10 Reasons why you should attend the Missions Conference

10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND THE MISSIONS CONFERENCE | 18-20 NOV

William Carey, missionary to China and known as the father of modern missions said, “It is the duty of those who are entrusted with the Gospel to endeavor to make it known among all nations.” This was Carey’s deep conviction and driving passion and it is also ours. It is inscribed in our vision statement and impressed upon our hearts; we have the good news of Jesus Christ, and we are called to make Him known to all nations.

One of the ways we seek to remain faithful to the Great Commission and keep the gospel need ever before us is through our annual Missions Conference. We are so excited by our missions program and would very much encourage everyone to attend on 18-20 Nov. Why should you set aside the time and attend this year’s conference? Great question! Let me give you 10 reasons why.

1. Because God ought to be worshipped and enjoyed

The most compelling reason is that God is not receiving the glory and praise He deserves from the nations. We long to bring the nations into the praise and joy of the Lord (Ps 67:3-4; 97:1), which can only be achieved by the bold, courageous, and persevering gospel-witness of the church.

2. Because people live in darkness and desperately need the Lord

Every person outside of Christ is in a hopeless and tragic state. They currently lie under the darkness of sin and the power of Satan and are destined for eternity in hell. But the coming of Jesus was the coming of a life-giving light that conquered sin and Satan (John 1:5).

3. Because we are to “Let our light shine”

• The gospel is the light that gives life. God’s way for reaching the nations with this gospel is through those who have received the light of the gospel and live to shine and proclaim that light to others (Matt 5:16; Rom 10:14).

4. Because we tend toward passivity

If you are like me, then you are naturally inclined toward passivity and easily allow your lives to become insular. We need to fight this tendency and continually flame a passion for God’s mission. A missions conference does this (Acts 14:27).

5. Because our children need to be exposed to missions

Of the many adults I know who have a heart to reach the nations for Christ, many got this passion through their exposure to missions growing up in a family that prayed for missions and a church that promoted missions. Exposure to our children is crucial for developing in them a heart for the nations.

6. Because God can’t use information we don’t have

Leading on from the previous reason, God can’t use information we don’t have. Just as the Lord used Moses’ exposure to the plight of Israel to give him a desire to be used to redeem Israel (Ex 2:11-12), he uses our exposure to the need along with His power to move us toward action.

7. Because our obedience to the Great Commission is critical

Jesus’ last words before ascending to the Father was a command to go to the nations and tell them the good news of Jesus Christ (Matt 28:19-20, Acts 1:8). As a church and as individuals we must be obedient to the command of Christ. The conference will help us know how we might contribute to the cause of Christ to the nations. Either through supporting, praying, visiting, or going, all of us have a role to play.

8. Because we forget that God is powerful to save

We often get despondent at how anti-Christ the world is and how hard it is for people to be saved. Missions conferences invert this thinking and remind us that Christ is ruler over wickedness and is working in ways we cannot possibly imagine to bring people to Christ. This gives us confidence to be bold and persistent witnesses in our daily life.

9. Because the labourers are few and the harvest is plenteous

Jesus said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matt 9:37-38). Missions conferences remind us of this fact and calls us to urgently pray to God to raise up labourers in obedience to His call.

10. Because there is free food and great fellowship

This is always a reason to attend. It is an opportunity to meet new people and share in a mutual love for Christ over some good food.

So, Hills Bible Church, I hope and pray I have provided enough incentive for you to seriously consider joining us on Friday night, Saturday afternoon, and Sunday morning. Please be sure to register for the Saturday night free dinner. May the Lord use this year’s Missions Conference to move us one step closer toward missions.