I commend Dr. Rudy Gray on a great article in the November issue, “Is It Time for a New Approach to Missions?” He writes that the Great Commission “does not preclude us from evangelizing and discipling people here and abroad simultaneously.”

As South Carolina Baptists, we must understand the truth of this statement. We must support missions and discipleship abroad through our giving to the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering. At the same time, we must support missions and discipleship here in South Carolina. We cannot forget the work of our South Carolina Baptist institutions, because missions and discipleship are taking place right here. People are surrendering to Jesus and growing in God’s grace and knowledge on our university campuses, homes for the aging, and on the campuses of Connie Maxwell Children’s Home.

I am troubled that the Future Vision Committee would recommend that the trustees and leaders of our institutions reduce or eliminate their need for CP funding. Our partners have taken financial cuts and continue to do so. If we continue with this mindset of only being focused on how we can cut funding to our ministry partners, history tells us that we will lose them as our partners in ministry. I believe that our Lord has given us an awesome opportunity as South Carolina Baptists to build His kingdom by investing in the lives of young men and women through our universities and children’s home and in the lives of our senior adults who reside at our homes for the aging.

Please join me in praying that we as South Carolina Baptists will respond to the call to sacrificially give and serve others through missions and discipleship.

Rob Pierce
Latta, S.C.