IBSA eConnection: Olympic missions, 1st day outreach, church space issues, help the hungry and more

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

London calling! On mission at the Olympics

Follow Baptists from Illinois as they minister in London during the 2012 Summer Olympics. The 22-member London Mission Team arrived in London Tuesday morning. The team will work with two local Baptist churches conducting outreach through coffee houses and street ministry during the Olympics through the More Than Gold Ministry effort. Learn more about Baptist missions efforts at the Olympics and find out how you can follow blog posts from Team Leader Serena Butler starting today.

Save the date! Week of Prayer for Illinois Missions is Sept. 16-23

Missions isn't just across the country or overseas. It's right here in Illinois where more than 8.2 million people are lost. The Illinois Mission Offering supports missionaries here in our state as they start new churches, strengthen existing churches and go to the mission fields. IMO kits will be mailed to Illinois Baptist churches in mid-August. Watch IBSA.org/IMO for updates.

Fresh ideas: Gather moms to pray on the first day of school

Begin a new first-day-of-school tradition at your church! Plan a community-wide coffee for moms after they drop kids off at school. It begins right after the school bell, so if your district's elementary, middle and high schools start at different times, plan three coffees. There's no formal program - simply fellowship and a sincere, encouraging time of prayer for the children. Get ideas for your church's back-to-school event for moms at IBSA.org.

Not just any space; why your church's space matters

Whether we want to admit it or not, the environment in which ministry happens matters. The kind of space we create in our church buildings for worship, fellowship, and ministry - as well as the space ministers work in - it all matters. Facilities not cared for can work against a church. They continue to cost money but bring little benefit. Learn why your church's space matters and what you can do at ChurchLeaders.com.

Hungry to help your community?

In 2010, 48.8 million Americans lived in food insecure households. This statistic is especially compelling for Christians who God repeatedly commanded to care for the poor, and who says when we feed the hungry and give a drink to the thirsty, we are actually doing these things for Him (Matthew 25:34-40). Countless individuals, churches, and ministries are finding ways to serve God by caring for His hungry children. Learn how your church can start a food ministry at LifeWay.com.

To find out how your church can begin a food ministry, contact RexAlexander@IBSA.org.

When your outreach event flops

We've all been there. We've staged an outreach event and known deep inside it wasn't "great." It wasn't even mediocre. Instead, it felt like a bona fide failure. When those difficult moments come, find out what to do next. Learn from these five points of encouragement after a not-so-great gathering at OutreachMagazine.com.

IBSA eConnection is a weekly electronic newsletter designed to provide Illinois Baptists with relevant, useful information and resources. We pray it enriches your ministry and helps your church to grow and minister.