OGUN BAPTIST CONFERENCE

A MISSION CHARGE DELIVERED

AT OGUN BAPTIST CONFERENCE ANNUAL WORKERS RETREAT ON 12TH JANUARY, 2013

BY REV S. OGOH. ENYI, DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL MISSION BOARD OF NIGERIAN BAPTIST CONVENTION

TOPIC: FULFILLING KINGDOM MANDATE THROUGH

MISSION AND EVANGELISM EFFORTS

INTRODUCTION:

“Look to the nations, watch and be utterly amazed for

I am going to do something in your days that you would

not believe even if you were told” (Habakkuk 1:5)

When the Lord Jesus Christ gave His parting words in Matthew 28:18-20 which is known as the Great Commission, little did any man conceive that a group of ordinary, less-influential and illiterate Jews could spark off a movement, yes a divinely induced fire that could “turn the world upside down.” Yet it has continued to happen, that twelve unschooled men and a few people, through the power of the Holy Spirit, and in obedience to the Great Commission have turned out to be a life-giving, light-sharing and food-giving group on every continent. The advancement of this group continues to grow. There is more and more awareness going on throughout the entire Globe.

However, Christianity is far from reaching her goal, that is reaching all the nations before her LORD returns for the second time in glory, honour and power to reward and to judge (Matthew 24:14) the world. Mission research shows that Christianity is about one third of the world’s population, and that majority of the world’s most unreached peoples live in the latitude 10/40 window.

The Church, in her bid to tackle this challenge has been trying to bring up so many strategies and methods. Some of these are synergies, partnerships, mobilization, training, raising of funds for missionaries and equipment. In Tokyo 2010, the Global Mission Consultation pointed out the urgency of Missions, “we affirm that mission is the central theme of Scripture, through which God reveals Himself to be God who communicates and works through us by action and word…” The declaration goes on to stress the importance of fulfilling the Great Commission; “we recognize that fulfilling and bringing to completion Jesus’ Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:44-49; John 20:21; Acts 1:8) has been the on-going responsibility of the Church for over 2000 years.

Coming closer to our context in the Nigerian Baptist Convention, an important research question is “how have we as a denomination, Conference, Association, Local Church been faring?” In other words, “what is your personal or group contribution towards finishing the Great Commission?”

In this short charge, our aim is to raise awareness of the urgency of the Great Commission, mobilize all true Christians toward the task and suggest practical ways by which we can fulfill the Great Mandate set for all Christians. This writer writes from his practical experience as a Missionary and Mission administrator within the rank and file of the Nigerian Baptist Convention

II. EXPLANATION OF OPERATION TERMS

Two words, “Kingdom” and “Mandate” shall be briefly explained.

Kingdom: In common and modern term, Kingdom designates a king’s domain or territory; people belonging to that realm. However, this writer subscribes to the Bible’s and dynamic use which describes Kingdom as right to rule. The original meaning of the Hebrew word Malkuth in the Old Testament and the Greek word Basileia in the New Testament means a rank, authority and sovereignty exercised by a king. See Ezra 8:1; 2 Chronicle 12:1; Jeremiah 49:34; 2 Chronicle 11:17; Daniel 8:23 and Luke 19:11-12 where the word is used as rule. The Kingdom of God is the exercise of God’s Kingship, His authority, His right to rule based on His might, power and glory.

God’s kingdom comes in two ways:

With Christ’s first Coming – in a more hidden way. Satan, Sin and Death are defeated by Jesus’life, death and resurrection.

In between, Christ continues His Kingdom mission, working through the Church.

At the End – it will come openly for all to see. Satan’s Kingdom will be destroyed when Christ comes in full glory.

Mandate: This word shall be used to connote all the injunctions given by Jesus to evangelize the nations beginning from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the utmost end of the world. The “nation” does not mean countries of the world, but ta ethne, the peoples of the world. “Evangelization must take seriously the hues and colours, the contours and the character of the diverse peoples of the world.”

Staggering Demographic and Mission Facts

•

World population – 6.9 billion

•

Christian population – 2.3 billion (including nominals)

⅕ of Africa = Nigerian

⅗ of West Africa = Nigerian

Nigeria Population =about 160 million

Christian Population = about half of the population

Unreached, Unengaged People Groups = 67

Population of three Mega, UUPGs in Nigeria = 45 million

Population of Nigerian Baptists = Over 5 million

Number of Churches = Over 10,000

Number of Missionaries= about 300

III.PRACTICAL WAYS OF FULFILLING THE GREAT COMMISSION

Understanding God’s mind about Missions

Missions involvement means obeying God’s heart desire. What does God desire, or better still, what is God’s heart beat? It is His desire that His Kingdom will be established on earth as it is heaven (Matthew 6:9-10). He desires that the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the only, one, true God as the waters cover the seas (Hab. 2:14). God does not want any one to perish, but wants all to repent and be saved from judgment and damnation (2 Peters 3:9). God commands that all saved Christians, including the YOUTH must GO all over the world to make disciples of all ethno-linguistic peoples (Matthew 28:19-20). The heavenly Father desires that we receive the Holy Spirit’s power before we can go and witness, beginning from our immediate domain (Acts 1:8). May God’s Kingdom come on earth through the surrender, commitment and service of the Nigerian Baptist Convention.

