Baptist World Mission

MISSIONARY OF THE WEEK UPDATE:
Nathan and Kristin Childs (South Africa) continue to see the Lord open opportunities for them in their ministry in South Africa. The Bible club has welcomed 20–30 children each week, with more than 50 children participating and relationships growing with both the children and their parents. What a blessing to see families taking an interest in God’s Word! At the same time, God is opening doors for discipleship and ministry among individuals in their community, with encouraging encounters with their neighbors and even a deaf man they recently met, and they are hopeful for future interactions and opportunities to minister to. The Childs are trusting that God is working through every situation and continuing to provide opportunities to share His truth.

“It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” (Lamentations 3:22)

Burkina Faso is a country in West Africa with a population of more than 24 million people. It is home to 77 distinct people groups, yet 27 of those people groups are considered unreached, representing nearly 5.8 million people who live among communities with little or no access to the Gospel. The primary religion in Burkina Faso is Islam, while Christianity is estimated at about 21% of the population. Burkina Faso needs faithful men and women who will be willing to go, learn the language, build relationships, plant churches, and, most importantly, proclaim the hope of the Gospel to those who may have never truly heard it.

And can it be that I should gain
An int'rest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be?
That Thou, my God, should die for me?

Amazing love! How can it be?
That Thou, my God, should die for me!

'Tis mystery all! Th' Immortal dies!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine!
'Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father's throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race;
'Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th' eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Charles Wesley (1707-1788)

MISSIONARY OF THE WEEK:
Nathan and Kristin Childs have served as missionaries to South Africa with Baptist World Mission since 2015. From childhood, both were raised in Christian homes, taught the Scriptures, and faithfully given the Gospel. As children, they each placed their faith in Christ as their personal Savior. Long before they knew where the Lord would lead them, He was already preparing their hearts for ministry. At different times in their lives, both Nathan and Kristin had the opportunity to serve alongside BWM missionaries in South Africa through short-term ministry. God used those experiences to give them a growing love for the people of South Africa and a desire to serve Him there. After graduating from Bible college, the Lord brought Nathan and Kristin together in marriage. As they shared a desire to give their lives to the Lord and followed the opportunities He had placed before them, God opened the door for them to return to South Africa this time together. The Lord used this to confirm the calling He had on their lives to serve as missionaries in South Africa.

MISSIONARY OF THE WEEK UPDATE:
Matt and Rebekah Cook (Australia) are praising the Lord as He continues to bless the ministry of Crossroads Baptist Church in Gympie! In May, the church celebrated its first baptismal service, with four believers following the Lord in baptism! An exciting milestone and another step forward for this growing church plant. The Lord has also opened the door for their family to move closer to Gympie, allowing them to better serve the church. They are thankful for His provision of a rental home and look forward to this next chapter.

“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).

Bosnia and Herzegovina is home to approximately 3.2 million people, yet many have never heard a clear presentation of the Gospel. Decades after the scars of war, there remains a great need for faithful missionaries to plant churches, disciple believers, and share the hope found only in Jesus Christ. Pray that God would raise up laborers willing to serve in Bosnia and that hearts would be open to the transforming power of the Gospel.

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bidd'st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
To rid my soul of one dark blot,
To Thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come.

Just as I am, Thy love unknown
Has broken ev'ry barrier down;
Now to be Thine, yea, Thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come.

Charlotte Elliott (1789-1871)

MISSIONARY OF THE WEEK:
Matt and Rebekah Cook have been missionaries to Australia with Baptist World Mission since 2018. Matt grew up in a Christian home, and, while trusting Christ as a young child, he did not choose to live for Him until after he joined the United States Army and served for five years. It was then that God got a hold of his heart. Rebekah also was reared in a strong Christian home, and she came to know Christ at a young age. After returning home, Matt and Rebekah were married, and God used their relationship to strengthen them spiritually. In 2014, the Lord clearly called them both to the mission field, and they have faithfully followed His leading ever since.