         
Why do we care about "Missions"? Because God is a missionary. He sent His Son into this
dying world to redeem us. All Christians are fruit of His missions program. God's Son, Jesus, commanded His disciples to also become missionaries, saying "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. I am with you always, to the end of the age." Why does Redeemer have a Missions Conference? Because churches have learned that having a special time each year to focus exclusively on missions is one of the best practical ways to focus the priorities of all believers on Jesus' command to have a heart for missions and the redemption of this world. The Faith Promise ~ How we support our Missions Program "Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:7-8 What is the Faith Promise? The Faith Promise plan of giving is not based upon money people have. Rather, it is an encouragement to exercise faith in the Lord for the amount each person believes God would have him give for the support of evangelism through missions. A Faith Promise is a commitment to the Lord in which we give by faith the amount of money, as the Lord provides, over and above our regular giving, to the missions ministry of our church. How does it differ from a pledge? A pledge is made to an individual or an organization, whereas the faith promise giving is solely between you and God. There is no individual survey, solicitation of funds or pressure to give. There are no records kept of amounts and by whom, only a record of the total amount promised. Giving is voluntary, spiritual and scriptural. You are encouraged to pray about this and let the Lord lead you in your giving. How does this plan of giving work? Each year at the Missions Conference, those who desire to participate are asked to turn in a card listing the amount God has impressed upon them to trust Him for during the coming year. These cards are handed out during the Missions Conference.
How does the church arrive at a budget for its missions program? On Sunday of the Missions Conference, the
cards will be collected and totaled. From the total amount promised, our present missionary commitments will be
applied. If there is a surplus, the missions committee will evaluate whether to increase support, take on new
missionaries or fund special mission projects that may come about during the year. Do I have to participate? No one has to participate any more than anyone has to serve the Lord. Giving is voluntary and no one is ever personally approached and asked to participate. Everyone is encouraged to become involved in world evangelism. All money goes to support missions. This faith giving is to be above regular tithes and offerings that go to support the local church. Who may participate? Anyone, young and old, who has prayerfully considered this before the Lord may participate. Non-members who believe in the ministry of Redeemer PCA and desire to share in world evangelism may also paricipate. How do I determine the amount to give? The amount promised should be according to your faith. This must be arrived at in prayer and the burden that God places upon your heart to support evangelism worldwide. Ask Him to guide you and give you a specific amount that you might trust Him to supply. Remember, monetary impulse giving is not exercising faith. Further, God expects us to keep our vows which we make unto Him. Also, remember that faith promise giving is not a shifting of some of your regular giving into the area of missions. When you're ready, you can record your faith promise here. How Can I Serve? You may ask "What can I do?" Do I have to move to a third world country, live in a hut in the jungle and share the gospel with the natives? Uh.......Maybe. Many are called to "Go", but there are many other ways to become directly involved in spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The easiest way....Give glory and honor to God in your everyday life and be light to all those you come in contact with. Here are some more ways you can serve as a "sender" - Prayer - Maybe the greatest need of our missionaries is to have our consistent prayer. Take part in this vital area by praying every day of the week for these things: the missionary's relationship with God, their physical and emotional life, their marriage, their family, their relationship with other team members, and for the hearts of people they seek to reach.
Correspondence - Write to, or e-mail our missionaries! Have your children write to their children. Send
carepackages (always check regulations or restrictions of contents prior to shipping). Encourage them, ask for ways
to pray specifically for them, let them know you care for them. Your words can bring refreshment to a weary soul! Operation Christmas Child (OCC) - Each year our church participates in OCC - the "Shoe Box" ministry of Samaritan's Purse. Start collecting items now. Have fun and be praying for the children who may receive your boxes! Maybe you could head up Redeemer's collection this Fall? Mission Trips - Do you want a taste of missionary work? In 2005 Redeemer sent a team to Fairmont, WV with Mission to the World to do major repairs and new construction for the needy in that area. In 2007 we partnered with Lagniappe Presbyterian Church in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi and served the people there by assisting in the on-going recovery from Hurricane Katrina (take a look). In 2010 we traveled to Lincoln County, West Virginia, to complete some renovation and repair work on the house used by Stop the Revolving Door Ministries. Check out our efforts and consider being a part of our next adventure! Mission to the World (MTW) Minutemen for Missions - This is VERY COOL ... Minutemen for Missions is a ministry of compassionate response to urgent human suffering. The "minutemen" are a group of people who commit themselves to support through prayer and giving. The minutemen stand ready to send $5 or more, up to four times per year, as they are notified. Gifts sent to MTW from the minutemen are used by missionaries to minister God's compassion to suffering people around the world. YOU can become a minuteman! Just ask for a request form at minutemen@mtw.org. Special Projects - Always stay tuned for special opportunities to help here in our local community and congregation. Missions Committee - Do these things discussed here inspire you? Do they get you excited? Do you have a heart for missions? We encourage you to come to a committee meeting. Be a part of planning the missions conferences, praying for and meeting new missionaries to support, and keeping "missions" the heartbeat of Redeemer. 
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