Understanding Missions and Evangelism as Kingdom Mandate to every Christian

God has only one son –Jesus Christ whom he made a missionary. He came to this planet earth over 2000 years ago on a redemptive mission. He came to seek, to save and to give his life a ransom for many. He remains Christians’ role model in every aspect, most essentially in mission and evangelism. Upon the completion of his missions, he ascended to heaven, but before he left he said to his disciples then and now ‘’as the father has sent me, even so I send you (John 20:21)

Jesus’ mandate otherwise known as kingdom mandate to all Christians, popularly called great commission, is still far from being completed. Almost 2/3 of the world’s populations are non Christians, they need the gospel, and the 2.33 billion Christians include nominal Christians. Therefore, the command of Christ ``……. Go and make disciples of all nations…’’ (Matt 28:19), is still very much timely and relevant in the 21stcentury. The heart of God bleeds as many souls end up in a christless eternity through disasters such as war, flood, famine, accident, diseases, and poverty. God has no pleasure in the death of a sinner (Ezekiel 18:32) but ‘’…… wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

The global statistics of the unreached proves that there are yet more lands to be conquered. Globally, the number of the unreached people groups is estimated to be 8,000. The break down include ‘’Muslim (3,300) groups, Hindu (2,400) groups, ethno- religious (1,200) groups and Buddhist (700) groups. There are others not included in this analysis; only in Nigeria there is estimate of about 70 people groups in need of pioneer missions work. Some body should be touched by what makes God’s heart bleed. We need to arise and fulfill this kingdom mandate.

Understanding The Role of the Power of the Holy Spirit in Fulfilling The Mandate

The role of the Holy Spirit can not be overemphasized in fulfilling the kingdom mandate. God did not intend the missionary venture be run by human strength but by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus instructed his disciples not to “leave Jerusalem” but to wait for the father’s promise (Act 1:4). In Luke 24:49 the instruction is clearer. The apostles were to “…stay in the city until they were clothed with the power from on-high ‘’Power to do what? (Act 1:8 ) answers explicitly thus “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria and to the end of the earth‘’ Perhaps, the insignificant result experienced in missions these days due to of lack of power. When the apostles received the power, there were immediate conversion of 3,000 souls (Act 2:41), shortly after, there was the 5,000 conversions (act 4:4) and the church increased daily (Act 2:47). There were also signs and wonders by which God confirmed His word (Mark 16:20). If the apostles and the early church needed the power of the Holy Spirit to succeed in missions, we need a fresh baptism of the Holy Spirit in order to fulfill kingdom mandate in missions and evangelism.

Understanding Some Biblical Methods Used in Missions and Evangelism

There are several biblical methods used or adopted in missions and evangelism, some ofwhich include:

Jesus and Nicodemus: witnessing to an enquirer (John 3:1-2). Nicodemus wanted a solution to a particular problem. Jesus used the opportunity initiated by Nicodemus to witness to him and he got converted later.

Philip and the eunuch: witnessing at a bus stop and in the bus (Acts 8:26-39). Philip went as he was led by the Spirit, he met a religious man such as a Muslim or a church goer. He started where he met him and preached the Goodnews to him.

The woman of Samaria(John4:7-42). Jesus opened the conversation by asking her to give him water to drink. The woman by herself discovered the identity of Jesus during the discussion. Jesus re-affirmed her discovery and she immediately became a witness. As earlier said there are several methods in the Bibles, these are just few examples. Some also say that you can GO, PRAY and GIVE. All these and many more are the methods one can adopt in fulfilling the kingdom mandate.

Understanding Some Innovative Missions Opportunities

Information technology has made the world a global village. Religious fundamentalism is making the traditional way of witnessing difficult. Wars, famine and other disasters are multiplying refugee camps also; the rural-urban movement of people calls for the church to devise innovative strategies to reach our world. Some of these opportunities are not quite new but there is need to be creative in using them in other to reach our generation. These are:

•

The Media

The internet: the internet has today turned the world to a global village. This can be used to reach millions of people at once. Communication through the internet is done in several ways: email, instant messaging, online discussion on website, audio and video. It has potential for personal evangelism, discipleship and apologetics.

ii.

The radio: the radio has been used for a long time as strategy for missions. It is still relevant in Nigeria. The Hausa- Fulani in northern Nigeria are known with radios.

iii.

Movies: movies are making tremendous impact in our generation. ThankGod for “Mount Zion” ministries and the likes.

iv.

Television: this is the only church some Christians and even unbelievers attend, it has been very productive. Others are satellite television , computer games, the global service mobile(GSM),among others.

•

Social ministries

Community development: community development has been an old strategy of mission but still remains relevant in our world that is full of disasters, war, famine, poverty etc where it isnecessary to respond to the need of the people. If you tell them the love of Christ, they should see it practically through: relief aid, agricultural development, developmental projects, youth empowerment programmes, environmental management programmes, education etc.

