It is already that time! Only two weeks left on tour and then back to Our Generation Training Center classes. While we all are looking forward to the new semester, it will be bittersweet after a great summer spent with God’s people. We have made many great friends along the way. Praise the Lord!
As we prepare for the fall semester at the OGTC, we know many young people are praying about their next steps. For those interested in missionary service, we want to suggest the Our Generation Training Center as a place of training. Through biblical teaching, practical training, personal mentoring, and an overseas internship, the OGTC can help you prepare for effective missionary service. Classes start on August 22! Enroll by August 1! Find out more here.
Friday night, eleven young people participated in the 2023 OGTC Commencement Service. Ten of them received “Certificates of Biblical Studies” for completing 90 credit hours of coursework along with 30 additional credits for a 6-month internship. One student received a “Recognition of Completion” of 45 credits of OGTC coursework. The graduates were from the last three years.
We’re very proud of all these young people and grateful for their families, their home churches, and the faculty and missionaries who mentored them during their time of training. Training young people is a team effort, and it was clear during the Commencement services that these young people have a great support network.
As we enter the summer break, we know many young people are praying about their next steps. For those interested in missionary service, we want to suggest the Our Generation Training Center as a place of training. Through biblical teaching, practical training, personal mentoring, and an overseas internship, the OGTC can help you prepare for effective missionary service. Classes start on August 22! Enroll by August 1! Find out more here.
Last week, VBM missionaries from all over Latin America traveled to Barranquilla, Colombia, for our bi-annual regional conference. All in all, seven countries were represented by twenty-eight missionaries and three interns. It was a time of refreshment, learning, and fellowship in the gospel.
This year, we changed up the schedule and heard from various missionaries in both combined and split sessions. Multiple topics were covered, including “Practical Advice for a Life of Joy,” “Discipleship is at the Heart of Multiplication,” and “The Ministry and the Crucified Life,” just to name a few. In the afternoons, missionaries were able to get together, catch up, and encourage one another in the Lord. After the evening sessions, the fellowship continued over laughter, games, pizza, and even counsel. There is nothing better than serving the Lord alongside great friends who are living for Him!
However, one can’t help but walk through a Latin American city such as Barranquilla and think of how many cities just like this need the gospel. Although the Lord is working and greatly using the missionaries currently in Latin America, we’ve barely scratched the surface of all there is to do for Him in this region. Would you consider giving your life for the gospel’s sake in this needy yet fruitful area of the world?
Latin America Regional Conference – Every two years, VBM holds a conference in each major overseas region (e.g. Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America). This past week was the Latin America Regional Conference held in Barranquilla, Colombia. The purposes of the regional conferences are encouragement and ongoing training for missionaries on the field. We had a wonderful time with 28 missionaries in attendance as well as 3 interns. It was a very encouraging time. Please pray for all those who serve the Lord in Latin America, and consider going as a missionary to Latin America. For those who are interested, find out more on the Vision for Latin America website or at the “Unfinished Conference” on May 13, 2023.
Cross-Cultural Servanthood Module – This week, all the students in the Our Generation Training Center were in a module class with Missionary to South Africa, Mark Coffey. Mark has been serving in South Africa for many years. We’re grateful that he took the time to share experiences and advice in cross-cultural ministry.
New Interns in Bolivia – One of our intern couples made it to Bolivia after completing their fundraising. Please pray for them as they begin this phase of missionary training. If you’re interested in doing a missions internship, go here to find out more.
Prayer Requests
Pray for the country of Colombia and all of Latin America. There is still much work to be done in that part of the world.
Pray for a couple that visited the VBM campus this week and is considering coming for missionary training.
Pray for God to give wisdom as VBM seeks to hire an additional staff member to help with the work of the home office.
Pray for the work that is being done on the Carey Center building. The first big remodeling phase is about finished and will provide more offices, classrooms, a kitchen, a lobby, and a nursery. The Lord has been providing. We only lack $15,000 to complete this phase.
Chapel Service – Pastor Keith Hamilton from Forrest Hills at Mountain View Baptist Church preached for the weekly chapel service. His message was a great blessing on the right reason to serve God. Visitors are welcome to attend chapel services, which meet most Tuesdays at 10 am. Phone 770-456-5881 to confirm.
AC Repair – One of the air conditioning units on our campus was not working properly, and a friend of our ministry donated his time to repair it. There are always opportunities on our campus for volunteers to help us with construction, helping with mailing, cleaning, grounds work, etc. Please get in touch if you’d like to volunteer.
Ordination – Missionary Chase Southard was ordained into the gospel ministry at his home church on Thursday. He and his wife are on their way to South Africa.
Missions Class – On Friday, Pastor Steve Hall and Missionary Kevin Hall taught Missions Class. Following Missions Class, an “Advanced Training” class was offered for VBM interns and missionaries. The book that was discussed was The Honest Guide to Church Planting by Tom Bennardo.
Prayer Requests
Pray for the Latin America Regional Conference taking place in Barranquilla, Colombia this week. The purpose of the regional conference is for all missionaries in Latin America to fellowship and gain further encouragement and training for ministry.
Pray for another intern couple leaving this week on their way to Bolivia for six months.
Pray for a missions module taking place this week at the Our Generation Training Center with Missionary Mark Coffey teaching on Cross-Cultural Servanthood.
Pray for a married couple visiting the training center this week who are praying about coming for missionary training.
Pray for the work that is being done on the Carey Center building. The first big remodeling phase is about finished and will provide more offices, classrooms, a kitchen, a lobby, and a nursery. The Lord has been providing. We only lack $15,000 to complete this phase.
Golf Tournament
On Tuesday, April 25, VBM is hosting the 2nd Annual VBM Golf Tournament at Hampton Golf Village in Cumming, Georgia. This is an opportunity to make a difference around the world while also enjoying a fun day with friends. We hope that many churches, businesses, and individuals will help us make an even greater global impact this year! Get involved now by registering or sponsoring. Your participation will help further the cause of world missions.
Over the past fifteen months, Vision Baptist Missions, Inc. (VBM) has gone through an intense period of growth and restructuring. After the resignation of our former president in August 2021, VBM acknowledged that other changes must also occur within our organization. As such, VBM has focused on strengthening governance, increasing accountability, improving policies, and seeking wisdom from a multitude of counselors.
In October 2021, VBM established the Pastoral Advisory Committee (PAC), a group of Independent Baptist pastors who counsel and encourage the President and Executive Team of VBM as they develop and execute the policies and procedures of VBM. The PAC provides much godly influence that is a source of encouragement to VBM leaders. This PAC is currently led by Pastor Luke Wilkerson, PAC Chairman, and Pastor Matthew Herrell, PAC Vice Chairman. The names of the other pastors who form the PAC can be found on our website at www.visionmissions.org/about.
Another crucial part of VBM’s restructuring involved appointing a new independent Board of Directors to govern VBM. The purpose of this Board is to provide independent oversight and governance for Vision Baptist Missions, Inc., to ensure that the leadership pursues the mission of the organization in accordance with its policies and procedures, financial guidelines, and doctrinal statement.
Last week, on December 15, 2022, after months of prayer, planning, and preparation, a new independent Board of Directors held its first meeting. The names and offices of the VBM Board members are: John Pearson, Chairman; Snyder Turner, Vice Chairman; Wayne Naugle, Secretary; Todd Wipf, Treasurer; and Pastor Steve Hall.
Though our vision of evangelizing the world in our generation for the glory of God has not changed, we believe that the structural changes made at VBM will make VBM more accountable, healthy, and effective.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support as we remain dedicated to our mission of partnering with local churches to train and send missionaries worldwide.
