Sunday afternoon, 2 pm edst, 5 April 2009
re: Wallace York
I am going to write as quickly as I can and get this online – but I started receiving phone calls on my way home from services this morning that an announcement had been made in Ashland Avenue Baptist Church that Wallace York was in the hospital in Madisonville and was in critical condition – life-threatening.
I just spoke with Doris York, who is in the ER with him. He has been sick for most of the week. Has been to the ER 4 times already before this morning. He has been suffering from an obstructed bowel. They have performed several enemas of different kinds. This morning, he began to vomit a dark substance. They don’t know whether it’s dried blood or what. They suspect he has a perforated colon and infection may be setting into his abdominal area.
He has also contracted pneumonia from the inactivity of the past several days, and his kidneys are shutting down.
They are preparing the operating room as quickly as they can to perform the emergency surgery to try to determine what his condition is. There are many risks. He may not survive the surgery. But, he is in God’s hands. Doris is understandably very shaken up, but they are committing themselves into the care of the Father’s wisdom and love.
Please pray for Brother Wallace and Doris – and their family – and for the surgeons who will be performing the surgery.
To you fellow directors of BFM – Wallace specifically told Doris to call the Directors of BFM and ask us to pray for him. Wallace loves us – and we love him.
Dave
3985 Boston Road
Lexington KY 40514
859.223.8374 phone
859.223.8954 fax
daveparks@insightbb.com
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Friday, March 20, 2009
2009 SPRING MISSIONS CONFERENCE OFFERING
AUTO RESCUE PLAN
Everyone one here in the U.S. knows all about the current “bailouts” or “rescue plans” proposed for the automobile industry. Many of you are personally involved and affected by all those plans. These are tough times for everyone in our present economy, and we are trusting God and praying for us all.
BUT, OUR MISSIONARIES HAVE A DIRE NEED FOR AN “AUTO RESCUE PLAN” ALSO. We have committed to each of our missionaries an Auto Allowance of $8000.00 to be given to them every 4 years, as the Lord provides.
Our missionaries need their automobiles. They cannot function without them. But, not only are their cars exorbitantly expensive to buy and maintain on each of their fields of service, but they also wear them out much more quickly due to the rough driving conditions and the continual use.
WE ARE WAY BEHIND IN GIVING SOME OF THESE 4-YEAR AUTO ALLOWANCES. In past years, if we didn’t have the funds available, and if a missionary didn’t have the immediate, desperate need to buy or trade for another car, he would tell me to defer paying his Auto Allowance for a future year. But, then, when the future year or years arrived, there would be additional allowances due for that year, and we might not have those funds, either.
And so, over a very few years, we have had several of these allowances accrue on top of each other. THE MISSIONARIES UNDERSTAND THAT IF WE DON’T HAVE THE FUNDS, THEN WE DON’T DISBURSE THE AUTO ALLOWANCE.
$96,000 IN ARREARS
At the present time, including the allowances which are due again in 2009, WE ARE TWELVE [12] ALLOWANCES IN ARREARS. That is $96,000.00 TOTAL. Again, if we don’t come up with the funds, then we can’t disburse these allowances.
BUT, WE CAN’T PERMIT OUR MISSIONARIES TO DO WITHOUT THEIR CARS, NO MORE THAN YOU OR I WOULD ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE WITHOUT OURS.
I HAVE ASKED THE MISSIONARIES TO TELL YOU THEIR STORIES AND THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. For example, Bobby and Charlene Wacaser have sold both of their cars to raise money for property purchases. Mike Creiglow’s S10 pickup is worn out, and he needs a more durable and economical Jeep to maintain his ministry activities. And, these are just two examples. Every one of our missionaries has his own story to tell.
WILL YOU HELP US BEGIN TO MAKE UP THIS DESPERATE NEED BY DESIGNATING OFFERINGS TO ‘CAR FUND’ OR ‘AUTO ALLOWANCE’?
The CONFERENCE OFFERING will be designated for MISSIONARIES’ CAR FUND / AUTO ALLOWANCES. Please bring as generous an offering as you can give with you when you come.
Grace to you all!
Everyone one here in the U.S. knows all about the current “bailouts” or “rescue plans” proposed for the automobile industry. Many of you are personally involved and affected by all those plans. These are tough times for everyone in our present economy, and we are trusting God and praying for us all.
BUT, OUR MISSIONARIES HAVE A DIRE NEED FOR AN “AUTO RESCUE PLAN” ALSO. We have committed to each of our missionaries an Auto Allowance of $8000.00 to be given to them every 4 years, as the Lord provides.
