From a very young age, C was exposed to missions. He grew up hearing stories from missionaries all around the world and witnessed the work of missionaries in Peru. C saw first hand their passion and desire to impact the world. Soon enough, C began to develop a desire to make his life count for the Lord, and he sought training from those missionaries who had impacted his life. C would later grow up to pastor a church in Arequipa, Peru for about 8 years before going on to be a missionary in North Africa.

C and his family have been on the mission field of North Africa for about 5 years now. He points out one particular aspect about the people he works with:

The North Africans don’t care about who you are, where you live, or even what time you happen to arrive at their house. Going to a North African home is akin to a prince going to a palace because the hospitality they offer is the best. They treat you like one of the family, and their home literally becomes yours.

One day, a fellow North African Christian and I came across a video made by a young man who had been with us at our church meetings in the city. I had shared the Gospel with him, and he had supposedly put his faith in Jesus Christ. However, the video this young man had made was against Christianity and the missionaries in the city. Since then, he has uploaded and continues to upload pictures of our ministry on the web and on Facebook in an effort to harm the work here.

The post Get to know the 41: Missionary in North Africa appeared first on Vision Baptist Church of South Forsyth.

Wayne Cooke is a missionary currently on deputation to Colombia, South America. In the last year, he and his wife Lina, and children, Alex, Jordan, and Abby, have traveled over 28,000 miles in 9 different states. While on the road, Wayne has been blessed to meet many individuals from all walks of life, see God call people into His work, and be a part of leading others to the Lord.

According to Wayne, the country of Colombia has been in turmoil for many years due to all the violence and terrorism from the drug wars. Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion, with 90% of the population claiming to be Catholics. The Cookes plan to arrive in Colombia in the spring of 2014. Their ultimate goal is to train as many Colombian pastors as possible through one-on-one discipleship, in order to infiltrate the country with the gospel. For those interested in missions and Colombia, here’s what Wayne had to say:

“If someone is considering missions, I would advise them to get as much training as possible. Attending the Our Generation Training Center would be a good start. I would also tell them to practice what they’ve learned while serving in a local church. If they were considering Colombia, I would help them take a trip, so that what they see can affect their hearts, and we can raise up more laborers.”

The post Get to know the 41: Wayne Cooke, Colombia appeared first on Vision Baptist Church of South Forsyth.

We’re continuing to feature one of the 41 missionaries and ministries Vision supports, and this week, we’ll be getting to know Jeff Bush, director of Vision Baptist Missions.

Jeff Bush has always loved sweet tea, so his recent move from Argentina to the state of Georgia has only given him more access to this much-loved southern beverage. It was, however, a little bit of an adjustment for him to return to speaking English daily, after living in South America as a missionary for 12 years. Jeff spent 8 of those 12 years in Argentina, where he established and turned over four churches to national leadership, started a Bible college, and set up a radio ministry.

This experience on the foreign mission field has helped prepare Jeff to become the director of Vision Baptist Missions (VBM), a local church ministry of Vision Baptist Church whose purpose is to facilitate the needs of missionaries who have been raised up and trained in the local church. Jeff had this to say about his new role at VBM:

Preaching, recruiting, and helping churches and missionaries is not a theory to me; rather, it is something the Lord allowed me to be a part of in Argentina. As VBM director, I desire to help and encourage our current missionary families in any way possible, while recruiting new missionaries for world missions. I want VBM to become a strong force of Gospel-preaching, church-building, leader-training missionaries on every continent and in every country on the globe

Jeff plans on leading several missions trips to South America in 2013. Trips to Ireland, North Africa, South Africa, Peru, and Spain will be led by other missionaries on the Vision team. Jeff hopes that missions trips like these will provide people with the opportunity to see and surrender to the work of the Lord. A list of VBM missions trips and dates can be found at visionbaptistmissions.com

Jeff shares his ministry and passion for missions with his wife, Mindy, and their 5 children, Lydia, Adriana, Johanna, Alexa, and Hudson.

