WWNTBM
September Prayer/Praises and Special Dates
Click the link above to download a PDF of prayer requests and praises as well as the birthdays and anniversaries for September. Note: You will need to login to SecureCloud in order to view this document. Once you have logged in, click on Files, Shared, then Headquarter Happenings, then scroll to the month you would like to view. This step protects people with WWNTBM in restricted access fields.
Michael and Mona Ward have recently joined the World Wide family. They are sent out of the Southside Baptist Church in Goodview, VA, with Pastor Donnie Glass. Bro. Ward has pastored for over 25 years in a variety of ministries. Their desire is to work along with Bro. Edgar Feghaly in representing the Middle East African Partnership.
Congratulations to Stephen and Julie Knickerbocker on the birth of Alina Lois Knickerbocker. She was born at 8:02 a.m. on August 12th. Alina was 20.5 inches long and weighed 8.5 lbs. Praise the Lord for a speedy delivery and a healthy baby and mother! The Knickerbockers have been in France for Alina’s birth, and will soon return to their field of Burkina Faso.
We have recently updated the Missionary Procedures Manual, in order to include changes that have taken place over the past few years. Most of these changes have been published individually in Headquarter Happenings over time. The current version of the manual is now available in SecureCloud, under the Forms and Manuals section. If you have any questions please contact Naomi Torberson.
DirectLine Ministry was started in 1999 by Paul and Debbie Deem his response to his burden for helping missionaries to receive church planting materials in foreign countries.
He writes:
“DirectLine Ministry now has a team of 10 couples and has sent thousands of Bibles and materials to 20 different countries including: the Philippines, Mexico, Honduras, remote Islands in the Bahamas, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, parts of Africa, India, and Chile.
Here are just a few of the donated items we have shipped to missionaries and national pastors: appliances, hymnals, pulpits, sound equipment, food, hygiene items, new toys, new clothing, teaching materials. Most importantly, we have shipped thousands of Bibles and millions of Scripture booklets and tracts!”
If your ministry could benefit from these services, please contact their office via phone (740-667-6166) or email ([email protected]).
Click here to listen to many of the Patch the Pirate episodes online for free. This is a great resource for kids!
Emily Sanderlin joined our Office Staff on July 11. Emily graduated from Ambassador Baptist College in 2015. Since then, she has been working in her parent’s heating and cooling business. She is originally from Hillsdale, IL, and is the youngest of five siblings. She enjoys being an aunt to 14 nieces and nephews. Emily is a member at Tri-City Baptist Church in Forest City, NC, with Pastor James Hollandsworth (the sending church of Mike and Sue Smith). Her initial tasks will include processing support checks. You can reach her by email at [email protected].
We updated our Monthly Financial Reports to reflect the changes in the US Government’s daily meal allowance rates. The base rate increased from $46 per day to $51 per day. The updated version can be downloaded here. If you have any questions please contact Naomi Torberson.
Occasionally you may need to raise funds for a project where you serve. For each financial need you mention in a prayer letter, email, or while on the road, we need to prepare to receive funds for it at the Missions Office. One of the ways we prepare for receiving your funds is preset by the IRS. It is the guideline of the IRS that our Executive Board approves to receive funds for your project. The Executive Board does not want to vote on receiving funds for your project without you obtaining your Pastor’s approval of the project.
Here is how you can help. Before you publish these needs and projects, please communicate with your sending pastor. Then, email [email protected] to let us know about the project and your pastor’s approval.
Nai Gonzaga spent a week with us in July, completing a portion of her internship requirements for Ambassador Baptist College. One of the ministries our staff enjoys being a part of is training students for whatever the Lord has called them to do, whether on the mission field or in a church office. Nai is hoping to one day return to the mission field of Brazil.
August Prayer/Praises and Special Dates
Click the link above to download a PDF of prayer requests and praises as well as the birthdays and anniversaries for August. Note: You will need to login to SecureCloud in order to view this document. Once you have logged in, click on Files, Shared, then Headquarter Happenings, then scroll to the month you would like to view. This step protects people with WWNTBM in restricted access fields.
We would like to recognize several ministry milestones that are being reached during the year 2016. We are grateful for these individuals who continue to serve faithfully.
