By Maggie Walsh
The Alabama Baptist
In 1803, Thomas Jefferson made a real estate purchase — the Louisiana Purchase,” said Rick Lance in his report to convention messengers as executive director of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions (SBOM).
“Right after that Jefferson decided he wanted someone to look at what he bought, so he sent Lewis and Clark on a mission,” he said. “It was a mission not only to explore his land, but to go beyond that to the West Coast to see what is out there.”
Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark on a mission, Lance said, much like Jesus sends each of us. After all, Lewis and Clark had vague maps but they didn’t know what the future held. In the same way, believers may know the next step to take, but they can’t see the whole picture.
Every generation since the 12 disciples — who were a “ragtag group” — have been “overwhelmed and overcome by the massive mandate to be sent here, there and everywhere,” Lance said. And rightfully so, as it’s a big undertaking with eternal effects, which is why Lance said it’s important to start with the “here.”
“The Bible Belt is becoming increasingly more like the rest of the U.S. … We cannot abandon the ‘here’ part of being sent,” he urged.
And Alabama Baptists are striving to be faithful to this mandate, specifically in their giving.
Lance noted Alabama was the No. 1 state in Cooperative Program giving to the Southern Baptist Convention, and giving to the inaugural Myers-Mallory State Missions Offering has exceeded its 2016 goal of $750,000, nearing $800,000. These two facts are reasons to celebrate, Lance said.
‘World of difference’
“Thank you for your giving through the Cooperative Program and to special offerings,” he told messengers. “You have made a world of difference and you are making a world of difference in a world where a difference needs to be made.”
Zeroing in on the business side of his report, Lance said SBOM is looking toward its future with anticipation. SBOM will be moving to a new, 39,900-square-foot facility in Prattville by Jan. 1, 2018, a location that will “become a Great Commission Ministries Resource Center,” for Alabama Baptist churches (see story, page 4).
While all these things are a cause for rejoicing, Lance urged messengers to continue pushing forward to fulfill their sending mission.
“Today, more than ever before, may we understand here and afresh that we were sent to go by God.
“Until we’re called home or until Jesus Christ comes again, let’s look forward to the finish line because the Lord has sent us not just to start [the race], but to finish,” he said.
Lance concluded his report as the a cappella strains of the old hymn “So Send I You” echoed throughout the sanctuary: “As the Father sent Me, so send I you.”
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