As a child, I was always fascinated when it came time for Missions Week at my church. During this week, we had special speakers come to our church and talk about their work in different countries. Sometimes they would bring slides, or wear clothing from the country and some even cooked for us. I thought it would be so interesting to live in another country.
As I grew older, I realized that I would not be able to become a missionary and travel to a foreign country, but my love for mission work never faded. I realized that there are many things I can do right here in this country and in my church to help those in other countries. In the Bible Jesus told his disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel. To me, that meant right here at home as well as far away lands. By working with the many Mission programs we have in our church, I feel I'm doing my part to help spread the word.
West Lake Baptist church is a Mission minded church. Whether we are working on Mission Projects, or taking up offerings for Missions, we are solely interested in spreading the word of God. When donating to these missions, we try to emphasize that people practice "self denial" so that they will truly know what it's like to go without something to help someone in need.
Jesus commanded us to do missions. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” – Matthew 28:19-20
We take up an offering for this mission during the Easter period. Moneys received from the offerings go to help Missionaries in North America. Annie Armstrong was a woman born into a very affluent family. But she was not satisfied attending social functions for the more elite upper crust of society. She was drawn to those of lesser means and wanted to help them live a full life. She help found the WMU (Women's Ministry Union).
Georgia Barnett was a woman who's life work became reaching out to help the people living along the bayous of Louisiana. That is why the mission is named after her. Once again, we take up offerings during the month of September to help further the mission work being done in Louisiana.
This is probably the most important Mission Offering we collect for. The monies garnered here are used to spread the gospel throughout the world. This offering is taken up during Christmas time. Lottie Moon was a woman who gave up a comfortable life style to preach to those who never heard about Jesus in far away lands. China became her main focus.
