diligent study is paying off!

Louisiana Flooding, Church Reconstruction and a SMART Module

After thirty inches of rain fell on parts of Louisiana we took a survey trip to see what could be done to help churches which had been damaged.

The sight was surreal at St. Amant Baptist Church: ruined building materials and furnishings piled six feet high in the yard. Members had gutted out the auditorium and adjoining buildings. A similar situation met us at St. James Baptist Church. The Lord is leading us to help these churches with their reconstruction.

On their behalf we appeal for financial donations. Small gifts from many people will make a huge difference. You, your church, even your Sunday School class can have a part. Funds will be put toward the massive reconstruction costs.

We need volunteers for a two-week work trip, tentatively beginning November 28th. Check often at biomissions.org/flood for actual dates and other details. Please consider coming for a few days even if you can’t spare two weeks.

This work trip includes a special feature, a SMART Basic Construction Training class. We invite missionaries to come and learn the basics of the building process (e.g., wood framing, concrete work, electrical, plumbing). While you are helping churches in their hour of need, you can learn skills that will help you on the field.

For a better understanding of this project be sure to view the PowerPoint at biomissions.org/floodreport. And would you seek the Lord’s leading on the role He has for you in meeting this enormous need?

David & Drea White Take a Short Furlough

Missionaries to Chile

In just three years David and Drea have learned Spanish and have become a huge blessing to the brothers and sisters in Chile as church planting missionaries.

Currently the Whites are home for a little more than five months. They hope to raise a little more support. David is scheduling meetings now through the first part of January. Your church would be blessed by this family and their ministry. Please contact him today.

There are many future opportunities that await the Whites. Upon their return to Chile in January, David and Drea would like to start a new Bible study at another location. Furthermore, a large group of Haitian immigrants have settled in Santiago. The Whites will work to encourage a Bible study among these people with the goal of a church plant.

Posted in Into All The World | Tagged Chile, Louisiana, Spain | Comments closed

From Maniac To Missionary

By Dr. John Yingling | Published: October 5, 2016

Mark 5:20 “And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.”

I have had the pleasure to walk the streets of Gadara and the thrill to view the Sea of Galilee with this city to my back. There in a cave I could easily envision the conversion of the maniac. Here are a few reminders for us as missionaries.

Delivered by the Power of Christ

People are delivered by the power of Christ. Mark 5:6 says, “But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him.” This man was under the power of at least 3,000 demons. It could have been as many as 6,000. Yet, at the very presence of Christ they were brought to His feet! Jesus sent us to minister under this same authoritative power (Matthew 28:18-20). You and I cannot change lives. Only Christ can, and He always does it His way!

Spiritual victory will never gain popularity. You would think that the Gadarenes would have been happy for this once crazed man and thus welcome Jesus into their city. They were not pleased and did not want Him anywhere near Gadara. They implored Him to leave. When believers are filled with the power of Christ they will NOT be popular. Jesus said in John 15:18, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” The presence of Christ brings conviction of sin. And, there can be no salvation without conviction of sin!

Declared by the Power of Testimony

Never underestimate the power of a testimony. Mark 5:15 says, “And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.” This man’s testimony was so powerful that Jesus sent him out throughout Decapolis immediately. This man had no discipleship (even though he wanted it – Mark 5:18). He had no Bible school training. He had not even attended Sunday School one time! I do not mean to minimize the importance of any of these things. My point is this: often a testimony is the most effective in influencing people for Christ. This man was used of Christ to lay the ground work for the planting of local churches in Damascus and throughout Decapolis. Ananias, a disciple of Damascus, prayed over and baptized Paul. Could he as well as the other disciples in Damascus (Acts 9:10) have been influenced by the testimony of this previously deranged disciple of Christ?

I, like you, long to see many more maniacs become missionaries. Let us minister in the power of Christ. Let us not worry about popularity or influence, but rather on being true to the message of God. Let us allow God to lead and direct in the lives of those to whom He has called us to minister. And, let us watch God do His work through us …in spite of us.

Posted in Missions | Tagged Maniac of Gadera | Comments closed

Five Continents

By Dr. John Yingling | Published: September 23, 2016

Matthew 9:38 “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”

We praise the Lord that God has given us a long-term presence on five continents. BIO began with missionaries in Africa. We praise the Lord for the rich history that He has given us beginning with Ethiopia. Currently our missionaries serve in seven different African countries. They are Botswana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia. Besides these countries our missionaries work and have influence in many other African nations like Kenya and South Sudan.

We currently have a number of missionaries in Asia. BIO missionaries serve in Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia and a sizable, limited-access nation (LAN). God has given us five families in this LAN. The Lord is doing a great work there, we are thrilled to have a part in it.

We have had a small presence in Central and South America; however, recently, God has been increasing our numbers. Now, in this region we have missionaries representing BIO in Bolivia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru and Venezuela. We are so thankful for this growth.

The continent we are presently excited about is Europe. For years we have had little or no presence in Europe. Now we have missionary families serving in Italy, Romania, and Spain. We will continue to pray for more missionaries to be sent to this part of the world.

North America is home. It is no surprise that we have a number of missionaries in Canada, Mexico and the US. We have four families in three different provinces in Canada. Our missionaries in Mexico minister in the Yucatan. In the US, our missionaries serve among Native Americans, the Deaf and a variety of other home-based ministries including those of us in the BIO office.

We praise the Lord for what He is doing through BIO. Please pray that God will continue to bless us and increase our ranks for His glory. If you think the Lord may be calling you to the mission field, please contact us, and let us pray with you.