Oakley Baptist Church Missions     Missions are a major focus at Oakley. Pastor Brian, along with his wife and two oldest children, served as missionaries in Cham, Germany, with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. Pastor Brian has a heart for seeing that the gospel (good news!) is taken to the ends of the earth.     Pastor Brian's vision for missions at Oakley Baptist includes members from Oakley participating in at least one mission trip per year. Following the example of Acts 1:8 we would like to take reach our Jerusalem (i.e., our own home town), our Judea (i.e., our own home state), our Samaria (i.e., our own country), and the uttermost parts of the world (i.e., internationally).     With this in mind, we will organize and participate in local, state, national, and international mission trips to the glory of God so that His name might be known among all the earth. Youth World Changers What: Sharing the love of Christ through sacrificial service projects and sowing the Gospel seed in Ft. Walton Beach, FL When: June 20-28, 2008. Who: Youth and adult chaperones. Number of Participants: 20.   Adult Mission Trip What: International Trip TBA When: TBA Who: Adults and older teenagers Number of Participants: 5-10   Praying About Going on an International Trip This Year? Now’s the time to send off for your passport. US Citizens can follow this link to receive instructions on obtaining their own United States Passport! Put your “YES” on the table for missions by being prepared to GO!     Other Missions Events     We also participate in missions through our annual mission offering emphases. This past year Oakley collected the most money it has ever raised for the annual Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions.     Praying for missions is also emphasized at Oakley, each month we highlight a national and international missionary to be in our prayer spotlight. Missions at Oakley (BEYOND OUR JERUSALEM ) What is missions? Missions is a commitment, individually and corporately, to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8).   What is missions at Oakley Baptist Church ? In that we desire to equip believers to reach the lost, we are mindful to not have a “missions program.”  Instead, we desire to be a “mission-hearted church.”  By this we mean that we do not desire individuals to merely think about missions occasionally, but we desire each member to live a missions oriented life.  Mission is not what we do; it is who we are as followers of Christ.   How does missions at Oakley Baptist Church work? Enabling all members to participate in missions via giving, going, sending and praying as they live a life that demonstrates a commitment to taking the gospel to all peoples (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8, Psalm 67). Our specific commitments 1. Training / Awareness Corporate and individual prayer for missions Sermons promoting missions Gospel Presentation Seminars Prayer Walking Strategies Introduction to Missions Discipleship Class Twelve Month Emphasis Promotion and Awareness through Sunday School Children’s missions awareness Short-term team testimonies Communicate missionary correspondence 2. Going / Sending Short Term Trips Personally go on national and international trips Personally pray for those on trips Personally support financially those on trips Personally give / provide resources toward trips Corporately commission those going on short-term trips  Career Missions Personally open to God’s call to the field Corporately encourage and support (prayer) those from Oakley sensing God’s call  Corporately commission those called to the field 3. Giving Systematic vision and goals to maintain a missions budget Cooperative Program Lottie Moon Christmas Offering Annie Armstrong Easter Offering Personal support to short-term teams Corporate support of career missionaries BSCNC Miscellaneous love offerings for missionaries 4. Support of Career Missionaries Partnership Level Prayer Special short-term team support Special financial support Adoption Level (evaluated annually) Church-wide ownership in the work on the field Prayer for missionary team and people group Sunday School Adoption Annual (# trips may vary) short-term team support On-going financial support