-by Steve Bender, Associate Mission Director

For the Baptist Bible Fellowship Mission Office, Missionary Care is not something that starts and stops with the normal workday.  It is not something we think about only when we view the international news, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any form of media.  Missionary Care is something that constantly permeates our thoughts and moves our hearts as we consider the dangers and trials faced by God’s men and women around the world.

Satan attacks adult missionaries and their children in the same ways he attacks any other person. However, sometimes those attacks and trials are intensified on the mission field.  In the past few months we have seen several missionary families that needed to evacuate their country for a period of time due to civil unrest that led to rampant violence, murders, roadblocks, looting and sincere concern for their personal safety. Missionaries have been  followed and robbed after completing banking transactions, not once but twice.  Missionaries have fallen victim to “express kidnappings”, being kidnapped and held for the express purpose of getting funds from their bank account via ATM withdrawals.  Fortunately, these missionaries were released physically unharmed, but much damage was done emotionally that will take time to recover. There are missionaries operating in countries that are “hostile” to the gospel making their very existence a matter of constant prayer.  Compound these issues with those Satan targets against family relationships trying to destroy the foundations and we fight a great battle.  However, we know, as the Apostle Paul stated, “…we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  This reminder drives us to adorn ourselves with our spiritual armor and to our knees in prayer for our missionaries.

Often times physical help is needed by our missionaries and this is why the Missionary Care Offering is vital.  The Missionary Care Offering enables the Mission Office to act in concert with the missionary’s sending church and, when needed, respond immediately to the missionary’s emergency need.  Without consistent monthly and one time financial investments made by donors, this all-important care to your missionaries might not be possible.  Each year an appeal is made to supporters of BBFI missions and missionaries asking them to consider this worthy investment of funds to help ensure your missionaries are ministered to in caring for them.  If you would like to invest in this ministry of care, donations may be marked “Missionary Care Offering” and sent to PO Box 191, Springfield Missouri 65801.