Mission Work

Okay, in case you haven't heard, our local congregation has caught a vision to be a true New Testament Church, which basically means that within the New Testament are specific principles, commands and details on how to be the Church that Christ would want us to be.

Pictured from left to right are the six men headed to Africal in just a few days. Pastor David Burns, Gene Ethridge, Jeff Hashbarger, Casey Watts, Josh Jenkins and Mike Jenkins. We believe in living according to the Word of God, led by the Spirit and with little to no emphasis on the non-essentials. There are very essential elements of Christianity that are often disregarded for the more non-essentials. Churches disregard missions or evangelism and instead hold car shows and ski trips. Or some churches continue to preach salvation Sunday after Sunday to the same saved people.

Oswald Smith was a well known evangelist and missionary who lived from 1889-1986. He once said, "No one has the right to hear the gospel twice, while there remains someone who has not heard it once."

We decided years ago that we want to be a healthy church, not just a big church focusing on numbers, buildings and budgets. Now our desire is to make disciples, to grow more and more in Christ's likeness. And, part of this journey has been missions, the passion to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

We believe in preaching the whole gospel, using the Law to lead people to see that they are not good according to the 10 commandments, and then show them that if they were judged by the 10 commandments by God, they would have God's wrath poured on them and burn forever in hell's fire. However, God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will never died, but have everlasting life by repenting and trusting in Jesus.

We are a Body of Christ that takes the Great Commission seriously. This passion is now leading six men from our church to embark on another overseas mission's trip to Liberia, Africa.
For me, I can't wait to preach the gospel to a people who are hungry to hear. When we share and preach, we must rely upon the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we are led to go here and go there, places unknown to us, but as the Spirit leads, we follow. This is unfamiliar to those who still depend upon preparation, and for those who like to know where we are going next. Look at this video clip of the six of us sharing about preparing to preach in the Spirit rather than preaching in our own power.

The Bible says, "And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:14-15).

Please continue to pray for us. We are desperate for your prayers and support. We have much work that must be accomplished for the LORD in a very short time span.

David