What we must be about

Listen to this sermon. We cannot ignore the lost world anymore.
http://www.vimeo.com/5514321

Missions Evening

Good morning everyone!

Don't forget to come out to the church this Sunday night (August 9) at 5:00 to hear more about the mission trips that took place this summer. The teams that went to Colorado, Bangladesh, and Romania will all have opportunities to share about how great our God is and how He is working all over this world! There will also be a time of food and fellowship. Don't miss out on this event... 5pm-7pm Sunday, August 9th, at Parkway!

2009 Romania Mission Testimony

God is real. This truth is so simple, yet it’s so amazing to experience how real He is when on an international, overseas mission trip. Last year, when I went to Romania for the first time, God showed me how real He is and how powerful, compassionate, gracious, loving, mighty, and awesome He is. These truths came to the forefront of my mind as I went back to Romania this year, and I wondered what new things God would teach me. God taught me that He is not the only real invisible force in this world. The devil is real too.

God worked in incredible ways while we were in Romania this year, but the devil was not happy one bit with the movement of God that was taking place on his turf. The bible names the devil as the “god of this world” in 2 Corinthians 4:4 and he likes his world dark. Our team went to spread light and to share the gospel with Gypsy people who don’t know the good news of Jesus Christ. We shared and watched as the Holy Spirit worked in the hearts of the villagers we came in contact with, and we were amazed as we saw God radically save people from an eternity in the pits of hell. Then the devil kicked into high gear and we watched in shock as spiritual warfare took place in a very visible way.

I was part of a team that led a youth rally for kids ages 10 to early 20s. We held the rally at a church where God is preached, but God is still teaching them new things. Some of the deacons believe that youth cannot be saved, and some of the deacons believe that the church should be a place of reverence (no loud games or playfulness). On the second night of the youth rally, a couple of the deacons complained about what we were doing and we were asked not to come back to the church for the other two nights. Disappointed, we left and decided to continue the youth rally at one of the villages. On the third night, we attempted to share the gospel like we had been doing, but distractions hindered us from being heard. Fights broke out among the youth, among married couples, and among parents and their children. Theft took place and all around us there was yelling and shrieking to the point where no one paid attention to the lesson we tried to bring. We ended up leaving, so that we could minister to people who wanted to hear the message we had to share. Many thoughts entered my head: “I can’t believe our time was wasted.” “I wanted to share the gospel with those kids.” “I didn’t even get to say goodbye.” “I can’t believe God would allow this to happen.” Then God knocked some sense into me that night.

Every thought that entered my head begin with the word “I.” I had been making the mission trip about me, when in reality I was there to serve God and minister to people for the sake of spreading HIS gospel. God taught us to wait patiently for Him. So that night we prayed, I asked for forgiveness and waited on the LORD. The next day was an incredible day of ministry as every person on the mission trip was united under one single purpose: to glorify God and let His name be spread among the nations.

Life is not about us. It’s so easy to get caught up in the distractions of this world, the temptations of the flesh, and the deceit of the devil. Don’t believe the father of lies when he tells you that it’s about you. God is in control and we are on this earth to glorify Him. And we can do that by proclaiming His name among the nations. The devil may be real, but God is real and much more powerful than the devil could ever hope to be.

2009 Romania Mission Testimony by Kathy Collins

Romania was my first overseas missions trip. I went out of sheer obedience. I left the USA feeling like I had jumped off a cliff blindfolded with no idea whatsoever what I was doing or what I was getting myself into. My first lesson was that of obedience and faith. Trusting that God was in control and I was not to worry over details. The travel was exhausting. Our bodies were pushed to the limit and we had not even arrived yet! But in the 8 hr bus ride from Budapest to Cluj, Romania I fell in love with the country. It was beautiful. I saw God's hand of protection in action as we encountered Hungarian Police and crossed the Romanian border. I began to anticipate with excitement the many ways I would see God move during this trip. I began to sense that this trip was bigger than myself or this team. An urge to be used by God in whatever way He saw fit engulfed my entire being.

During the week I experienced worship in a way new and completely foreign to me. I experienced a worship service where voices were lifted in prayer and praise out-loud in both English and Romanian. Even though I could not understand what was being said I knew this: God was in that place. It was a humbling experience. I saw revival take place in a youth rally. I listened to a testimony given by a young man in his language and I was moved to tears. The Holy Spirit transcends language barriers. I had been nervous about interacting with many whose language I did not know. Again, I did not need to fear. These kids were starved for human touch and a love that is universal. We laughed, we played games, and told them that not only did we love them, but God loved them more than we did. We visited their villages and their homes. I saw poverty and despair. I saw living conditions that I could have not even imagined. I saw a people desperate for a hope they could believe in. God used our team in ways we had not anticipated. He put us in situations and places that allowed our talents to be used to bring the gospel to those who had been told they had no soul. They lived among a country that hated them. We brought the news of a God who loved them. The Holy Spirit transcended cultural barriers. Our God is mighty to save.

