SMSU BSU share God’s love as summer missionaries
August 3, 2004
CAPE GIRARDEAU – Summer mission activity is off to a big start in St. Louis and the Southeast Missouri areas.
Bob Houchins, who directs Baptist Student Union activities at Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, said his teams have been working with a church youth group, training the youths how to do personal evangelism, how to do servant ministry, how to prayer walk and/or how to plan a church mission event such as a block party.
“The college students are serving 10 weeks this summer. One team is in Fredricktown working with a church,” Houchins said. “Next week, they will be in the Cape Association working with an associational youth group helping to do a survey for a possible church plant at Gordonville.”
Houchins said the youths garnered a wealth of experience.
“For Megan Gerren of South County Baptist Church, St. Louis, the experience has been life changing,” Houchins said. “She went to South County Mall with others to put into practice what she had learned through Share Jesus Without Fear.
“She and Dustin Bailey met two teenage girls at the mall. Within minutes they were sharing the Gospel with them. When the two girls were asked if they wanted to ask Jesus into their life, both girls said ‘yes.’”
Houchins said another summer missionary, Angel Sanchez, will never forget meeting a hermit crab salesman at Crestwood Mall in St. Louis.
“The salesman’s 14-year-old daughter had kidney problems,” Houchin said. “When Angel and the others in her group asked if they could pray for the man’s daughter, the dad replied, ‘Could you pray now?’
“The girls agreed, joined hands with the man in a circle of prayer and discovered how God uses a simple commitment to care to impact others for His glory.”
Houchins said Jamie Russell, youth minister at First Baptist Church, New Madrid, reported that the missionaries provided a great experience for his youth.
“They helped get our group excited about what they can do as youth,” Russell told Houchins. “This is a radical kind of ministry because it puts responsibility in the hands of our youth.”
The New Madrid youth sponsored a block party. Houchins said the party attracted as many people as if the adults of the church had planned the party. The party identified more than 40 prospects for the church.
Houchins said any church or pastor interested in learning more about the summer mission program can call him at 573-335-6489 or email him at bhouchins@mobaptist.org.