2009 Philippines Mission Post by Ben Cornatzer

It was early Sunday morning, my first day in Maria Aurora. I woke up early and went for a walk to explore my home for the next week. When I turned the corner to the front of the church building, I met Jerold.

Jerold was silk screening T-shirts for the sports camp that would start on Tuesday morning in Dilasag. He was finishing the last of them. Each shirt required at least four passes. 3 on the front side.
1 on the back. I know, because I designed them. And Jerold printed them all, something like 300 shirts in all. In the US we have machines to print our shirts. It never occurred to me that someone would be printing them by hand. I had used the same method with limited success in college and lacked the patience to master the skill. Jerold executed the printing with precision. I was very impressed and humbled. Jerold is 17 and a skilled artisan. (Later that day I saw the professional-looking banner he painted for the camp.)

Not only was I impressed and humbled, I was also inspired by Jerold.
I was up early because I hadn't adjusted to my new time zone. Jerold was up early to serve the Lord.

That same morning before church I met another saint. She introduced herself as sister Naneth. We talked briefly and I went on my way.

At lunchtime, it was sister Naneth and a crew of other women from the church that I saw preparing our meals. These dear ladies graciously cooked, served and cleaned up after our meals the entire time we were in Aurora. And the food they prepared was incredible. I learned 2 important words in Tagalog that week. Salamat—thank you; and masarap— delicious.

But the serving didn't stop there. The pastors, the praise team and other saints served wherever and whenever needed.

Jesus said, "the greatest among you shall be your servant." I spent a week with some truly great people devoted to Jesus living out his commandment to love one another as He loved us.

We left Maria Aurora the following Sunday. Although I was looking forward to coming home, it was hard leaving my new family in the Philippines. Our friendships were just getting started and it was time to say good bye. After a week of serving the Lord as one team, our hearts were joined together in Christ.

My prayer for the churches in Aurora is that they will continue to grow in their knowledge of Christ and in their love for each other; that many will come to Christ throughout the region; and that God would give them a heart for the lost beyond Aurora.

Missions Benefit Concert

Come out on Saturday, June 6 at 6:00pm to hear some Bluegrass music by the group Code Blue.  Jonathan and Derek are going to open for them, so don’t miss out!  Tickets are $5 each.  You can buy tickets at the Missions table or through a Romania or Bangladesh missions team member or you can email Derek Futrell at dfutrell@parkwayfamily.org or Sarah DeJarnette at SDeJarnette@imb.org.   Food and Childcare will be provided.

Great Commission Resurgance

Take the time to watch this sermon by Dr. Akin, President of a major Southern Baptist Seminary (Southeastern Baptist Theol. Seminary, NC). Pay attention to how we advance the gospel through the world through our children!
http://www.greatcommissionresurgence.com/media/

Video on Demographics

Check out this link about Demographics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-3X5hIFXYU

May this video encourage us to persevere. In a changing world, there is only one God who does not change. And He is Mighty to save!

"Slumdog"

Good Afternoon!

Check out the link below.

http://www.go2southasia.org/slumdog.html

"Slumdog" world...
They'd do anything to get out. His dream was to get in. Watch the true story of a man who dreamed about a shack by the sewer, and then moved into one.

Missions at Parkway

Welcome to the Parkway Missions Blogspot! Visit this page to stay updated on all of the information concerning missions.

As we gear up for summer, we are currently prepping for four summer mission trips:

M-Fuge, July 6-11 - This is our annual student mission trip. This year, almost 100 adults and students will be venturing to South Carolina for a week of serving Christ through five different venues... PCY (Painting, Construction and Yarkwork), Creative (Using talents such as singing and drama to spread the gospel), Children's (Working with kids in parks and doing VBS-like activities), Games and Recreation (Meeting people of all ages through means of recreation), and Social (Street Evangelism, Food Banks, Nursing Homes, etc.).

Romania, July 18-25 - Starting last year, our church has been involved in helping out the missionary, Daniel Byrd, with his ministry to the Roma people who live around the city of Cluj. We will be going to various villages evangelizing to the Gyspy/Roma people, giving out food and clothes, and leading a youth rally at the local church.

Colorado, July 25-31 - We are working with the local ministry reaching out to the people in the city. We will be teaming up with Gensis Church to share the gospel with people of our own nation who do not know the Lord.

Bangladesh, July 23-Aug. 3 - As a place that worships many gods and idols, many people in this area of the world have not even heard the name of Jesus. We will be working with a missionary familiy (Denny & Lisa C.) and helping them spread the good news of salvation through Christ.

We are excited to be a part of God's magnificent work around the world, and to be included in the expansion of his kingdom. Please keep these trips, and the people who are serving on them, in your prayers, and pray specifically that God would continue to radically save people who have not yet made a commitment to Him.

Until the Savior's return!