Missions is not a choice among the buffet of western church programs. Missions isn’t meatloaf that you can pass over because you prefer fried chicken. Missions is mandated from the Lord Jesus.  He told us to go into all the world in order to bear witness to his resurrection and lordship (Acts 1:8), as well as to call people of all nations to become his disciples, get baptized in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and to learn how to live like kingdom people (Matthew 28:18-20). Reading the book of Acts and the rest of the New Testament, that’s how the early church seemed to understand its mission as well. It’s because they carried out this mission, and Christians after them carried out this mission, that you and I are Christians today. Missions ensures the preservation of the gospel and greatly displays God’s glory around the globe.

Missions matters, but it is not the main point. Jesus is. “We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28). We don’t champion missions and lost peoples and needs over and above Christ. We proclaim Christ! We warn and teach everyone to present everyone mature in Christ. So to be faithful Christians, to present everyone mature in Christ, requires going to other peoples. This is what we call missions.

This mission is not in danger of failing. God will ensure that it happens. The result of missions will be every knee bowing and every tongue confessing that Jesus is Lord (Philippians 2:9-11). We can be faithful and get the joy and privilege of participating in His mission! Everyone at Concord has a role in this great mission.

To that end, We are eager for you to join us on Sunday, January 28 for our missions mini-conference with Dr. David Sills. Dr. Sills is the founder and president of Reaching and Teaching International and a professor at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Sills and his ministry share likeminded doctrine and ecclesiology with Concord Baptist. Reaching and Teaching embodies a Word-centered approach to missions, and we will be entering into partnership with them to train and equip pastors of a largely unreached indigenous people group in northern Mexico. We invite you all to come expectantly to each session and hear from the Word how we can be faithfully proclaiming Christ to everyone.

The schedule includes our morning gathering and three afternoon sessions from 3:30 -7pm. This event is open to the public and we encourage you to bring friends. An RSVP is required for the Dinner and Q&A.

• 10:30 am: The Call to Missions (Exodus 3:1-4:12)
• 3:30 pm: How Shall They Hear (Romans 10:13-15)
• 4:45 pm: The Task Remaining (Matthew 28:18-20)
• 6:00 pm Dinner + Q&A

You can make reservations through the Sunday bulletin, on our website, or by calling the church office. Dinner is $3 per adult and $2 per child. We will offer a deli sandwich bar and pizza for the children. The registration deadline for the conference is Wednesday, January 17.

If you have any questions in regard to the missions conference, please contact pastor David Rainer: 892-9313 or drainer@concord-baptist.org.