Ten years ago, First Baptist Church, Montgomery, wanted to expand its “missions factory” sending out more of its members to reach the nations for Christ. The congregation had been faithful in giving financially to missions work, but Pastor Jay Wolf and the church’s missions ministry team wanted to motivate their people to be equally faithfully in “putting their hands to the plow.”
After visiting and researching countless churches to find ways to accomplish this goal, former minister of missions Harold Hancock and his team discovered the “shot in the arm” that the church needed at a Global Impact Celebration (GIC) in Mississippi.
Now, First, Montgomery, has come full-circle in its missions process and is offering the same guidance to other churches in a Global Focus Leadership Training seminar during its own GIC March 2–6.
The GIC is a five-day event where local, national and international missionaries are brought in to share what God is doing in their lives and where church members are encouraged to be on mission for God around the world. The leadership training seminar introduces other church leaders to the GIC concept and allows them to see firsthand a church implementing the idea.
“This seminar is designed to introduce you to a process that can mobilize your church to impact your world for Christ,” Wolf stated in a letter to those interested in attending. “It will enable the pastor and church leaders to evaluate the material and process and learn how to become God’s missions factory.”
First, Montgomery, attempted its first GIC in 2004, but had to cancel their plans when Hurricane Ivan hit the state.
They’ve had two missions celebrations since then, which have greatly impacted the church’s evangelism efforts.
“The purpose why all this came about was to be faithful to the Scriptures and develop an Antioch-style church of sending people across the world sharing Christ,” said Hancock, who is also a former missionary to South Korea. “We started with one, two, three (missions projects), and the last year that I was in a leadership role — I retired three years ago — we were at at least 30 teams a year internationally. … As it grew, there was so much excitement around the missions movement. … If the Lord tarries, who knows what FBC Montgomery can mean in carrying the gospel to the nations in the years to come.”
Brian Gay, current minister of missions, said missions needs to be the heartbeat of every church.
“Jesus commanded us in Matthew 28 that we are to go make disciples of every nation,” he said. “So, the GIC is a way to get people excited about doing missions around the world. … It’s been such a blessing to us. We have seen great fruit from that event.”
Gay noted that at the 2008 GIC more than 400 people committed to either pray, go or give to missions.
“Many of those people have followed through on that,” he said. “In 2010, we saw over 30 missions projects on five continents, and we had over 350 people participate in missions outside of our city.”
Hancock believes the GIC concept has been the “shot in the arm” that the church needed to become more actively involved in missions around the world.
Katherine Jackson, coordinator of this year’s GIC, agreed.
“The whole idea is to make missions real to everyone and understand the impact you can have by praying, going and giving your life to vocation and missions,” she said.
“For so many people, missions is this far away thing. … It (GIC) gives you that connection. You can talk to those missionaries and … once you know them and you know their stories it inspires you to go. … You meet these people and realize they are not much different from you and feel you can do it too.”
The leadership seminar will be held March 2, 1–4:30 p.m. at First, Montgomery.
The Alabama State Board of Missions prayer conference will also be held during the church’s GIC on March 4–5. Church representatives across the state are welcome to attend.
For more information on the GIC or leadership seminar, call 334-834-6310 or visit www.montgomeryfbc.org.
For more information on the prayer conference or general missions opportunities, call 1-800-264-1225.
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