A church that is the destination of many mission trips is not content to just sit on the sidelines.
AVONDALE— A church that is the destination of many mission trips is not content to just sit on the sidelines.
First Baptist Avondale sent 21 of its members to Puebla, Mexico, on the church’s first international mission trip Feb. 20-27, to work with Belen Baptist Church and International Mission Board missionaries.
This team, including children, youth, and adults, did construction work, puppet shows, street evangelism, and medical work.
“So many people have ministered to us in Avondale that we wanted to experience missions abroad and be a blessing to the people at Belen,” said Jess Archer, the minister of education who helped organize the trip. “We want our church to realize that being on mission for God is a command He gives all believers, no matter the size of the church.”
Archer is a New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary student who is a part of the Unlimited Partnerships program.
She is being sponsored by Forest Hills Baptist Church in Brentwood, Tenn., which pays her salary and mentors her.
Avondale members worked with an orphanage, nursing home, pediatric hospital, abandoned and handicapped children’s homes, and homeless shelters as well as at neighborhood church rally in a nearby village. Through the mission work of First Avondale, 20 people made decisions to follow Christ.
As much as this mission team was able to minister to the people of Belen, the team was ministered to as well, several First Avondale members said.
“This trip affected me in a very positive way,” said Sabreena Holmes, a youth who went on the trip. “Mostly because for the first time, I really felt like I was fulfilling my purpose in life, which is to glorify the Lord.”
Kristen Daniels was puppet coordinator.
“Going to Mexico on missions changed my perspective of my mission at home,” Daniels said. “I don’t want to be content any longer in caring only for my needs and the needs of my family. Why should I go to another country and look for opportunities at every turn to witness, and then come home and think only of buying milk and bread at the grocery store? I want to daily be on mission here.”
Students involved with Unlimited Partnerships serve on staff in local churches as ministers of education. Unlimited Partnerships’ goal is to train leaders to effectively serve churches by providing on the job experience, mentoring, and networking. To sponsor an UP student at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary contact the UP office – 225.202.1816 – or email bethanyhales@yahoo.com.