Our missionaries need their automobiles. They cannot function without them. But, not only are their cars exorbitantly expensive to buy and maintain on each of their fields of service, but they also wear them out much more quickly due to the rough driving conditions and the continual use.
WE ARE WAY BEHIND IN GIVING SOME OF THESE 4-YEAR AUTO ALLOWANCES. In past years, if we didn’t have the funds available, and if a missionary didn’t have the immediate, desperate need to buy or trade for another car, he would tell me to defer paying his Auto Allowance for a future year. But, then, when the future year or years arrived, there would be additional allowances due for that year, and we might not have those funds, either.
And so, over a very few years, we have had several of these allowances accrue on top of each other. THE MISSIONARIES UNDERSTAND THAT IF WE DON’T HAVE THE FUNDS, THEN WE DON’T DISBURSE THE AUTO ALLOWANCE.
$96,000 IN ARREARS
At the present time, including the allowances which are due again in 2009, WE ARE TWELVE [12] ALLOWANCES IN ARREARS. That is $96,000.00 TOTAL. Again, if we don’t come up with the funds, then we can’t disburse these allowances.
BUT, WE CAN’T PERMIT OUR MISSIONARIES TO DO WITHOUT THEIR CARS, NO MORE THAN YOU OR I WOULD ALLOW OURSELVES TO BE WITHOUT OURS.
I HAVE ASKED THE MISSIONARIES TO TELL YOU THEIR STORIES AND THEIR INDIVIDUAL NEEDS. For example, Bobby and Charlene Wacaser have sold both of their cars to raise money for property purchases. Mike Creiglow’s S10 pickup is worn out, and he needs a more durable and economical Jeep to maintain his ministry activities. And, these are just two examples. Every one of our missionaries has his own story to tell.
WILL YOU HELP US BEGIN TO MAKE UP THIS DESPERATE NEED BY DESIGNATING OFFERINGS TO ‘CAR FUND’ OR ‘AUTO ALLOWANCE’?
The CONFERENCE OFFERING will be designated for MISSIONARIES’ CAR FUND / AUTO ALLOWANCES. Please bring as generous an offering as you can give with you when you come.
Grace to you all!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
2009 SPRING MISSIONS CONFERENCE
49th Annual SPRING MISSIONS CONFERENCE
IN THE INTERESTS OF BAPTIST FAITH MISSIONS
April 20, 21, 22 • 2009
Thompson Road Baptist Church
320 Thompson Road
Lexington KY
Conference Theme: “GIVING GOD GLORY...AMONG THE NATIONS”
Romans 15.9 ‘...that the Gentiles [nations] might GLORIFY GOD for His mercy...
For more information:
Pastor Dave Parks
daveparks@insightbb.com
3985 Boston Road • Lexington KY 40514-1507
859.223.8374
MONDAYnight / April 20
5:00 - 6:00 SUPPER
7:00 PRAISE
7:20 MESSAGE: Jim Orrick
Storms Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Ironton OH
8:00 PRAISE
8:20 MESSAGE: Missionary-Pastor John M. Hatcher
Tournefeuille FRANCE
TUESDAYmorning / April 21
9:30 PRAISE and PRAYER
9:50 MESSAGE: Pastor Larry Fisher
Rosedale Baptist Church, Rosedale WV
10:30 PRAISE
10:50 SEMINAR / WORKSHOP:
“GIVING GOD GLORY...AMONG THE NATIONS”
The Ultimate Purpose and Goal of Baptist Faith Missions:
GIVING GOD GLORY –
Making Christ known through proclamation and obedience
12:00 LUNCH
1:30 OPEN ADVISORY MEETING / Reports / Q&A / “All are welcome”
[ The 2008 Annual Financial Report will be presented and distributed ]
5:00 - 6:00 SUPPER
TUESDAYnight / April 21
7:00 PRAISE
7:20 MESSAGE: Pastor Richard Westfall
Hardman Fork Baptist Church, Normantown WV
8:00 PRAISE
8:20 MESSAGE: Missionary-Pastor Harold Draper
Cuiaba / Varzea Grande BRASIL
WEDNESDAYmorning / April 22
9:30 PRAISE
9:40 MESSAGE: Pastor Gary Harrah
Grace Missionary Baptist Church, Wyandotte MI
10:20 PRAISE
10:30 MESSAGE: Missionary-Pastor A. J. Hensley
New Life Baptist Church, Caraguatatuba BRASIL
11:10 BREAK
11:20 MESSAGE: Missionary-Pastor Harold Bratcher
24th of March Baptist Church, Manaus BRASIL
12:00 LUNCH
5:00 - 6:00 SUPPER
WEDNESDAYnight / April 22
7:00 PRAISE
7:30 MESSAGE: Pastor Glenn Archer
Faith Baptist Church, Kirksville MO
Motel Recommendations
You may choose to use your own travel / accommodations program or discounts...or do your own research to find a better deal. We are still recommending the Quality Inn Northwest / 750 NEWTOWN COURT / LEXINGTON KY / 859.233.0561
ONE QUEEN BED room is $54.95. TWO DOUBLE BEDS room is $59.95. They also offer continental breakfast on the premises, in-room coffeemaker, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, and high-speed internet access.