Literacy: globally, the non literate society outnumbers those who are literates. Basic literacy programmes can be creativly designed as tools for missions and evangelism.

Health: the world is contending with different types of incurable diseases such as HIV/AIDS, cancer, hepatitis etc the church should create avenues for reaching those who are already victims and find ways of creating preventive awareness programmes. The gospel can be preached through social and medical strategies.

Other Avenues:

Tent making: the professionals, who have the opportunities to go abroad for studies, special assignment or works should see themselves as missionaries. This is mostly peculiar to countries that will not allow career missionaries.

ii.

Training: today, more innovative trainings such as correspondence courses, online courses are made available to equip man power for missions.

iii.

Diaspora ministries: foreigners who live in our cities especially from closed door countries can be targeted for evangelism. We can train them after conversion and send them back to their countries.

iv.

Special city ministries: these includes city slums, street children, alcoholic and drug addicts, motorcycle riders, destitute, prostitute and homosexuals, widows/ orphans etc we can easily reach out to these people in the city.

Sports evangelism: the largest religion in the world is football. If we will reach sinners where they are, sports evangelism is relevant.

vi.

Muslim evangelism and refugee camps among others.

vii.

Seeker – friend services: the church could be more innovative by bringing sinners to church and minister the message of salvation to them.

viii.

Funding of missions and missions projects: missions is the responsibility of the church, the church should create innovative ways of raising funds for missions.

Understanding the Significance of Discipleship in Missions and Evangelisms

The Great Commission given to the church has been misunderstood over the years, much efforts has been made in raising converts and not disciples. Discipleship has this day become the great omission of the great commission. Evangelism only serves as the door to the great commission; discipleship is the key to raising productive and fruitful Christians. Remember! Jesus said “go and make disciples of nations… and teach them”. Therefore as evangelism produces flowers, proper follow up through discipleship produces “deep rooted and fruit producing plants “ that last (Matthew 28:19-20)

CONCLUSION:

When Adam fell at Eden, God sought for him, found him and clothed him. As God’s children, are we seeking for lost souls? God called Abraham and blessed him so that he could be a blessing to the whole world starting from the Jewish nation. Are you, as an individual, a blessing to the unbelievers and even believers so that the world could be reached? In Psalm 96, God’s reign is declared among all people. In what way is God calling you, your church, group or family into cross-cultural missions so that God might reign among them in glory?

We are convinced that this is the time for us as individuals, churches, groups and Convention to come together to launch a campaign to reach the unreached peoples of the world. Let us join hands to tackle the remaining task of the Great Commission, fulfilling the mandate given by our LORD before He returns. Maranatha!

May God depend on all of us, Amen.

References

Julius .O. Glorious Discipleship. Globec Glorious Publishers, Delta State, 2006.

Samuel O. O. The Evangelistic Tool for the Church. Josylam (Nig) Enterprises, Lagos 2000

The Nigerian Baptist Convention, General Workers Conference Resource Book Baptist Press, Ibadan 2012.

2013 OGUN BAPTIST CONFERENCE WORKERS RETREAT

“The Roles of Deacons in Mission and Evangelism Efforts” BY DEACON L.A. OKUNADE

Kingdom mandate is a Divine Command and Order from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. This is generally referred to as “The Great Commission” Just before His ascention to heaven “Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:18 – 20 New Living Translation)

This command is to every spirit-filed Christian Deacons inclusive. Deacons in the early church took this mandate very serious as recorded in the Acts – Philip and Stephen example. These deacons faithfully served the table, but they did not stop at that. They also preached the good news of Christ wherever they were. Philip was both deacon and Evangelist. They served as church workers kingdom preachers and missionaries. Deacon Stephen obeyed the mandate to the last breath of his life thus becoming the first mytha for the sake of the kingdom.

With the above preamble, the present generation of deacon, I mean deacons that are spirit-filled and in good spiritual standing before God and man have no option than to obey and effect the commission.

Jesus says “You are my friends if you obey Me” Obedient Deacons shall play active roles and relentless efforts through effective evangelism and mission works. The outline below is a guide to follow:

Deacons must be evangelism oriented - planting churches

Deacons must take evangelism as a priority assignment

Deacons must sensitize the church members

Deacons must set up a prayer group-intercessory

Deacons are expected to witness to the nearest person within neighborhood

Deacons are expected to witness to foreign places far and near

Deacons must make disciples of such new people in the kingdom

Deacons must cooperate with the church program on both home and foreign missions:

Deacons must be mission conscious and demonstrate

Leadership in giving for mission works

Sponsoring pastors/missionaries on the field

Adopting churches home/foreign mission field

Meeting the needs of missionaries or the needs of their children

Deacons must come to the knowledge of relevant scriptures that count so much on their services to win souls into the kingdom: (A) Romans 10:13 – 15

How will the world hear if we do not tell them?

“For whoever call upon the name of the Lord will be saved How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent” Deacons should evaluate themselves through this checklist to note certain excuse(s) they might have used for not bothering to pray for and reach the lost for Jesus:

(a)

I did not know of the Bible’s teaching that every person is lost until he or she believes on Jesus.