Our theme for this week was “Workers Together with God.” The theme was drawn from II Corinthians 6:1-10. We had nine messages and three vignettes which exposited and explored our theme. Imagine what it would have been like to spend time with the Apostle Paul, and to ask him questions about his relationship with God, his relationship with other workers, the character needed in the ministry, and the challenges every missionary and pastor face. These messages were the answers, as Paul may have responded.
Opposites often attract each other. This is true in marriages and ministries. God orchestrates this in order to give balance. Such was the case with Paul and Barnabas. They differed in personalities. Barnabas was an encourager, compassionate, and full of consolation. Paul on the other hand was evangelistic and bold in the faith, not afraid of controversy. They differed in education. Barnabas, as an ex-patriot Levite from Cyprus, was likely not highly educated. Paul, as we know, had the highest training of his day. They differed in ministry skills. Paul was well known even before his conversion. Barnabas is always in the background. As a Roman citizen, Paul was likely more skilled in Grecian culture. Yet God had a purpose for each of them in the ministry. We must be careful not to allow little irritations of life to give occasion to violent explosions. Missionaries are usually highly motivated and intently focused. Don’t let those factors influence you to assume your work is more important than that of others.
Paul had an impressive resume before meeting Christ, but it was all in the flesh. It is little
wonder that he was so zealous for Christ after salvation, when we see how zealous he was prior to salvation. If we think we can accomplish much in the flesh, imagine what can be truly accomplished with God on our side! Paul often tells of his adversities, but only with the goal of sharing about how great God was to bring him through. Attitude often determines the outcome. We know the end of Paul’s story, and how God brought him through adversities, but we don’t know the end of our own story. How will you handle the adversities that come your way? Click here for audio file.
As workers with God, we must remember that the real work is accomplished when we work with God, in His way. Never forget that you are working for God, not the other way around. As Paul propagated the Gospel, he was positionally right, principled, and believed the message was personal both in his relationship with God and with others. Paul illustrated three “nots” we must have in our own ministry. He was not ashamed of Christ. He was not afraid, for he knew Whom he believed. He did not accept glory for himself. Paul gloried in his infirmities, only so that Christ could be glorified as He enabled, enveloped, and encouraged Paul and others through the trials. Click here for audio file.
We must remain excited about what the Lord has done and continues to do in
our life and ministry. Paul was excited about his conversion. He confessed over and over who he was in the past and who he was after salvation – a saved saint who was still a sinner but for the grace of God. Paul never quit communicating the message that we have one God and one Mediator. He was confident in the gifts God gave him, the Spirit of victory, power, love, and a sound mind. Paul reflected on his call to preach, and also remembered the conflicts he had faced. He was a fighter, but also a finisher. He did not give up in the fight. Lastly, Paul focused on his Captain, the Lord Who stood with him, strengthened him, spoke through him, saved him, and sealed or preserved him. May we too rejoice in the Lord’s preservation! Click here for audio file.
This relationship demonstrated the providential workings of God. God had worked in Paul’s life to bring him to Corinth, just as He had been working in the lives of Aquila and Priscilla to bring them together to this place. Often we desire to go where the Gospel has not been preached, yet God will in that place lead us to someone already saved, to be an encouragement to us. This pair had a desire to serve and minister together. The power of God was evident to change their lives and enable them to lay aside their goals to travel with Paul. Click here for audio file.
We will not be in ministry long before we face situations that can create conflicts. The key is to remember that we are 
working with God, and that He has put us in this situation for a purpose. Conditions that can cause conflict do not need to. Some of these conditions are brought into our lives by our Sovereign God seeking to condition and grow us. Some are brought by sinful men trying our consecration. Sometimes we face conditions that are self-imposed as we labor, watch, and fast in order to complete our ministry. Instead of allowing these situations to create conflict, we can turn them to opportunities to trust God and develop our patience. (Is. 28:16) Click here for audio file.
After a blizzard of troubles, our character is revealed in these qualities. Qualities of our mind reveal our choices, to think with pureness, poise (knowledge), and patience. Qualities of our heart reveal our concern to do right before God by being sweet, submissive, and sincere. Qualities of our service reveal our compassion for others as we share the Word of God, doing the work of God in his power, and using the weaponry God has given to equip us. Click here for audio file.
Our passage shows that Paul faced trials, and had been given the tools to deal with them. It then sets forth a series of paradoxes that seem to contradict, but through which Paul expressed truths we must learn as we seek to avoid being a stumbling block to others. We must never compromise our message. We must always stay in the fight. We must always learn to be content, which is a life-long process. Click here for audio file.
