Together this fall, we as a community of faith have been discussing how God might be calling us to participate in a mission narrative both in the nearby and far reaches of His Kingdom. The call to First Baptist Kingsville(FBK) and the legacy of response to that call is the basis of this Mission s Blog Post.
As a result of the recent Fall Members Vote, FBK has an amazing opportunity to partner in global missions with the Bolivian Baptist Union through Canadian Baptist Ministries (CBM) Serving Training Energizing Partnerships (STEP) program. Our Missions Team will now begin specifically working to engage the STEP program leadership to bring into focus exactly how and where we are called to participate alongside our partners. Some of you have been to Bolivia in the past and have firsthand knowledge of the important work that we will be supporting through our involvement with this program. Despite vast reserves of natural resources, Bolivia remains the poorest country in South America. The work that we will help to support will include:
Fighting Chagas Disease
Chagas disease is a silent killer among the poor, transmitted by an insect that thrives in adobe walls and thatched roofs. Work aims at preventative measures, providing access to medical attention and testing, to protect families from contracting the disease.
Supporting street kids and kids with parents in prison
Reaching out to vulnerable kids and teens in poverty or struggling to stay in school, to help provide social, physical, spiritual, and emotional support. Key support partners in Boliva are Casa Del Amistad and Jireh.
Supporting Pastors, Local Church Initiatives and Theological Seminary
By supporting and empowering local churches, we support building the church, training leaders, and community development projects that change individual lives as well as entire communities. This includes support for the local seminary, training women and leaders as well as supporting their families. COVID has set back missions initiatives in Bolivia by decades and ministry partners on the ground in Bolivia need our support now more than ever.
We will have lots more to share with you as this Joint FBK and CBM initiative takes shape however, in the meantime, there is important work each of you can undertake now! Prayer!!! Please be praying for the international field staff in Bolivia – Tim & Kallie Hutton, Patty Nacho, and Bill & Janice Dyck.
In His Service, The First Baptist Kingsville Missions Team.