Ask for Nicky Frederick when you call to get these rates, or, ask the desk for Thompson Road Baptist Church event rates. It would be best to make your reservation by March 31st.
Travel Directions
FROM SOUTH ON I-75: Get off at Exit 104 (Athens-Boonesborough). Turn west toward town. You will be on Athens-Boonesborough Road / Richmond Road Extension. As you approach Lexington, the road will become Richmond Road around Jacobson Park. Continue straight into Lexington. Richmond Road will become Main Street. You will pass the Rupp Arena / Lexington Convention Center on your left. Turn left at the next traffic light. This is Jefferson Street. Turn right in the middle of the overpass bridge onto Manchester. About one mile down Manchester, turn right on Thompson Road and come to the top of the hill.
FROM NORTH ON I-75 OR EAST / WEST ON I-64: I-75 and I-64 merge for a few miles on the north/northeast side of Lexington. Come to Exit 115 on 64/75. This is Newtown Pike (State Route 922). Turn south toward Lexington. Follow Newtown Pike until you come to Main Street. Go straight across Main Street. This short street is Cox Street. Follow Cox Street to the dead-end. Turn right on Manchester / Old Frankfort Pike. Follow Manchester about one mile. Turn right on Thompson Road and come to the top of the hill.
If you choose to stay at Quality Inn, then follow the second set of directions above and Quality Inn will be on your left behind the Shell station just before you get to the New Circle Road interchange [1 mile from 64/75].
IN THE INTERESTS OF BAPTIST FAITH MISSIONS
April 20, 21, 22 • 2009
Thompson Road Baptist Church
320 Thompson Road
Lexington KY
Conference Theme: “GIVING GOD GLORY...AMONG THE NATIONS”
Romans 15.9 ‘...that the Gentiles [nations] might GLORIFY GOD for His mercy...
For more information:
Pastor Dave Parks
daveparks@insightbb.com
3985 Boston Road • Lexington KY 40514-1507
859.223.8374
MONDAYnight / April 20
5:00 - 6:00 SUPPER
7:00 PRAISE
7:20 MESSAGE: Jim Orrick
Storms Creek Missionary Baptist Church, Ironton OH
8:00 PRAISE
8:20 MESSAGE: Missionary-Pastor John M. Hatcher
Tournefeuille FRANCE
TUESDAYmorning / April 21
9:30 PRAISE and PRAYER
9:50 MESSAGE: Pastor Larry Fisher
Rosedale Baptist Church, Rosedale WV
10:30 PRAISE
10:50 SEMINAR / WORKSHOP:
“GIVING GOD GLORY...AMONG THE NATIONS”
The Ultimate Purpose and Goal of Baptist Faith Missions:
GIVING GOD GLORY –
Making Christ known through proclamation and obedience
12:00 LUNCH
1:30 OPEN ADVISORY MEETING / Reports / Q&A / “All are welcome”
[ The 2008 Annual Financial Report will be presented and distributed ]
5:00 - 6:00 SUPPER
TUESDAYnight / April 21
7:00 PRAISE
7:20 MESSAGE: Pastor Richard Westfall
Hardman Fork Baptist Church, Normantown WV
8:00 PRAISE
8:20 MESSAGE: Missionary-Pastor Harold Draper
Cuiaba / Varzea Grande BRASIL
WEDNESDAYmorning / April 22
9:30 PRAISE
9:40 MESSAGE: Pastor Gary Harrah
Grace Missionary Baptist Church, Wyandotte MI
10:20 PRAISE
10:30 MESSAGE: Missionary-Pastor A. J. Hensley
New Life Baptist Church, Caraguatatuba BRASIL
11:10 BREAK
11:20 MESSAGE: Missionary-Pastor Harold Bratcher
24th of March Baptist Church, Manaus BRASIL
12:00 LUNCH
5:00 - 6:00 SUPPER
WEDNESDAYnight / April 22
7:00 PRAISE
7:30 MESSAGE: Pastor Glenn Archer
Faith Baptist Church, Kirksville MO
Motel Recommendations
You may choose to use your own travel / accommodations program or discounts...or do your own research to find a better deal. We are still recommending the Quality Inn Northwest / 750 NEWTOWN COURT / LEXINGTON KY / 859.233.0561
ONE QUEEN BED room is $54.95. TWO DOUBLE BEDS room is $59.95. They also offer continental breakfast on the premises, in-room coffeemaker, hairdryer, iron and ironing board, and high-speed internet access.
