Radical Mission Project Matching Fund

Shortly after we concluded our Radical sermon series, an individual in our congregation made an anonymous donation to facilitate "radical mission projects" by groups in our church. Last night the missions committee approved the criteria for the distribution of this fund. The criteria is as follows,


Objective: The purpose of this fund is to encourage and facilitate mission projects by Calvary Baptist Church groups which minister holistically to the under-reached and/or the underserved outside of our church family and beyond the Calvary campus. (A group may be a Bible Fellowship, an affinity group or a group formed solely for that purpose). The intent is to mobilize people to serve in a context beyond Calvary Life (as suggested in the radical challenge).


Nature of the fund: This fund consists of a $100,000 designated donation. Unless, there are additional donations made to this fund or budget monies directed to it, the fund will exist only as long as there is a balance in that designated account. Matching funds will be drawn from the principal balance. (This is not an endowment). The fund will match every dollar that the group contributes to the project.


Amount limits: At this point there is no minimum amount. However, it is suggested that any project requiring funds of $1500 or less can be approved by the matching fund subcommittee. Any project requiring funds over $1500 should be approved by either the pastoral staff team or the missions committee.


Geographical scope: The project can be anywhere beyond the Calvary campus; from Hidalgo County to the ends of the earth.


Definitions:


Mission project: An event or development that serves a population beyond the Calvary family, away from the Calvary campus, and has the intent to minister holistically. In other words, the ultimate purpose of the event or development is to share the message of the gospel while demonstrating the love of Christ as human needs are met. These events or developments can be a medical brigade, the provision of a water well, the construction of a home, the training of job skills, etc., etc.


Under-reached: This is any population that does not already have a strong local church for its culture and language. These may include indigenous people groups in other countries or particular cultural groups in our region.


Underserved: These are those that we sometimes refer to as “the least of these.” They include the poor, the widow, the orphan, the immigrant, the abused, etc.




Criteria:


Those receiving matching funds must meet all of the following criteria,

1. The ultimate objective of the project is to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those who are being served.
2. The project must be church-approved in one of the following ways: (1) the church identifies a project through its pastoral staff and/or missions committee or (2) the Radical mission project matching fund committee approves it as part of the application process.
3. It must meet a specific tangible need (i.e.: food, housing, water, education, medical, etc.).
4. The group must be led by a Calvary church member who is accountable for administering the funds.
5. The project must target populations beyond the Calvary family and be carried out away from the Calvary campus. This is not a benevolence fund for the Calvary family but a missions endeavor.
6. All members of the team participating in the project shall have done a group study of the book Radical by David Platt in preparation for the mission trip or project.
7. The matching funds are to be used only for actual ministry materials and supplies. It is not to be used for transportation or travel expense.

Application Process:


A Radical mission project matching fund sub-committee shall be appointed by the missions committee in consultation with the pastor liaison to the committee as follows:

1. The sub-committee will consist of three members who will serve a maximum of three years. If the fund lasts longer than two years, provision should be made for the rotation of sub-committee members.
2. Sub-committee members may be members of the missions committee but do not have to be. No more than one sub-committee member should be a member of the missions committee. All committee members must be Calvary Baptist Church members in good standing.
3. At their first meeting, the subcommittee shall elect a chair (if one has not been appointed yet) and approve the application form to be used).
4. Application forms will be provided through the missions office of Calvary Baptist Church. (Their availability should be announced via the church bulletin, website and other means). Applications will be submitted to the missions office or the chairperson of the subcommittee.
5. The subcommittee shall meet as needed to review applications and take action on them.
6. The subcommittee shall provide a monthly report to the missions committee and to the pastor liaison for the committee.

Revisions to this document may be recommended by the pastoral staff team, the matching fund sub-committee or the missions committee and be approved by the missions committee.


Additionally, the missions committee appointed Mario Samaniego as one of three that will process the applications.


I am grateful to the Lord for the donor of this fund, for the missions committee and for the stories that we will hear in the months ahead. Lives will be impacted with the love of Christ in tangible ways as we minister holistically to people beyond Calvary.


To God be the glory, great things he has done and great things He will do!

Summer Camps

I am writing this blog post from my cabin at Riverbend Retreat Center in Glen Rose, Texas. This is the third camp this summer that I have the privilege of attending and serving as the speaker. It is the first time ever that I do that many camps in one summer. It probably won't happen again in the near future. Either way, I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude for these very special opportunities.




The first camp I was honored to serve this summer was our very own children's ministry's Camp Tejas. This camp is a collaboration of Calvary Baptist Church, McAllen, First Baptist Church, Brenham, & First Baptist Church, Longview. Over 300 boys and girls attended. Many of them made professions of faith in Jesus as Savior and Lord and a significant number surrendered to God's call on their lives for vocational ministry or career missions. What a wonderful blessing!


Our very own Pastor Susan Sosebee directed this camp making sure that the children received a program of recreation, devotion, Bible Study, worship, missions & much more. Calvary parents and adult volunteers invested much on that week's experience. It is our desire that Calvary continue to provide this quality camp experience for our children. The church budget, the support of the camp fundraiser & the generosity of individuals made it possible for any child desiring to go to be able to do so. Praise God for that!






As Calvary's lead pastor I am grateful that I was able to speak to our own children and the children of the other two churches.






While some pastors get the support of their church to preach a couple of revivals a year, I had the opportunity to serve as evangelist for two other camps. I am grateful for that also!

Last week I had the privilege of speaking at a Hispanic youth camp at Mt Lebanon Baptist Encampment in Cedar Hill, Texas. About 25 churches from around the state sent their students to this 'campamento.' This year about 400 campers attended. This was an occasion with sentimental value. Ten years ago this camp was launched as an idea born in the hearts of three friends, including me. As the camp celebrated it's 10th anniversary, we saw about a dozen teenagers give their life to Christ, another 30 make rededication commitments and 28 surrendered to ministry or missions. On Wednesday afternoon we sent out all 400 to the city of Arlington to minister to children in low income apartment complexes. Several children trusted Christ during this outreach. (The 110o weather did not hold back God's blessings!) God is good!






I am the camp pastor this week for a boys (RA's) group grades 1st through 6th. It is a camp sponsored by the Tarrant Baptist Association and about a dozen churches bring their boys to it. This year there are about 260 campers, which is significantly down from previous years. So far this week there have been several boys who have trusted Christ as Savior and Lord. I look forward to the last two full days of camp tomorrow and Friday. The camp concludes Saturday morning.




As I get ready to wrap up this round of summer camps there are several things that I am mindful of:

• How significant is the support of the local church for the success of these camps.
• What an eternal impact children and youth camps can have on the lives of young ones.
• What a privilege it is to harvest the seeds that Sunday school teachers, parents and others have planted in the hearts of young people. We are so indebted to the faithful work of church members.  
• How important intercessory prayer is in children and youth ministries. I can literally feel the difference when people have been praying!
• What a great blessing it is to have adult volunteers and parents who invest a week of their summer serving as camp sponsors or leaders.

May we continue to pray for and invest in the lives of youth and children this fall and spring. Discipleship is a year long process!


I look forward with anticipation at all the things that will take place in the life of out church during the 2011-2012 year.