September was a busy and encouraging month. I had the opportunity to be in several churches presenting missions and attended the National Fellowship Meeting in Boston. It was especially exciting to see Mason and Brianna Hillger approved to serve in Canada. We are grateful for God’s call on their lives and look forward to seeing how He will use them.

Several members of our office team attended Global Focus Week at Liberty University. They had the opportunity to connect with students who may be considering missions and encourage our MKs who are attending Liberty. Please pray that God will use that week to call more young people into His service.

October will be another busy month. I have the privilege of being in several churches to encourage them with missions. We will also be leading our annual World Mission Forum (Missions Emphasis) at Mission University. Would you pray especially for the students as God works in their hearts? Each year, we see some students respond to God’s leading by changing their major to missions. Pray that they will be sensitive and obedient to whatever God is asking them to do.

I also have several international trips planned for October and November. I would appreciate your prayers for safety, health, and effectiveness as I travel. More than anything, I want to be an encouragement and a blessing to the missionaries and national leaders I have the opportunity to visit and meet with.

Have you heard about our 938 podcasts? We regularly interview missionaries who come through our office and share stories about what God is doing around the world. It is truly amazing to hear what God is accomplishing through our missionaries and the ministries He has entrusted to them. You can find the latest episodes on our YouTube channel, BBFImissions. Or go to https://www.youtube.com/@bbfimissions.

We are also excited that our first missionary couple has now moved into one of the new retirement apartments, and several more will be moving in soon. Other missionaries are making use of our longer-term rental apartments as well. It is a joy to see these facilities becoming a practical blessing to our missionaries.

We are building an outdoor pavilion that will include a grill and a fire feature. I think it will become a wonderful gathering place for missionaries, pastors, and the Mission Office. We have already had youth groups, pastor meetings, wedding anniversary celebrations, college groups, and missionary luncheons use our Event Center, and we have an upcoming kids’ ministry event as well. It is exciting to see these facilities being used to encourage and serve others.

We are certainly living in interesting times. There are many changes, concerns, challenges, and even persecution taking place around the world. These things look different depending on where you serve the Lord, but I regularly hear from missionaries who are facing difficult circumstances.

If you are going through a time of suffering for righteousness’ sake, I want to encourage you to take heart. Our Lord understands. He experienced suffering Himself, and He knows how difficult these seasons can be. He knows your heart, He knows your circumstances, and He is able to minister His abundant grace to you.

Remember the words of our Lord: “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” What a privilege it is to suffer for the One who gave everything for us. May we remain faithful, knowing that our labor and our suffering for Christ are never in vain.

You are always in our prayers, and we are grateful for you and the ministry God has given to you.

Your friend,

Jon Konnerup