Ask for Nicky Frederick when you call to get these rates, or, ask the desk for Thompson Road Baptist Church event rates. It would be best to make your reservation by March 31st.
Travel Directions
FROM SOUTH ON I-75: Get off at Exit 104 (Athens-Boonesborough). Turn west toward town. You will be on Athens-Boonesborough Road / Richmond Road Extension. As you approach Lexington, the road will become Richmond Road around Jacobson Park. Continue straight into Lexington. Richmond Road will become Main Street. You will pass the Rupp Arena / Lexington Convention Center on your left. Turn left at the next traffic light. This is Jefferson Street. Turn right in the middle of the overpass bridge onto Manchester. About one mile down Manchester, turn right on Thompson Road and come to the top of the hill.
FROM NORTH ON I-75 OR EAST / WEST ON I-64: I-75 and I-64 merge for a few miles on the north/northeast side of Lexington. Come to Exit 115 on 64/75. This is Newtown Pike (State Route 922). Turn south toward Lexington. Follow Newtown Pike until you come to Main Street. Go straight across Main Street. This short street is Cox Street. Follow Cox Street to the dead-end. Turn right on Manchester / Old Frankfort Pike. Follow Manchester about one mile. Turn right on Thompson Road and come to the top of the hill.
If you choose to stay at Quality Inn, then follow the second set of directions above and Quality Inn will be on your left behind the Shell station just before you get to the New Circle Road interchange [1 mile from 64/75].
Saturday, February 7, 2009
2009 SPRING MISSIONS CONFERENCE
2009 BFM SPRING MISSIONS CONFERENCE
APRIL 20, 21, 22
THOMPSON ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH, LEXINGTON KY
MARK THESE DATES – PLAN TO COME!
daveparks@insightbb.com
APRIL 20, 21, 22
THOMPSON ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH, LEXINGTON KY
MARK THESE DATES – PLAN TO COME!
daveparks@insightbb.com
THANKSGIVING OFFERING UPDATE
THANKSGIVING OFFERING UPDATE
Thanks to your generous giving, our THANKSGIVING OFFERING-to-date is $77,711.09. That includes the December offerings reported in this issue of our monthly newletter, THE MISSION SHEETS.
We bless God for these financial provisions going into 2009. We will need all this – and more – to meet the challenges we will continue to face during the upcoming year. But, GOD IS ABLE TO MAKE ALL GRACE ABOUND TOWARD YOU. We believe we are doing God's work in God's way – and that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in Glory through Christ Jesus – as we ASK HIM, TRUST HIM, OBEY HIM, AND SERVE HIM!
Thanks to all of you who continue to give sacrificially and lovingly to Jesus Christ and to all our faithful missionaries. God has blessed you with His Grace to give and will continue to do so – as we obediently follow Christ.
-______________________-
GENERAL FUND MONTHLY SOLVENCY GOAL
Look at the total in this issues' General Fund column. This month's General Fund offering is $41,000.+ We haven't received a MONTHLY GENERAL FUND offering in this amount during all of 2007 or 2008 [or 2006 or 2005, either. Only in October 2004 did our monthly General Fund offerings exceed this month's.]
We bless God for every one of you who gives to any and all of our missionaries' needs – but especially to you who give to the GENERAL FUND to supply the Essential Maintenance Transactions we must disburse each month to keep our missionaries on their fields of service.
DEDUCTIONS FROM MISSIONARIES' MONTHLY DEPOSITS
We have had to make proportionate deductions from each of our missionaries' total deposits for the past two months to meet the monthly Essential Maintenance Transactions. Essential Maintenance Transactions are: salaries, standard expense allowances, hospitalization premiums, and Mission Sheets. These are expenses which almost all other missionaries must raise on their own through deputation and solicitation.
We provide these commitments from the General Fund. But, when the Monthly General Fund offering is not enough to cover these Essential Maintenance Transactions, then we must ask the missionaries to make up what lacks through proportionate deductions from their total deposits. We are making every effort to be sure these deductions, when necessary, are as fair and equitable as possible for each missionary.
WE WILL NOT NEED TO DO THAT THIS MONTH WITH THIS MONTH'S GENERAL FUND OFFERING.
