Missions Emphasis Night – January 29th

I am excited about this Sunday night.  It will be our annual Missions Emphasis night.  We will outline the proposed trips and activities that are planned for 2012.  It is going to be great.  God is leading us to be bolder than ever as we take part in the advancement of the Gospel at home and around the world.  I hope that you will not only join us on Sunday night at 5:00, but that you would pray in earnest that God would be glorified in all that we set out to do in His Name.

Look for more info right here when we post the trips for 2012.

From our neighborhood to the nations,

Pastor Larry

Christmas at Quivira Place Apartments

Thursday evening we had the wonderful opportunity to proclaim Jesus as the real “Reason for the Season” to our friends at Quivira Place Apartments.  We shared the birth of Jesus and that he came to earth to have a personal relationship with everyone in that room, we ate pizza, drank hot cocoa, sang happy birthday Jesus and enjoyed cookies and cupcakes!  It was a glorious celebration for our Lord!

We have seen God work in a wonderful way at QPA through ELL classes, Bible study, tutoring and just building relationships with the tenants.  There have also been many who have come to our church as well. Many volunteers continue to minister to these people weekly and they also bring them to church on Sundays.

Here is a link to the video of our evening. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2FtfNorvDo&feature=youtube_gdata

Merry Christmas!

Sheri Kittle

KCRM Thanksgiving Blessing

Nancy Rische, Sarah and Carla Swartz and her grandsons unselfishly gave of themselves and blessed others during Thanksgiving at the Kansas City Rescue Mission on Thanksgiving day.   Thank you for serving others this holiday season!  Below is a picture of Carla Swartz and her two grandsons Hunter and Kalob Hargiss along with an article in the Kansas City Star.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Successful Thanksgiving!

Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a grudging obligation.   ~I Corinthians 9: 5

Thank you fellow servants as you came to sort and pack and deliver some much needed household items to our friends at Quivira Place Apartments.  There were people saved and many people we will be following up with about spiritual needs as well as physical needs.

We have an ongoing ministry at QPA with evangelism, Bible study, ELL and tutoring programs.  If you think you would like to be involved in any of these ministries, please let me know at sheri@lenexabaptist.com.

 

Sowers of Blessing

As it is written:
“ He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”

Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God.  ~2 Corinthians 9:9-11

The LBC Momentum Ministry is pleased to announce it’s newest ministry of being “Sowers of Blessing” to those in need.   Members of Lenexa Baptist Church and The Fellowship @ Greenwood are using their time and talents by making needed items for City Union Mission.  LBC has partnered with City Union Mission for many years and this is a new ministry that is very much needed.  We can meet their  many daily needs for people who come to them for assistance by us making various items such as night shirts, laundry, book bags, welcome and hygiene bags.  City Union Mission sleeps 300 men a night and they all get a shower and bag of hygiene items along with the Gospel for their daily needs.   We also provide warmth as some of our knitters make scarves and hats for winter and the Mission Christmas store.  City Union Mission provides dresses for women and children in need as well.

Another area we would like to expound on is quilting.  City Union Mission is in need of lap quilts for senior adults in nursing homes as well as the Christmas Store.

This ministry is just taking off and already we have been blessed by those of you who have provided fabrics, yarn and accessories to make these items.  If you have any fabrics, cording, yarn or any other accessories you would like to donate or if you think this is an area you would like to be a part of I encourage you to contact me for any additional information you may need at sheri@lenexabaptist.com.

Be on Mission,

Sheri Kittle

Tutoring at QPA

We currently have a wonderful opportunity to minister to children in an educational way at QPA by making ourselves available to tutor children after school and in the evening during the week.  We currently offer assistance on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 4:00 and 7:00 pm.  Most of the students range in grades from Kindergarten through 5th grade.  We assist these students in completing their homework  and sharing a story of Jesus at the end.  We have tutors who have manipulatives and other materials that can help students do their best and improve their education.  Through these efforts, we have had the opportunity to share Christ with a father of one of the students and Scott Davis will now begin a one on one Bible study with him while his child is getting his homework done.  Exciting things are happening at QPA as Jeff Goss and Shawn Stewart continue to minister through evangelism with the tenants at QPA.  There is an ongoing Bible study taking place each week as well.   If you think this is a ministry you would like to be involved in we would love to have you!  For more information please contact Sheri Kittle at sheri@lenexabaptist.com.

