Stories
Inward, Upward &, Outward and Around
Inward
We must first take a look inward to examine the spiritual condition of our own hearts. On our recent mission trip to Amsterdam, I was again reminded of my tendency to be attracted to people who are like me and who like me. The truth is, at times I am not only un-missionary, but even anti-missionary in my attitude and heart towards the world. Unless the Lord does a tremendous work of grace in all our hearts, we will remain both selfish and apathetic in our view of the lost world.
Upward
Then we look upward and get God's view and heart for the world. It is clear to see that from Genesis to Revelation, His heart beats for souls worldwide. Repeatedly He emphasizes His love for (John 3:16) and desire to reach the whole world (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8). To have His continued blessings on our lives and church, our heart must beat with His.
Outward
We must also look outward to see a lost and dying world of nearly seven billion people. We would be wise to heed our Lord's direction in John 4:35 to "Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white [ripe] already to harvest." We are living in exciting times with unprecedented opportunities to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Every time I read this verse I am reminded of the song our missionary to Portugal, Scott Edwards, sang the last time he was with us: "Untold Millions." The chorus says this, "Untold millions are still untold, does it matter, does it matter to you?" Does it?
Around
Then finally we look around to locate where we personally fit into God's plan. For our missions conference to have any long-range impact, it is imperative that we adjust our focus from the multitudes to the individuals that the Lord has placed in our own mission field. It is, at best, unbiblical and, at worst, hypocritical for us to be concerned, pray for and give to making disciples of the world, and then not reach out to our own neighbor!
In spite of these politically and economically unstable times in which we live, it is vital that we take these four looks often and then stay focused on what is dearest to His heart.
Speakers
Rick & Cheri Moeller
Rick and Cheri Moeller have been BBFI missionaries since 1980. The Lord first directed them to the field of South Africa where they began ministering to white South Africans in the city of Johannesburg. Their ministry quickly progressed into the black ghetto township of Alexandria. After the birth of their sons Rich (me) and Matt, they moved their ministry to northern Zululand to plant churches and train disciples of Christ among the Zulu people. They served in South Africa through 2008.
After many health complications and a whole lot of prayer, they were reapproved to the mission field of Scotland. Their call and hope is to train disciples of Christ and plant churches in Scotland just as they have done in South Africa.
Rick and Cheri are examples of a desperate love for Jesus Christ and His unquenchable joy even in the face of trial and injury, no matter how many bugs can chomp on one missionary couple. Mostly, they are examples that any life, humbled and surrendered to God, can change the lost's eternal destiny despite what life may bring.
Charles & Tressa Rouch
The Lord uses the Rouch family in Zambia since 1993 for soul-winning, discipleship, church planting, and pastor/Christian leader training in the heart of the south-central part of the continent of Africa. Our sending church is Glenville Bible Baptist Church in Wichita, Kansas. The ministry in Zambia is over 15 years old.
There are nine Provinces with a total population of 13 million people. The Lord gave us a goal of "Sending the Gospel Light into Every Province." Through our own Bible Baptist Institute at Lighthouse Bible Baptist Outreach in the city of Ndola where we live, the Lord has blessed and we have seen trained men return to their own tribe and province, win souls, establish Bible-believing Baptist churches, and train more men for ministry in their "satellite" Bible Institutes. If all Pastors and men in training actually go to a province as planned right now, every province in Zambia is targeted by at least one Pastor or pastoral student.
Presently, we have 21 churches. We are committed to one-on-one discipleship of new Christians, just as we are winning souls. Addition is great, but multiplication by our people to their own people is the way we believe this country can truly be won to Christ and taught to serve Him with their whole heart. If the works cannot or will not eventually stand without the missionary's presence, we have failed to do our job. Our goal is to see the day when the missionary will no longer be needed in Zambia. Investing our lives for a nation of 13 million eternal souls is a privilege.
Conference Schedule
Sunday, March 15
- Conference Kick-Off & Worship Service
- 10:45 am
- "Get Acquainted" potluck dinner at FBC
with Rick and Cheri Moeller - 6:00 pm
Monday, March 16
- Taco dinner at FBC
- 6:00 pm
Tuesday, March 17
- Pizza dinner at FBC
- 6:00 pm
- Service with Rick Moeller
- 7:00 pm
Tuesday, March 18
- Moellers speak to AWANA Club
- 6:30 pm
- Service with Rick Moeller
- 6:45 pm
Saturday, March 21
- Brunch and break-out sessions for men and women
with Charlie and Tressa Rouch - 9-11:00 am
Sunday, March 22
- Charlie Rouch speaking and updating
us on their work in Zambia - 9:30 am