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 Christians 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.