by Steve Bender
Although this may sound trite to some, we Christians are here on earth for just a little while. With this in mind, what we do in this life, be it leading people to Jesus and then helping them mature spiritually or building buildings where believers can be taught God’s Word and worship Him, does not come without a cost. Baptist Bible Fellowship International missionaries have always counted the cost of leaving mother, father, children, grandchildren, and their home country to fulfill His command and take the message of God’s love to our world.
The Missionary Projects Offering or MPO — a program to aid missionaries and their local congregations in buying property, building church buildings, and to help buy homes in which missionaries live as they minister in their fields — was established several years ago. Each year the Mission Office mails a brochure to all financially contributing churches detailing the missionary projects for church buildings or homes. Beginning in late May, the Mission Office works with the National Directors in presenting the MPO to pastors and asking them to lead their churches to invest in this offering that culminates at the September BBFI National Fellowship Meeting. Over the course of each summer, the Mission Office directors travel to as many state and local Fellowship meetings as possible to explain in detail the MPO’s workings and its benefit to the missionaries and foreign churches. This past year, the MPO helped financially complete nine church buildings and five missionary homes in countries abroad.
Pastors and other donors are asked to look through the MPO brochure and find missionaries they already partner with in prayer and financial support or to find a project they feel led to support and send their financial investment designated and clearly marked with that project number to the BBFI Mission Office. Like every financial gift given through the Mission Office, 100 percent will be deposited to the missionary or project to which it is designated.
Often, pastors will lead their congregations to make a sizable financial commitment to a particular project either all at once or over the course of the year. Some churches make commitments of several thousand dollars per year and, each month when they send the funds, they designate them to a different project, thus investing in the ministries of many different missionaries.
The MPO is a success due to the combined efforts of the missionaries involved, the BBFI Mission Office, state-elected officers, and pastors of local churches who convey this vision to the members who pray and contribute financially to see this great work accomplished. Together, let’s continue to build with eternity in mind and make this September’s commitment one that will have significant impact.
For more information concerning the MPO or to request a copy of this year’s brochure, contact Steve Bender at the BBF Mission Office (PO Box 191, Springfield, MO 65801, (417) 862-5001, www.bbfimissions.com).