Make a Difference - Be a Volunteer

Volunteers in Missions: Noel & Gayle Willis
Wednesday, December 1, 2004

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR PARTNERSHIP MISSIONS

Mexico - Kansas and Nebraska Southern Baptists are encouraged to participate in "OPERATION GO" to Mexico. This project is completely packaged in cooperation by the International Mission Board, with the goal to have the Gospel in every home in Mexico within 5 years. This is an ideal project for groups of 10-12 people to go prayer walk, hand out literature and give testimonies. It is not necessary to speak Spanish to go on these trips. You can contact us or Mari Jaquith at KNCSB in Topeka.

Canada - Manitoba is another partner of Kansas Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists. With 33 million people living in all of Canada, only 11% profess any kind of evangelical faith. Most of the population is within 100 miles of the United States Border. Winnipeg, the largest city in Manitoba, is about the size of Wichita and has 2 Southern Baptist Churches.

The three main areas of ministry are church planting, student ministries, and the ministry of encouragement to pastors. There are 180 churches in all of Canada, and no associations for pastors to draw strength from. Barnabas ministries to pastors and their families are badly needed. These would be wonderful opportunities for individuals, small groups and Campers on Missions. Primarily the ministry would entail encouraging the pastors, establishing relationship mission opportunities and starting Bible Studies. Willing hearts are badly needed.

Arkansas - A new partnership is just in the beginning stages of being formed. They are asking for opportunities for teams to come help us our churches with a variety of needs. Please let us know if you can use a team to help with VBS, canvass neighborhoods, hold Block Parties, whatever your needs are, they are willing to send teams to help.

In turn, there are opportunities to go help them with such things as Mississippi River Ministry, which is the poorest region all along the river. Their needs would include opportunities to help with health care, literacy, improving living conditions in the sub-standard housing.

In the Hope Migrant Center in Hope, Arkansas, ministry opportunities include clothing, food, and infant needs.

VOLUNTEERS ARE ALSO NEEDED IN HAWAII

God is at work in Hawaii. 12 Adults from Calvary, Valley Center ministered on the island of Lanai where they helped Lanai Baptist Church with a project that will double the size of their sanctuary. The original building was built with Lottie Moon Christmas Offering funds in 1947 and holds about 50 worshipers - they are currently running around 70. VBS the previous week had 101 enrolled.

There is a real need for more teams to help finish that building. They prefer teams of 10-15 people. Housing can be arranged with kitchen and laundry facilities and food can be ordered in advance. The people are very loving and gracious and a blessing to get to know.

Other needs in Hawaii include the Hawaii Pacific Convention Puu Kahea Conference Camp in Waianae, which is beautiful facility, but badly needing some tender loving maintenance care. Churches all over the islands are small and struggling - they would welcome any small group that could help them reach the Hawaiian people.

A great place to go in the winter, Hawaii's climate is about the same all year round. A great place to go during the winter.

God is waiting for us to make ourselves available for his work, no matter where it is. Contact us and let us help you find out where God is at work and asking for your help.