THANKSGIVING OFFERING USES
We will need to use the Thanksgiving Offering from month to month during 2009 to provide for those other services, benefits, and commitments we have made to our missionaries which are not due every month, but will come due for them more periodically throughout the year. These are operating expenses, support services, furlough transportations, and Auto Allowances [when available].
We commit to you, our faithful Giving Friends, that we will administer your offerings as wisely, prudently, and cost-effectively as God enables us. But, we cannot disburse beyond our means. If we have made commitments to our missionaries, and the funds are not available to meet those commitments, then we must tell them we don't have the wherewithal to do it.
The missionaries may be asking you from time to time to help supply for them from your designated offerings some of the commitments we have made to them from the General Fund, but which may not be available to give them.
ALL OF YOUR OFFERINGS ARE BEING USED TO PREACH THE GOSPEL, MAKE DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST, AND ESTABLISH BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD. You have no better investment for your money.
Thanks to your generous giving, our THANKSGIVING OFFERING-to-date is $77,711.09. That includes the December offerings reported in this issue of our monthly newletter, THE MISSION SHEETS.
We bless God for these financial provisions going into 2009. We will need all this – and more – to meet the challenges we will continue to face during the upcoming year. But, GOD IS ABLE TO MAKE ALL GRACE ABOUND TOWARD YOU. We believe we are doing God's work in God's way – and that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in Glory through Christ Jesus – as we ASK HIM, TRUST HIM, OBEY HIM, AND SERVE HIM!
Thanks to all of you who continue to give sacrificially and lovingly to Jesus Christ and to all our faithful missionaries. God has blessed you with His Grace to give and will continue to do so – as we obediently follow Christ.
-______________________-
GENERAL FUND MONTHLY SOLVENCY GOAL
Look at the total in this issues' General Fund column. This month's General Fund offering is $41,000.+ We haven't received a MONTHLY GENERAL FUND offering in this amount during all of 2007 or 2008 [or 2006 or 2005, either. Only in October 2004 did our monthly General Fund offerings exceed this month's.]
We bless God for every one of you who gives to any and all of our missionaries' needs – but especially to you who give to the GENERAL FUND to supply the Essential Maintenance Transactions we must disburse each month to keep our missionaries on their fields of service.
DEDUCTIONS FROM MISSIONARIES' MONTHLY DEPOSITS
We have had to make proportionate deductions from each of our missionaries' total deposits for the past two months to meet the monthly Essential Maintenance Transactions. Essential Maintenance Transactions are: salaries, standard expense allowances, hospitalization premiums, and Mission Sheets. These are expenses which almost all other missionaries must raise on their own through deputation and solicitation.
We provide these commitments from the General Fund. But, when the Monthly General Fund offering is not enough to cover these Essential Maintenance Transactions, then we must ask the missionaries to make up what lacks through proportionate deductions from their total deposits. We are making every effort to be sure these deductions, when necessary, are as fair and equitable as possible for each missionary.
WE WILL NOT NEED TO DO THAT THIS MONTH WITH THIS MONTH'S GENERAL FUND OFFERING.
THANKSGIVING OFFERING USES
We will need to use the Thanksgiving Offering from month to month during 2009 to provide for those other services, benefits, and commitments we have made to our missionaries which are not due every month, but will come due for them more periodically throughout the year. These are operating expenses, support services, furlough transportations, and Auto Allowances [when available].
We commit to you, our faithful Giving Friends, that we will administer your offerings as wisely, prudently, and cost-effectively as God enables us. But, we cannot disburse beyond our means. If we have made commitments to our missionaries, and the funds are not available to meet those commitments, then we must tell them we don't have the wherewithal to do it.
The missionaries may be asking you from time to time to help supply for them from your designated offerings some of the commitments we have made to them from the General Fund, but which may not be available to give them.
ALL OF YOUR OFFERINGS ARE BEING USED TO PREACH THE GOSPEL, MAKE DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST, AND ESTABLISH BAPTIST CHURCHES IN THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD. You have no better investment for your money.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
DECEMBER 2008 THANKSGIVING OFFERING UPDATE
Our Thanksgiving Offering total is: $23,948.00
That includes all the offerings received by the close of November and listed in this issue of the Mission Sheets – 23 offerings to date. We bless God and thank each of you who has given. Others have sent in your offerings this current month and will be added to next month’s update. THE THANKSGIVING OFFERING WILL REMAIN OPEN AS LONG AS YOU GIVE. There is no “expiration date” for giving to the Thanksgiving Offering.
