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Starting a few weeks ago I began praying for all the missionaries and the efforts they will put forth during Easter. I knew this would provide some amazing opportunities for several of you to present the Gospel to many people. All the reasons for serving as missionaries depend on the resurrection of Jesus. “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain” (1 Corinthians 15:14). Isn’t it wonderful to serve a risen Savior? That alone is enough to encourage us to press on and do all we can so that people might come to Jesus – He is alive!

For a number of reasons, I am anticipating the month of April to go by very fast. There is a lot to do as I prepare for a foreign trip, begin working to update some existing programs, develop some new programs and get ready for the May Fellowship Meeting which starts on April 30 this year.

We received approval from the Mission Committee to improve the TEAM program with some updates and changes that need to be made. I will share those with you in the near future. All those in the TEAM program right now need not worry; everything will remain the same for you. We are looking at offering more short-term opportunities through mission trips which includes options for two-week, one-month, summer-long and even six-month trips in various parts of the world. In addition, we are starting a new arm of the Mission Office called WIN which stands for World Initiative Network. This will allow those who are unable to qualify as career church planting missionaries, but desire to serve in a support role, to assist our career missionaries. We will be working on the program details over the next few months and we will then share them with you as they are finalized.

I still feel like I am 35 years old – my age when I first came to the Mission Office to work with Dr. Baird. However, the fact is, a few days ago, on March 29, I turned 55. It is incredible to think I am now eligible to receive more senior citizen rates in various places. Following are some things I have read about turning 55:

• People call at 9 PM and ask, “Did I wake you?”
• Things you buy now won’t wear out.
• You enjoy hearing about other people’s operations.
• You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.
• You quit trying to hold your stomach in, no matter who walks into the room.
• You sing along with elevator music.
• Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.
• Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the National Weather Service.
• Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can’t remember them either.

Well, enough about me. I want to close this letter by emphasizing how much all of you are appreciated and respected for your faithfulness to the Lord. I love reading your letters and watching your video reports of how people’s lives have been changed for eternity and leaders who are being trained to help spread the gospel. The numbers that you, our BBFI missionaries, reported in 2017 showed that over 112,000 people were saved as a result of your missionary efforts. They also showed that there are 10,000 people in training in all the colleges and institutes around the world. Isn’t that amazing? God is good, and may He be glorified by all of your efforts.

Thank you from all of us in the Mission Office!

Your friend,

Jon Konnerup

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