This is part two of this article. You can read part one here. We’ve already seen from Acts 13 that the context of God’s strategy for missions is the local church and that He calls Christians who are already engaged in service.  Let’s see one more step in this biblical strategy.

The Commencement of Missions

It wasn’t enough for the missionaries at Antioch to be called—the church had to send them to the field. It does the heathen little good if the church is full of called missionaries. The sending step is crucial. (more…)

Two thousand years ago, Christ delivered the marching orders for the local church: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). With nearly seven billion people in the world, separated by political, cultural, and linguistic boundaries, this is a staggering mission.

How can we accomplish this Great Commission? Is there a technique or element of technology we can use to boost our success stats? What should be our strategy? (more…)

My grandson Camden is just beginning to walk, and our entire family delights in helping him in this new adventure. From encouraging his unsteady steps along furniture to holding both of his little hands and walking with him, everyone wants to have a part!

No one expects a little child to learn to walk on his own, but sometimes we forget that baby Christians need help in learning to walk in the Spirit. This is the bottom line of discipleship. It requires a lot of time and a great deal of energy. But the rewards of seeing a new Christian take his early steps of faith are worth every sacrifice along the way.

What kind of support do new believers need to learn how to walk in the Spirit? (more…)

This past Sunday I read with joy the report from one of our West Coast Baptist College graduates about a church that has been planted in Fresno, California. Brother Ricky Owens, a 2001 graduate, planted the Victory Baptist Church, along with assistance from Brother Mark Irmler and his church planting ministry, a team from West Coast Baptist College, and a tremendous group from the Ambassador Baptist Church in Fresno.

I thank the Lord for Brother Owens and for others like him who are stepping out by faith to plant churches in America in this needy hour. If we will support the missionaries of tomorrow, we must continually plant churches today.

I remember planting and pastoring my first church at the age of nineteen. This church plant began while I was still in Bible college. I was asked to lead a team and preach to a small group of ladies outside of Coachella, California. To my surprise I was asked to return and preach the following week. Over the next several weeks, through soulwinning and preaching, God began to gather a group together. (more…)

This past Sunday I was privileged to preach the 50^th anniversary services of the Grace Baptist Church in Columbia, South Carolina. What an honor it was for me to stand in the pulpit of the great men of God who started and have pastored this church—Moody Roberts, Marshall Godfrey, Floyd Paschall, Dr. Clayton Shumpert, and, my good friend and mentor, Dr. Bob Kelley. Brother Bill Egerdahal currently serves this church as pastor. (more…)