June 2012 Press toward the Mark

June is a very busy month. 
It is filled with weddings, observance of Father’s Day, the Southern
Baptist convention, budget preparation, Vacation Bible Schools, camps,
vacations, and much more.

Messengers to the Southern Baptist convention will vote on
the recommendation concerning an alternate name for the Southern Baptist
Convention.  Southern Baptists are indeed
Great Commission Baptists.  The brand
recognition of “Southern Baptists” denotes a stand for biblical inerrancy, aggressive
evangelism, Christ-centered social ministries, one of the most effective
Disaster Relief ministries in the world, church planting, and cooperative
missions. 

Since
the adoption of the Cooperative Mission Program in 1925, Southern Baptist
congregations have cooperated with one another to spread the gospel of Jesus
Christ through out the world.  Much
remains to be done.  This is no time to
retreat or coast.  The Cooperative
Mission Program is needed now more than ever. 
It remains the most effective means for autonomous Southern Baptist
churches to cooperate to obey the Great Commission.

The
Great Commission should guide every church's budget preparations.  Many churches begin this process in June.  When you prepare your 2013 budget, please don’t
overlook two items: your staff and worldwide missions.  Your staff needs your affirmation and
support.  Worldwide missions need your
affirmation and support as well.  We
Southern Baptists are able to support very effectively a worldwide mission
effort with very little overhead due to the Cooperative Mission Program.  Please keep the Great Commission in mind as
you prepare your 2013 budget.

Vacation Bible Schools also contribute greatly to the
fulfillment of the Great Commission. 
Every year thousands of people give their lives to Jesus Christ through
Vacation Bible Schools.  Whenever you
have yours scheduled, I pray that you see a harvest of souls.

A harvest of souls is also the aim of our summer camping
program at Seneca Lake.  Please pray for
every week.  Boys, girls, youth, and
adults will participate in varied activities all summer.  Each camp is designed to share the Gospel and
help Christian to grow in Christ.

While some are at camp, other may be enjoying their
vacation.  Please remember that we should
never take a vacation from our walk with Jesus. 
Vacations are also a great opportunity to share Christ with group of
people whom we may not normally meet.

Many more activities will occur in June and other months
during the summer.  May all of them contribute
to reaching 1,000,000 people for Christ in 2020 congregations by the end of
2020.  Let us press toward that mark.