Missions ministry of the First Baptist Church of Naples, Florida

Praise FM

2009-09-27T10:44:00.004-04:00

2009-08-21T20:01:00.003-04:00

Good News Clubs

2009-08-13T19:49:00.002-04:00

GOOD NEWS CLUBS

Our church hosts Good News Clubs that meet weekly after school. Sponsored by Child evangelism Fellowship, a Good News Club (GNC) is a fun and exciting way for school children to gather to learn about God. Last year we held clubs at Pelican Marsh, Osceola, and Lake Park Elementary. We would love to increase the number of schools that we meet in. Presenting Bible stories, teaching Bible Memory verses, singing songs, reading missionary stories, playing Bible
review games, praying and sharing snacks are just some of the ways our dedicated volunteers share God’s love with the children each week. This year we will be studying the Beginnings, the Patriarchs, and Joseph. Through these lessons the children will learn Biblical principles, moral values, character qualities, and respect for authority. Central to the Club is the sharing of the “Good News” of Jesus Christ. Several children have prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior and as a result of receiving an invitation at GNC, they and their families have begun to attend our church. We look forward to inviting the children from GNC to our VBS and other children’s ministries that take place on our campus.

Specific prayer requests for the clubs would be:
• volunteers to share God’s love with the children
• have extra teams to go into new schools
• for salvation for the children and their families
• children to grow in the knowledge of the Word
• and for the children to invite their friends at school.

Protected Harbor

2009-07-28T19:30:00.002-04:00

2009-05-27T22:08:00.006-04:00

The Lightforce Student Praise Choir is a dynamic group of students from 6th through 12th grade who have a passion to serve the Lord through music.

Lightforce is going on a mission trip to Immokalee June 8-12. Their emphasis will be geared towards missions. They will be involved in children’s ministry and backyard Bible clubs, as well as service projects for the homeless and needy.

Come and visit Lightforce this weekend at the Missions Kiosk in the Commons, or check them out at http://www.fbcn.org/home/ministry/ministry-pages/worship-and-music-ministry/lightforce.

2009-05-19T21:45:00.004-04:00

Missions Spotlight
Bill & Ginny Hanson
Association of Baptist for World Evangelism

We started our mission’s ministry with ABWE in 1999. It all started when Bill went on a mission’s trip to Gambia West Africa. It was during that trip that God revealed to Bill that he could use his gifts and talents to serve Him. Since 1999, God has led us to South Africa where we assisted with the building of four churches in Durban, Richards Bay, Amanzimtoti and Cape Town. We further assisted around the world on various construction projects such as schools, hospitals, missionary housing, camps and various other Christian related facilities. These travels took us to West Africa, Ghana, Togo and the Gambia. Then, we traveled to Bangladesh, South America, the Philippines and Katrina relief in Mississippi. Ginny has used her gifts and talents in teaching ladies bible studies, kids Sunday schools, hosting and feeding volunteers, visiting people in hospitals, and assisting the missionaries where we are with what ever tasks they desire her to do.

Come by the Missions Kiosk in the Commons
to find out more about this Missions Ministry!

Protected Harbor construction update

2009-04-27T17:43:00.002-04:00

Protected Harbor proudly announces that it broke ground on it’s new ‘home” on March 14 with Dr. Hayes Wicker of FBCN and Dr. Richard Powell of McGregor Baptist Church. Protected Harbor’s first group home for developmentally disabled adults will be home to six residents along with licensed staff by the end of 2009. Please visit their website at http://godsprotectedharbor.com/ to see what God is doing in providing for “His Special People.”

What can YOU do?
You can order a personalized foundation stone! Engraved prayers can be purchased that will form the residence courtyard. Have a paver inscribed with your name, the name of a loved one, the date of a special occasion, or a meaningful Scripture reference. This will be an ongoing gift that benefits Developmentally Disabled Adults.

Word of Life

2009-03-29T08:51:00.002-04:00

Word of Life short term missions is filled with opportunities for you. We will take people from 13 years of age and up. Our trips are designed to share the Gospel of Christ around the world. Our programs in a glimpse:

Youth Reachout: Participants who are 15 years old are teamed up with college-aged young adults...volunteers come from all over to share the Gospel overseas through drama, choir, etc.

