MMO: Reaching people in-state, out of state, all around the world
By Norm Howell
MBC Partnership Missions Specialist
August 23, 2005
JEFFERSON CITY– I have been working with the Missouri Baptist Convention (MBC) for about 19 months. As I have traveled to the different locations where the MBC has partnerships, I hear a common phrase over and over. The phrase is similar to what the Apostle Paul wrote in Phil. 1:3: “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.”
Leaders from across our state, in Colorado, and around the world have repeatedly expressed their thankfulness to Missouri Baptists for the help that has come their way. I too, want to say “thank you,” Missouri Baptists, for helping mission work through giving to the Rheubin L. South Missouri Missions Offering (MMO). Your giving has enabled Missouri Baptists to be more effective and more focused in the MBC partnership works in Missouri, Colorado, Puerto Rico, Romania and Turkey/Iraq.
How MMO helps Missouri
One way that the MMO money has been used here in Missouri through the partnership office is through the purchasing of the children’s version DVD of the Jesus film in Spanish. A number of our Hispanic churches in Missouri have received copies of this DVD and also flannel graph Bible stories of the life of Jesus that corresponds to the Jesus film. This material has been a great evangelism/discipleship tool in helping both adults and children understand the life of Jesus and how they can receive eternal life. A number of pastors, directors of missions (DOMs), churches, and associations who are involved in one or more of the MBC partnerships have personally received MMO funds to help them be more effective in mission work. These funds were used to help cover expenses for ministry material, Bibles, tracts or travel for their teams going to one of the partnership locations. Thank you, Missouri Baptists, for giving so that your pastors, staff, DOMs and others can effectively take part in mission projects in our state, outside our state, and around the world.
How MMO helps Puerto Rico
In April of this year, a group of about ten Hispanic pastors from Missouri went to Puerto Rico. Each of the team members carried with them the DVD of the Jesus film and flannel graph teaching material in Spanish. In one week’s time, these men were able to preach, teach and equip Puerto Rican churches to reach out in their communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. During the time they were in Puerto Rico, a number of people made decisions for Christ. Thank you, Missouri Baptists, for helping to send Hispanic pastors from Missouri to help evangelize and provide ministry tools to the people of Puerto Rico!
Also, a number of Missouri Baptists have gone to Puerto Rico to work on Camp Moca. Camp Moca is a beautiful Baptist camp that is being built for youth/children and for evangelism/discipleship training. Some MMO funds have gone to help build and develop this camp. Thank you, Missouri Baptists, for giving to this work that has reached and will continue to reach and train Puerto Ricans for the Kingdom!
How MMO helps Romania
Almost every month of this year there have been teams of Missouri Baptists going to Romania. Many of these teams are carrying with them the DVD of the Jesus film – both the adult and children’s version. Many of these teams are taking with them Bibles, tracts, flannel graph Bible stories, etc., to leave with their partnering churches. Part of the MMO is going to help purchase Bibles, tracts, and to help translate new discipleship material. Many Romanians have made professions of faith in Christ on these trips.
In May, Mac McCully, pastor, First Baptist Church, La Plata, led a team from his church to do medical missions work in Iash, Romania. Part of the MMO went to help purchase medicine to use and give out to Romanian people in need. There were well over 100 professions of faith in Christ during this trip. Thank you, Missouri Baptists, for giving so that people in Romania can be saved, have Bibles and have their medical needs met!
How MMO helps Colorado
One way took place this past spring when a team from Lamine Baptist Association went to Colorado to lead in revival meetings in four churches. During the meetings, people made professions of faith and others were challenged to reach out in their Colorado communities and share their faith in Jesus Christ. Part of the MMO was used to help in the expenses of this team. Thank you, Missouri Baptists, for helping to reach people in Colorado and equip the saved to reach out in their communities!
How MMO helps Turkey/Iraq
This past year, the Partnership Department has helped to distribute Bibles and the Jesus film in unreached areas of Turkey. These are areas where there are no churches. Thank you, Missouri Baptists, for helping to reach the unreached peoples of Turkey/Iraq! MMO funds have been used to help train and orient Missouri Baptists to go to both Turkey/Iraq and Romania. This money has helped prepare leaders and churches to do effective mission work in difficult places.
I could tell story after story of people who have expressed their gratitude and thankfulness to me due to the work and help that Missouri Baptists have given to them through the MMO. I say once again, “thank you for giving to help reach lost people with the Gospel of Jesus Christ!”