Acts 17:26-27
"And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him."
Today's prayer focus
- Thank God for the recent LBC mission trip to Cabo St. Lucas, Mexico, as well as members who have gone to Asia, Latin America, Africa, and Slovakia this summer.
- Pray for our efforts to serve a growing network of international churches in Europe, specifically the ICC Pastors Retreat Oct 19-23. The goal for this year is 40 pastors.
- For the LBC Global Missions Team as they arrange for future mission trips, and as they trust the Lord for the day when our church can work with partners to plant a church overseas.
- For LBC folks based in Orlando but bringing resources overseas, such as Don Dearing who is currently in London leading a team that is reaching out to Middle Easterners on vacation there. For Ross and Lindsay Stowers, serving long-term in Italy.
"A New Day in Global Missions"
Mike Tilley
The spread of the gospel in the 1st century was helped by the Roman road, trade routes, the influence of cities, and common Greek, the language of the New Testament. In the 1500s, the Reformation swept Europe on the heels of a technology breakthrough, the Gutenberg printing press. In our “new day" in global missions, innovative missions leaders have divine opportunities thanks to globalization, the Internet, and the use of English as a common language.
For example, the nations of the world are coming to Europe. International churches are rising to the occasion, reaching out to expats, immigrants, and nationals. A year ago last June, an Afghan immigrant was baptized in the faith by an American pastor serving a church in Munich. Holding services in English, the church has 60 nations represented, and 25% of the attendees are Germans.
We have an amazing God! As we read in Acts 17:16, He has “determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.” In this "new day" in global missions, a young church in Orlando such as LBC, with a global vision and a sovereign God, can have a part in reaching the nations.
Mike Tilley is the senior pastor of Lake Baldwin Church, and has lived in Orlando since 1994. He and his wife, Molly, worked with a core group from the Baldwin Park community to plant Lake Baldwin Church in 2006. Mike loves teaching the Bible in a way that relates to real life. In his spare time, Mike enjoys good movies, long dinner with friends, snow skiing, hanging out with his kids and two granddaughters, and travel.