Nehemiah Network Medical Teams: This program will use your medical skills to help others overseas. Even if you don’t have any medical training, there are other opportunities on the trip for you to join in.

Nehemiah Network Work Teams: Help us help others by using your talents in construction, painting, etc. on one of the Word of Life properties around the world.

Reachout Launch: Launch is a program designed for individuals 17 years or older. You tell us where you want to go, and we set it up.

Stop by and visit us in the Missions Kiosk for more information.
You can also view our website at http://www.wol.org/.

OMS Missionaries David and Kiki Walp

2009-03-29T08:35:00.002-04:00

OMS is a global mission partner reaching the nations for Christ.

They have implemented strategies of evangelism, church planting, leadership training/development, and partnerships with national churches and training institutions around the world since 1901.

Opportunities for you to service with OMS:
7-10 day work projects, medical, or evangelism teams
Prayer walking in a variety of countries
English/TESL teachers
Children and youth workers
Mission school teachers and administrators
Bible college/seminary professors (3 months +)
International headquarters staff in Indianapolis, Indiana
Administrative Assistants
Finance and Communications
Church planters working alongside nationals sharing Jesus
Extreme walk (11 months=3 months language/8 months service)
Long-term (2 years + ministry in more than 20 countries)
Special assignments arranged to use your gifts and abilities

Learn more about OMS at http://www.omsinternational.org/about

Good News Clubs

2009-03-11T14:32:00.011-04:00

Our church hosts 3 Good News Clubs that meet weekly after school. Sponsored by Child Evangelism Fellowship, a Good News Club (GNC) is a fun and exciting way for school children to gather to learn about God. We host
clubs at Pelican Marsh on Tuesday afternoons and at Osceola and Lake Park Elementary on Thursdays.
Presenting Bible stories, teaching Bible Memory verses, singing songs, reading missionary stories, playing Bible review games, praying and sharing snacks are just some of the ways our dedicated volunteers share God’s love with the children each week. Through studying the lives of Elijah, Elisha, Esther, and Daniel this year, the children have learned Biblical principles, moral values, character qualities, and respect for authority.

Central to the Club is the sharing of the “Good News” of Jesus Christ. Several children have prayed to receive Jesus as their Savior and as a result of receiving an invitation at GNC, they and their families have begun to attend our church.

We look forward to inviting the children from GNC to our VBS and other children’s ministries that take place on our campus.

Specific prayer requests for the clubs would be:
• to continue to meet on school campuses next year
• volunteers to share God’s love with the children
• for salvation for the children and their families
• and for the children to invite their friends at school.

Please come by and visit the representatives from the Good News Clubs in the mission kiosk in the commons this week-end. Come discover how YOU can help reach the "least of these".

Or, for more information, you can visit http://www.cefonline.com/content/category/4/13/27/.

Miracle Limbs

2009-03-03T16:30:00.006-05:00

More than 1.9 million Americans are living without at least one arm or leg. Every week, disease or accident forces another 3,000 individuals, including many children, to undergo amputation surgery. The vision of Miracle Limbs, a new charity founded by Bob Ayers, is to inspire hope, courage, confidence, and strength that release all amputees in Southwest Florida from the bonds of despair and fear, so that they may move forward to experience a renewal of life, energy, purpose, empowerment, and joy.

Deacon Lee Norton, who lost his leg in Vietnam, is a Miracle Limbs Board Member. When he met Bob Ayers (Founder of Miracle Limbs) he realized how fortunate he was to rehabilitate in Valley Forge Army Hospital with a hundred other amputees and receive financial assistance from the Veteran’s Administration. Most amputees have to deal with amputation on their own. Our goal is to be there for them and their families through the entire process.

Starting from North Naples Regional Park on Livingston Road, there will be five different rides: 2 mile family fun ride inside the park, a 10 mile ride, a 28 mile ride, a 42 mile ride, and a 62 mile ride. Norton said, “My goal is to ride 62 miles for a fellow amputee.” The entry fee (including breakfast and lunch) is $35 for riders and $5 for non-riders. Children under 10 are free. Registration can be done online at http://www.miraclelimbs.com/. Riders are encouraged to find sponsors on a per mile basis. A few corporate sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Come by the missions kiosk in the Commons this weekend and visit us!

