God meets the needs of BMA Global each year, particularly through your support of the Jerry Kidd Missions Offering (JKMO). This annual giving campaign is vital because it provides almost 20% of our annual expenses. The JKMO is named for a man who loves missionaries, and, even in his retirement, he keeps up with all of them, both past and present. BMA Global’s purpose is to love and care for our missionaries well, and this offering helps equip them in the fight for lost souls. Here are some stories from some of the areas where BMA Global is sharing the gospel:
• Middle East — With a large number of Muslims in the Middle East, those who serve this people group are careful not to attack Islam. Doing so only creates barriers to understanding and accepting the gospel. But there is one “language” that breaks those barriers — showing the genuine love and care Christ had for people during His earthly ministry. This is a love that touches people where they hurt. This is the language they speak as they minister to Muslims, even when it’s obvious they’re attending church and making professions of faith just to receive something in return. Middle East Coordinator Charlie Costa shared, “In a volatile area such as the Middle East, our strategy is to stay in the thick and thin of circumstances. We accept war and conflict as one of the realities of the region, and, as bad as war is, we also consider it a great opportunity to spread the gospel in times of trouble. Grace has risks and takes risks.”
Pray that the Holy Spirit will touch the hearts of Muslims to genuinely commit their lives to Christ. Pray that missionaries, ChangeMakers and churches in the Middle East will continue being called to plant the seed, water the seed, then see growth and fruit through the Holy Spirit’s work.
• Africa and South America — Most of their countries in Africa and South America have emerging economies and are struggling with where they stand politically. Are they socialists or capitalists? But what they have most in common is religion. Africa and South America Regional Coordinator Johnmichael Poulin shared, “While there are many Catholics, particularly in South America, that’s in name only, not in practice. The truth is that both continents are steeped in animistic beliefs. Both include witch doctors who believe they must appease their gods, and are trying to find gods they can control. This creates all kinds of barriers to the gospel. But God is faithful, and the gospel is breaking through their animistic culture.”
BMA Global has a rich history in both continents, South America being one of the first fields the BMA went into. They have established churches and associations and are beginning to send missionaries, but the greatest need is pastors and pastor training, especially in sound theology.
Sunday, Feb. 25, is the official date of the JKMO, but feel free to schedule it any day that works for your church. We have free promotional resources and a pastor’s polo available at the BMA Global website (bmamissions.org/jerrykiddmissionsoffering). From there, you can register and order materials online.
Can you help further the reach of the gospel around the world by giving to this special offering? Give through your church or online at tiny.cc/JKMO.
