Missions

We maintain a strong Missions commitment based on
Christ's command to go into all the world and pro-
claim the Gospel. A significant portion of our bud-
get is allocated to mission activity, and many op-
portunities are provided for members to serve
throughout our city, across the country and around
the world.

Silent Friends/Deaf Ministry

Signed interpretation is provided each Sunday in
the 8:20 a.m. worship services. The Silent Friends
Sunday School class meets at 9:40 a.m. in room E127.

Benevolence Ministry

Benevolence is an outreach ministry to those in financial need where the Gospel is clearly communicated. Benevolence Committee members interview and determine how our church can best meet an individual's needs.

Food Closet
The Missions Ministry maintains a community service closet containing staple food items for those in emergency situations. Thus, we can provide a quick- response, short-term emergency service to meet the immediate needs of a person or family until those needs can be more appropriately met by the CRISIS Center. Hundreds of people each year are ministered to through this service. However, our donations are received entirely on a voluntary basis.

The Food Closet is supplied by donations. Here are some of the items needed:

     · Dry and cooked cereals, granola bars
     · Peanut butter and jellies
     · Crackers
     · Dry or powdered milk
     · Macaroni and cheese
     · Canned meats
     · Canned vegetables and fruit, canned soups and juices
     · Baby food, disposable diapers.

Jail Ministry
Volunteers take the Gospel to inmates in Bible study at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Comfort, encouragement and hope are shared in an informal setting. There is also an opportunity for at-home involvement through the grading of study lessons prepared by inmates. For information call the church at 432.683.0600 and leave a message for the Jail Ministry.

White Christmas
Before Christmas each year, a Sunday evening service is dedicated to collecting food for the hungry in Midland. All of the food is wrapped in white and placed around the altar. On the following Monday, volunteers unwrap, box and deliver the food all across the city.

Christmas Store
At Christmas, there is also an annual ingathering of toys, in preparation for this ministry of sharing the message of Jesus and of hope to underprivileged children at Christmas. In 2003, 420 individuals came through the Store to "shop" for a free toy for each child in the family (totaling 1,574 children!), which was then gift-wrapped by FBC volunteers. Each family was also given a Bible, and presented with the Gospel message - resulting in decisions by 49 people to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior!

Bill Johnson, Minister of Missions

Hank Henry, Associate Minister of Missions