Hermosillo Video

Below is just a glimpse of the work that was done in Hermosillo.  As you watch this video, please pray for Howard and Beverly Rhoden as they follow up with the pastors they visited with and make personal visits.  We have already heard of additional salvations.  Praise the Lord!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vM4STXmykM4&feature=youtube_gdata

Be on Mission,

Sheri Kittle

A Note from Howie and Beverly in Hermosillo, MX

Eleven people from our home church, Lenexa Baptist Church www.lenexabaptist.com , led by Missions Pastor Larry White, came to Hermosillo and Guaymas to evangelize and do construction work. This marks the third mission trip to Hermosillo for this church.

            After arriving in Hermosillo on Saturday, October 22, the team had lunch and then we drove to Guaymas. The highlight of the evening was a prayer service on the beach at sunset. Sunday was marked by morning worship at the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Empalme (a suburb of Guaymas). Pastor Alfredo Marin and the people of the church extended a warm welcome to the team. That evening we enjoyed a neighborhood worship service in front of the church.

            On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings and afternoons, the team worked to paint walls and rehabilitate two church restrooms. The church provided lunch each day for the team. In the evenings, evangelistic events were held in neighborhoods where the church has cell groups. We offered free family photos to encourage people come hear the gospel. The church is delivering the photos as a means to follow up with attendees.

            Amazing things began to happen on Monday night with several people accepting Christ. Each night the Holy Spirit paved the way for many salvations. During the time in Empalme, around twenty-five people accepted Christ as their Savior. Ebenezer Church and its pastor prepared by concentrated prayer for the week’s activities. The team members willingly did whatever needed to be done. It is worth noting that three team members are native Spanish speakers. Their abilities helped to magnify the effect of the efforts.

            After returning to Hermosillo, the team assisted the Baptist Church of Las Lomas (Hermosillo) in an evangelistic event. Several new contacts were made during the course of the evening. On Friday morning, the team passed out sandwiches at one of the local hospitals while sharing the Gospel. This week Beverly and I followed up with a man who wanted a Bible. During our visit he, along with three adult family members accepted Christ.

           Missions Pastor Larry White told us that this was one of the greatest mission trips that he had led. We felt the power of the Holy Spirit throughout the week. Please pray for Pastor Alfredo as he follows up with the new believers in Empalme. Likewise, please pray for us as we have scheduled a discipleship session next week with the new believers in Hermosillo.

                Please pray also for our ministry to students.  We are trying to get to know more students who do not know Christ.  We hope to make contacts in the University outside the student group.

            Pictures of these events as well as previous reports are available at: http://mysite.verizon.net/drt60718/howieandbevrhoden/id1.html

Howie & Beverly Rhoden

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hermosillo/Guaymas – Reflections from the trip

With each of the trips we are seeking to get insight from those that participate.  Below are some of the responses to our latest trip:

Larry, thanks so much for leading this trip.  I’ll never
forget it.  I felt like God really unified us all to make us more useful
for his kingdom.  What a blessing to have a blast while doing eternal
work!

Hard to believe that it was just a week ago
that we went to the second neighborhood and saw God change so many many
lives.  Awesome.

Thanks again. My answers are below…

Hey everybody,

I hope that you are getting adjusted to life back in KC.  Thanks again for all that
you did on mission for the Lord. One thing
that I want to do is to develop a short questionnaire for each
participant.  Ideally these would be filled out within the first week of
coming back home.  If you would, respond briefly to these questions.
If you think of any better questions let me know.

How did you see God use you on this mission trip?

Evangelism; helping with women’s ministry, encouraging
missionaries, believers, and nonbelievers in Mexico; loving kids and hurting
ladies; labor at the church
What was one of the highlights of the trips for you?

Offering spiritual and physical food to those at the
hospital in Hermosillo.  Matthew West has a song
out right now called “My Own Little World,” which is super convicting
to me. One particular line comes to my mind a lot: “Father, break my heart
for what breaks Yours.”  He did that many times on this trip, but
most particularly when we were at the hospital.
How did this trip help you in understanding the Great Commission?

I’ve been more focused on my own part of the world.
I’ve had a heart for international missions but have contributed more with $
than time.  I’m so thankful to get to go make the disciples, rather than
watch others go.
How will you live differently as a result of this experience?

I will be more intentional about sharing my faith and about
serving people who need spiritual and physical help.  “My own little
world is not about me.”

—-

• How did you see God use you on this mission trip?

