Mission's Conference Week 1

Make Disciples – 2019 - 5

Subject – Celebrating God’s Faithfulness thru Our People

by Rick Welborne

Matthew 28:16-20 (NLT2)
¹⁶  Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
¹⁷  When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
¹⁸  Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
¹⁹  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
²⁰  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 

--As we approached this day I began to pray about how I would be able to share a message about “Make Disciples” and making that tie to Missions.

--Sometimes I feel God has to deal with me like that child that is very much loved but is not the brightest kid that He has. Thank God for His patience with us. Lord, how can I share this with our people?

--I kind of felt like He said, “Really, Ricky!” Of course, I said yes, Lord, please help me! He spoke to me and said, “Read the verse you have been using for your title real slow and pay attention!” Yes, Lord!

Matthew 28:19 (NLT2)
¹⁹  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations…

--The Lord said, “Stop! Read that again!” I read it again and went real slow. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations…Have you ever felt really silly talking with God…it’s right there in front of me. 

--God the Son, Jesus is saying to us…Go and make disciples of all nations. That’s the message and that is what I will be communicating to you today with Holy Spirit’s help. How can they go if they are not sent?

--If my pastoral staff and myself will help to make you into the disciple Jesus wants you to be…you must catch the vision of missions. After Jesus’ resurrection it was His primary message. Go and Make Disciples!

--Today we will be celebrating God’s faithfulness through His people…through you…through Life Church! Get ready to give all the glory to God…to celebrate His awesome faithfulness. 

1. Though our wonderful House of Hope and all their incredible volunteers, in 2018 we gave to our community 315,060 pounds or 158 tons of food. An increase of almost 54,000 lbs. 27 tons more of food.

--The House of Hope is led by Everett Bass and his awesome team…thanks so much! Please stand!

--Life Church spent only $13,842 in purchasing food (Second Harvest) and the rest was given by you, by First Baptist Church of Leesburg, Operation Blessings, and by Harbor Oaks Community. 

--They averaged about 367 families a month…4,400 families annually. Up 354 from last year. 

--Brother Bass’s report said that they ministered to or impacted about 1,200 individuals a month! Volunteer hours were 4800 hours. 92 a week! Up 900 hours from last year.

2. Through Joseph’s Storehouse (our benevolence ministry) we gave over $28,000 to help the poor and needy in our community, to help teachers in two schools, and to help those needing counseling.

Back to School Teachers      $5,900

Dr. Duke - 289 visits             $7,225

Christmas Blessing               $4,700

Community Benevolence    $10,193 - includes Utility & Rental Assistance as well as any monies spent on Funeral/Memorial Services

--We have cultivated an atmosphere of generosity at Life Church and I commend you for catching the vision of what God is doing and desires to do.  

--I figured that we gave close to $540 a week (an average) to help the poor and needy in our community. God bless you, Life Church, for your amazing generosity. 

Proverbs 19:17 (NLT)
¹⁷  If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD— and he will repay you! 

--I don’t believe there is a lack of funds for ministry but I do believe there is a lack of vision…people will put their money where there is vision.

Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
¹⁸  Where there is no vision, the people perish…

--Leadership is here to bring vision and revelation about what our responsibilities are…the poor and missions!

3. Through our Life Church Mission’s Program in 2018 we were able to do amazing things!

--Life Church Missions is led by Dan and Peggy Duvall and Joel and Carrie Rosario and a wonderful mission’s board. Please stand!

--We started the year with 170 missionaries and because of your generosity we ended the year with 180…48 US and 132 World…do you understand how incredible that is? Thank you for being so faithful!

--I always want people to know how we support US Missions because many will try to say, “Why do we send so much money around the world when the US needs help?” We get it. We support 48 here and could do more!

--Because we had 82 new Faith Promises to Missions last year, for the first time we had over 250…actually 252. It is so important for everyone to give to the General Missions so that we can increase our numbers.

