Mission Update – October 2009

   Many of you know that we believe the Lord wants us to take SMBC overseas to share Jesus with children in another country.  We had 

   planned to make our first trip this December but will be unable to because of the expense of airfare during this time.  Therefore, we have

   rearranged our plans and are now planning to travel to either Jamaica or the Bahamas in May 2010 with a team of college staff members. 

   We would ask that you pray for this endeavor.  Pray for wisdom to know in which country God wants us to minister.  Pray for the finances,   

   cheap airfare, and success in fund raising as staff members secure support for their expenses, etc.  Pray that we will accomplish much

   preparation work for our summer camp season early so that we can be at peace as we minister in that country and not worried about what

   awaits us upon our return.  We look forward to sharing with you the good work the Lord will accomplish through us while we are away.  I

   believe this will be a great way to “light our fire” as we move into our summer camp schedule and am praying that God will use it to speak   

   to our staff about Himself.

Summer 2009 Report:  Operation:  Go Fish

The Lord poured out His blessing on the mountain this summer.  It is an awesome privilidge to be a part of what only He can do!  This summer our theme verse was Matthew 4:19:  “And He saith unto them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’”  During each week of camp this summer, we challenged campers to respond to the call of Christ to follow Him.  Beginning June 15 and continuing for nine weeks, we conducted 10 camps for children and youth.  1977 young people attended camp this summer, and when the ‘last nets were drawn,” we counted 440 decisions for Christ.  Included in that number were 252 professions of faith and 48 surrenders to God’s call to missions/ministry.  Praise the Lord for the changed lives as He continues to prove Himself faithful in calling individuals to follow Him.

 

   We were especially grateful for the opportunity to work with Bethlehem Baptist Church of Gastonia, NC.  The camp

   experience became a reality for many children who could not have afforded to come otherwise.  This church was not

   satisfied to bring their own children to camp.  They also reached out to children from a nearby elementary school and

   worked with teachers and parents to identify many children who would benefit from time spent on the mountain.  As a   

   result, 25 of the children who trusted Christ as Savior came from this camp alone!  Praise the Lord!