(b)

I did not understand the reality and horror of hell for the unsaved.

(c)

I have not accepted my personal responsibility to obey Jesus command in His great Commission.

(d)

I have been too busy keeping my own family and myself together to bother with other peoples problems.

(e)

My Church and Christian Organization see evangelism as a project-not rescuing souls from satan’s kingdom.

(f)

I have been taught to be tolerant of all peoples religions and not to think of mine as superior to theirs

(g)

Since God knows who will be saved anyway, why should I bother?

(h)

I lack understanding of the power of the Holy Spirit to use and bless my seemingly feeble efforts.

(i)

I am afraid I will fail

(j)

I am afraid of discussing spiritual matters

(k)

I would rather be liked by people than to push my religion on them

(l)

I just have not cared

Deacons, grade yourself and take steps to amend wherever it is necessary. However, pray this prayer:

Ask God to forgive you for each one of your excuses for not bothering to pray for and win people to Jesus

Ask God to give you His burden for the lost near you and around the world.

Promise God you will start to pray faithfully for the lost

Promise God that you will obey as He directs you to witness to the lost.

EVANGELIZE IN THE POWER OF GOD’S HOLY SPIRIT BUT NOT IN OUR OWN STRENGTH

(B)Deacons must allow the Holy Spirit indwell them. Let us recall here the activities and effect of the Holy Spirit on those ones sent out to tell the world about Jesus: (i) Lk 24:49- “And behold I am sending forth the promise of my father upon you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed with power form on high”

(ii)Acts 1:8” But ye shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be my witness both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and even to the remotest part of the earth” This promise of the Holy Spirit came to pass on the Pentecost Day –Acts 2:4

Acts 11:22-24: Says that when God used Barnabas to bring considerable numbers to the Lord, He was full of the Holy Spirit

Paul said it was God’s power that worked mightily in him. Colossians 1:29

When Paul confronted supernatural evil and the magician was struck blind (Acts 13:8-11), Paul’s power was because he was filled with the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit gave these followers boldness to preach to those that crucified Jesus: Acts 2:14-23

Their courage to suffer and even die for Jesus was because of the Holy Spirit in them.

Finally beloved brother deacons pray fervently to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit who is the only, power enabling us play our roles faithfully in evangelizing and mission works both at Home and foreign lands, so that we all may say like Paula of Tarsus “How thankful I am to Christ Jesus our Lord for considering me trust worthy and appointing me to serve Him” 1st Timothy 1:12 NLT.

2013 OGUN BAPTIST CONFERENCE WORKERS RETREAT

KINGDOM PASTOR LEADING IN MISSION AND EVANGELISM EFFORTS

(A PAPER PRESENTED BY REV. DR. S.O. BANKOLE, SENIOR PASTOR IBARA BC ABEOKUTA)

The pastor is the catalyst to the overall success of mission and evangelism program of the church. The input of the pastor, his involvement and his example are paramount. The Pastor has much involvement in every ministry activity of the church so he must not forget to make missions and evangelism the priority area.

HIS PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT

He must live the gospel everyday. It must be his personal goal each week to share the gospel with someone and see that the person comes to faith in Christ. We need to reach out beyond our comfort zones and share the gospel with people we don’t know.

Be involved. As pastor, you need to be involved in the primary leadership of your outreach/evangelism program. Your personal involvement and visibility in the effort is very important. People are happy to see their pastor as part of the winning team bringing others to Jesus Christ. You need to be in the frontline making visits to the unchurched, cultivating relationships with the unsaved and establishing contacts with the lost.

Maintain a consistent life of evangelism. Keep a personal circle of influence in evangelism. Reach out to friends, associates and neighbours. Always work around, sharing your faith in God with someone or a group of people. Be obedient and faithful to this task and you will thereby be expanding and enlarging the kingdom territory.

Pray daily for souls to be saved. As pastor, make sure you encourage praying for the lost. Lead the entire church to pray. Call on the selected individuals that are gifted in prayer ministry to pray alongside with you. Pray hard for the harvest of souls. If the laity in your church sees your prayerful spirit for the harvest of souls, many of them will mimic that passion for souls. Prayer keeps our eyes on the harvest, our ears attentive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We must pray regularly for those we know who do not know Christ. We, at this point must remember men like Martin Luther, John Wesley, David Brainerd, George Fox, Adoniram Judson and John Hyde.

Luther once said, “I have so much business that I cannot get on without spending three hours in prayer.”

Westley said, “God does nothing but in answer to prayer”

Brainerd wrote,” I love to be alone in my cottage where I can spend much time in prayer”

Judson withdrew from business and company seven times a day for the purpose of prayer.

Hyde was so characterized by prayer that he was nicknamed “praying Hyde”.

William Penn said of Fox, “Above all, he excelled in prayer”.

It is no small wonder that these prayer warriors wielded unusual power and supernatural influence for the kingdom of God.

