We sure find ourselves in interesting, challenging days. In January, I would have never thought I would be seeing what is happening around the world and in our country. As I watch the news while going through this pandemic, there is much speculation about the development of a vaccine for COVID-19. It’s as if once that happens, then everyone will be safe, and life will return to normal. However, there is no guarantee of a vaccine. We have much better news to share than any vaccine. It is an eternal, life-saving message of Jesus and His cross. Our message is one of repentance and faith – faith in what Christ has already done on the cross and the power of His resurrection.

Following are some important dates to remember and pray for.

• Approvals for those who were to be approved in May will now be on Friday, July 17. Three families and one couple will be presented for approval.
• Advanced Mission Training. July 20-24 will be our training week (formerly known as Candidate School). Pray for the new missionaries during this intense week of training.
• Missionary Family Reunion in Branson will be June 14-18, 2021. I hope you will plan on attending if you will be in the US at that time. We missed having the Reunion this year.
• September Fellowship Meeting is scheduled for September 14-16. We will have three families approved at that meeting. We are still waiting to hear a confirmation on the meeting. The decision about whether to have the meeting or not will be made by the pastors on July 27, 2020.
• The Mission Office will be closed, Friday, July 3 to celebrate Independence Day, which is the next day on the Fourth of July (if our country will still celebrate that day) We live in sad days for sure.

So far, we have had less than four missionaries test positive for the Coronavirus that we have been made aware of. Let’s keep praying for each other and take all the safety precautions necessary. Some places in the world are becoming hotspots and even some places in the US are seeing more cases. We need to take it seriously and yet keep doing what we can to serve the Lord.

Our new Children’s Mission Curriculum, Kidz4Missionz, is now available to order. The first year focused on Africa. The new curriculum focuses on Latin America. There are two packages to choose from — basic and premium which are available in either print or digital format. Everything about this curriculum is first-class quality and includes a teacher’s guide, student workbook, videos, and other items. Here is what you can do to help promote missions to the kids in our churches. If you are on furlough, notify Jill Wolf, jill@bbfimissions.com, and she will send you some referral cards to give to children’s ministry leaders in the churches you visit. Be sure you put your name on the cards as you hand them out. For each referral that we receive that mentions your name, we will give you a discount code to purchase items from our new online store. There are some neat items there to purchase. We will give you a $10 discount code for each basic kit ordered and a $25 discount code for each premium kit ordered. Build up your discounts by giving out many cards and be sure to ask them to mention your name when ordering.  

Check out our newly updated website – www.bbfimissions.com. I think you will find it to be very user-friendly and attractive – especially to those who are interested in becoming missionaries and looking for helpful resources. Promote it wherever you go!

We have a new person who joined our staff recently. Kim Williams is taking the place of Crysta Harris. Crysta and her husband have taken a position on staff at a church in Arkansas. Kim and her husband, Jonathan, were BBFI missionaries until returning home in 2012. Kim will be working with Craig Stevenson in recruiting and she will work with all the new missionaries through the application process. She will also be helping me with the training week in July. Please write her and welcome her to the team at Kim@bbfimissions.com.

Through this pandemic, and throughout this crazy world, we see that God’s Word and His mission continues to advance, not in spite of these challenges but because of them. It is through the Holy Spirit’s leading and with God’s power that we can overcome every circumstance. It is just like when Moses was placed in a basket, when Paul climbed in a basket to escape, or when Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt. God’s mission was advanced. It was not prevented.

Missionaries all over the world continue to press forward in sharing the gospel and I thank the Lord for each one of you. We, at the Mission Office, stand with and pray for you every day!

Jon Konnerup

CLICK HERE to hear more!