May I walk beside you

As usual, it seems the new year has barely begun and it is already summertime!!   Time is flying by and with the fleeting days comes a reminder of the urgency in reaching our communities, our state, our nation and our world with the life changing message of Jesus Christ. As I have stated so many times before, we live in such a diverse area with so many opportunities to reach out to those around us and share who Christ is to us, what He has done in our lives and who He can be to them.   All who are involved in this process we call ministry can surely attest to one common fact: together, we can have a greater impact than on our own!!   Even Jesus himself, the almighty Son of God, chose to serve and walk alongside others.  

We can work together by partnering with those in our own congregations, with those from other congregations and those from outside our region who feel called to come and serve. That is what makes the summer time so very special.   We are able to host volunteers from outside our own area who feel God calling them to come and walk beside us in the ministry He has called us all to do.

One way this occurs during the summer months is through visiting mission teams.   These teams are made up of youth groups, senior adult groups, church family groups and more. They come into the area and work alongside us as they help to strengthen our existing ministries and open doors for new ones. 

Another way this is accomplished is through our summer missionary program.   Each summer, high school and college students give 10 weeks of their summer to minister here in the low country.   Over the years, they have become an integral part of our mission strategy association wide as well as with several individual congregations.   This year looks to be no different. They will serve our area through a variety of ministries including backyard bible clubs, sports camps, creative arts, resort ministry, prayer walking, VBS assistance, worship leading and more.   They will walk beside you as, together, we seek God’s guidance and direction. 

These summer missionaries desire your prayers and support as they leave home and all that is familiar to follow Christ into this world of ministry.   I encourage you to make every effort to get to know these young Christian men and women and help them feel at home here in the low country, just as you do each summer. Many of the relationships built this summer will last for a lifetime and many, thank God, will last for all eternity!    And once again, walking this path together allows even greater impact in the Kingdom of God!! 

In closing, I want to thank the North and South Carolina Collegiate Ministries, Missions Mobilization at the South Carolina Baptist Convention and others for helping to fund our summer missions staff during this time of great economic distress. And to you, Savannah River Baptist Association, thanks for allowing us to partner with you in reaching others. God bless you all!!

Serving together,
Larry