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This website is for the church of Christ in order to keep those interested in this work informed and to promote the work. Please pass on this website to other sound brethren and congregations. Thank you.
If you are not a member of the church of Christ we encourage you to take our Free Correspondence Courses and to see the articles in the Word of Life Bulletin concerning the church and salvation, etc. If you have any questions please contact us.
{Updates are added to the Work Reports, the two bulletins around the 10th of each month}
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Mission USA
To evangelize, by personal contact, those 717 counties in the USA without the church
We appreciate you reading this material and giving serious consideration of helping in this much needed evangelistic work. May God bless you in your service to Him.
Our First Priority Is To Obey God In All Things
Knowing the supreme love that God has for mankind (John 3:16), it is little wonder that our Father gave unto us (His children) the greatest of all works: Preaching the gospel of Christ unto a lost and dying world. It was of that same divine love that our Lord said: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15); “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:"(Mat. 28:19). As God’s people, we should radiate that same love toward the lost (cp. II Cor.5:14: Eph. 3:19). We should obey and “Go” because of our love for God (John 14:15) and the lost.
The Need Is Still Very Great, Even In This Country
"Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together" (John 4:35-36). "Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest" (Mat. 9:37-38).
As Isaiah said when the Lord asked: "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me" (Isa. 6:8). We are willing to go, but we need your help in sending us. Will you help send us (laborers) in this very biblical effort?
The following data is taken from Churches of Christ in the United States, 2006 edition. On page 36 and 37 there is a list of the states which have counties without the church. Of the 48 contiguous states and Alaska there are 43 states having counties without the church. With a total of 717 counties which have no church of Christ. To list only the top six states: Minnesota – 62 counties without the church; Iowa – 59; Nebraska – 58; Virginia – 53; South Dakota – 50; North Dakota – 46. Also there are many counties which have the church in them, but have several towns within those counties without the church.
Our Work And Goal: To Evangelize The Un-Evangelized USA
Our main emphases is on door knocking: passing out religious material (tracts, DVDs, BCC and media information), having studies on the spot or home studies later; signing up students for Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC); having gospel meetings where feasible (in tents or other public places or in a church of Christ building if one is nearby). We will work with nearby congregations (when there are such) and solicit their help in door knocking and in our meetings. We will use them to follow up on contacts. We will also solicit their help for the BCC students signed up near them. If they are not already involved in a BCC program we will help them to get started if they would like. When converts are made in an area that is near a congregation we will physically bring them together.
When we find a good prospect we will bring in the nearby preacher or other member to help in the study, and to do the baptizing. I have found this makes for a closer bond. When converts are made in an area that is not near a town with the church, we will help to get them started in their worship (at home or wherever), and worship with them as long as we are there. We will work even harder and longer in order to try and convert others in that area. There is no set length of time to stay in any area. The receptiveness will help determine the length of time. One convert opens the doors for many relatives and friends! We will also solicit for someone to come and work with them. The nearest congregations could rotate in sending someone to preach and work with them (many congregations have begun in such a manner).
We will do all we possibly can in order to secure that soul or souls! However, we must remember the power is in the gospel, not in us or in church buildings (Rom. 1:16). When the gospel is planted in that good heart, it will bring forth fruit (Luke 8:15). Do we believe God’s word? We must obey God’s perfect plan and “Go” preach the saving power of God (Rom. 1:16)! We will, if needed and when feasible, return to them for further work and encouragement (Acts 15:36).
We Cannot Fail If We Obey God!
It is the church’s responsibility to “Go” preach the gospel. We fail only if we do not obey (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15, 16). IF we “Go” and even IF we never convert one soul, we have not failed. Remember: "So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase" (I Cor. 3:7). All people deserve the opportunity to hear the truth, this is God’s will. The hearer’s part is to obey the gospel (v.16). We are to present the truth to them. TV, radio, and the printed page are all good, but nothing will ever replace face to face personal studies. Brethren, many opportunities abound, there are many lost souls in those 717 counties without the church and we need your help in order to “Go”! "..., The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest" (Mat. 9:37-38). "..., Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest” (John 4:35).
