MPact 2019 was a great success! Our evaluations came back with the most consistent high marks we’ve had since I came to Montana. I think that means we did our job. We equipped our people and ministered to our leaders so that our churches can make a better impact for the gospel in our communities.
And, ultimately, that’s why our churches exist. We are here primarily to point people to Jesus and make disciples. Now, I know the church experts say the church has five, or some say four or six, primary functions. But when I read the Great Commission, I see Jesus telling His disciples to make disciples as they went about their communities and traveled the world.
I’m thrilled if our churches have the sweetest fellowship of any church around, and their worship is like that of the angels themselves, and their Bible study is powerful and life-changing, but, if we’re not winning people to faith in Jesus, we have still failed at our most important task. After all, you can’t make disciples if you aren’t leading people to trust Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
The MTSBC staff is here to assist our churches to fulfill all the purposes that God has assigned to them. Ultimately, however, all that must translate into evangelism that brings the message of Jesus to lost people and provides an opportunity for the Spirit of God to convict them of their sin, of the truth of the gospel, and of their need for Jesus.
The Apostle Paul put two and two together and came up with this: “How will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). Of course, we know the questions are rhetorical. The lost cannot call on Jesus, believe in Jesus, or hear the gospel of Jesus if we who have the message do not tell them.
I’m praying that MPact 2019 provided the means to this more than anything else that it accomplished. But that is only one way your MTSBC staff is working to equip our pastors and churches to share the gospel. Every member of your state staff is working hard every day to assist you in this calling. Darren Hales and his team are crisscrossing the state to do all they can to serve you in this goal. Adam Burt holds multiple events each year that you can bring your teens and college age adults to so they can hear the gospel. He’s also in our churches regularly, equipping parents and youth workers to lead young people to faith in Jesus. William Johnson and his team are ready to help any church or group of churches start a new work that can reach people for Jesus. Our office staff is waiting for our churches to call so they can point them in the direction of more resources or come serve alongside them. We’re all ready to come and help any way we can.
Then, there is Go Montana. We have dozens of ideas and resources at www.gomtsbc.org just waiting for our churches to try so they can send their people out, tell people about Jesus, and serve their communities. There’s even money available to assist our churches to engage in community ministry and outreach.
So, how can we serve you more effectively in the most important of all our tasks—sharing the gospel of Jesus so that lost men, women, and children can hear, believe, and be saved? What needs to change in your life or church? What needs to be added to your ministry? What needs to happen so that you are talking to lost people on a regular basis and developing relationships that will lead to gospel conversations? Your MTSBC staff and resources are here for you. Let’s share the gospel more than ever before. Let’s see more people saved than ever before. Let’s baptize more new believers than ever before. Let’s be the Great Commission people Jesus expects us to be. Tell us how we can serve you in this greatest of all callings from our Lord Jesus.
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