New York, New York

“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10”13-17)

This week I will be traveling to Syracuse, NY along with Zack Casey (south campus worship pastor), Kenny Burell, and Steve Spears. We will be meeting with Lamar Duke, who leads the Missions/Church Planting division of the Baptist Convention of New York. Several weeks ago God burdened my heart for the state of New York while attending a missions mobilization meeting in Anniston and led by the North American Mission Board. The sheer lostness right in our back yard is staggering. Here are a few facts about the need in New York.

Fast Facts:

· The population in the territory served by the BCNY is 26 million.

· The area is 95% unchurched.

· 25 million unchurched people live in the territory.

· 429 SBC churches serve the area

· That is 1 SBC church for every 61,000 unchurched persons. In the south the ratio is 1 SBC church for every 1,000 unchurched persons.

· One out of 3 adults in NY State does not speak English at home.

· One out of 5 in NY State was born in a foreign country.

· 10% of the lostness of North America lives in the territory of the BCNY (Baptist Convention of New York).

· North America is the 3rd largest mission field in the world today.

· Since 1990 the USA has been receiving more evangelical missionaries from other countries than all the evangelical churches and mission agencies combined have been sending from the USA to other countries.

· North America is the only continent where Christianity is not growing.

I would ask you to fervently pray in these days that God would show us where, when, and how He wants us to “Get In The Game!” We have been blessed with so much! We are on active duty status in Jacksonville (Jerusalem). We help with mission work in Anniston and in Birmingham (Judea). Next year we plan to send more people and resources to Honduras (Uttermost) than ever before. All that’s left is our “Samaria” to fulfill our Acts 1:8 challenge.

Could it be that getting actively involved in church planting efforts in New York State is the call God has set before us? If so, will you accept the challenge? Will you make an investment of time and resource in hopes of making an eternal difference in the lives of over 25,000,000 unchurched residents of New York State?

Are you looking for a ministry in the church? Let us help you find your place at either of our campuses. Are you looking for a mission in the world? Look no further any one of our mission ministries designed for one purpose: To bring glory to God through the redemptive message of hope found in Jesus Christ.

On Mission,

Dr. Derek