Respond to cries for help. As the church grows and its ministry becomes more specialized, the pastor may not have enough time to be involved in the lives of every convert. Be sensitive to the benevolent needs that come your way. Arrange to reach out to villages, hospitals, and large parks in the cities and villages. You will always come around people with needs. Your meeting such needs will be of great help. A true evangelism and mission heart is bent towards helping others to regain them to Christ. We never can realize it. We might get to plant a seed, water a seed, or perhaps harvest seed that has been prepared already. A good example is the case of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts. 8: 26 – 40.

FOR CORPORATE INVOLVEMENT

A church and its leaders have a responsibility to God to involve its great army of laity in witness for Jesus.

Enlighten the church. Many Christians fail to witness because they are not educated or challenged on the subject. We need to preach on the subject of soul winning. Challenge your flock about the biblical mandate to share their faith. Witnessing is not an option. It is a mandate for every Christian. Pastors should keep their flock accountable before God concerning the commission every Christian has received from God.

Enlist the church. Evangelism and mission must be given priority as a major emphasis of the church, if not, many of the laity will be involved in social functions and recreational activities that they will have no time to commit to outreach. In the enlistment, it must be for all. The young and the Old. The rich and the poor. The educated and uneducated, all must be enlisted.

Equip the church. Most lay people have a deep desire to win others to Christ, unfortunately, most of them simply do not know how. We must learn to work with a team of Christians to develop meaningful relationships with people through acts of hospitality and grace. The pastor needs to be the primary person who leads in the equipping of the saints.

Enlarge the church. Every church has a corporate witness to its local community. The church must seek to help its witness strong and vibrant in the community. As pastors, you must engage your flock to go out into the community and share their faith with everyone who is in their personal circle of influence.

CONCLUSION

Satan does not mind how hard working we may be, as long as he keeps us from spreading the gospel, he is satisfied. Watch out! We can major in doctrine, in fellowship, in prosperity and socials, in ways that bear no relation to preaching the Gospel to every creature. We are in deception when good activities crowd out the most urgent work.

Prayer itself, while so vital, must not be substituted for Evangelism. Prayer without evangelism is like an arrow shot into the air at no specific target. If we hold prayer rallies, they should be linked to some direct evangelistic effort. To preach the gospel is to unbind, while to withhold the gospel is to bind. Not to preach the gospel means that we hide the medicine from the patient! Every sphere of life cries out for the gospel, like a fish gasping on the river bank for water. The only hope for the world’s need is the gospel.

As the pastor, your role in church’s evangelism and mission efforts is so crucial. For your church to keep its evangelistic temperature high, you have the key role in fanning the flame.

2013 OGUN BAPTIST CONFERENCE WORKERS RETREAT

THE IMPORTANCE OF FINANCE IN MISSION AND EVANGELISM EFFORTS – MATTHEW 28:19-20

BEING A SEMINAR PAPER PRESENTED BY ENGR. O. A. MAKINDE

INTRODUCTION

There is a saying in Yoruba that “Owo ni keke ihinrere” Meaning Finance is required to carry out Mission and Evangelism work effectively. Jesus Christ gave us an Assignment known as Great commission.

Jesus Christ before he left his disciples to return to his father said:

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you and surely I am with you always to the end of the age Matthew 28:19-20.

To carry out this great commission require the involvement of MEN, MATERIALS and FINANCEand of all these three things, money or finance is the most important, as you will see as we go along.

The Nigerian Baptist Convention, having realized the importance of Finance to Missions and Evangelism, has provided in her yearly budget, a reasonable percentage of her income to the Global Mission and Baptist Theological Institutions. The two departments principally responsible to Mission and Evangelism.

Finance produce the Men: It is the Baptist Theological Institutions that produce the pastors that aresent to disciple the nation and baptize them.

From the Annual Accounts and Financial Report of 31st December 201:

The subvention released to Theological Institutions was N211,868.398 out of

N848,746.650 which represent 25% and also released to Global Mission a subvention ofN169,479,330 out of N848,746,650 which also represents 20% .

The Men that will take the good news to all nations must be trained before they could be sent out in the following Baptist Theological Institutions.

Baptist Theological Seminary Ogbomoso

Baptist Seminary Kaduna

Baptist College of Theology Oyo

Baptist College of Theology Eku

Baptist College of Theology Benin City

Baptist College of Theology Igede Ekiti

Baptist College of Theology Isolo Lagos

Baptist College Obinze

Baptist Pastors’ School Jos

10.

Baptist Pastors’ School Gombe.

The Convention spends so much money to run the Institutions to provide the best of Pastors who will work on Mission and Evangelism.

GLOBAL MISSION BOARD

The Global Mission Board is principally responsible for Mission and Evangelism.

It is run as a board but under the Nigerian Baptist Convention and established to carry mission work around the world.

The Board requires alot of money for the purchase of vehicles, Public Address systems and put up Church buildings to accommodate the new converts, where the need arises among other things.

Where there is no worship place the mission board should provide. This is why the Convention gives yearly subvention of 20% of 20%. (income)

Finance is very important to do mission work.

IMPORTANCE OF FINANCE IN CHURCH PLANTING

Every church should include in her yearly budget a reasonable amount of money for Mission and Evangelism. Any church who wants to plant a church should consider the following

(a)

A mother church should provide a suitable place of worship, which must be within the catchment area of the worshippers.