I stood on a hillside overlooking a village where the gospel had never been shared. My heart was broken. To imagine that the love I have through Jesus was not known to them brought me to my knees. All around me were wooden signs with Jesus on the Cross. They were at the entrance to every corn field and village. Turns out they are shrines to ward off evil spirits. These people did not know the Jesus on that cross. They did not know that He wasn't on that cross any longer. They did not know that He had purchased a place for them in heaven. They did not know that they could possess a Holy Spirit that was more powerful than any shrine built. How could they know? No one had told them. You must go. You must experience missions for yourself. You must be obedient to the command to go and share the gospel to the very ends of the earth. I don't know how God will choose to use you. It may be to impress upon your heart to give more generously to missions It may be a call to the mission field. He may open your eyes to the needs around you every day. But you owe it to yourself to go and see. Even if you do not understand now, go anyway, serve anyway, praise Him anyway.

I now understand more the scripture about how it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. We are rich. By Roma standards we are kings. We live in palaces. Our every need is met. We lack very little if any. Our richness has made us less desperate. We can walk into any church we please and worship God. Roma Gypsies cannot. We come to depend upon that which we have and depend less on God. It is an inconvenience to us to go without power or water. It is a lifestyle to them. We run through a drive-thru when we are hungry and throw out clothes they would clamor to wear.

The needs are great. There is 1 missionary to minister to 2.5 million gypsies. Let us use the riches that God has blessed us with to His glory and to enlarge His kingdom.

Luke 10: 2 "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask Him to bring more workers into His fields. "

-Kathy Collins

Romania Mission Summary

God is good. God answers prayer. God is mighty to save. God is powerful. God performs miracles. Our God is a great God. The members of the Romanian mission team saw God move, and they were able to experience God in all of these amazing attributes. The sick were healed, the lost were found, the hungry were fed, and God was glorified. It was a privilege to watch God move and be a part of God’s incredible work in a completely different area of the world.

While in Romania the mission team focused on working with the Roma/Gypsy people. The Roma are a rejected people group. Many Romanians believe that Roma do not have souls and therefore cannot receive salvation from the LORD. We, of course, know that all nations, tribes, and people groups alike are equal in God’s eyes. So the teams brought the good news of Jesus Christ into different Gypsy villages, and shared with them how they can know Christ on a personal and intimate level. God blessed the efforts of the team as many Gypsies came to Christ with the desire to participate in bible studies and to start a church. It was incredible to watch the Holy Spirit move in such a radical way.

This year, the mission teams in Romania participated in two daily ministries. In the afternoon, different teams went out to different rural villages and led VBS-like activities. They played games, sang songs, made crafts, but most importantly they read scripture and shared God’s word and its meaning to the people. The teams also went out in the evening (after dinner) and did a youth rally and home group bible studies in 4 different homes. These sites experienced some incredible God-moments as many received salvation and sought God.

There is nothing like going on an overseas mission trip. Those who went to Romania would be the first to tell you how great it is. If you have not gone, seriously pray about going on one soon. God will bless and provide for those who answer His call to go. And don’t forget to be mission-minded here as well. “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” Romans 1:16. If we do not go and tell, who will?

Hello from Romania!

God sure is moving in miraculous ways as we minister to the Roma people this week. I would like to ask you to specifically pray for a couple of things. Tonight, Parkway and three other churches teamed up and led a youth explosion/rally for close to 100 gypsies in a church in Mociu (Worship, testimonies, preaching) and teams taught Bible Stories in 4 overfilled homes in Balda, Romania where Orthodox priests do not allow Roma/Gypsy in their churches. Gypsies believe they cannot know God. Your Parkway team has told/will continue to tell them they can, and are giving them opportunities to know God. Keep these sites in your prayers this week as we continue to minister.

Those are the evening venues. As for the afternoon venues, we start those tomorrow in four villages: Tagu, Balda, Naiou, and Sambolie. Pray for these sites as well.

Also, there is a young man from one of the other churches who has strep throat this week. He is quarantined and it has not affected any other member of the trip, but pray that God would heal him quickly, and that he wouldn't be discouraged in the midst of this trial. His name is Josh Darrow.

Thank you all for your prayers! God has already answered many of your prayers. We miss you dearly, but are enjoying this magnificent opportunity we have to minister to this hated people group.

God bless!

Watch this sermon by Dr. David Platt at the 2009 Southern Baptist Convention. It will move you to action and gives a plea for Christians to obey the commands of God to meet the spiritual needs of the 4.5 billion lost people and meet the physical needs of the 16,000 children who die each day from starvation. Here is the link: http://viewers.316networks.com/viewer/viewerframes_parent.asp?b=&p=&WMP=1&WMPv=7&RPIE=1&sp=&networkID=3002236&gid=0&MsoID=3000005&CategoryID=1002208&rnd=705&odcid=6401101

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!