Our Faith Promises totaled    $272,916…our total giving was much higher than that…watch this: We gave to:

Speed the Light                      $  1,221 

BGMC                                    $14,844

Local Missions                       $     576 - Evangelism tracks & support for local benevolence ministry

Puerto Rico Missions Trip     $ 23,159

Sunday School                       $   3,674 - Sunday School Materials, Breakfast foods, and percent to Pen-FL)

LaVida                                   $   4,173 - outreach for Spanish Ministry

Light for the Lost                  $    2,450 

Hallowed King Family Fest. $    2,385 - outreach in our community

Disaster Relief                       $    1,465 - monies spent for North Carolina and North Florida relief. 

Missions To Assemblies       $ 10,685 Missions sent by people directly to AG

                                               $ 38,006 Non-AG - represents 26 different ministries

                                               $327,870 A/G 

Total for the above     $430,508

--Just think what we could do if we had 100% participation? Make a FP of $1 a week…can’t pay it…I will!

--Out of 13000 churches in the A/G…we have been in the top 100 (75 last year) for several years…how crazy is it that a relatively small A/G Church can accomplish that…your generosity! God’s faithfulness!

--I expect my pastoral leadership, my Board of Deacons, department heads, and all who lead to be an example of faithful and generosity to Missions…General Missions! It is our life blood and why we are so blessed!

--I have had people ask me thru the years does Life Church tithe (give 10%) of the money that comes in back into ministry and missions? I say “no” because we give about one-third of our funds into these areas.

--That being said, we had been taking 3% of our GF and putting it into all the other Mission’s giving of our church. This 

4. Life Church is celebrating God’s favor in an incredible way in La Vida, our Spanish Ministry.

• • 21 members received.
• • 1^st baby dedication (Jeremiah)
• • 6 baptisms
• • An average of 20 people serving each week.
• • Vida Kidz – 2 kids to an average of 6.
• • Under 15 people in average attendance in 2017 and an average of 35 in 2018.
• • Our 3-member band in 2017 is now a 7-member band. That’s a big deal for this ministry!
• • Gave under $500 to missions in 2017. Gave a little over $3,000 to missions in 2018. That’s about 12% of total ministry income!
• • Total giving in 2017 was $7,000. In 2018 it was $26,000! Which means more resources to reach more people for the kingdom of God!
• • Pastor Juan - Look at all that God did in just one year. Imagine what He’ll do this year!

5. Life Church is celebrating all the ministries and giving God the glory!

--Our Men’s Ministry under Bill Bibler is growing and thriving! Our WMs Ministry is flourishing under Donna Brooker.

--The Life Church Music Department under Pastor Aaron and his team is growing so much! Bible Quiz has exploded with growth and success under Pastor Mark and Christie Anne.

--BYF under Pastor Marty and Faye just had one of its largest attendances ever with their kick-off for this year.  Connect Groups are growing under Pastor Joseph. 

--We could go on and on but time will not permit. Thanks to all the other ministries that are also growing and making disciples on a regular basis.

--Yes, we are here to celebrate God’s faithfulness but we are here at the beginning of this Missions Month to boast in the Lord, to celebrate you and your faithfulness, and to challenge you again to commit to FPs.

--When we take on a missionary we do it basically for life or at least until they come off the field. We challenge you to be here these first three Sundays of February to hear our hearts and our speaker’s hearts for Missions.

--These speakers are great speakers and will challenge you! By the way, when we have guest missionaries, please do not decide to stay home…they need your encouragement and support. It’s not all about you!

--Be willing to give up something to do a FP for the first time or to increase your FP. God will bless you for it. Our family and our church has experienced those blessings for years.

2 Corinthians 9:12-15 (NKJV)
¹²  For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,
¹³  while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,
¹⁴  and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.
¹⁵  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

Our faithfulness to giving and our faithfulness to Missions:

1. Meets the needs of the missionaries.

2. It causes thanksgiving to God.

3. It shows your confession of Christ is sincere.

4. It causes the recipients (the missionaries) to pray for you.

5. It magnifies God’s indescribable gift…Jesus!  

--I challenge to fill out your Faith Promise Card and trust God to provide all that you need and more.