The post Get to know the 41: Jeff Bush, Vision Baptist Missions appeared first on Vision Baptist Church of South Forsyth.

Founded in 1972, Bible Education and Missionary Service (BEAMS) provides missionaries with whole, hardback, King James Version Bibles, free of charge. BEAMS raises funds through offerings from local churches to purchase and supply these Bibles in English and many other languages for missionaries to give to those in need on the foreign mission fields.

Since 1997, under Dr. Freret’s leadership, the BEAMS ministry has grown from sending out 50 Bibles a month to up to 10,000, from serving 12 missionaries to over 3,000 missionaries and national workers, and from supplying three countries to more than 130 countries around the world!

The post Get to know the 41: BEAMS appeared first on Vision Baptist Church of South Forsyth.

We’re continuing to feature one of the 41 missionaries and ministries Vision supports, and this week, we’ll be getting to know the Antioch Printing Ministry.

In 1980, the Antioch Printing Ministry was started with a tabletop press and a hand paper cutter. In its early days, many volunteered to fold the tracts as they were being passed out. The Lord continued to bless and grow the printing ministry, and in 1997, a group of students took up enough money to buy a press that could print 10,000 tracts in one hour. Just three years later, the Antioch Printing Ministry was again blessed with 2 more presses. Today, they have 5 presses and a warehouse that holds all their material until it gets shipped.

The Antioch Printing Ministry prints between 9-12 million pieces of literature each year and has printed over 200 million pieces of literature since its inception. They have been able to print in English, Spanish, Bulgarian, Sesotho, French, and Tagalog. The Lord has also allowed them to send material to such countries as America, Mexico, Guatemala, Chad, South Africa, the Philippines, Bulgaria, Honduras, and Peru. God is using faithful people who volunteer and devote their time to see the Word of God “Reach the WORLD with the PRINTED WORD”.

The post Get to know the 41: Antioch Printing Ministry appeared first on Vision Baptist Church of South Forsyth.

Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

The post The Our Generation Summit 2013: WITNESS appeared first on Vision Baptist Church of South Forsyth.

Click on the link below to check out a video of missionary Keith Shumaker’s recent trip to South Sudan!

South Sudan Video

Here are some thoughts Keith wrote about his recent trip:

I got back from a tremendous trip to South Sudan. What I saw and what we experienced was amazing and life changing.

South Sudan had been in war for many years. It was a battle of the North and the South. Over 2 million 5 hundred thousand people died in the war. Everyone that you talk to lost loved ones in this gruesome battle. Whole villages were wiped out. There was a village where all the men were killed, the boys were castrated, and the women were raped. The horrific stories made you want to cry, but I didn’t see a people that were living in the past. They were looking at the present and future. In 2005, a peace treaty was signed, and in the beginning of 2011, the south voted to become an independent state. In July, they celebrated their independence and became the newest country in the world. The people were thrilled and ecstatic with their physical freedom. After meeting such a sweet and beautiful people, I am thrilled for them in their fight and victory of freedom.

Even though I was excited to see the birth of a new nation and how they came out of physical bondage, I couldn’t help but to think that many of them are still in spiritual bondage. They are considered a Christian nation, but that doesn’t mean that many of them have experienced the real liberty that comes from a personal relationship with Christ. In talking with many and passing out tracts, it was very evident that many of them have heard of Christ. Many of them have some form of a knowledge of Christ, but most couldn’t explain how to get to heaven when they died. It is sad to think that a religious person can die without ever really knowing Jesus as their Saviour.

Below are some thoughts that I sent out to some friends that I thought many of you would like to read.

While there, we passed out thousands of tracts and lead some people to the Lord on the street. It wasn’t a quick pray after me. We could have had hundreds of those.

They love Americans. If you see the president he always wears a cowboy hat. George Bush gave it to him.