Paul’s relationship with Timothy illustrates the importance of having and being a mentor. If you are not training others, you are preparing for your ministry to die with you. Why is it important to have a Timothy, and how do we counsel a Paul? We must choose to show love to the individual, for the work of the Lord, and the Lord Himself. We must have humility, realizing that there are things we can learn both from our older mentors and from the younger individuals we will mentor. We must have patience as we see the faults in others, and remember that we have faults of our own. Click here for audio file.
As we serve, we must always be confident that we are working with Christ. Though our body and flesh can be a burden, we are empowered by the Holy spirit. We must be ambitious workers, desiring to be accepted both now and at the Judgement Seat of Christ because of our knowledge of Christ, the fear of the Lord, and the love of the Lord. We must be ambassadors, working for Christ. Ambassadors have attributes of being chosen, protected, held accountable, and called home before war is declared. Ambassadors speak with authority of the one who has called them. We must share Christ’s message of reconciliation. Click here for audio file.
As a worker with God, our goal is to press towards the prize, and to do so without offense. Scripture is full of warnings that, while others will be offended by the Gospel, we must be careful not to cause undue offense ourself, so that the ministry itself is protected. While we cannot keep others from being offended, we must strive to ensure it is the Gospel that offends, not our attitude, actions, or approach. When you offend personally, others will be affected, and blame will be cast upon the work of God. Click here for audio file.
Our final question for Paul is this, “How did you get to the place where you could go on in life, where afflictions were a mere blip on the radar and not a cause for drama?” Paul’s philosophy recognized that he had a cause and a reason not to faint, and therefore he had to view his afflictions as a light thing. We can emulate his life when we claim Paul’s view of afflictions as our own. No affliction is too heavy when weighed on God’s scale. No affliction is too long when viewed on God’s clock. No affliction is too costly when paid through God’s payroll. No affliction is too much when we consider God’s plan. Click here for audio file.
God never sends, He always leads. In Genesis 46, God encouraged Jacob as he prepared to move into Egypt, an unfamiliar place that pictures the world. Jacob was preparing to see the fulfillment of dreams he had long thought were impossible, yet God promised he would soon be reunited with Joseph. In our life too, we will see that God always seasons His delays, and glorious indeed are the seasons that follow His delays in our life. We must fear not to go where God leads. Click here for audio file.
Paul’s mission statement for his life is found in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ …” This was the passion of his heart, and an intensely personal commitment which reflected his purpose. Paul never got over the fact that he, a sinner, could be loved by God. He had a productive attitude (Gal. 5:22), which lead to productive actions (Phil. 1:11), and brought forth productive additions (Rom. 1:13). Paul had seen all heaven had to offer, yet he longed to live longer on this earth, so that he could bring honor to Christ. Don’t wait for time to take away from you your desire for earthly things. Live today as though Christ is truly the most important thing in your life. Click here for audio file.
As we run for the prize, we must consider the track God has given. It is an agonizing race, but the track is approved for you. Though it holds annoyances, we must actively run with patience and endurance. We must consider the teammates God has provided. These witnesses testify from personal experience that they know God was faithful in their race and will be in yours. We must lay aside the troubles that can hinder. We must follow our team leader, Jesus Christ. He cut the track for us and has run it before us, showing that it can be completed. We must run for the tape, looking to Christ for the strength to reach the goal and win the prize. Click here for audio file.
God has promised to freely give us all things, gives only good things, and has told us that all things will work together for good. What things do you desire? Paul desired God’s purpose in his service. He longed to show God’s power in his stoning. Every Christian wants to see God’s power, but so few are willing to pay the price to see it displayed in their own life. Paul longed for God’s presence in the storms. May we desire the best things! Click here for audio file.
“God allows us to gather wood, but He has to bring the fire.” — Bill Wingard
“We are all nobodies, but if we are willing to submit to God, we can be used to change the world. It is not up to us to decide if God is working; we must simply follow.” — Chad Estep
“As Christians we are preserved in Christ, but not pickled. Show the joy of the Lord!” — Russell Bell
“Anything that is alive grows. We as Christians must continue to grow in Christ.” — Bill Wingard
“If Christ were taken from your life, would you notice anything missing?” — Michael West
This year included a session devoted to questions and answers regarding the ministry. Here are answers that may be helpful to you.
