Mission Concerns at FBC/Boston

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
II Corinthians 9:7

"I do not believe we can settle how much we ought to give. I'm afraid the only safe way is to give more than we can spare." C.S. Lewis

The Board of Missions of the First Baptist Church of Boston supports local, national and world-wide projects for all of God's people.
Won't you please help?

The American Baptist International Ministries is accepting donations to aid those affected by the earthquake in Haiti.

You may give online by clicking here: http://www.internationalministries.org/items/80

Also: One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) funds are being rushed to Haitian mission partners, CONASPEH and House of Hope, to support their initial emergency response. As damage assessments are made and plans for relief, recovery and rehabilitation are developed, additional OGHS funds will be shared with our partners. Checks made payable to OGHS/ Haiti Relief will be accepted at the church.

The Board of Missions, First Baptist Church of Boston
Deborah Porter, Chairman

In his final moments with his disciples, Jesus asks Peter, “Do you love me?”
“Yes,” Peter replies. Then, “Feed my lambs,” the Good Shepherd tells him. “Tend
my sheep.” Three times, Jesus passionately repeats his instruction, pressing his
followers: If you love me, take care of the people I love. Live your love for me by
actively tending these for whom I have sacrificed everything. (John 21:15-19)

Soon, you’ll have an opportunity to offer your gift to One Great Hour of
Sharing, empowering our American Baptist ministries of disaster relief and
refugee aid, meeting basic needs in Christ’s name throughout the world,
and sharing resources that allow people to improve their own lives and
communities. Soon, each of us will decide how to respond to Jesus’ question,
“Do you love me?”

The members of the family of God — from those we know to distant sisters,
brothers, and cousins in parts of the world we may never visit — are God’s
flock, the sheep of God’s pasture (Ezekiel 34:31). Yet, God’s flock is often
forcefully scattered, as people are chased from their homes and livelihoods by
brutal expressions of war, as communities and futures are shattered by natural
disasters, as societies and countries are ground down by unrelenting hunger,
disease, and poverty.

Jesus calls us to tend his sheep caught in these situations of evil and nature
run amok. And with love and energy, the Church responds! Through One Great
Hour of Sharing,
• disaster victims quickly receive shelter, food, water, and medical supplies
• local communities develop secure sources of food and clean water
• minds and bodies grow stronger with new schools and medical clinics
• refugees receive housing and long-term help to construct new lives.

In these challenging times, we often wonder how much we can afford to
sacrifice to help feed Jesus’ beloved sheep, when our needs remain pressing.
Perhaps only our prayerful conscience can answer that. But remember the
feeding of the 5,000: when Jesus asked the disciples to feed the crowd, the
disciples despaired (Mark 6:34-44). The five loaves and two fish seemed
insignificant compared to the massive need. Yet when each gave sacrificially
from what they had, through God’s blessing, their gifts turned into a miracle of
compassion for all.

Heed Jesus’ call to feed his sheep with a generous, even sacrificial, gift to One
Great Hour of Sharing. Sharing your resources will change lives — including
your own.

Sincerely in Christ,
Deborah Porter, Chairman,
Board of Missions

You may give at church, where you'll see the One Great Hour of Sharing envelopes in the Sunday bulletins each Sunday in June, or visit American Baptist World Relief Office's website to give online.

During the course of the year, the Missions Board collects for four separate ABC/USA designated Mission Funds.

If you cannot give during these times, or would like to send a special donation to one of the above listed funds, we would prefer that you mail your designated gift for one of the listed charities to/and made payable to the First Baptist Church of Boston, 110 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02116, c/o the Financial Secretary. All gifts are tax deductible. Or you may donate directly to one of the following organizations that we sponsor:

In Christ,

Deborah K. Porter

The Board of Missions
First Baptist Church of Boston

Volunteer and Mission Opportunities :

The Boston Project is a community-based organization in Boston with a passion for seeing renewal in urban neighborhoods:

If you know of a local family or church in need, please contact Darlene Williams or Ken Swenson or call the TABCOM office at (781) 320-8100.