It was in 1977 that Southern Baptists established Missions
Service Corps as a way of funding missions in ways that would not have been
possible under conventional funding models.
Twenty-five years and more than 7,600 volunteers later, the
strategy has become one of the Southern Baptist Conventions most effective
tools for reaching North America with the gospel.
It was in 1977 that Southern Baptists established Missions
Service Corps as a way of funding missions in ways that would not have been
possible under conventional funding models.
Twenty-five years and more than 7,600 volunteers later, the
strategy has become one of the Southern Baptist Conventions most effective
tools for reaching North America with the gospel.
Earlier this month, that fact was celebrated during an anniversary
Missions Service Corps luncheon in conjunction with the annual Southern Baptist
Convention.
The luncheon also served as the kickoff of the MSC Future Fund,
an endowment organizers say will help position Missions Service Corps to take
advantage of strategic opportunities and provide emergency assistance for corps
volunteers.
During the luncheon, North American Mission Board President
Robert Reccord thanked those volunteers for sacrificial service on the front-lines
of ministry.
“The primary act of worship in our life is not just sitting
in a pew on Sundays, as important as that is,” he said, referring to Romans
12:1-2. “It is the giving our life to him every single day – to say
whatever it is you want, wherever you want me to serve, Im ready,
and Im ready to follow.”
Missions Service Corps is a task force of volunteers who give
full-time service for four months or more to support church planting and evangelism
efforts. They are either self-supporting or raise their own funding, but gain
their assignment, training and other assistance through the North American Mission
Board.
Those who commit to work a minimum of 20 hours a week for at
least two years are included in the boards missionary count, currently
making up 1,943 of the 5,154 missionaries.
The volunteers serve in various roles.
For instance, David and Carla Tubbs serve as “tentmakers”
in Frisco, Colo., where his job at a ski resort enables the couple to coordinate
a variety of resort ministries in association with High Country Baptist Church.
During the recent luncheon, the couple said they felt called
to serve in the area after visiting on vacation.
“I think when you know Jesus, he doesnt keep it
a secret,” Carla Tubbs said of their call. “He lets you know what
he wants you do to for him. And in our case, it was pick up, sell our business,
sell our house, and give up anything, and move to Colorado.”
In turn, Bobby and Gayle Pruitt have invested 15 years in evangelizing
and discipling college students at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
Bobby Pruitt told luncheon participants that the Missions Service
Corps strategy has allowed his wife and him to develop a strong network of churches
and individuals that provides more than just financial support. “We feel
their prayers, and they write us and encourage us,” he related. “And
that helps a lot.”
Meanwhile, Richard and Mary Gomez serve in retirement, helping
to recruit and manage other Mission Service Corps missionaries in New Mexico.
Although the ministry has consumed well more time than the
20 hours they had been told, the missionaries said they would not be happy doing
anything else.
“We have time to spend time with our grandchildren, we
have time to golf, we do some bowling,” Richard Gomez said, noting their
bowling with a group of seniors also gives them ministry opportunities.
“Every time we do that, we get people that will ask us,
What do you do? And do you know what? That opens the door, and were
able to minister to people.”
During the anniversary luncheon, Jim Henry compared such humble
acts of service to those of the apostle Andrew.
“We have the privilege to be Andrews in our generation
– ordinary people whom Jesus takes and does extraordinary things, …”
emphasized Henry, pastor at First Baptist Church of Orlando, Fla.
“As you look to the next years in Mission Service Corps,
its going to be greatness of the ordinary folks like you who are going
to make the eternal difference.” (BP)
(For more information on Missions Service Corps or other opportunities for
missions service, visit www.namb.net/answerthecall)