American Baptist Churches USA - United Mission Matters

Mission Matters Written By: Rev. DR. Michael Friday, Regional Executive Minister, ABC of Greater indianapolis When I came to know Floris 54 years ago, she was already living in poverty. Her life circumstances never gave her a shot at escaping that situation. A single parent of two children, she cared for her aged and ailing mother in a humble rented apartment while her five or six siblings—all of whom fared better than her—failed to help in that support. Floris would do any kind of domestic work she could find, to support herself. She is now 81 years old and still has to work, despite the ailments and pains that most people of that age endure. Sounds like a life of real misery, right? It is. Yet Floris loves Jesus deeply, and she serves Him wholeheartedly by serving people wholeheartedly. She has the least in terms of material wealth, yet she’s one of the most generous and joyful people I know. Her generosity isn’t measured in volume, because she has no volume; but it is measured in proportion – the same proportion of which Jesus spoke, when he saw a widow place a penny in the offering while the filthy rich scribes and pharisees threw in their thousands, and went back out to their dirty work of persecuting the poor, ignoring the sick, and prosecuting Jesus. Whenever I visit Floris back in my homeland, I can never leave empty-handed—she always insists on sending me off with some kind of cooked or baked delight. The last time I visited unexpectedly, she went to her freezer and pulled out something she had planned to eat the day before—a special treat she knows my wife loves—and gave it to me. No measure of protestations from me succeeded in making her keep it. Floris reminds me of the Jerusalem Church that was in material distress at the time Paul wrote his first letter to the rich Corinthians, as he launched the Jerusalem Fund. Yet, up to a year later (by his second letter) Corinth hadn’t moved a muscle. Floris reminds me of the Macedonian church who begged to give to that fund, even though Paul offered them an out because of their poverty; and who, instead, gave in mind-boggling abundance (2 Corinthians 8:2). And then, there’s the Corinthian church – called upon, “at the present time (of their) plenty (to supply what (Jerusalem needed), so that in turn their plenty (would) supply what (Corinth needed). The goal (was) equality” – 2 Cor. 8:14. American Baptists’ United Mission reminds us that we belong to each other in love, are committed to and covenanting through our common well-being to serve others beyond ourselves. We are rich and poor, well-off and struggling; but – like Floris – we all have, through Jesus Christ, the immense capacity to love, and with sacrificial generosity. Floris’s poverty, generosity, and cheerfulness always seem to move me to a joyful generosity toward her! May God so move all of us in this beloved ABCUSA, toward each other, and then to others beyond us, beyond our churches, and beyond our American shores. Building on a Legacy of Hope Written By: Rev. Mark Click, Regional Executive Minister, ABC of Ohio The American Baptist Churches United Mission is one concrete way for our diverse denominational family to partner together in mission and ministry. We serve during a time of significant disruptions in our nation and world. The issues of the day work to pull apart our nation, communities, churches and families, yet the Bible calls for the church to strive for unity, and to love our neighbor and enemies. The United Mission has historically been a primary means of shared mission support in American Baptist life. It has funded the work of the Regions, Office of the General Secretary and our Mission Partners. The United Mission has been a major source of mission revenue for the 33 ABC Regions with 65% of the offering going to the Regions. Though the offering has experienced decline, it still remains a significant source of ministry revenue for the Regions, supporting ministries such as pastoral support, churches in transition, next generation discipleship, church revitalization and much more. The apostle Paul challenges the Corinthian Christians to be generous givers and to support the work of other Believers as an example of unity (2 Cor. 9). The United Mission is one way for our ABC family to demonstrate unity in Christ in a time of brokenness and division – reaching across the dividing lines and joining hands together, focusing on what we agree upon, and supporting one another in God’s mission to reach out to our neighbors, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, focus on making disciples and redeeming a broken world. We may not always agree on all matters, but we remain a family of churches that share a unique history, values, beliefs, and partnership. We are Better Together! United Mission Dollars at Work Written By: Rev. Patty King Bilyeu, Regional Executive Minister, Abc of the Great Rivers Region The ABC of the Great Rivers utilizes United Mission dollars to give Ministry Grants to local congregations. The grant is given when churches present an innovative ministry to reach out to their community. The goal is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in new ways. After receiving a Mission Grant in 2022, First Baptist Church of Jerseyville, IL, launched “Dinner Church” in a local community building. Here's Associate Executive, Dr. Rob Kirbach’s experience at Dinner Church in Jerseyville: “I had the pleasure of visiting Dinner Church at First Baptist Church, Jerseyville. The church calls it a “mission”—not an outreach tool or church growth strategy to more people into their church, but a mission to get Christ into the community. Their mission is simple: to provide a meal, fellowship, and an opportunity to pray, sing, and worship together in a non-churchy setting. The result is amazing! I met numerous widows and widowers who look forward to this weekly night of fellowship outside of their homes. I met working parents who are blessed by having a meal provided for them on a worknight. I met teenagers who saw a sign for “free dinner” and wandered in from the adjacent city park…six months ago…and keep coming back week after week! I met residents from the local public housing unit who have never set foot inside a church building. I met folks who might not have a hot meal, seated next to people who could afford to eat at any restaurant they wanted. All in all, I met an authentic fellowship of believers, seekers, doubters, and learners who visited together and prayed together. They heard God’s word proclaimed by a pastor who is delighted to share in an authentic, yet non-traditional form of worship. It is wonderful to see a church being the church.” Dinner Church grew from 25 community participants to over 100 each Wednesday night. This ministry is still going strong and was made possible by United Mission! What is United Mission? United Mission is a simple yet intentional way that American Baptists contribute to a shared financial fund that is designed and used for mission and ministry that has an impact across the whole American Baptist family. With a large portion of United Mission funds contributing directly to the mission efforts and ministries of the 33 ABC regional entities, the Office of the General Secretary, and the Board of General Ministries, all of which are accountable to and informed by our member congregations, United Mission funding supports efforts on all levels of our denomination as well on our shared mission fields. Portions of United Mission also support services provided by our national ABC partners. How to Participate in United Mission: United Mission Basics are undesignated contributions from local churches to the vital mission and ministry of American Baptists. Basics provide support for the extensive foundation of American Baptist missions. United Mission Love Gifts are contributions from American Baptist women in support of American Baptist ministry, given over and above United Mission Basics. Whether congregations and individuals give to United Mission via regularly scheduled contributions throughout the year or annual one-time gifts, through church budgets or special offerings, your faithfulness shows your commitment to being United in Christ + Together in Mission as an entire American Baptist denominational family.

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