From the Mission Field
 
21 in '97, 21 in '98
     American Baptists experience a deep sense of joy as we see our overseas missionary force expand.  In 1997, International Ministries appointed 21 new missionaries and an additional 21 so far in 1998 - an historic number!  More missionaries may be commissioned after the November board meeting.
     Nagaland, a mountainous area of North East India near the Burmese border, has been an area of special celebration and concern.  The Naga people were former headhunters.  Great political tension exists in Nagaland.  There has been much bloodshed.  But with the help of International Ministries, the leadership of the Naga Baptist Convention vigorously work for peace.  Rarely has evangelism and justice under the Gospel been so clearly manifested.
     Through seeds planted by American Baptist missionaries, Nagaland has become a state of 90% Christians - and 90 % of that number are Baptists.  This is the 125th year of Christianity in Nagaland.  More than 120,000 people attended the celebration with 125 missionaries and evangelists commissioned!
     United Mission gifts continue to be one source of support to sustain growth in International Ministries to assist with evangelism and peace projects around the world.

Too Much Celebrating?
      Sometimes young people can be excused for being a bit too rowdy - especially when their boisterous behavior grows out of their desire to praise God.
     That was the conclusion local police came to in Lican Ray, Chile, after they responded to a late-night call from area residents.  The complaint?  That youth attending a national camp sponsored by the Convention of Baptist Churches of the Chielan Mission were celebrating too much.
     What were they celebrating?
     The day before, a teenage girl named Lisette had fallen and injured her ankle Her ankle swelled to twice its normal size.  The camp doctor, saying it would take several days for the swelling and pain to subside, prescribed bed rest.
     But Lisette didn't want to miss the evening service.  Two of her friends helped her to the chapel.  At the close of the service the pastor asked Lisette to come forward so he could pray for her.
     The pastor felt the Lord directing him to say, "Be healed," and nothing more.  The swelling disappeared before their eyes and the pain went away.  Lisette began to walk and jump.  The Lord had healed her.
     As the Scripture says, "Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God" (Luke 5:26).  Missionaries Sheila and Stephen Heneise report that the praise choruses took on fresh meaning, accompanied by clapping, shouting and jumping.  That is what police found as they came into camp that night.
     Young people found other opportunities during the nine-day program to respond to God's blessings.  The most moving cam when 150 youth, responding to an invitation to serve in ministry, cam forward at the close of an evening service.
 

Heavenly Father,
     I call on you right now in a special way.  It is through your power that I was created.  Every breath I take, every morning I wake, and every moment of every hour, I live under you power.
     Father, I ask you now to touch me with that same power.  For if you created me from nothing, you can certainly recreate me.  Fill me with the healing power of your spirit.  Cast out anything that should not be in me.  Mend what is broken.  Root out any unproductive cells.  Open any blocked arteries or veins and rebuild any damaged areas.  Remove all inflammation and cleanse any infection.
     Let the warmth of your healing love pass through my body to make new any unhealthy areas so that my body will function the way you created it to function.
     And Father, restore me to full health in mind and body so that I may serve you the rest of my life.
     I ask this through Christ our Lord.  Amen.
                                                                                -Father Larry J. Hess

 

 
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