"Without a doubt, your gifts and contributions are touching and transforming lives for eternity. How Kormariayya met Christ is nothing but a miracle. Being a snake charmer all his life, he used to catch cobra snakes, put them around his neck and walk in the community to earn money from cobra snake worshipers. One day, a cobra snake bit Komariayya and he was taken to the nearest hospital for treatment. The doctor gave up hope and told the family he would die in about an hour's time, so they should take him home make plans for his funeral. Instead, his sons took Komariayya to church. The pastor and several church members joined Komariayya's family and prayed. God gave Komariayya a second chance! He accepted Christ, was baptized and joined the church where his sons are members. Because of God's miracle and Komariayya's second life, now many in that village are learning more about Christ and joining the church. Without a doubt, God is up to something in Chelpur and a lot of neat things are taking place."
Pastor Jonah in Chelpur, India, partner of CBF field personnel, Sam Bandela
Mission Moment
"Recently we hosted the youth group from a local church partner to work at Welcome House, an apartment setup for arriving refugees awaiting long-term affordable housing. After we shared briefly with the youth we sent them out into the apartment community to meet other youth and children. The youth were all over the place playing and making friends with their international neighbors. It was an amazing scene. The next morning I got an email saying some of the youth had been asking when they would be going back. This is what mission engagement looks like sometimes in North Raleigh."
Kim and Marc Wyatt, CBF field personnel in the Research Triangle of North Carolina
Mission Moment
A member of the church in Nesvady told me that he had begun bearing witness to Jesus Christ with the Roma family next door. Along the way, the two households began a transformative relationship. People who lived next door to each other for decades slowly became neighbors. And that is when, and how, his attempts at bearing witness bore fruit. Concluding his story of how wonderful it was to see his neighbor become part of the church, he held back tears and said, "After she was baptized, she asked me 'Why didn't you tell me sooner?'"
- Dianne and Shane McNary, CBF field personnel in Slovakia
Children's Missions Programs Need Your Help!
Volunteers are needed to help with GAs, RAs, and Mission Friends beginning with the start of the new school year. Training will be available. You'll have a part in watching children grow and mature in their faith as they learn more about missions and God's special place for them in the world. Come be a part of this vital ministry of our church. Contact Sandra James or Cheryl Beck to get involved.
Mission Bite 39: The Gift of Giving and Receiving
"We first met Todd years ago, when one of us was wandering the neighborhood with a backpack full of lunches on what we called the 'roving feast.' Soon we became regular guests on Todd's stoop and in his apartment. A few months back, we celebrated Todd's birthday. Todd got seconds at his birthday meal, but only after checking with everybody to see if they had already gotten some and if they wanted seconds, too. He was anxious not to take more than his share, even as we insisted that he should. Todd has learned something over the years that he continues to teach us as we share life, work, and prayers with him: the work of our hands in community isn't just about giving. Todd's hands are teaching us how to receive, as well."
- Jessica and Joshua Hearne, CBF field personnel in Danville, Va.
Shining Stars Project
On Mother's Day, WMU launched our Shining Stars project with a two-fold objective:
1. To collect money for a variety of statewide missions projects for the Heck-Jones
WMU NC Offering and,
2. To honor those people who have been "Shining Stars" guiding, modeling, and
mentoring us in our Christian walk.
Today, I am happy to report that through your generous giving, our church's contribution
to the Heck-Jones Offering was $1,576.00 with a $1000 match from an anonymous donor, the total amount comes to $2,576.00.
And.......over 75 women and men were remember for the important role they played in the lives of many in our congregation. Please take time to look at the bulletin board outside the choir room where you will see the Shining Stars honored through the project.
Daniel 12:3 says: "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."
Thank you!
Mission Moment
Bite 35: Providing hope at a stoplight
"All over our city, at every stoplight, we are faced with refugee children and mothers with small babies begging at car windows. For this reason, I keep packaged snacks in the car to hand out. Often, these children are being used by adults who place them there with no food or water to beg from anyone passing.
This particular day, I only had two small packages of popped popcorn which were tied inside a plastic grocery bag. There were two young boys at the stoplight, so I handed them the whole bag directing them to share, and said 'Jesus Christ loves you!'
Before I got through the intersection, I glanced into my rear-view mirror and saw a shocking sight. Both boys were pulling at the grocery bag towards themselves like a tug of war, and then, one boy began ripping the grocery bag with his teeth to get to the smaller bags of popcorn -- they were so hungry.
The snacks in the car are my way of helping children in the most effective and least abusive way. This day, I was humbled by their need, and their hunger. A certain numbness comes from the constant bombardment of beggars at every light. Those children are seeing the Lord's face through gifts given to CBF to support our Syrian relief work."
- CBF field personnel in the Middle East
Mission Moment
Re-learning the world, re-learning God
"Archie came to us directly from prison, not having been out in civilian life since 1993. I began to think about current events and what life was like here in Halifax County 24 years ago. Overwhelmed was my reaction as I thought about the advent of cell phone technology and even our money system.
We have much work to do with Archie. His adjustment has been difficult as he learns about life in this new 21st century world. Hopefully, through our work with homeless men like Archie at Union Mission in Roanoke Rapids, N.C., we can help them see how God can support and sustain both in the present and future."
- Anna and LaCount Anderson, CBF field personnel in Eastern North Carolina
Mission Moment
Our Church is pleased to support CBF Global Missions in moments like these where bearing witness to Jesus Christ takes form through lessons that connect nutritional health and faith.
"Recently in our various children's and mothers' groups we talked about something that might seem spiritually irrelevant: good nutrition. What foods should we eat more of, and what should we eat less of? Through simple games and activities, we're giving these families tools to make better decisions about what they put into their bodies.
Is this mission work? Does Jesus care what we eat? Absolutely -- remember the times he fed crowds of people who were hungry? And remember that Paul said our bodies are temples to care for? It's a simple way to remind these children that God cares about more than just their souls -- God loves all of us. Jesus came so that we could go to heaven, but also so that we could live 'life to the full' here and now."
- Jon and Tanya Parks, CBF field personnel in Slovakia
Mission Moment
Our Church is pleased to support CBF Global Missions in moments like these where bearing witness to Jesus Christ takes form through reaching international students with daily Christ-centered action.
"For 17 days in February, we hosted a delightful group of 13 international students from China. We said 'grace' before our meals at home. After a few days, one of the young men staying with us had cooked some Chinese food for our dinner. We were talking about how excited we were to start eating and he said, 'Wait, aren't we going to say grace first?' So we believe that our Christian witness in word and deed made an impact. They asked many questions about church and about God and our prayer is that as they return to China to finish their education, select their career, and establish families, that thoughts of Jesus will come to their minds and that their hearts will turn toward God."
- Lita and Rick Sample, CBF field personnel in Fremont, Calif.