MISSIONS CONFERENCE CHALLENGES BCF COMMUNITY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 8, 2010

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The Baptist College of Florida's (BCF) President, Thomas A. Kinchen, opened an inspiring week of special chapel services Monday, March 22 by introducing the guest speaker for this year's Missions Conference, Dr. Gary Crawford, pastor of Westside Baptist Church in Gainesville. Crawford, whose church epitomizes global missions involvement, was described by Kinchen as "A man I'll drive 200 miles to have a cup of coffee and pray with."

Crawford filled the pulpit for the conference Monday through Wednesday in the historic R.G. Lee Chapel, where students enjoyed exhilarating worship services led by BCF graduate Daniel Morris, who also serves at Westside Baptist Church.

The theme for this year's conference was "The Great Commission: We Take It Personally." In Monday's message, Crawford dove into that theme when he taught about the changes God's love requires of us if we are to reach the lost. "When we love God we will love what he loves, and what he loves more than anything else is people," said Crawford, "This is the very heart of missions." To love as God loves, Crawford emphasized three changes that have to take place in the heart of every believer: a change of attitude, a change of understanding, and finally a change of commitment. "Our commitments should not be about what we want, but what lost people need," stated Crawford.

During the second day of the Missions Conference, Crawford presented President Kinchen with a colorful painting by a Brazilian artist for display in the new Missions and Evangelism Center currently under construction on the Graceville Campus. In his sermon, Crawford challenged students and faculty members by saying, "God is not the hesitant one; we are." According to Crawford, it is not a matter of if we should be a missionary, but rather where we should serve.

Throughout the week missionaries from all over the globe, representing a multitude of organizations and agencies, manned informational exhibit booths set up in the BCF Student Center for everyone to visit. Those missionaries were given the opportunity to share with classes about their experiences while working where God has led them to serve. David Williams, representing the North American Mission Board, told BCF Professor of Theology Robin Jumper's Personal Evangelism class that he often notes how unglamorous his presentations must appear against those of foreign missionaries. But he knows that the Lord is still calling missionaries to meet the great need in our own nation for the Gospel. "In the Southern U.S., there is a Southern Baptist church for every 1200 people," Williams explained. "But in the region between Washington, D.C., and the Canadian border, there is only one Southern Baptist Church for every 122,000 people." Such staggering statistics made Williams reiterate Crawford's message. "The Great Commission means making disciples in all the world. Whether God calls us to home missions or the foreign field, the important thing is to be obedient and go!"

Crawford declared in his final sermon that when God calls us He also equips us. Wycliffe representative and BCF graduate Tim Hale addressed multiple classes during the week, sharing how God was using committed believers to provide the Word of God in every language across the globe. By providing translations of the Bible, others are further equipped to make the Great Commission a reality.

BCF provides vast opportunities for students to get involved with missions here in Graceville, across the United States, and around the world. Known for living its registered trademark, "Changing the World Through the Unchanging Word®," BCF is focused on spreading the Gospel every way possible. "I am excited about where this school is headed with missions, and thoroughly enjoyed my time with the students," said Hale.

By hosting conferences and opening its doors for representatives from the North American Mission Board (NAMB), the Florida Baptist Convention (FBC), the International Mission Board (IMB), Global Youth Ministries, Wycliffe, Chipola Family Ministries, Chipola Association, Holmes County Association, West Florida Association, Westside Baptist Church of Gainesville, Amazon Vision Ministries, Panama City Seafarer Ministry, Panama City Rescue Mission and Global Outreach Mission, BCF is exposing students to the means of reaching the uttermost parts of the world.

Championing the personal commitment to missions through the conference, students are better prepared mentally to answer the call where the Lord would have them serve. Crawford acknowledged BCF's wonderful educational system and further stated that, "There is no substitute for a passionate heart for Christ. If this school continues to produce students with such passionate hearts for Christ, then it will continue to serve the Kingdom well."

By the end of the conference, 62 individuals had made some type of commitment to follow Christ in missions. Personal decisions ranged from a promise to pray daily for mission endeavors, to seeking short term mission opportunities and committing their entire lives to serve on the mission field.

For more information about upcoming conferences or mission opportunities, please call 800-328-2660 ext. 460.