Global Missions
At Bethany Christian Assembly we strive to provide monthly support for most of the missionaries serving out of our Northwest Ministry Network. At present we support over 65 foreign and US based missionaries working in over thirty foreign countries. A current list of those missionaries can be found on the Mission’s page at the Northwest Ministries website at http://www.northwestministry.com.
Ten years of Mission’s giving between 2000 and 2009 at BCA has provided over $2,180,000 for the support of missionary families and their many mission related projects. Each year our goal is to give over $200,000 through Faith Promises, to support our missionaries on a monthly basis and their special Mission’s Projects. We also regularly support Boys and Girls Missionary Crusade (BGMC), Light for the Lost (LFTL), US Missions, Speed the Light (STL) and Touch the World.
Mission Moments
Throughout each year we focus on missions by hosting a Mission’s Moment in each of the Sunday services, typically on the fourth Sunday of each month. We invite both new missionary candidates and our current missionaries, who return to the US during their period of itineration, to share about their ministry, what they are accomplishing and any special financial needs for support and projects. Each month we have the opportunity to give a special offering for their financial needs.
Experience Missions’ Annual Convention
Each year during the first two Sundays in March we host our annual Missions Convention (insert link to last EM10 videos). We invite around ten missionary teams to share their work, vision and passion for the lost people groups of our World. We celebrate this with a Mission’s Banquet (note, link photo of previous banquet) on the last Sunday evening and select one missionary team to share a special message and a project that will make a difference in their ministry. A special offering is taken at the banquet to support these projects (note link the Hall Moscow project and Snyder MP4 projects). Experience Missions’ is a great opportunity for those interested in learning more about missions at BCA. If you are interested in attending our next Experience Missions’ banquet or hosting a table of eight, contact Patsy Nahinu at patsyn/at/bca-online.com.
Short Term Out-Reach Missions (STORM Trips)
STORM trips are scheduled for both youth and adults to assist the missionaries in the field that we at BCA financially support. These trips may include; construction projects, medical assistance, and special outreach events to meet the needs of the community where we can build relationships with the people we serve.
Why consider a STORM trip?
- It will build your world view
- It will give you a heart for the lost and those in need
- It will mature your life and the lives of those that go with you
- It will provide a cross-cultural experience that you will never forget
- It will help you understand the vital needs and work of missions
- It will allow you to be a blessing to others like never before
- It will give you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build relationships with incredible people from your church family and people around the world
If you are interested in a STORM trip contact Craig Thompson, local and global mission’s pastor, at craigt/at/bca-online.com for more information.
AG World Missions
Are you interested in becoming a Missionary Associate, a Missionary in Training, an Appointed Missionary or serving in a Special Assignment or a Specialized Service, visit www.GoAG.org to see the many different opportunities and ways one can serve as an AG Missionary.
Faith Promises
What is a faith promise? A faith promise is not your tithe or a portion of your tithe. Your tithe, the first tenth of your income, is the Lords and belongs in your local church. A faith promise is a sacred act, a spiritual agreement between you and God as you commit to give regularly to missions to help fulfill God’s plan to reach the world. Anyone can make a faith promise and no amount is too small. God honors and uses our obedience more than the amount of giving. A faith promise is made for a specific period of time, usually six months or one year. A faith promise gives you an opportunity to participate in the Great Commission. As you do your part in missions, His purposes will be accomplished both in your life and the lives of others around the world. (Reprinted excerpts from 2007 Gospel Publishing House, Assemblies of God Faith Promise brochure)
Missions’ Projects
Each year we support special missions’ projects by collecting offerings for world compassion needs. In 2009 we helped Terrance Hall, missionary to Russia, raise over $10,500 to completely remodel the guest professor’s residence at the Moscow Theological Seminary. In 2010 we helped Bill Snider of Asia Pacific Media Ministries raise over $16,000 to purchase around 700 MP4 players, downloaded with the Chinese Bible and Christian teaching materials and worship music, for Chinese house churches. We also collected a special compassion offering in 2010 of over $22,000 for Convoy of Hope that provided food and basic needs for the Haiti earthquake survivors. As Christians we need to be ready and available to give when these special needs arise.
Boys and Girls Missionary Crusade (BGMC)
BGMC is the missions’ education and fund raising emphasis for children in the Assemblies of God. Through the funds given by children and sent to BGMC, missionaries receive educational and evangelism materials to help them reach the lost for Christ. BGMC provides resources to teach children about the need to support missions. For more information, visit www.bgmc.ag.org.
Light for the Lost (LFTL)
LFTL is supported by the Men’s Ministries of the Assemblies of God and the funds raised purchase evangelistic literature that is sent to missionaries throughout the world. At BCA the annual "Wild Meat Dinner" is used as an outreach to the many sportsmen in our community. The money from this event supports LFTL and over $6,500 was raised in 2010. For more information, visit www.lftl.ag.org.
US Missions
The United States is a vast mission field. Dedicated men and women are planting churches, establishing teen centers, ministering in hospitals, prisons, colleges and on university campuses. Ministry opportunities include Chaplaincy, Chi Alpha Campus Ministries, Church Planters and Developers, Intercultural Ministries and Teen Challenge. For more information, visit www.usmissions.ag.org.
Speed the Light (STL)
STL is the youth initiated ministry that provides transportation and communications equipment to missionaries throughout the world. Through voluntarily raising of funds to purchase equipment, the Assemblies of God Youth have made STL one of the most effective missions programs in the world. For more information visit www.youth.ag.org.
Touch the World
Mission’s giving has been at the heart of Women’s Ministries since 1925. The Touch the World fund provided indoor equipment and furnishings for Bible Schools and AG institutions worldwide, those in tiny remote villages and those in large cities. Missionary medical kits are provided in countries where health maintenance is difficult. Missionaries and their children also receive medications, disposable medical tools, and free medical services. For more information visit, www.womensministries.ag.org.