Consider these two options.

1st location is 2 kilometres outside the town, four plots with an offer of N200,000 and 2ndlocation in the town with access Road, 3 plots with an offer of N450,000.00. To me I will prefer the 2nd option because the church in the buildup area will grow faster than the one outside the town.

(b)

Must call a pastor to the church, the work of Pastor is very important to the growth of the church

(c)

Must be responsible 100% 1st year, for the Pastors welfare, including all emolument

(d)

Must train the new church to keep good account and possibly to open Bank Account.

(e)

Mother church must never collect or use the daughter Church money

Below is an example of how a mother church should share responsibility with the new church.

Yearly	Mother Church	New Church
1st Year	100%	0%
2nd Year	80%	20%
3rd Year	60%	40%
4th Year	40%	60%
5th Year	20%	80%

By the end of the 5th year the new church should have been ready to take full responsibility of the church.

MATERIALS ENHANCING WORK OF MISSION AND EVANGELISM

The Global mission to work effectively and to be able to reach, the people required a lot of materials among such are:

(a)

Vehicle: if possible Helicopter

(b)

Musical Instruments: The Youth of today love music and they want to associate withwhere there is good music

(c)

Public Address System: Good Public Address System is required to reach the people, even in their homes.

(d)

Worship Centers: The Global Mission must be ready at all time to provide suitable worship centres to attract the people.

Global Mission Board have ministries in the under listed countries Nigeria, Mali, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cote D’ivoire, Benin Republic, Sierra Leone and many other countries.

The Global Mission also plans to reach the unreached people such as Fulani, Kanuris Hausas and others.

REPORT FROM BENIN REPUBLIC

Below is an extract from 99th Annual Convention Book of Report Page 233 in respect of Benin Republic.

Rev. and Mrs. Saturday Ajayi Obateru are God’s steward here through Global Missions Board, Nigeria Baptist Convention.

We are involved in Church Planting, Discipleship, Training of new leaders and massive evangelism in this land.

The annual Conference was held in November 2011. In attendance were the local churches and some of the stakeholders from Nigeria. The stakeholders facilitating the work here are Ibara Baptist Church, Abeokuta, Lighthouse Baptist Church, Ibadan, United English Church, Dopemu Lagos, Ire-Akari Baptist Church, Lagos, Oore-Ofe Baptist Church, Kaduna, Goodnews Baptist Church, Lagos, New Heritage Baptist Church Shomolu, Lagos, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Abeokuta, Miracle Baptist Church, Lagos, Faith Baptist Church Onikolobo, Abeokuta, First Baptist Church, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos, and other mission lovers.

Number of people who accepted Jesus Christ:

Jabi-150

Agounna- over 400

Tchethi-250

Other outreach programme- over 300

Total 1,100 Plus

Number of people baptized102 people

Number of people discipled

Fellow the Master-57

Serve the Master-9

Total 66

CHALLENGES

The need to move up North to Evangelize Muslims

Global Missions Board has signed a MOU with the local Baptist Union to effect this.

The Local Baptist Union will provide the land and the Pastor while Global Missions Board will help in supporting the Pastor and the building of the church.

Our Missionary planted a church on Sunday 15th February 2012 (Emmanuel Baptist Church Agouna to set this ‘Go North for Muslim Evangelism’ plan in motion. Please join God by partnering with us to actualize this God-sized assignment.

CHALLENGES OF OGUN BAPTIST CONFERENCE

The Ogun Baptist Conference also has a challenge to evangelize Mowe and Ibafo axis of the state. To plant churches there and mother them. Churches and Associations, Missionary organizations like the MMU and WMU should take up this challenge.

We observed that funds available to the Conference are inadequate to meet the demand. Because most churches are not faithful in the payment of dues Recommendations.

(i)

Pastors and leaders of local churches should educate members on stewardship

(ii)

The Baptist Theological Institutions to include and emphasize on cooperative programme.

(iii)

The conference should attract good will from sons and daughters living in Lagos Ibadan etc to come home and help to build Ogun Baptist Conference financially.

CONCLUSION

The importance of finance in Mission and Evangelism Efforts cannot be over emphasized. With enough finance available to Global Mission Board, more job could be achieved and finance as you see is needed to train pastors who will go to preach the good news and to baptize them.

To run our Theological Institutions required a lot of money. The institution train pastors up to PHD level and also offer special courses for the need of the mission.

The importance of finance is also required in the underlisted areas.

To plant churches

To provide worship centre, to take care of new converts

To train our youths that will take over from us tomorrow – BSF, Royal Ambassadors, Lydia,attend to Youth Programmes

To run Baptist Medical Centres. The location of Baptist Medical Hospital at Ogbomoso had made it possible to have many Baptist Churches and Members at Ogbomoso

To pay Convention workers

To pay the retired Baptist Pastors

To run Convention Programmes, Training, Night of wonders, Annual Convention programme etc.

May God Almighty continue to provide for us all.

