From Pastor Tommy Thompson

Last night began our 2011 Global Outreach(GO) Missions Conference.  The conference got off to a great start and a great spirit.  I think our people are hungry for God to move in their lives.  We are praying that this meeting will change us and stretch our faith.  Dr. Cham McMillen’s opening message was absolutely wonderful.  (You can listen to the messages at the Archived Sermons tab at www.gracebaptisttemple.cc.)  I want to share his outline with you, to encourage your heart.

10 REASONS TO HAVE A MISSIONS CONFERENCE

1. See the world from God’s perspective-  We need to see the fields white unto the harvest as Jesus saw the world.
2. Soften our hearts toward God’s will-  We need our hearts softened through the preaching of God’s Word in this conference.
3. Sense an urgency for souls-  Missions conferences revive our urgency to reach the world.
4. Spiritual discernment -  We need to be able to understand God’s Word in relation to the Great Commission.
5. Strengthen our local church-  Our church is unified and strengthened during these conferences.
6. Sinister attack of Satan-  Satan is always out to destroy our labor to fulfill the Great Commission.  The best remedy is preaching, serving, and fellowship together.
7. Surrender to leadership-  One of the greatest needs today is for Christians to make themselves available to God’s direction for their lives; to be willing to say, “Here am I Lord, send me”.
8. Send more missionaries-  Our church should always have a desire to help more missionaries get to the field through prayer and financial support.
9. Sacrifice in our giving-  God uses these conferences to stretch our faith to do more than we can possibly do through the arm of the flesh.
10. Share the Gospel with the world-  The local church has been charged with taking salvation’s message to the ends of the earth.

God used this message to stir my heart, personally, in a tremendous way, as well as our church.  Dr. McMillen has great wisdom and God used him in a special way last night.  We look forward to more of God’s Word during the rest of this week.  Pray that God will bless and have His perfect will in our lives.