WMU Missions Seminar at Boone Creek Baptist Church
Photo by Shari Harris
Smiling faces greeted attendees at the conference.
By Shari Harris, Publisher
A Missions Seminar was held Saturday at Boone Creek Baptist Church. The Woman’s Mission Union (WMU) seminar offered break out sessions throughout the day, with information on reaching different groups, as well as information on missions, not only abroad, but in local churches and communities. Thirty-five women attended from Licking and surrounding communities.
Missionaries spoke to those attending about the importance of their prayer in support of missionaries, both in their work and in their lives.
“God is really working through your prayers,” said Amy Doolittle.
Zack Doolittle, Cross Cultural Strategist for Missouri Baptist Convention, offered the closing session. He helps churches and organizations learn to interact with people from other cultures.
Doolittle stated that the 2020 census showed that ten percent of Missouri’s population was immigrants, and he anticipates that percentage has grown in the four years since. Of the top 50 countries immigrating, 27 of those countries are closed, unreached, or both, in relation to Christian evangelism.
He emphasized that missionary work needs to be done here, within local communities, to reach this population which may have never been introduced to Christianity.
“Be missionaries where we are at,” he urged, and shared several immigrant groups he was aware of just within Texas County.
He encouraged hospitality, inviting an immigrant to your home, to share how you live and worship. Churches have to step out, and learn to engage people from other nations and cultures, he said.
“What an opportunity,” Doolittle expressed, “God has brought them to us. What a time to live in.”
He cited a verse from Matthew, to emphasize his point. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19, NKJ)
Photos by Shari Harris
