I think it goes without saying but A LOT has changed in our world since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our collective experiences of eating out, shopping, going to sporting events and even attending weekly church services (among many other things) have a dramatically different look and feel now than they did just a few months ago.  In the midst of it all, God has given us a truly unique opportunity to reach people all over the world with the Gospel.  You see, our involvement in the Great Commission has never been driven by our circumstances.  There has never been a health crisis, natural disaster or any other crisis or threat that has stopped the Gospel message from going out, and while everything may not look the exact same moving forward, you can rest at ease knowing that it will be no different in 2020 and beyond.  It is exciting and encouraging to see all the stories coming in every day, from BBFI missionaries, of people being saved and lives being changed all over the world in the midst of these unprecedented times. 

Over the past month, we have been asked many times what all of this means for our new BBFI Missions program, Beyond Borders.  Let’s face it, it’s hard to implement a program based on resources, events and short-term missions when gathering restrictions across the country limit the number of people that can come together for an event and international travel is, at best, at a standstill.  While we certainly admit there are a lot of challenges and unknowns at this point, we are also excited because God always opens doors of opportunities for us to walk through.  For the past two years, our Beyond Borders Leadership Team has discussed ways to bring new mission resources and experiences to BBFI student ministries and churches across the US.  While we did not know the gravity of what was coming, we believe that God placed this desire in our hearts that allowed us to begin preparing for this very moment.  Through a variety of upcoming, new digital resources, DIY mission opportunities for student ministry and a brand new website that will allow us to continue to deliver an ongoing stream of innovative resources, we will continue with the mission of engaging churches and individuals with Great Commission opportunities while, at the same time, planning for future Beyond Borders mission trips and events.

While we are living through these very challenging days, it is vital that all of us continue to look for opportunities to get involved in taking the gospel to the nations.  We have had to evaluate and adjust what that looks like for Beyond Borders.  What about you? How are you going to be involved?  Will you find new ways to personally share the gospel with those around you?  Will you pray for your missionaries?  Will you pray for God to call more people to serve on the mission field?  Will you give so others can go?  Will you surrender to the call of God in your life to be a missionary?  Whatever role God is calling you to, you can know that the BBFI Mission Office is here to assist and serve you as you continue to carry out the Great Commission with your life. 

-by Craig Stevenson, BBFI Associate Mission Director