*Please note that WWNTBM does not necessarily endorse all of the content of these books, nor all books by these authors. Please read with discretion.
Click here to read a compilation of testimonies written by some of our missionaries, regarding their first ninety days on the field that we are posting this month. You can read the entire compilation here in PDF format.
We paused this week to hear testimonies from three men in varying stages of deputation. Here is what they shared with us.
Nick & Lindsey Stelzig, along with their son Gabriel, have recently begun deputation to plant churches in Boston, Massachusetts. He shared how God has taught them that He will always provide what we need, when we need it. We must keep a right perspective and attitude, to ensure that we do not become discontent with God during times of waiting.
Joel Smothers is in the midst of his deputation to go to Brazil, where he will minister alongside of the Dickens family. He shared how the Lord has impressed him with Proverbs 4:7. We must seek wisdom and understanding above all. Deputation is a great time to learn things you will need on the field. When you seek this, the Lord will give more than and greater than you expect. One special blessing God has given him on deputation was in leading him to his fiancé, Noel Ring, who grew up as a missionary in Brazil and is currently serving in Puerto Rico. They plan to be married in June of 2017.
One of our missionaries has just completed deputation and will leave this week to go to the Far East. (Their names have been omitted for security purposes.) He shared that the greatest lesson they learned was to expect nothing, for we deserve nothing. If our attitude on deputation is that we are in it for the money, we are no better than someone working in the secular world. Prayer support is so much more important. Our faith must not rest in what man can give us, but in the power of God.
Tim and Kristin Stalcup are some of our newest missionaries. They are just beginning deputation on their journey to working with Muslim outreach in New York City. The Stalcups recently completed World Wide’s new Missionary Orientation School online courses. We asked if he would write a review of his experience for our missions family.
First of all, the Missionary Orientation School (MOS) courses give those new to World Wide a sense of belonging. In the “Principles and Practices” course it was refreshing to hear that we were on the same page with World Wide. In this course and in the “Character” course, it was encouraging to hear that we were not being coerced into a mold but were given an opportunity to team up with like-minded people. This sense of belonging is expressed also in the final course “Family Fellowship Week.” Of course, we all belong to our own churches and to our own ministries, but it is encouraging to be warmly welcomed into an organization of like-minded missionaries.
Secondly, the MOS courses explain to new missionaries many details of the practical steps of how to arrange meetings, talk to pastors, present the ministry, begin writing prayer letters, and organize finances. No missionary can remember every practical detail from a Bible college missions deputation class. Several of these courses answer many questions and stir the mind to consider new questions to ask (which the office is glad to answer). Although “Ministry Organization” is the eighth course, it is a practical help for preparation for deputation.
Thirdly, the MOS courses inform (or remind) all of the missionaries about the various services offered by World Wide. The leadership of the agency so graciously invites the missionaries to avail themselves of numerous services. The organization, record-keeping, and other forms of assistance by the agency’s office personnel is tremendous.
Fourthly, the MOS courses offer to all missionaries a helpful reminder about Christian character, deportment, and maturity. The courses “Principles and Practices,” “Character,” and “What I Wish I Knew” are chock-full of nuggets of practical wisdom and Biblical principle that could keep many missionaries from wrecking their lives, their homes, and their ministries. For this reason, I highly recommend that missionaries already on the field avail themselves of these easily-accessible reminders.
For one thing, the classes are all available online! This means missionaries can complete these courses on their time schedule wherever they have internet. In other words, they can watch them on a smartphone, on a laptop, or at an internet cafe. One could take the courses in a barn in Kansas or in a McDonalds in India. They can be done at any time—even 2:00 am. Even if the missionary does not have internet access, World Wide may even arrange a time when he may come to the office to use the office internet. The course material of the videos is strictly conversational dialogue. Therefore, the audio could be appreciated while a person is driving down the road.
Secondly, the courses are all organized in a classy, easy-to-navigate webpage. By logging into his personal account, a missionary can easily keep track of which courses (and even which units of each course) he has completed. The missionary’s comments and his answers to the course questions are automatically forwarded to Bro. O’Malley, who will email a response.
For all of these reasons, the MOS courses should be appreciated by every World Wide missionary. Missionaries should consider them to be an invaluable resource rather than a tedious responsibility. These could be watched together as a couple. Portions of some of them would even serve as tremendous family devotions.
Log in! Watch them! Enjoy them!
Tim Stalcup
2 Cor 5:15