What can we do now?

Shane Segars, our Teaching Pastor, did some research today on what we can do as individuals immediately to help homeless teens.

 

1.  Pray- the needs are great; we must rely upon our Great God.  620 Springfield students are homeless; The Rare Breed served almost 1000 youth in 2012. All homeless teens are victims of trauma. Pray God will meet social, physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of these teens.

 

2.  Give- our WMC's Special Projects brochure lists opportunities to donate to purchase essential items for homeless teens.  The Rare Breed will use designated donations to buy survival kits, sleeping bags, blankets, coats, boots, and other essentials.  You can bring your donations to the Second Baptist Missions Office.

 

3.  Go- volunteers are the critical need for The Rare Breed.  To volunteer, call the Second Baptist Missions Office to learn about various opportunities at The Rare Breed Youth Outreach Center and/or the Rare Breed Transitional Living Program.  Our Second Baptist Missions Office will help you or your group determine what volunteer opportunity best suits you. The Missions Office will connect you with Rare Breed.

Twitter and FB john316marshall

The Orphan Chapter

In my daily Bible reading for today, I read what I call the orphan chapter of the Bible: Hebrews 6. People who believe in eternal security are wary of it because many say it teaches falling from grace. People who believe in falling from grace often avoid it because many say it teaches a person can be saved only once.

I believe in eternal security, and can explain Hebrews 6 to my personal satisfaction, but it is a tough sell. Hebrews 6 reminds us again of the absolute need for humility in every phase of the Christian life.

Twitter @john316marshall
www.facebook.com/john316marshall

WMC

It's time for our World Missions Conference. Our mission partners are flying in from all over the world to be here. This is almost as much a homecoming celebration as it is a missions conference. I cherish every moment I have with our missionaries. Our Springfield partners will be gathering here also. They have become dear friends.

You received in the mail a letter from me this week. In it is a commitment card for Sunday morning's worship service. Please bring it with you Sunday morning. When people bring their cards to the front, it is one of the most emotional worship experiences of the year for me. It matters to this Pastor because I know some people are making a true sacrifice to give an offering to our missions causes.

Dr. Stephen Davis, one of Southern Baptists' most noted missions leaders, will be preaching Sunday morning. Sunday night we will honor and say farewell to Preston and Courtney Goings for their seven years of ministry as our missionaries to Puerto Vallarta. After the service we will enjoy a church wide fajita supper. Olè!!

Twitter and FB john316marshall

Teen Homelessness 2

On Wednesday night Feb 27 many city leaders will be at Second to discuss teen homelessness in Springfield. See my Vlog.

Earthquake Religion

I finished a book every Southeast Missourian should read, "When the Mississippi Ran Backward", by Jay Feldman. It tells the story of the New Madrid Earthquake of 1811-1812.

The main point of interest to me was the revival of religion it spawned. People decided an angry God was warning them to repent.

The Pastor at Old Bethel Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau County baptized over 400 in the year following the earthquake. At the same time, the Methodist Western Conference increased from 30,000 to 45,000 members.

Unfortunately, as time passed, many became backsliders. One Pastor said, after the danger had lessened, one third of his congregation left the church and returned to their old ways.

Twitter @john316marshall
www.facebook.com/john316marshall

Teen Homelessness in Springfield

Second will soon be helping alleviate teen homelessness in Springfield. See my Vlog.

Victory Trade School

Second hopes to help Victory Mission send men through Victory Trade School. See my Vlog.

ARM Prison Outreach

Second plans to work with the American Bible Society in providing scholarships for prison inmates who want to take Bible correspondence courses. See my Vlog.

Book of Good and Evil

Second hopes to provide Russian Bibles in a cartoon format. See my Vlog.

Courageous DVD

Second is going to give a Courageous DVD to all 300 Springfield policemen. See my Vlog.