Our nation needs Jesus! As I shared on Sunday, many people in our country are confused and unclear about who Jesus is and how a person goes to Heaven. As the Bible reveals, our mission is clear, and our assignment is urgent. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Mt. 28:19). Our gospel-centered witness starts at home and then extends to the nations. In a conversation with His disciples, Jesus commanded, “Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest” (Jn. 4:35). As followers of Jesus Christ, do you and I see that the fields are white for harvest around us, too?
Giving to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering is one way for us to reach North America for Jesus. As Southern Baptists’, we have thousands of God-called missionaries on the mission field, building relationships and sharing Jesus. 100% of our offering supports missionaries who are planting churches and reaching people for Christ. Our church goal is $12,500. I’m confident that together we can meet and exceed the offering goal.
Who is Annie Armstrong? What is the importance and legacy of her mission offering? “Each year, we honor the life and advocacy of Annie Walker Armstrong (1850-1938) when we give to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American missions. As a tireless servant of God and a contagious advocate and supporter of missions efforts throughout the world, Annie Armstrong led women to unite in missions endeavors that ultimately led to the formation of Woman’s Missionary Union, for which she served as the first corresponding secretary.
Annie believed in and followed Christ with all her heart, but it was her hands that expressed that belief in tangible ways. She spent a great amount of time typing and handwriting letters in support of missions. Many of these letters were quite lengthy and all were filled with conviction that more could and should be done in our missions efforts. Annie also never hesitated to use her hands to reach out to hug a child or distribute food, clothing and the Word of God to those in need. Her hands held her own Bible as she studied to know how best to share God’s love with others. And, most important, Annie was a woman of prayer, folding her hands in prayer to intercede for the missionaries and for those they were helping discover Christ.
Annie rallied churches to give more, pray more, and do more for reaching people for Christ. As modern-day missions advocates unite to continue that work today, we can be confident that her legacy will also be ours.”
During the month of April, as a church, let’s come together and give generously and sacrificially to help missionaries push back spiritual lostness in North America. I’m thankful to see the Lord using our church to fulfill Acts 1:8. God is raising up servants to be His witnesses in Tallahassee, Florida, North America, and to the nations of the world. Praise God that He is using us to love upward, inward, and outward!
I look forward to seeing you this Sunday in Sunday School and worship. We’ll finish the “Stained Glass Windows” sermon series and make a special announcement (presentation) that will position us to love upward, inward, and outward in greater ways in the days ahead. May the Lord’s Spirit stir His church this Sunday!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Ronny
Luke 10:2