If you have not given to our Thanksgiving Offering, we hope you will do so. No one should think that your offering is too small to be significant. NO OFFERING IS TOO SMALL. And our need for your most generous Thanksgiving Offering you can give has never been more critical than it is now.
-_________________-
$50,000 MONTHLY SOLVENCY GOAL
I am frequently asked: “What is BFM’s greatest need?” The answer is always: “THE GENERAL FUND!” Our 14 missionary families depend on commitments we have made to them from General Fund supplies.
When you support the GENERAL FUND, you are contributing to the salaries, housing, ministry expenses, health care, furlough travel expenses, and other commitments we have made to them. All of these standard commitments are “big ticket items”. Every month we disburse from the GENERAL FUND for the benefit of our missionaries: $23,860.00 for salaries; $12,400.00 for standard expense accounts; $8500.00 for insurance premiums as well as other support services and benefits [like the printing of the Mission Sheets you are reading right now]. ALL OF THESE DISBURSEMENTS, MODEST AS THEY ARE, ARE SUPPLIED FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
When you give to the GENERAL FUND, you are enabling them to serve the Lord daily where they are without the distraction of wondering whether their essential basic needs will be met to keep them on the field.
If you are not giving to the GENERAL FUND, we hope you will commit to giving a monthly offering so we can meet their needs. If you are giving to the GENERAL FUND, would you consider increasing your offering as you are able. TOGETHER, WE CAN DO IT!
-_________________-
POSSIBLE REDUCTIONS TO OUR MISSIONARIES’ MONTHLY DEPOSITS
If we are not able to meet the standard, essential financial commitments we have made to our missionaries from monthly GENERAL FUND offerings, we will have no choice but to reduce their monthly deposits proportionately to the shortfall in that month’s GENERAL FUND contributions. That means we will necessarily ask each one of them to bear a proportionate share of the total deficit between that month’s GENERAL FUND offerings and the disbursements those offerings supply. We can’t disburse funds we don’t have.
WE HAVE DONE...AND ARE DOING...EVERYTHING WE CAN DO TO AVOID COMING TO THAT POINT. THIS IS THE ACTION THAT WE MOST DREAD. Our missionaries cannot afford to do without any of the commitments we have made to them. They already struggle with the challenge of making their personal/family/ministry ends meet on their present budgets, compounded by the continual rise in their costs of living, decrease of the dollar’s value against their field currency, and the fluctuating exchange rates they deal with.
HELP THEM THIS MONTH WITH YOUR INCREASED OFFERINGS TO THE GENERAL FUND!
God bless you, all our missionaries’ Giving Friends!
That includes all the offerings received by the close of November and listed in this issue of the Mission Sheets – 23 offerings to date. We bless God and thank each of you who has given. Others have sent in your offerings this current month and will be added to next month’s update. THE THANKSGIVING OFFERING WILL REMAIN OPEN AS LONG AS YOU GIVE. There is no “expiration date” for giving to the Thanksgiving Offering.
If you have not given to our Thanksgiving Offering, we hope you will do so. No one should think that your offering is too small to be significant. NO OFFERING IS TOO SMALL. And our need for your most generous Thanksgiving Offering you can give has never been more critical than it is now.
-_________________-
$50,000 MONTHLY SOLVENCY GOAL
I am frequently asked: “What is BFM’s greatest need?” The answer is always: “THE GENERAL FUND!” Our 14 missionary families depend on commitments we have made to them from General Fund supplies.
When you support the GENERAL FUND, you are contributing to the salaries, housing, ministry expenses, health care, furlough travel expenses, and other commitments we have made to them. All of these standard commitments are “big ticket items”. Every month we disburse from the GENERAL FUND for the benefit of our missionaries: $23,860.00 for salaries; $12,400.00 for standard expense accounts; $8500.00 for insurance premiums as well as other support services and benefits [like the printing of the Mission Sheets you are reading right now]. ALL OF THESE DISBURSEMENTS, MODEST AS THEY ARE, ARE SUPPLIED FROM THE GENERAL FUND.
When you give to the GENERAL FUND, you are enabling them to serve the Lord daily where they are without the distraction of wondering whether their essential basic needs will be met to keep them on the field.
If you are not giving to the GENERAL FUND, we hope you will commit to giving a monthly offering so we can meet their needs. If you are giving to the GENERAL FUND, would you consider increasing your offering as you are able. TOGETHER, WE CAN DO IT!
-_________________-
POSSIBLE REDUCTIONS TO OUR MISSIONARIES’ MONTHLY DEPOSITS
If we are not able to meet the standard, essential financial commitments we have made to our missionaries from monthly GENERAL FUND offerings, we will have no choice but to reduce their monthly deposits proportionately to the shortfall in that month’s GENERAL FUND contributions. That means we will necessarily ask each one of them to bear a proportionate share of the total deficit between that month’s GENERAL FUND offerings and the disbursements those offerings supply. We can’t disburse funds we don’t have.