During the Restoration Movement in this country, as in the First Century, there was great success. This happened because the gospel was preached (cp. Acts 6:7). The gospel was, is, and will always be “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Rom. 1:16). Nothing else will do! We must carry the gospel where the church does not exist. (Mark 16:15). What will happen to the lost if they never hear the gospel?
Counting The Cost
The main cost is lost souls who may never have the opportunity to hear the gospel. If we ourselves are not obeying God in evangelism we will lose our own souls as well!!! "And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also" (II Tim. 2:2 cp. Mark 16:15). "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee" (I Tim. 4:16). This may very well be the first and only time some of these people will ever have a real opportunity to hear the truth from someone in person. Please count the cost and help us to “Go” as the Lord commanded (Mark 16:15).
Our Means Of Travel And Where We Will Live
In considering all things, I believe a motorhome [MH] or some other type of RV is the best means of travel for this mission work. We have sold our house in order to buy a motorhome and are living in it fulltime. We plan to migrate with the weather to be conducive to door knocking and tent meetings. We may, in the winter months, work with a small congregation(s) in the south which needs a preacher and/or help in campaigns. This is a great need in itself. Many places cannot afford to pay a preacher full salary.
Our Need For Workers And Support
We are in need of others to go with us and help knock doors and preach. Volunteer as much or as little time as you would like to help us in this work. It is an excellent opportunity for congregations to get more of their members involved in evangelism. It is an excellent opportunity for vacationers to help us a few days or weeks and then go on for vacation, and for retirees to help us as much as they desire and are able.
Many may already have an RV that they could use in this effort – the work of the Lord. Other arrangements could be made for those without RVs. We sincerely invite faithful Christians to come and go with us in this work – “full time.” We could double our work with just one faithful couple. You do not need to be a preacher, just willing to work. In door knocking, a silent partner is also needed.
We are in need of personal support and also support for our work fund. The cost for each packet we leave (with tracts and information) cost about 50 cents. The DVD cost is $1 each. Don’t you agree that it is worth $1.50 to get the truth out to one soul or an entire family?
We are blessed to have the church at Greenfield, TN as our sponsoring congregation. As generous as they are, they cannot carry the burden alone. We need other congregations and individuals to commit to monthly support or one time support to help us do this much needed and scriptural work. There is a need for workers (back in the congregations) to handle the BCCs, tracts, DVDs, ads, etc. We will need special material printed for the meeting ads, etc.
Reports of our work will be sent to each supporter or interested party. Records of each campaign and gospel meeting will be kept. Please let us know if you would like to receive our reports. If you are able to receive it by email it would help us on our cost.
As The Work Grows
We are hoping and praying to get at least four or five good sound couples, or more, going into these counties together where the church does not exist. We would set up in a central campground in the midst of towns without the church. We hope some church will provide an enclosed box trailer which contains a tent, chairs, song books, tracts, etc. for door knocking and gospel meetings. Ideally, we should have a gospel meeting taking place at least monthly or even every other week. We would door knock and have home studies as often as possible. Other workers could come and go according to their abilities. Much good could be accomplished and in time the gospel preached in every one of these counties. Some congregation or congregations could sponsor a lectureship specific to the work and appealing to RVers, or would be RVers, in order to recruit more volunteers. We hope that you will become a part of this work as an individual or a congregation.
We embark upon this great work, first and foremost, because of our love for God and to obey Him, and for our love for the lost. We desire that others be a part of this great effort: there is a great need for others to “Go” either with us or separately, but working together (II Cor. 6:1). Consider: Phil. 4:17; Tit. 3:14; I Cor. 15:58; I Thess. 3:12, etc.
If you know of others who may be able to help in this mission effort (by going with us or sending financial support), please let them know about it, or let us know and we will send them a copy of this work plan. You have our permission to make copies of this material to give to others who may consider helping, or pass on this website to those who have internet access.
We thank you for your time in reading this material and considering this needful work. We would love to hear from you concerning this work. We welcome and encourage your suggestions and questions. We ask that you remember us and the work in your prayers. Please pass this website on to sound congregations and brethren.
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