Answered prayer for Judy* in India

2009-03-03T16:16:00.006-05:00

We rejoice with Judy* in the goodness of our Lord! The report from our leaders in India is below:

"Judy* praises God for letting her stay in the village. In the time of persecution, she had to stand before the villagers. She stood and testified about our Lord Jesus. She shared with the villagers that ever since she received Jesus in her life she has peace which she never experienced before and that is why she decided to throw those idols into the river. God answered our prayers by softening the heart of the villagers. They allowed her to stay.

We were recently informed that Judy* and her husband had been staying separately for more than three months due to unknown personal problems. Now God is using the same villagers to bring Judy's* husband back to their home. Pray for him to come back home soon. Pray that he will accept Jesus into his life as well. And also pray that this house would be the lighthouse for the entire village."

Thanks for your prayers for this situation. They made a difference!
Yours for the nations,

Big Life

* Name changed for security

An Evening with Governor Mike Huckabee

2009-02-23T17:20:00.007-05:00

Big Life Ministries is pleased to welcome Mike Huckabee as our featured guest speaker for the Third Annual Big Life Fundraising Event. Governor Huckabee is also host of the syndicated radio show, “The Huckabee Report,” Fox News Channel’s weekly “Huckabee” show, and author of the New York Times best seller Do the Right Thing.

There is no charge to attend; however, seating is limited and reservations are required (now taking reservations for the overflow in the Chapel). Please register online at http://www.biglifeonline.org/, or visit the Missions Kiosk in the Commons following all three services this weekend.

What is Big Life? Big Life is a Church Planting Ministry that empowers, equips, and encourages believers overseas, to reach their own people for Jesus Christ. Our people don’t build buildings, they establish churches. As a result, 30,000 former Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists have come to faith in Christ since 2003 and now attend weekly worship.

With the Lord leading the way, we expect to expand to 5,000 churches with over 100,000 believers worshipping weekly in 2009! Come prepared to hear a powerful message from Governor Huckabee, and find out how you can partner with this dynamic church planting ministry.

Thursday, March 26 at 7:00 p.m.
Worship Center

http://www.biglifeonline.org/ or 247-5602

Tickets will be mailed in the weeks preceding the event. We regret that we will not be able to accommodate children or students under the age of 16.

Come visit us at the Missions Kiosk
in the Commons this weekend!

Can you handle the truth?

2009-02-21T14:39:00.009-05:00

We, as Christians, believe in truth...actually THE Truth; however, we live in a society and culture where truth is not held in as high of esteem. Nevertheless, truth is still needed and demanded in our society (i.e. when testifying in court, you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth). With a Christian belief system built so strongly on truth, I wonder...can we really handle the truth? Or, in other words, do we want to know the truth? Please allow me to explain. Excerpts from a recent prayer request from Big Life Ministries is below:

"On Wednesday, we are going to the home of a recently converted family. They have decided to destroy their idols that have been in the family for generations. Keith* has told them that the idols need to be totally destroyed rather than sold (some of them are valuable since they are antiques). We are going to pray over the home (to bind the strongman), then the Westerners will leave so that it does not come across to others that this is taking place due to coercion. Later Wednesday evening they will be throwing them into the nearby river. "

This is great news! To see a recent convert ready to destroy their idols and take a stand for Christ is an exciting event in any missionaries life. However, the truth is there is another part to this prayer request that came the following day.

"We received word from India that prayer is urgently needed for the family who bagged up their Hindu idols and cast them into the local river a couple of days ago (as previously reported). The village is now in an absolute uproar and is trying to throw them out of their home and village as we are composing this email. We have learned that the family consists of 36 year old Judy* along with her 9 year old son.

Judy* came to the Lord a few days ago and was immediately obedient to forsake her previous Hindu idols. We are told that her home contained so many idols that it resembled a Hindu temple. Please begin lifting Judy* and her son up in prayer to the Lord. Pray for their protection and peace that only our Lord can supply during these kinds of trials. Pray for the Lord to subdue the anger living in the hearts of these villagers and ultimately for the Lord to use Judy's* testimony to bring these lost people into a personal relationship with their Creator. "

The truth is that many believers, all over the world, are suffering immensely for their faith. This is something that the majority of us have never experienced and probably never will experience! Please be in prayer for this request and be attentive to how God may be opening your eyes and ears to the truth of suffering Christians all over the world. To find out more on *Judy and other ministry opportunities, please visit Big Life representatives in the Mission Kiosk this weekend or go to their website at http://biglifeonline.org/home.