WE HAVE DONE...AND ARE DOING...EVERYTHING WE CAN DO TO AVOID COMING TO THAT POINT. THIS IS THE ACTION THAT WE MOST DREAD. Our missionaries cannot afford to do without any of the commitments we have made to them. They already struggle with the challenge of making their personal/family/ministry ends meet on their present budgets, compounded by the continual rise in their costs of living, decrease of the dollar’s value against their field currency, and the fluctuating exchange rates they deal with.
HELP THEM THIS MONTH WITH YOUR INCREASED OFFERINGS TO THE GENERAL FUND!
God bless you, all our missionaries’ Giving Friends!
"THANK YOU!" GIVING FRIENDS!
“THANK YOU, GIVING FRIENDS!” We don't say that often enough, but we want to be sure you know how much we appreciate your faithful support for our missionaries. AND ESPECIALLY TO ALL OF YOU WHO FAITHFULLY AND CONSISTENTLY GIVE TO THE GENERAL FUND – THANK YOU! We need and appreciate ALL your offerings to our missionaries...but your offerings to the General Fund keep our missionaries on their fields of ministry. Our General Fund offerings supply our missionaries’ “DAILY BREAD” - “BREAD & BUTTER” – “SIMPLE BARE NECESSITIES” – “KEEP THE LIGHTS ON” – how else can we say it to emphasize how fundamentally essential it is to supply the GENERAL FUND with sufficient offerings to meet our missionaries’ essential living and ministry expenses.
GENERAL FUND MONTHLY SOLVENCY: $50,000.00
WE STILL NEED INCREASED OFFERINGS TO OUR MONTHLY GENERAL FUND. We disburse $50,000.00 each month in standard commitments we have made to our missionaries. EVERY MONTH - MONTH AFTER MONTH – OUR MISSIONARIES EXPECT US TO PROVIDE THESE COMMITMENTS WE HAVE PROMISED THEM. We struggle every day of every month to “pay the bills” and meet the basic, essential commitments of salaries, expense accounts, and all the other standard benefits, and support services we have told them we will provide for them.
WE ARE NOT RECEIVING SUFFICIENT MATCHING OFFERINGS FOR THE STANDARD MONTHLY DISBURSEMENTS WE MAKE EACH MONTH. We need every one of our missionaries' Giving Friends to make a personal, proportionate, perpetual commitment to give to the GENERAL FUND each month.
WE CAN MAKE OUR MONTHLY STANDARD GENERAL FUND DISBURSEMENTS SOLVENT IF EVERY ONE OF US DOES A PART. You can check our progress with us simply by looking at the Contributions page in this and every issue of the Mission Sheets. Look for the total given to the GENERAL FUND. That is what we have to work with to provide for our missionaries' essential, basic, daily needs.
WE ARE ALL OUR MISSIONARIES HAVE TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT – as the Lord Himself works through us by His own Grace, of course.
$100,000.00 THANKSGIVING OFFERING GOAL
Again, "THANK YOU!" to every one of you who has given to our Thanksgiving Offering over the years of our BFM history – and who are giving your offerings again this year. We have come this far BY FAITH – BY THE GRACE OF GOD – AND BY YOUR FAITHFUL COMMITMENT AND GENEROSITY!
Ordinarily, the bulk of our Thanksgiving Offering is given during the months of November and December. ASK THE LORD TO GIVE YOU A GENEROUS HELPING OF GRACE TO GIVE TO OUR MISSIONARIES.
Make a PERSONAL, PROPORTIONATE contribution to our Thanksgiving Offering. [See 2 Corinthians 8.12-14] IF YOU SEE THAT WE ARE NOT REACHING OUR GOAL WE NEED TO GIVE, THEN GIVE AGAIN SO WE CAN FULFILL THE COMMITMENTS WE HAVE MADE TO OUR MISSIONARIES. The Thanksgiving Offering giving opportunity is open as long as you are giving.
2009 Needs
We will need the Thanksgiving Offering funds to help us meet our monthly deficits as 2009 unfolds IF WE DON'T MEET OUR MONTHLY GENERAL FUND SOLVENCY GOAL.
Pending Disbursements
Also, we still have several thousands of dollars in benefits commitments we have made to our missionaries – but which are still pending and unpaid because we didn't have the funds during the year to pay them. So, the missionaries are still carrying that personal expense themselves. WE NEED TO FULFILL THAT COMMITMENT WE MADE TO THEM AND REIMBURSE THEM.
