The people of The Church at Brook Hills, Birmingham, recently demonstrated their support of missions by giving $61,000 in a spontaneous offering. Additionally, 54 people committed to being involved in long- and short-term missions.
The offering came during the final service of the church’s April 26-30 world missions conference in which participants experienced three days of missions-oriented preaching, workshops and projects.
“When you decide to touch the world, the world will touch you,” Pastor Rick Ousley said concerning the results of the church’s World Touch Celebration. “[Taking the offering] was something God impressed on my heart to do.”
Twenty-six missionaries, representing more than 20 countries, took part in the World Touch Celebration.
International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries included Jerome and Joann Ethredge, Togo, West Africa; George Faile, Ghana, West Africa; Rick Jenkins, Guadalajara, Mexico; Mark and Elaine Pierce, Kampala, Uganda; Gene and Jane Roach, Kenya; and Lynn and Sandra Sasser, Toluca, Mexico.
The missionaries shared during worship, in Bible study classes, in seminars, in Birmingham-area schools and at luncheons. Additionally, 100-120 people, including visiting missionaries, participated in Saturday missions projects at places such as Children’s Hospital, the Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes maternity home in Alabaster and clothes closets and food pantries.
About 40 people also completed Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief Training. The day concluded with an outdoor native food fair at the church’s facilities.
Through the conference, the people of Brook Hills were able to “recognize that what God is doing in the world is greater than one congregation or one denomination can comprehend,” Ousley said. “We are to be Kingdom builders and to touch lives one at a time. We are committed to doing that till Jesus comes.”
Fred Judd, facilitator of the missions ministry team at Brook Hills, said the impact of meeting missionaries can’t be overstated.
“Person to person involvement is how we are built, and that’s how people respond best,” Judd said.
Describing the conference as “a blessing beyond our wildest dreams,” Judd said the event was important not only for Brook Hills members, but also participating missionaries and Brook Hills’ long-term commitment to missions.
Ousley said he was so personally impacted by the conference he has committed to participate in two missions projects each year, joining the more than 50 others that committed to be involved in various ways. (TAB contributed)
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