As I write, we’re just past mid-September, but it’s starting to look like Fall. The leaves are falling, it’s dark by the time evening services end, & we’ve even seen rain. Here’s some of what October means for our church calendar:
1. Missouri Missions Offering emphasis is ending - I want to thank you, & praise God that we’ve met our MMO goal!
2. Our Mineral Area Baptist Association’s annual meeting is coming up – Oct. 5, Iron Mountain.
3. Our Missouri Baptist Convention will be the last week of this month – Oct. 27-28, Branson.
4. All-Saints’ is coming. What is All-Saints’? This is always a special time of year, because we get to “treat” our neighbors to a safe, fun-filled, learning experience, when they are already looking for something to do. We create a museum-like experience with festive decorations, fellowship, activities, food, movies, & a serious look at saints, present & past, who have stood for Christ through the centuries.
Many of our guests will come for the candy, chili & hot-dogs, but they’ll walk in to see biblical/historical interpretation of many common Halloween themes, symbols & traditions. There’s even a treasure hunt option to win prizes. As they move through the maze that leads through the displays, they’ll step across a “Mettle Detector” to find stories of recent missionaries & persecuted saints around the world. Further back, they’ll see Reformation-period saints & our first English Bibles. Still further back, there’s a full-scale Catacomb section in the Church Fathers’ room, with examples of early Christian symbols & art to copy. Finally, we have the earliest believers, a cut-away version of Jesus’ empty tomb, apologetic resources, the awful truth about the persecution of our brothers that goes all the way back in time, & the Gideons Bible give-away. Besides giving away treats, tracts, activity sheets, prizes & food, we also have libraries & seating in each room & a mini-theater.
We haven’t put together all the details, but we hope to have a fellowship on Wed., Oct. 29, for home folks, & we’ll need help on the big night - Oct. 31 - to man the various stations to give away all those treats I mentioned. We also need to pass the word through flyers & personal invitations earlier in the month.
Why do we do what we do? Here are three reasons:
1. We know that Jesus told us to make disciples. Part of evangelization is through testimony (Acts 9, 22 & 26), God’s Word (2 Tim 3:14-16), & being able to give a reason for the hope that is within us (1 Pt 3:15). Baptizing includes the element of fellowship, & teaching whatsoever Jesus has commanded means education & example. Even handing out flyers, & asking people to “come to dinner” is part of evangelization.
2. Paul wrote (2 Co 10:3–6) “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” We are seeking to pull down strongholds, cast down arguments, and bring thoughts into captivity for Christ.
3. And we’re making known the needs of our persecuted brothers & sisters, in order to spur us to pray for them & those who rule over them (1 Tim 2), so that we may all lead quiet & peaceable lives in godliness & reverence.
See You Sunday! Bro. Bill
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