REFERENCES

1.Nigerian Baptist Convention 99th Annual book of report

2.Annual Account & Financial report Dec 2011

3.The Role of finance in church Planting – Pastor F A. Akano

2013 OGUN BAPTIST CONFERENCE WORKERS RETREAT

THE ROLE OF PASTOR’S WIFE IN MISSION AND EVANGELISM EFFORTS

Prepared by: Amos Olu Bamidele (Rev’d), Faith Baptist Church, Off Imowo/Ibadan Road, Ijebu-Ode

INTRODUCTION: It is well known that the scriptures contain no explicit teaching about our topic. Therefore, we must infer frame work for pastor’s wife ministry in area of Mission and Evangelism from what the scriptures teach about her identity, role and purpose as a woman, a wife, and a believer.

Pastor’s wife; who is she?

The pastor’s wife is first and foremost a woman and a wife. Nowhere does the Word of God intimate that she belongs to a special class of women. Everything the Scriptures teach about the identity, role, and purpose of women and wives in general applies equally to the Pastor’s wife. A thorough understanding of her biblical role as a woman and wife must be foundational to the way she the reason for her creation as a woman, she will be able to build upon it as a foundation to establish her purpose and realize fulfillment in life as she is place in different roles and positions.

Pastor’s wife as image of God

The climax of creation came on the sixth day as God created humankind, “male and female he created them.” – Gen 1:27. Both men and women are created in God’s image, that is, to resemble and represent Him. Since we do not see bearing image of God as something purely static, such as wearing a jacket, we are using the expression imaging God to convey the active, dynamic outworking of resembling and representing Him. Human beings resemble God by who they are, but also by what they do. Therefore, a pastor’s wife may image God by feeding the hungry, giving wise counsel to a wayward person or on a continual basis as displaying unconditional love and respect to her husband, which invariably expands the work of Mission and Evangelism.

Pastor’s wife helps her husband

Just as the creation of humankind in God’s image marked the pinnacle of the creation in Genesis 1, so the creation of woman (Eve) as a suitable helper for man (Adam) marks the climax of chapter 2. The meaning of the noun “helper” (‘ēzer) in Genesis 2:18 has been much debated. The word essential refers to a helper, assistant, i.e one who assists and serves another with what is needed. The majority of its twenty-one occurrences in the Old Testament depict God helping human beings. Since God Himself can be a “helper”, it is clear that neither the word ‘ēzer nor the role of “helper” imply any sort of inherent inferiority. What it does imply is that the “helper” plays a supporting role, rather than bearing primary responsibility for a task. Some Churches wrongly conclude that because she is his “helper”, the pastor’s wife should serve alongside her husband in the ministry of the Church. However, the pastor’s wife role as helper does not extend into the area of the husband’s vocation just as a surgeon’s wife functions as his helper without working alongside him in the theatre. A pastor’s wife who responsibly lives to this bill will enhance the work of Mission and Evangelism.

Pastor’s Wife serves God and family (Prov. 31:10-31)

Proverbs 31:10-31 is a key biblical passage outlining the responsibilities and roles of a noble wife. The N.I.V’s “noble” when applied to a wife in Proverbs 3:10, the word refers to a woman who is strong in character, hence virtuous, yet retains the nuance of one who is abler or capable. Her responsibilities encompass a wide range of activities relating to her core purposes, which are to image her Creator and to help her husband. Now that the biblical responsibilities allocated to the wife have been identified, it must be noted that she is unable to perform her responsibilities outside of her relationship to God. A pastor’s wife will struggle to meet any of these responsibilities outside of her relationship with Jesus Christ. In the course of faithful and selfless services to God, family and community, a pastor’s wife will accelerate the work of Mission and Evangelism.

Pastor’s wife must find her identity in Christ

A pastor’s wife must understand her biblical womanhood – the reason for her existence, her purpose, and her identity in Christ. This knowledge brings her confidence to fulfill her calling, honouring God by supporting her husband and actively serving alongside him and within the body of Christ. It is easy for a pastor’s wife to inherit a set of (undefined) expectations from her congregation and because she lacks the self-assurance that comes from having a clear sense of her identity in Christ, she feels duty bound to “just accept” all the roles she thinks others expects her to play. As a result, she labours under a burden to heavy for her to bear, and forfeits the joy of serving Christ in the way He created her to serve which may adversely affect the work of Mission and Evangelism.

Pastor’s wife should minister in keeping with her God-given gifts

Every believer is called to the priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), a priesthood which was ushered in by the events inActs 2. In His wisdom, God gives each one of His children spiritual gifts which are complementary to their personality and calling. The New Testament abounds with examples of women serving according to their spiritual gifts, such as:



Anna: “prophetess … fasting and praying” – Luke 2:36-37



Dorcas: “doing good and helping the poor” – Acts 9:36

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Lydia: showing hospitality – Acts 16:15

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Priscilla: teaching “the way of God” – Acts 18:26

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Philip’s daughters: “prophesied” – Acts 21:9



Phoebe: “a servant of the Church” – Romans 16:1



Widows: serving and interceding – 1 Timothy 5:3-10

The conviction that each believer, including the pastor’s wife, is equipped with spiritual gifts from God, endowed and sustained by the Holy Spirit, should be the point of departure for discovering her God-intended role in the Body of Christ.