1. Make Disciples – I was able to witness to several folks at our meetings. God blessed
   me in doing quite a bit of talking to Gabriel outside of the meeting location
   and leading him through the essential questions about his spiritual standing. I
   got to lead him toward the pastor, but then handing him off to Larry who
   eventually handed him off to Jim who led him to Christ. I was also able to
   distribute many tracks and Bibles at the meetings as well as the hospital
2. Create Prospects – I was privileged to get to take the family portraits which will
   hopefully be used to share the gospel within the attendee homes
3. Encourage the Saints – Getting the opportunity to spruce up the church with repaired
   walls, bathroom, paint, and pews, was so exciting. But even more, getting to
   know the body of Christ can come together in any language and country is
   amazing. I really enjoyed getting to know Job and Jesus, Olivia, Marco, Mario,
   the pastor, and the ladies of the church.

• What was one of the highlights of the trips for you?

1. Having people beg for Bibles and Tracks made me want to stay longer with more
   materials to fill those needs.

• How did this trip help you in understanding the Great Commission?

1. We need to move in directions that God is moving. We could have a real impact
   anywhere. Home or abroad. However, the Mexican people are very open to the
   Gospel and it was amazing to see God move so much.

• How will you live differently as a result of this experience?

1. Recently I have been much more forward in sharing my faith with those I come in contact
   with. I will continue this pattern of behavior and will make efforts to enhance
   it. God needs me to share His gospel with those who will listen.

—-

How did you see God use you on this mission trip?

I think God used me be a part of the body of Christ, in many ways,

working and talking to people about Christ.

·         What was one of the highlights of the trips for you?

Meeting Livia was a  highlight
for me she has had such a hard life but she continues to praise God,

·         How did this trip help you in understanding the Great
Commission?

I think this trip helped me realize
the we have to “GO”. If we don’t go, who will?

·         How will you live differently as a result of this experience?

Today one of my coworkers needed
something and I was able to get it for him and I told him that I wanted to help
people and I wanted God to get the praise. I want to continue that.

—-

• How did you see God use you on this mission trip?

Medical resource for participants, encouragement to Bev and Howie and the pastor and
church, develop children’s “activities” with the resources we brought
that would specifically  fit into the events and time frame scheduled,
keep children busy with God-focused activities at the events to allow parents
to be ministered to without distraction,  low key manual labor,
evangelism,  minister to mission trip participants individually who had
burdens

• What was one of the highlights of the trips for you?

Seeing OCC shoeboxes having been used in the community we were in to reach out with
the gospel! ( no fair     asking for just
one, so I picked the first thing I experienced)

• How did this trip help you in understanding the Great Commission?

Increased my confidence and experience in sharing the gospel

• How will you live differently as a result of this experience?

Be more confident in sharing the gospel with adults

—-

1. By serving others with labor skills and encouragement and love after struggling from
destruction.

2. Seeing Ramona and feeling her pain and discouragement from losing a loved
one. Then encouraging her and praying for her and seeing her attend and having
her look for us to let us know see was there and then having her say thank
you for our prayers and encouragement and getting her connected to the Pastor
and his Wife.

3. It has truly helped me understand the importance of doing my part to help
fulfill the great commission not just somewhere else but in my own community as
well. Not just talking the talk but walking the walk.

4. I am going to work much harder than ever before to read my bible and
study God’s word to be more effective both here and everywhere else in leading
others to the Lord and following through with the momentum that has
started from attending this trip. I consider this trip a turning point in my
life and I am looking forward to learning to serve the Lord any way
he leads me and needs me.
—
As you have just read, a short term mission trip can change the way in which you view the world.  Prayerfully consider going with us next year on one of our journeys.  It may just change your life!   From our neighborhoods to the nations, Pastor Larry

The Harvest Continues!

Here is an update that I received from our missionary friends in Hermosillo:

Pastor Larry

Bev and I visited a contact (Gabriel) that we made during the hospital visit last Friday.
As you may recall, he asked for a Bible and we were fulfilling that request.

We expected to meet with only Gabriel; however, three of his relatives were there.

The Holy Spirit was obviously at work because when we asked if we could share the
Gospel, we received a quick “si”. Ultimately, all four prayed to accept Christ as their
Savior! Wow, wow, wow!!

We scheduled a meeting next week to start a discipleship program with them. Please pray for
Gabriel, Beatrix, Guadalupe and Karla.

Blessings.
Howie