Greetings from Africa. I am currently in South Africa first visiting with the Moellers in Durban. In a few days I will be going to Cape Town and meet up with Pam and visit Bethany and Elliot and especially to see little Eden. On my way to South Africa, I made a stopover in Kenya to preach at the 30^th anniversary of the last church Pam and I started. They asked if I would be the guest speaker. It is hard to believe it has already been 30 years. It is exciting to see they have started seven other churches and support missionaries.

Well, we have another retirement to announce here in the Mission Office. Jill Wolf who serves as our project manager, encourages MKs and heads up our kids’ curriculum, will be retiring on May 29. Jill has worked in the Mission Office for 11 years. She has been a vital part of our team in many ways. Pray for us as we look to replace her.

The Retirement Apartments are near completion. We are waiting for the gas meters to be installed. We will then be able to do the final gas, water and electrical tests and then call for the final inspection. There are a few minor finish touches with paint and all that needs to be done, but we are getting so close. They look very nice.

The Bridge is a website and email that is sent out to pastors and church members who subscribe. It is free and it keeps them up-to-date regarding missionaries, world issues and great things happening in churches around the world.  Check it out at thebridge.bbfimissions.com – share it with pastors and churches members when you get the chance. It will help them stay connected with us. I highly recommend that you take a look at it yourself.

The upcoming Fellowship Week is April 28 – 30 with graduation on May 1. The Missions Morning service will be on Thursday morning of April 30. The day before we will have approval committees meet. If you are interested in participating, please contact my assistant, Carole Miller at cmiller@bbfimissions.com. Also, on that Thursday, after the morning service, starting at 12:30, we will have the Annual Missionary Luncheon at the new facility. Please sign up with Carole for that as well.

This week, most of the world will be celebrating Easter. What do Easter and world missions have in common?  Basically, everything!  Easter is not just a day or an event, it is the foundation of our faith, the basis of our hope and the reason we spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. Christ risen from the grave is the theme of our music and the thesis of our preaching. All the efforts of the BBFI depend on the resurrection of Jesus. “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” (I Corinthians 15:14)

Most of the world has missed the true meaning and purpose of Easter. The celebration has become a time of parades, festivals and parties. On the inside, these people are unknowingly without hope, forgiveness and purpose. Many have no one to turn to — suffering tragic loss, personal difficulties, financial ruin, natural disasters, and wars.

This is where world missions enters the picture. This is why God has called you and uses you on the mission field. He desires that all will believe in His resurrection. As obedient disciples of the risen Christ in following His Great Commission, we have a duty to tell people around the world about the Gospel of Jesus. Jesus is ALIVE! We pray the Lord will bless your efforts in sharing this wonderful truth – He is risen indeed!

Your friend,

Jon Konnerup