I have never seen a country with more of an open door than South Sudan. I have been in and visited many different countries. The country is now being built. The door will probably not be as open in 5-10 years.

It bothers me that the Jehovah Witnesses and other groups are already there, and we aren’t. In my flesh, I would love to go. The opportunity is unreal. I don’t feel led of the Lord to leave Burkina Faso, but I am burdened for South Sudan. It really needs a missionary with the right training, vision, and a good work ethic.

I do want to say that the climate was dry and warm. Not quite as bad as Burkina, but hot. It is one of the most expensive towns in the world. Housing is terribly expensive, but I think in 5 years it will get better. Social groups and government groups are paying a huge amount for houses/hotels and needs associated with their accommodations.

Living there would be a little tougher than Burkina in my opinion. It will change and probably be better after many years, but it will take awhile. Ministry would be great, but life for many would be tough.

This is an honest assessment in case anyone is interested in serving in this needy country. The doors, however, are wide open. I would go in a heartbeat if I wasn’t already in needy country and a ministry that God is blessing. I still feel peace about Burkina and the needs here are great. If anybody wants to talk about it, I am available and would be willing to help in any way that I can. I am burdened about the need of this country and don’t want us Independent Baptists to miss the opportunity that God has given us.

The post Video of South Sudan: by Keith Shumaker appeared first on Vision Baptist Church of South Forsyth.

The only way to truly spark a church planting movement in Chile is through teamwork.  One person could never accomplish this goal alone.  The main players on this team are the Chilean people God has called and is calling to the ministry.  The key to reach a country for Christ is to train the locals to reach their own people.  At the same time, there is no denying that multiple foreign missionaries working strategically together can propel the church planting cause in any country. Since I arrived to Chile in 2005, God has formed a team of Chilean and foreign church planters with a common goal of reaching this country for His glory.  I encourage you to faithfully pray for these families: Jason and Lori Holt arrived to Chile in February 2005 Ivan Chacon, a Peruvian pastor, joined the team in September 2005 Jason and Jenny Kenney arrived to Chile in December 2007 Chris and Stephanie Mcbryar came to Chile in June 2008 Susan Moore  leaves for Chile in the spring of 2012 Josh and Elizabeth Ewing should be in Chile by late 2012 or early 2013. Patrick and Leslie Henry will serve a 6 month term in Chile from July-December 2012 Travis Birge will serve a 6 month internship in Chile from March-August 2012 A young lady will serve a 9 month term in Chile from March-December to assist with teaching missionary children and ministering in local church activities.  Read moreabout how you could be that young lady! I am so very privileged to work along side this fantastic group!! I can’t help but think that God is going to radically impact Chile with the gospel through this team!

The post God is putting together a team in Chile–by Jason Holt appeared first on Vision Baptist Church of South Forsyth.

We have now been on deputation for 1 year and are at 51% of our support, but counting promised support, we are closer to 65%, so we are looking forward to getting there soon and praying that the momentum of the past year’s work will allow us to finish very quickly!

Family – Our First Baby on the Way!
We found out this month that we are expecting our first baby! I am excited about being a Father and looking forward to raising a child for the glory of God!

On August 29th, Lori and I also celebrated our 2nd wedding anniversary, and a few days later, on the 6th, I turned 29. I am blown away by how the Lord has blessed me and allows me to serve Him as a missionary and preacher with my incredible wife.

Thailand Update
This past month, we have learned about opportunities to be able to preach the gospel even in public schools in Thailand. There are far more schools available than there are laborers right now to teach English, and we are praying that more will be raised before the schools are filled with cults and other religions fill those places. Would you ask the Lord how you may be able to be used?! The job is far bigger than we can accomplish alone.

Relocation and Setup Fund
Now that we are on the second half of deputation, we will soon be in Thailand (!) and are trying to plan in advance for the costs of relocating there permanently. Tickets, shipping costs, and housing setup make this a big expense to plan for, but we are trusting the Lord to provide.

