Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Writer
Dexter, Missouri - Several local members of the First Baptist Church in Dexter traveled far, far away! It took them more than 33 hours to arrive at their destination. Their mission trip overseas took them to Calacea, Romania where they worked with Pastor Toni Mic and his congregation.
Pictured are Bessie McRoy, Julie Twomey, Katelynn Frazier, Greg McGhee, Katie Reiker, Tania Reiker, and Jim Reiker. Also Toni Mic, pastor and Soia along with a few staff members of the Mayor and their interpreter.
“It was a long trip, but well worth getting to work with the children, youth, and the elderly.” stated Jim Reiker. “The people of Calacea were so kind and generous and we fell in love with them.”
The mission group left on June 25th and returned to the U.S. on July 4th, Independence Day. When asked if they will go again, “We do look forward to going back. Wonderful people over there.”
They already miss their Romanian friends. They met a couple that had been married for 70 years and a lady named, Ana, who they each said was the best cook they ever met. One home even had four generations living under one roof.
Their trip was extremely rewarding. They were helped with the youth group, made care packages and saw people in the clinic. Their purpose was to allow other people to experience Jesus and share the Gospel. A special thank you to the Mayor of Calacea, what a wonderful contact they had while they were traveling.
For more great photos of the people of Romania and the mission trip, view them on the First Baptist Church's Facebook Page by clicking here.
Submitted by
Beth Farrah, SMT Writer
“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son.” - 1 John 5:9
I’ve been asked, “Do you expect me to believe in Jesus Christ just because your book says that He lived? That’s not enough for me.”
I agree. You need something else. If you want to know who Jesus Christ is, ask the Holy Spirit.
God says, “If you want to believe, I will help you to understand and to know that these things are true.”
Don’t tell me that you cannot believe. You may refuse to believe, but I will tell you this. If you want to believe in Jesus Christ and if you seek Truth, God the Holy Spirit will speak to you and confirm to you that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Read Deuteronomy 4:29—
“But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”
Do you want to know the living God? He is there if you seek Him with all your heart. God gives us more than we deserve and once you know him, one of the many beautiful he gives to us is freedom.
2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV
(17) Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
When you think of the word “freedom,” what comes to your mind?
Most people automatically think of a physical freedom. They think of being able to go anywhere and do anything they want. Or they think of the first amendment of our country’s Constitution.
But true freedom, which is the freedom we have in Christ, is much more important than the physical freedoms we think of. When we live our life outside of God’s priorities for our life, we will soon find ourselves locked up in the cages of sin.
Think about your life right now. Have you been taken captive by an over-stuffed schedule or by a consuming debt due to your desire to live outside of your means?
If so, chances are that your priorities are out of order. Jesus came so that we could be free from the bondage of this world. Surrender your priorities to God so that you can celebrate your true freedom in Christ today.
Prayer
Lord, it is so easy to fall into the bondage of mixed up priorities. Sometimes, other things can seem more important to me, but help me to remember that true freedom is only available through my obedience to you. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
