Samaria Update—August 2005

This periodic update is designed to help churches that have    embraced the Acts 1:8 Challenge be aware of resources from the North American Mission Board (NAMB). Use them as your
church plans and implements its strategy to be involved in
reaching North America for Christ. Previous editions of the Samaria Update available here.

Featured Resource
“Who Cares” Media Campaign Ready for Churches

The North American Mission Board has teamed up with InovaOne Studios to produce a ground-breaking media campaign that seeks to provide every individual with real, relevant help to cope with life’s problems—and to answer that urgent question, “Who Cares?”

The Who Cares campaign incorporates TV commercials, print media, billboards, radio, broadband Web sites, and e-mail into one of the most relevant media campaigns the Christian world has ever seen. Launching in fall 2005, it will be available to anyone who wants to participate. All of the commercials and other media from the national campaign can be customized to run in each church’s local market. In addition, a sermon series featuring some of the nation’s leading pastors is incorporated into each local campaign, and the commercials make great sermon-starters.

Churches or individuals wanting to be involved or who need more information about the campaign may visit www.SeeWhoCares.org, or call 1 800 249-9438.

"Prepare"—Promote the Mission of Your Church Using Acts 1:8

Perhaps it is time to evaluate the communication tools and activities your church is using to promote the mission of your church. Is it through worship services, sermons, newsletter, bulletin, Web site, or by using the Acts 1:8 doctrine study? If your church is like most, it will take multiple communication “touches” using all of these activities to get everyone’s attention. One of most important aspects of any communication is keeping your message clear and understandable as you get everyone on board with your Acts 1:8 commitment. Videos, PowerPoint presentations, articles, and other resources are available in the resources section at www.ActsOne8.com.

"Learn"—Link Your Web site to Missionary Stories

Consider linking your church's Web site to the www.namb.net/missionaryspotlight story for an up-to-date missionary story that will inspire and inform you about the work of more than 5,200 missionaries serving in Samaria. These stories are good starting points to connecting with a missionary, perhaps even providing a network for your church to be directly involved in the ministries profiled.

"Pray"—Pray for People Groups in Your Community, State
          and Country

The International Mission Board (www.imb.org) encourages Southern Baptists to adopt people groups throughout the world. Generally, a people group shares a common language, ethnicity, religion, and culture. Most churches do not have to look hard to identify people groups in their community, Judea and Samaria. Pray now for your church to have a heart for the many people groups in North America and for God to help your church identify ways to reach them for His glory! The Multiethnic and Cross-Cultural Evangelism Unit at NAMB can assist your church with strategies to reach people groups. For more information and people group resources click here or call (770) 410-6330.

"Give"—Promote Your State Missions Offering this Fall

Now is the time to start planning your promotion for your fall state convention missions offering. Contact your state office for more information. A list of state conventions and contact information is available at www.sbc.net.

 

If your church has one combined missions offering, be certain to give equal time to local, state, national, and international missions. Make it clear how the combined mission offering will be used to support these various ministries throughout the year.  A missions fair or other similar event can help to kick-off your emphasis. Invite missionaries that represent the various mission fields the offering supports. NAMB can assist your church in securing North American missions speakers. E-mail missionaryspeakers@namb.net or call (770) 410-6357 for more information.

 

"Go"—Volunteers Needed to Assist When Disaster Strikes

Following terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, after hurricanes ravaged coastlines, or when flooding left thousands of people homeless, did members of your church express interest in helping victims? Hundreds of Southern Baptist volunteers are needed for mass feeding, chaplaincy, clean up and recovery, child care, water purification, and communications. For more information and training dates, contact your Baptist state convention office or visit  www.namb.net/dr.

 

"Tell"—Everyone Can  Resources Available for Fall

“Everyone Can . . . Be On Mission to Share Jesus” is the theme of this year’s On Mission to Share Jesus (OMTSJ) emphasis. The event is observed each fall as churches challenge their members to cultivate an evangelistic lifestyle.

 

October 2 is the suggested time to observe the emphasis, but churches are encouraged to use another date if it fits their schedule. Materials may be downloaded for printing by clicking on the “Everyone Can” link at www.namb.net.

 

Churches without an Internet connection may call NAMB at (770) 410-6315 to receive the materials on CD. A portion of the materials will also be available in Spanish.

 

"Send"—US/C2 for College and Recent Seminary Graduates

Meaningful missions experience is available to college and recent seminary graduates through US/C2 appointment.

 

US/C2 missionaries serve two years under joint appointment with NAMB, Canadian conventions, and state conventions.

 

Qualifications for US/C2 appointment are:

• A passion for reaching the lost with the good news of Jesus Christ
• Four-year degree from an accredited college or seminary
• Active membership in a Southern Baptist church for at least two years
• Genuine conversion experience

Benefits of US/C2 service include travel to the field of service; food, housing and utilities allowance; health, life and accidental insurance; severance pay at the end of two-year service; and support of the national prayer network for NAMB missionaries

 

More information about US/C2 appointment is available at  www.answerthecall.net, by e-mail at call@namb.net, or by calling 1 800 462-8657, ext. 6473.

"Multiply"—100 Attend Baltimore Church Planting Tour

More than 80 churches and 100 people participated in the recent church planting tour held in Baltimore. The tour group filled two 56 passenger buses with participants committing to sponsor 36 new church starts.

 

If your church still does not know where to get connected in church planting, participating in a vision tour is a great way to start. Limited space is available on future tours in the following cities:

 

Sioux City, S.D. – Sept. 20-23
Las Vegas, Nev. – Oct. 4-5
Denver, Colo. – Oct. 6
Reno, Nev. – Oct. 11-12
Wilkes Barre/Scranton, Pa. – Oct. 12-13
Cincinnati, Ohio – Oct. 13-14
Johnson County/Lawrence, Kan. – Oct. 19-20
Des Moines, Iowa – Oct. 20-21
Los Angles, Calif. – Oct. 24-25
Rochester/Syracuse, N.Y. – Oct. 24-25
San Francisco Bay Area, Calif. – Oct. 27-28
Rogers County, Okla. – Nov 1-2
Hilo, Hawaii – Nov. 1-2
Chicago, Ill. – Nov. 3-4
Dodge City, Garden City/Western Kan. – Nov 28-29

 

If your church would like to sign up to participate in a tour or needs more information, e-mail sponsorchurches@namb.net or call (770) 410-6283.

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