Pastor’s wife should mentor and/or be mentored (Titus 2:3-5)

The importance of the relationship between the older and younger women is significant, especially when discussing the role of the pastor’s wife in Mission and Evangelism. She is not only a woman offering advice and guidance to younger women, but she may also need to be on the receiving end of the same kind of ministry. Very often Christians tend to look to the pastor’s wife as a role model, and yet in many ways she requires a role model herself. Her needs should not be overlooked when seeking to place women in mentoring.

Therefore there is a biblical imperative for the pastor’s wife to be involved in mentoring relationships with other women. This does not, however, imply that she must lead a formal women’s ministry. If she is amongst the more mature women in the congregation, she should embrace the role of nurturing some of the younger women. If she is herself a young wife and/or mother, she may need to receive guidance from more mature ladies.

CONCLUSION: All pastor’s wives are called to come to terms with the fact that they are prominent figures within the congregation and are often seen as role models. If the Church Mission and Evangelism enterprise will work successfully, the pastor’s wives must join hands with their husbands at forefront to lead the Church. Every pastor’s wife must adhere strictly to her primary calling which is to glorify God and be in fellowship with Him. As a wife and mother, her primary ministry is at home, where she seeks to help and bless her husband, and nurture her children. Her identity is formed in and through her relationship with Christ, and she is called to be a faithful minister of God’s grace both in and out of the Church.

REFERENCES

Leschenne Rebuli & Kevin Gary Smith: THE ROLE OF THE PASTOR’S WIFE; WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH? Article that emerge from Leschenne’s Master’s Thesis entitled, “The Biblical Role of the Pastor’s Wife in Local Church: A Case Study of Churches in Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa for South African Theological Seminary.

Sailhamer J. H: NIV COMPACT BIBLE COMMENTARY; Grand Rapids, MI. Zondervan, 1994.

Frame J. M: MEN AND WOMEN IN THE IMAGE OF GOD; Crossway Books Wheaton, 1991.

Schultz C: THEOLOGICAL WORDBOOK OF THE OLD TESTAMENT; Moody Press, Chicago, 1980

Zodhiates S & Baker W: THE COMPLETE WORD STUDY DICTIONARY; AMG Publishers,Chattanooga, 1993

2013 OGUN BAPTIST CONFERENCE WORKERS RETREAT

THE ROLES OF CHILDREN IN MISSION AND EVANGELISM EFFORTS

Pastor FelixOluwayinka, Teenage Pastor, Ibara Baptist Church, Abeokuta.

Introduction

The world population is growing at astronomical rate. The world population growth rate from 1850 is as follows

Year Figure

1850 – 1930 2 billion people

1930 – 1960 3 billion people

1960 – 1975 4 billion people

1975 – 1986 5 billion people

1986 – 2006 over 6 billion people

2009 6.77 billion people

As the population of the world continue to grow the challenges of evangelizing the world grows greater everyday.

About one third of the population of every continent consist of children most of them are not saved, the vast majority have been evangelised while some children are far more privileged than others, they have Christian parents or attend a Christian Church. Yet they too need to be evangelised. Every child need to hear the gospel.

Children are powerful tools in evangelism and missions and they have important roles to play to win their fellow children and even adults to come to the knowledge of Christ. Before children can successfully perform this role of evangelist they need to be taught and trained in the act of evangelism. These are the essential training ground for children to be effective Evangelists and Missionaries.

Children could be Evangelised

1. In the Christian Home

Deut. 6:7-9, Ephessians 6:4

Children should be taught and be exposed to the law of the Lord. Christian parents are responsible for the upbringing and teaching of their children. This responsibility to evangelise children by parents could be by example, answering questions, careful instructions, being available to them on a personal level.

2. In the Church

In the church services

In the Sunday school

In the Holiday Bible School

3. Outside the Home and the Church

I Corinthian 9:22

Through:

Tract distribution

Bible Club

Why Children Should be involved in Evangelism and Missions

Some children have developed habits that are anti-Christ e.g stealing, lying, cheating in examinations, smoking, drinking alcohol, fornication, Secret cult members, ( familiar spirits, water spirits, witches, wizards etc )

With boldness and the power of the Holy Spirit, some born again children who knows that their mates are in these habits can confront them with the gospel of Jesus Christ and prayer. They even go ahead to follow their converts up and in some cases they make referrals to their Pastors or mature Christian teachers for further counselling and prayers that will help the new converts to be steadfast in the Lord. Colour witnessing is a simple method that can be used by children to reach thier unbeliever mates and adults.

Strategies for Training

Songs: Teach them songs which have clear accurate true teaching of some aspect of the gospel message. A song might reinforce a gospel truth or teach other gospel truth which will supplement and help explain the gospel truth taught in Bible Lesson. This can further help to win the unsaved children and adults to Christ.

OGUN BAPTIST CONFERENCE

Tuesday, 4 February 2014

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