309 - Recognition of USA as Missions Field

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Revised as 309A and Adopted

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Comments

[Chadwick Anderson]

Do we really need to note that the United States of America is contained within the "globally" concept?

[Curtis Turner]

We received the concept in college that "every Christian is a missionary and every non-Christian a mission field." I believe that historically we have been so concerned about world evangelization that we have forgotten our immediate home base. Such ideas are fostered by such organizations as the "Young People's Missionary Society" and "Christian Youth Crusaders" which evolved into "Free Methodist Youth." I believe that the Free Methodist Church has it about right now with our emphasis on personal relationships first, i.e. "One More Soul," then the wider concerns manifest through VISA short term service, and then perhaps career missions abroad. A measure of our personal and corporate effectiveness must be gaged first by how we affect our communities and personal witnessing contacts. . . basically, our personal Jerusalems.

I think we need to remember that the Kingdom of God is like yeast. If we are obedient in the small things, God will enlarge our areas as the "Prayer of Jabez" states.