If you would like to give toward this need, you may send it to Vision Baptist Missions and memo “Setup Fund”. Thank you for praying about this and we look forward to that day!

VisionTour Thailand 2012
June 4-15, 2012 will be Lori’s first time in Thailand, a more involved survey trip for us, and a chance for you to come with us and see the field!

More information is online at http://projectthailand.net/trip where you can find the application, schedule, financial information, and other ideas to help you be able to join us.

Our Generation Summit
This December 29-31, we will be at the Summit – a missions oriented winter retreat in Pigeon Forge, TN that we promise that you will not regret. We would like to encourage and you to consider being a part.

For more information visit www.bcwe.org.

Yours for the Gospel in Thailand,
Philip and Lori Bassham

The post One Year Deputation Update appeared first on Vision Baptist Church of South Forsyth.

Last week, I got back from a tremendous trip to South Sudan. What I saw and what we experienced was amazing and life changing.

South Sudan had been in war for many years. It was a battle of the North and the South. Over 2 million 5 hundred thousand people died in the war. Everyone that you talk to lost loved ones in this gruesome battle. Whole villages were wiped out. There was a village where all the men were killed, the boys were castrated, and the women were raped. The horrific stories made you want to cry, but I didn’t see a people that were living in the past. They were looking at the present and future. In 2005, a peace treaty was signed, and in the beginning of 2011, the south voted to become an independent state. In July, they celebrated their independence and became the newest country in the world. The people were thrilled and ecstatic with their physical freedom. After meeting such a sweet and beautiful people, I am thrilled for them in their fight and victory of freedom.

Even though I was excited to see the birth of a new nation and how they came out of physical bondage, I couldn’t help but to think that many of them are still in spiritual bondage. They are considered a Christian nation, but that doesn’t mean that many of them have experienced the real liberty that comes from a personal relationship with Christ. In talking with many and passing out tracts, it was very evident that many of them have heard of Christ. Many of them have some form of a knowledge of Christ, but most couldn’t explain how to get to heaven when they died. It is sad to think that a religious person can die without ever really knowing Jesus as their Saviour.

Below are some thoughts that I sent out to some friends that I thought many of you would like to read.

While there, we passed out thousands of tracts and lead some people to the Lord on the street. It wasn’t a quick pray after me. We could have had hundreds of those.

They love Americans. If you see the president he always wears a cowboy hat. George Bush gave it to him.

I have never seen a country with more of an open door than South Sudan. I have been in and visited many different countries. The country is now being built. The door will probably not be as open in 5-10 years.

It bothers me that the Jehovah Witnesses and other groups are already there, and we aren’t. In my flesh, I would love to go. The opportunity is unreal. I don’t feel led of the Lord to leave Burkina Faso, but I am burdened for South Sudan. It really needs a missionary with the right training, vision, and a good work ethic.

I do want to say that the climate was dry and warm. Not quite as bad as Burkina, but hot. It is one of the most expensive towns in the world. Housing is terribly expensive, but I think in 5 years it will get better. Social groups and government groups are paying a huge amount for houses/hotels and needs associated with their accommodations.

Living there would be a little tougher than Burkina in my opinion. It will change and probably be better after many years, but it will take awhile. Ministry would be great, but life for many would be tough.

This is an honest assessment in case anyone is interested in serving in this needy country. The doors, however, are wide open. I would go in a heartbeat if I wasn’t already in needy country and a ministry that God is blessing. I still feel peace about Burkina and the needs here are great. If anybody wants to talk about it, I am available and would be willing to help in any way that I can. I am burdened about the need of this country and don’t want us Independent Baptists to miss the opportunity that God has given us.

There should be a video of our trip coming out soon. I will let you know about it.

Please pray that God would raise someone up to work in this needy country.

The post A Plea For Sudan: By Keith Shumaker appeared first on Vision Baptist Church of South Forsyth.