Heavy missions emphasis highlights semester’s final chapel services

posted on Dec 20, 2010 by T. Patrick Hudson

     As the Midwestern Seminary Fall Semester drew to a close, the final chapel services featured speakers whose messages emphasized international missions. In addition to the speakers, the Seminary placed a significant focus on the Lottie Moon Christmas offering as well.

     Dr. Clyde Meador, the interim president of the International Mission Board and a MBTS graduate, spoke from Isaiah 45:18-23, encouraging all in attendance to seek the Lord for confirmation about a calling to international missions.

     Meador stated that, in spite of all the false gods, idols and self-reliance throughout the world today, God reminds us throughout Isaiah 45 that there is no other like Him and, “There is no other God but Me.”

     “Most of the world does not understand this basic truth,” Meador said.  “It is God’s desire for everyone in the world to know and understand this fact.  God desires the world to be inhabited by people who will worship Him, fellowship with Him and glorify Him.”

     The career missionary told stories of how IMB efforts to proclaim this message to unreached people groups are beginning to affect places where results have never been seen before. For example, the Songhai people of West Africa, who had never previously been reached with the message of Christ, now have a number of more than 200 believers. 

     In relating several other success stories of reaching people groups for Christ, Meador warned of the need to move quickly in ministering to certain areas.  “God is working to bring truth all over this world,” he said.  “The doors open rapidly, and we must quickly move in to take the Gospel where there is opportunity.  The doors also shut rapidly – each year an average of three countries increases restrictions on the missionaries who proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ.” He further noted two countries that as of this year are no longer allowing missionary workers to stay or are placing heavy restrictions on their presence.

     The IMB leader said these limitations are not deterring the movement of God and that Southern Baptists are responding to this urgency. Meador noted that the organization’s theme for this year is “Are we there yet?”  The intention of this theme is to ask the question, “Are we at the point where every person and people group on earth has access to the Gospel of Christ?”  The speaker said, “The answer is ‘No.’”

     He added that the IMB estimates the number of unvangelized people groups is 6,426. Meador said that to qualify as “unevangelized,” the number of believers within that people group totaled less than two percent.

     “The challenge we face is large, but it is God’s desire that all should hear,” Meador said. “He wants every individual on the face of this earth to have an opportunity to know the truth of the Gospel and have an opportunity to come to faith in Jesus Christ.”

     In keeping with the theme of this message, Midwestern leadership had emphasized the need for students, faculty and staff to focus on and give sacrificially to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.  The Seminary set aside the final four chapel services of the semester with times of prayer and the collection of offerings for international missions work.

     “The total amount collected for the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering goes directly to international missions – none of the money goes toward administrative costs,” said Dr. Phil Roberts, MBTS President.  “Now is not the time to be slow in giving to Lottie Moon. Because of reduced offerings the past couple of years, the numbers of missionaries being sent have decreased.  The Lord is making significant inroads in many nations whose people are hungry to hear the Gospel message.  It is truly important to maintain a strong focus on this vital offering so Southern Baptists can continue to carry out the Great Commission.”

     IMB leadership noted that because of the ability to identify the remaining unreached people groups, it is conceivable that these groups can be told of the Gospel within our lifetime. They also said that it is critical for Southern Baptists to take action now while the windows of opportunity are open and available.