Missions
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19-20
[A number of our missionary families are not listed due to the sensitive nature of their ministry in sensitive locations.]
One's view of missions is often shaped by descriptive words such as "far-away places," "foreign," or "sacrifice." The key word usually associated with missions is "go." Jesus declared to His disciples in Matthew 28:19, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations..." At Immanuel Baptist, the focus for more than 100 years is summed up in the word "send." Paul reminded believers in the Epistle to the Romans, chapter 10, verse 15, "And how shall they preach unless they are sent?" Of course, Jesus is right when He commands us to "go," but the task is most fully seen in the group-centered word, "send." Missions is not an individual endeavor but a team effort - the response of Christ's body to His heart for the world.
Our privilege of sending missionaries demands fervent prayer, personal contact, and financial support. Our vision is that we are part of missions whether we "send" or "go." God has called many of our missionaries to distant lands while our Lord has called each member of Immanuel Baptist to minister in Richmond. What a privilege it is to be partners with 44 ministries in 17 countries. Twenty seven of those ministries are composed of those called to service from our congregation. Missions has a great heritage at Immanuel. Yet, we must never forget the great task ahead, to faithfully proclaim Christ until His return.
