by Mark Hodges
Expect great things; attempt great things” was stated by William Carey in a sermon to the Baptist Association meeting in Northampton, England, May 30, 1792. Carey used the statement to urge his Baptist colleagues to enter the missionary enterprise.
For 60 years the Baptist Bible Fellowship has been in the business of carrying out the Great Commission. We are known worldwide for our church-planting thrust and sending missionaries to foreign lands. We are a movement of pastors who have seen the need of uniting together to do something great for God.
In recent days, we, as well as other independent Baptist groups and the SBC, have faced some difficulties. We were warned “that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy 3:1). Yet difficulties should never be a deterrent to this Fellowship moving forward and witnessing some of our greatest days in the future.
The BBFI is known as the premier independent Baptist foreign mission organization. We assist local churches in getting their missionaries to the field. Under the leadership of Jon Konnerup, our future is very bright, but missionary prospects are a must for future growth and success.
In a relatively short period of time, the BBFI has become known for its church planting organization, the National Church Planting Office. We assist local churches in getting the information and finances to young men who are called to start churches. NCPO Director Wayne Guinn has done a marvelous job in establishing the office. Yet, new church planters are imperative for future growth and success.
God has used Keith Bassham and our Baptist Bible Tribune in promoting God’s work through these organizations.
The Lord is coming back soon and it is my vision to see independent Baptists uniting together to do something BIG for God. I’ve spoken with two presidents of colleges who are not currently Fellowship schools. They have a desire to unite with us in our church planting and mission endeavors. The BBFI has the tools to unite all of us together in carrying out the Great Commission in a greater manner.
In the past, independent Baptists have been known for their divisions and it’s high time that we show the world we can unite for the common goal of reaching this world for Christ.
I am thankful for the opportunity to have served as president of the BBFI. God has blessed us with a wonderful history and I believe that God can use us in the future. We will recognize our past Tribune editors and mission directors at the September meeting in Chicago. I will present a plan in our business meeting to show how we can revitalize and expand our Fellowship.
“Expect great things; attempt great things.”