CEE Story From The Mission Field
Arkansas Summit Creates, Strengthens Bonds to CEE
May 18, 2008
By Karen Pearce
Participants came looking for strategic places to plug into missions. Missionaries came to find new partners for their work. Members of both groups left with a vision for what God is continuing to do in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).
April’s Volunteer Summit, hosted by First Baptist Church of Sherwood, Ark., was one of the best-attended mobilization events CEE leadership has sponsored. Bob Fielding, Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) coordinator for partnership missions and chaplaincy, commented on the success of the effort.
“God truly did a work at this meeting,” he said. “New relationships were forged between CEE missionaries and Arkansas Baptists, and current relationships were strengthened.”
The bond between Arkansas churches and CEE is well established. Robby Tingle, ABSC mission ministries team leader, spoke to the group about how Arkansas Baptists previously have partnered with CEE missionaries to make an everlasting impact. He said because of their volunteer involvement, many people from CEE countries will be worshipping God in eternity.
Encouraging the group to give, pray and go, he said, “Allow God to use you—the ABSC will come alongside you, to partner with you and to help make a difference, so you can be about what God has called you to do.”
During the Summit hallway meetings abounded concerning the most urgent needs in CEE. As the 250 participants attended workshops and heard the stories of unreached people groups, their hearts were stirred to action. One teary-eyed participant has already committed to mission service but needs to lose weight to pass the physical requirements required by the Board.
"The inspiration I got here was just what I needed,” she said. “God just gave me a treadmill recently—I'm going to walk my way to Russia!”
Leadership from each of the four CEE fields presented the needs of their people, while missionaries who claim Arkansas as their home appealed to their fellow statesmen to listen to God’s call. Breakout sessions focused on topics including strategic volunteering, reaching the Muslims of CEE, reaching the Roma of CEE, prayer, plugging students into missions, using media in missions, reaching Orthodox peoples, funding strategic missions involvement and more. A specific training event was held for those interested in filling the role of a virtual strategy coordinator.
The urgency of reaching CEE for Christ is at an all-time high due to tightening government restrictions in many areas. However, Regional Leader Rodney Hammer generated hope by reminding the group that the door is never closed to Christ.
“It’s not totally hopeless, because nothing is impossible with God,” he said. “We need to do whatever it takes for the people to have exposure to the Gospel ... to respond and to be a part of a healthy, multiplying church.”
Hammer said the region needs accountants, mentors, mission mobilizers and trainers. The field’s personnel are also seeking young adults and students.
“We are looking for church planters,” he said, challenging pastors, staff members, directors of missions and others who have already planted a church to consider joining the CEE team.
If you want to find out more about how you can also partner with CEE, click here.
Lisa Watson contributed to this story