This Sunday is our annual Mission Sunday. Our goal is $35,000. Every cent contributed today goes toward our mission efforts in 2012. Our 2011 Mission Budget included important works such as Agape of North Carolina; Denny Landon and his great efforts with Bear Valley School of Preaching; Carolina Bible Camp; and of course the terrific work of Sheri Kretzschmar in Guatemala and the tremendous ministry and evangelism of the Nietos and Pratos through La Iglesia de Cristo de Brewer Road.

Our actual mission expense for 2011 is projected to be $131,000. Our 2010 Mission Sunday contribution was a big part of this commitment to missions. For us to continue our important and successful mission efforts in 2011 we must have a strong contribution this Sunday, Mission Sunday 2011.

What is tempting to do here is see dollars and cents, and only dollars and cents. Although it is of course right and prudent and faithful for us to consider these costs, and the resources we have to work from, we must also see the good that is done in the Lord’s work through our contributions. We must see the souls that are brought closer to their Creator and Savior because of our sacrificial efforts in funding these great works. As you prayerfully determine your gift today, think of these words of the apostle Paul.

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:12-17)

What we desire with all of our mission efforts is to share the love and Word of Christ with others. There is more work that needs to be done; there are more souls that need to be reached. I had a professor at ACU who used to say, “All you can do is all you can do.” That is indeed true regarding our contributions. But we must do “all we can do!” Any less thwarts the mission of Christ.