The standard commitments we make to our missionaries are still, at the very best we are doing, only very modest disbursements. All of our services and benefits should be increased, but we can't even think about increasing them if we are not meeting the commitments we have already made.
We are praying and asking the Lord to burden each of our hearts to join this worthy giving ministry – so our missionaries' needs will be met…so they can fund their daily ministry activities…so the Gospel of Christ can be proclaimed in all the nations of the world…so more people will be saved from their sins and discipled to follow Jesus Christ…and so THE GLORY OF CHRIST WILL COVER THE EARTH AS THE WATERS COVER THE SEA!
Now, therefore, KNOW...and CONSIDER WHAT YOU WILL DO!
1 Samuel 25.17
Grace – including Giving Grace – be with you all!
The Directors of Baptist Faith Missions
GENERAL FUND MONTHLY SOLVENCY: $50,000.00
WE STILL NEED INCREASED OFFERINGS TO OUR MONTHLY GENERAL FUND. We disburse $50,000.00 each month in standard commitments we have made to our missionaries. EVERY MONTH - MONTH AFTER MONTH – OUR MISSIONARIES EXPECT US TO PROVIDE THESE COMMITMENTS WE HAVE PROMISED THEM. We struggle every day of every month to “pay the bills” and meet the basic, essential commitments of salaries, expense accounts, and all the other standard benefits, and support services we have told them we will provide for them.
WE ARE NOT RECEIVING SUFFICIENT MATCHING OFFERINGS FOR THE STANDARD MONTHLY DISBURSEMENTS WE MAKE EACH MONTH. We need every one of our missionaries' Giving Friends to make a personal, proportionate, perpetual commitment to give to the GENERAL FUND each month.
WE CAN MAKE OUR MONTHLY STANDARD GENERAL FUND DISBURSEMENTS SOLVENT IF EVERY ONE OF US DOES A PART. You can check our progress with us simply by looking at the Contributions page in this and every issue of the Mission Sheets. Look for the total given to the GENERAL FUND. That is what we have to work with to provide for our missionaries' essential, basic, daily needs.
WE ARE ALL OUR MISSIONARIES HAVE TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT – as the Lord Himself works through us by His own Grace, of course.
$100,000.00 THANKSGIVING OFFERING GOAL
Again, "THANK YOU!" to every one of you who has given to our Thanksgiving Offering over the years of our BFM history – and who are giving your offerings again this year. We have come this far BY FAITH – BY THE GRACE OF GOD – AND BY YOUR FAITHFUL COMMITMENT AND GENEROSITY!
Ordinarily, the bulk of our Thanksgiving Offering is given during the months of November and December. ASK THE LORD TO GIVE YOU A GENEROUS HELPING OF GRACE TO GIVE TO OUR MISSIONARIES.
Make a PERSONAL, PROPORTIONATE contribution to our Thanksgiving Offering. [See 2 Corinthians 8.12-14] IF YOU SEE THAT WE ARE NOT REACHING OUR GOAL WE NEED TO GIVE, THEN GIVE AGAIN SO WE CAN FULFILL THE COMMITMENTS WE HAVE MADE TO OUR MISSIONARIES. The Thanksgiving Offering giving opportunity is open as long as you are giving.
2009 Needs
We will need the Thanksgiving Offering funds to help us meet our monthly deficits as 2009 unfolds IF WE DON'T MEET OUR MONTHLY GENERAL FUND SOLVENCY GOAL.
Pending Disbursements
Also, we still have several thousands of dollars in benefits commitments we have made to our missionaries – but which are still pending and unpaid because we didn't have the funds during the year to pay them. So, the missionaries are still carrying that personal expense themselves. WE NEED TO FULFILL THAT COMMITMENT WE MADE TO THEM AND REIMBURSE THEM.
The standard commitments we make to our missionaries are still, at the very best we are doing, only very modest disbursements. All of our services and benefits should be increased, but we can't even think about increasing them if we are not meeting the commitments we have already made.
We are praying and asking the Lord to burden each of our hearts to join this worthy giving ministry – so our missionaries' needs will be met…so they can fund their daily ministry activities…so the Gospel of Christ can be proclaimed in all the nations of the world…so more people will be saved from their sins and discipled to follow Jesus Christ…and so THE GLORY OF CHRIST WILL COVER THE EARTH AS THE WATERS COVER THE SEA!
Now, therefore, KNOW...and CONSIDER WHAT YOU WILL DO!
1 Samuel 25.17
Grace – including Giving Grace – be with you all!
The Directors of Baptist Faith Missions
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