IRELAND - The Jonathan Gordon Family

In June of 2000, we were privileged to host the SMART team, led by Gerry and Diane Baughman. I must admit that when Bro. Baughman asked if they could come, I had some major reservations: How would these mission students conduct themselves in a different culture? How would they conduct themselves in the midst of new believers; and how would they conduct themselves in a new ministry - would they seek to fulfill their own agenda? These fears played over and over in my mind, yet God gave peace that we should have them come to Dublin, Ireland.

The Right Attitude

While preparing for the arrival of this team of mission students, I decided that the best way to start was to have them hand out gospel literature in the center of Dublin. My goal at the beginning of their trip was to show them the people of the Emerald Isle collectively; later they would meet the people individually. My major emphasis in this project was to see if the students could “get outside of themselves,” for this is where missions must start; therefore, on Friday night we walked the streets of Dublin while we enjoyed the fine mist that was falling. Much to my joy, each student displayed the necessary attitude in handing gospel literature to those in need. Many people took the literature, yet many bluntly refused and rejected the gospel. It was intriguing to watch the students as they adapted quite quickly, adjusting to the different responses from these Irish people. I was thrilled to see that these students were prepared before they came, already realizing that the work of missions must begin with the proper attitude.

The Right Actions

Each member of our church in Dublin has been saved in the last few months. The question “How would these students act among baby Christians?” was the most worrying.phpect. I was born and reared in a godly, Bible-believing home and at times the questions and some times the actions of these new believers stun me. How would these students handle the situation?

Needless to say, my worries were unfounded! On Saturday the ladies organized a Ladies’ Tea, which was a tremendous time of blessing for our church members as they heard about God’s impact on the lives of the students and they saw the affects of Christ in them as displayed by their actions. While the ladies were enjoying themselves in the warmth of our house, we men got drenched as we distributed copies of John and Romans. The weather in Ireland is at best unpredictable, yet the work must go on. The right attitude that was evident on Friday was tested by the work done in the rain on Saturday, yet their actions portrayed the right attitude of service.

The highlight for me was seen in the activities during the remainder of the week. The majority of the time was spent in door-to-door evangelism. Seeing the students’ willingness to witness was encouraging enough; however, what pleased me most was the sensitivity that was displayed as they sought to win souls for Christ. The action of these mission apprentices was typified by their sensitivity both to the saved and also to the unsaved. These students had been thoroughly prepared and their actions displayed the fact they were not seeking to fulfill their own agenda. In their work with us, our goal was for them to fit alongside us as fellow-laborers doing the ministry as we do it. This goal was accomplished with eternal results as two young people were saved, a multitude of seed planted, and the edification of the believers fulfilled.

The Right.phpirations

I am certain that what made this SMART trip so successful was that each student had the right goal. Their attitudes and actions clearly displayed their goals. To know God’s will and then do it brings great glory to our heavenly Father, and to this, each student aspired. I truly believe that God was magnified, glorified and honored by these students. Their one desire as a team of future missionaries was to glorify God - their obedience to Him did just that.

I was impressed by the conduct of each student; his or her attitude, actions, and.phpirations displayed the conduct needed to be a fruitful missionary. I also was pleased to see the fruit of such effort put into the lives of these students by Gerry and Diane. I heartily recommend the ministry of Camp BIMI, knowing that the students are prepared properly before they ever put their feet on foreign soil.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

KIRK & KATHY HICKOK -  BRAZIL
CHRIS & CHRISTINE HILMER -  CANADA
HAROLD M & BRIDGETTE HOLDBROOK -  GHANA