During the past two years, there has been a serious drawdown in our International Mission Board (IMB) missionary count, much of which is related to a decline in giving. I believe that state conventions must increase their efforts in assisting churches to fulfill our Lord’s command of making disciples of all the nations. Our IMB representatives in India have informed me that up to 5 percent of the world’s unreached people groups reside in and around the region of New Delhi, India, and the South Carolina Baptist Convention already has long-term contacts and relationships there.
Jim AustinThere are an estimated 6,400 people groups comprised of 2.7 billion souls on this planet who have no direct gospel access. We can begin addressing this crisis by ministering in the area of New Delhi. It seems strategic that we begin targeting and focusing our work in this region of the world where we already have significant familiarity.
In March (tentatively March 9-17), I will be traveling to New Delhi and would love for as many of our church leaders who can to prayerfully consider participating. Our purpose will be to prayerfully catch a vision of how God may use South Carolina Baptists to reach this area of the world for Christ and to bring this vision back to our churches, mobilizing them for missions involvement. Additionally, we will minister to pastors and be actively engaged in evangelism.
Time for participation is short, as we need to set a deadline for those participating to ensure getting the best possible airfare. Currently, I have been given a quote of around $1,400 for airfare. Additional expenses will be passport, visa, ground transportation, lodging and meals. We will work directly with our IMB personnel on the trip. If you believe that God desires for you to participate in this trip, please contact my office as soon possible. We will need to set a deadline of Feb. 8 to have the money collected for the purchase of airline tickets.
Thank you for your faithful service to our Lord. I pray we all experience a bountiful year in our service to Him by beginning to teach from the very first verse and reaching to the very last tribe.
For further information, contact Gloria Shull at 803-227-6180 or gloriashull@scbaptist.org.
– Austin is executive director-treasurer of the South Carolina Baptist Convention.