Mission Trip, Anyone?

In the last recorded words that Jesus gave His disciples while on earth, he said "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8) This is His geographical plan for evangelism. Starting at home, moving out into surrounding areas, and eventually to the far reaches of the earth.

At Westmoreland Baptist, we desire to be a missional church. We are a congregation which began as a mission in 1915. We have long been involved in supporting SBC missions in foreign fields, North America, and West Virginia through our giving to the Cooperative Program, and through the Annie Armstrong, Lottie Moon, and Ola Cox mission offerings. WBC has begun mission works in Huntington and across the state of West Virginia. We have had members who have answered the call of missions, both as career missionaries, journeymen, and in other capacities, such as through disaster relief, short term mission trips, and working through the Huntington City Mission.

In Acts, chapter 16 the Apostle Paul was on his second missionary journey and, while at Troas, he was impressed to bring the Gospel to folks across the sea in Macedonia. This call came in a vision at night. Here is how Luke recorded it in one of his "we" passages:

"And a vision appeared to Paul in the night. A man of Macedonia stood and pleaded with him, saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Now after he had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go to Macedonia, concluding that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel to them. "

I have felt such a calling in my ministry as well. While hoping to go on a short term trip to Poland and eastern Europe in 1999, God gave me a "Macedonian Call" of sorts to a very different place. The Philippine Islands, and He has used us in a wonderful way to help bless the work that He was already doing in that place. It has been a true blessing. Now here is my question to you.

Anyone out there interested in a possible short term mission trip to the Philippines early next year? Multiple opportunities for Ministry. Ministry opportunities include:

· preaching
· teaching
· music (vocal or instrumental)
· scripture distribution
· house to house evangelism
· hospital ministry
· ministry to men, women, students, and children’s groups,
· prayer walking
· personal evangelism
· possible painting and light construction/maintenance
· and other opportunities should the Lord open other doors…

This can be a life changing experience. First time mission workers (men and women) are welcome. Tentative dates would be in late January or in February, 2011.

We will be working with native Filipino pastors and church planters. The trip would last two weeks, (11 or 12 days of actual ministry in the Philippines). Number of ministry teams and individual team members will be determined by the number of folks who will make the trip. Actual mission projects and itinerary are set by our Filipino hosts. We can take team members as young as 18. Some have gone on the trip in the past who were in their 60’s and 70’s. One should be in reasonably good health and be able to walk some distance. (I’ve done it with a broken foot!)

Actual cost is very reasonable, and includes plane fare, shared room, and shared ground transportation. Only other costs would be for your food and personal needs while there. Passport required (but visa not required). Tickets will not be purchased until late September, so no money would be due until then. For more information, contact me by email at pastoradkins@windstream.net or by calling me at 304-412-0352

I am praying that God will put it on the hearts of several folks to participate.
Love to have you along!