Or, to learn more about this topic, visit The Voice of the Martyrs at http://www.persecution.com/

* Names changed for protection

Putting Feet to your Faith!!!

2009-02-15T13:03:00.017-05:00

Is God tugging at you to get involved in what He is doing in the world? Do you want to do something, but don't know who to ask or where to go?

Well, an opportunity is on the horizon and God is giving you a chance to get involved! How you may ask?

Awestruck Ministries is preparing to take their annual trip to help the Foundation For His Ministry Orphanage in Vicente Guerrero, Baja California, Mexico (http://www.ffhm.org/) May 10-16, 2009. This will be a ministry/work trip in order to help meet the physical and spiritual needs of orphaned children and migrant workers.

The trip is limited to 15 people, but there are some spaces left; so, ....don't delay! The cost is $1,250 and a $250 deposit is requested at sign up and due by March 1, 2009. Contact either Byron Cobb at byronhc37@aol.com or Michael Barnes at carribeanjoe67@gmail.com. You can also learn more at the Missions Kiosk in the Commons Area.

The opportunity is now, so don't wait another day to be obedient to what God is telling you!

Introduction to Baja Mission of Foundation For His Ministry

10-4?

2009-02-04T21:34:00.014-05:00

John 1:1-2, 11-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) He was in the beginning with God. (11) He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. (12) But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, (13) who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. (14) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

In law enforcement, there is a specific code used to make sure that the message communicated was received and understood: 10-4. If the message is not understood, then it is of little to no value. The same can be said of the gospel; i.e., if the gospel isn't understood in the way it is communicated, then it is of little to no value. We see in this passage how God overcame this obstacle of understanding.

When God decided to redeem fallen man, He sent someone to communicate this message of redemption: Himself. In other words, He didn't leave that message to be communicated and possibly distorted by someone else. Instead, He came Himself. In ministering to any people group, anywhere in the world, it is of utmost importance to communicate the gospel in the heart language of the people you desire to minister to. The heart language of a person is the language that they grew up speaking. For example, in Paraguay, where we just finished our first missionary term, their are 2 official languages: Spanish and Guarani. Even though we can do most everything in Spanish, the majority of the population grew up speaking Guarani; therefore, their heart language is Guarani. Even though they understand the Spanish, to get to their heart of hearts, you need to use Guarani. Here's the question: How will they understand if no one goes to tell them? Read Romans 10:13-15.

So how did God do this? He lived AMONG us! He, in a manner of speaking, was the first missionary. He came to a culture He didn't know (because what fellowship does Light have with darkness?) and lived among us to show us the way and make sure the message was understood. As Phillipians 2:4-8, vividly portrays, Jesus WILLINGLY came to live in this sinful world just to save us. Are you willing to follow Christ WHEREVER He tells you? It may only be to go on a F.A.I.T.H. visit or it may be around the world...but the question is are you willing to follow Him in radical obedience?

That is what God wants of us, to follow Him in radical obedience. However, you must expect resistance. Christ experienced resistance, as we see in John 1:10-11. So if He had it, we can expect no less. However, you are not in this battle alone. It is all of our responsibilities to help by praying, giving and going. As we read in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, it is when we work together that we are our strongest.

If God is calling you to something, anything...just say, "yes". Don't worry about how, when or where...just give him your "yes", and He'll take care of the rest. May God bless you as you follow hard after Him in radical obedience!

David George

On Mission with God

2009-01-13T17:38:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the blog site for the Missions Ministry of the First Baptist Church of Naples, Florida. I am David George and my family and I just completed our first missionary term with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in Paraguay, South America.

What would possess someone to leave the good ole U.S. of A. and go somewhere where you don't speak the language and don't understand the culture? The answer: Obedience! Nothing more and nothing less. Simple, radical obedience!

What is God telling you to do right now? It might be pretty radical, but all He wants from you is the willingness to do it, whatever it is! If you just say "yes", He'll take care of the rest.

Here at First Baptist, we have adopted the Acts 1:8 challenge. We have decided to work on reaching our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the Uttermost parts of the world SIMULTANEOUSLY!! Click on the "Acts 1:8 Challenge" image below and go check out how this works!

May God bless you as you seek to follow Him in radical obedience... the world is waiting!!!