I wish you could have been there! I (Ann) was blessed to be part of the first International Missions Conference organized by the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches and Swatow Baptists in June. The conference was held in Hong Kong where approximately 200,000 Filipinas work, primarily as domestic servants.

The conference’s opening prayer lifted our hearts and challenged us: “Lord …raise up new missionaries who will follow You to the ends of the world. Make us witnesses to Your goodness…” We talked, worshipped and prayed together, seeking God’s direction for how the CPBC can minister ‘to’ and ‘through’ the thousands of young Filipinos working in Hong Kong and countries across SE Asia.

This event is evidence of a tremendous movement sweeping the world: countries that historically only received Christian missionaries are now sending them! The reality is that in today’s world mission is “from everywhere to everyone.”

“From Everywhere to Everyone” is one of the ministry priorities for International Ministries (IM) as we seek to faithfully respond to God’s call in our third century of mission. IM has invited me to serve as “Global Champion” for this focus area. I’ll be working with staff and missionary colleagues to help global partners train, send and welcome home their own missionaries. We are also committed to equipping churches in the U.S. and Puerto Rico to engage in cross-cultural ministry and to receive global partner missionaries in their communities.

We would love to hear how your church is cooperating with God’s mission “here, there, and everywhere” – perhaps starting in your own back yard! Drop us a line or send us the link to your church web site. We’d like to share what you are doing to inspire others.

With you in mission,

Ann (and Bruce)

Praises and Prayers

Praise God for the new sense of urgency that Filipino Baptists feel to respond to the Great Commission.

Praise God for the groundbreaking research Bruce is doing in faith-based social entrepreneurship. Pray that this work would inspire many organizations to apply God-honoring strategies in their efforts to address social problems