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Missions
Think Globally as well as Locally
"Missions" . . . The word has many different connotations for different people. Some people think of the finances that it takes to fund missions; for others, images of strange and distant lands with "primitive" tribes come to mind. At First Baptist Westfield, we strive to never lose sight of the fact that its ourtreach is important to God.
"Missions" . . . is the heart of God and it is the heart of First Baptist Westfield. We believe that we are called to "go into all the world" with the good news that God loves us and wants a personal relationship with us (Mark 15:15). For us, "all the world" means places like a homeless shelter or a crisis call center or the local foodbank right here in Union County. Sometimes it means providing meals for homebound persons or a Christmas gift through the Salvation Army.
It also means going to places like Kenya, Mexico, Moscow, Brazil and points in between to construct domestic abuse shelters, run Vacation Bible Schools, render medical aid, and provide food relief. It means supporting missions and evangelism through the American Baptist Churches, World Vision, and Church World Service. As you get used to our site, you will come to see us as being actively engaged in mission efforts. Our desire and prayer is that First Baptist would be a connection for you and your family to experience God's heart for the people of the earth.
Our hope is that each member of First Baptist will develop a "global and local perspective" of what God is doing in the earth. For some of our members, the opportunity to provide a meal for local homeless families will be the vehicle that begins your journey into missions with a local outreach focus. For others, it will be supplemented by going on a short-term mission trip to assist one of our global partners, such as the abused women’s shelter in Tijuana, Mexico. Some will also want to participate in home repair, and all of us will seek to pray for the unreached people groups of the earth.
One of our more successful events each year is the youth's participation in World Vision's "30-Hour Famine". In 2007, our youth raised $11,743 for world hunger.
If you have interest in missions at First Baptist, come join us! And take part in the privilege of serving others and partnering together to see the love of God shared in practical and relevant ways.
