by Jon Konnerup
I was visiting with Jun Lumagbas in a Starbucks in Cebu, Philippines. Jun is the associate pastor of Bible Baptist Church — Cebu. When I shared an idea I had been praying about, he said he had been thinking the same thing. The idea was to have an international global meeting outside the United States organized cooperatively by U.S. and international Baptist Bible Fellowship leaders.
While visiting our missionaries and national leaders around the world, this same desire to be truly “international” has been expressed. So I brought this idea to the leaders of the BBFI-USA and they also expressed excitement for a meeting where we celebrate what God has done around the world for nearly 60 years — but this time outside the U.S.
We have established a planning committee of international leaders and set the meeting in Cebu, Philippines, for February 21-24, 2011. Cebu is right for many reasons. The missionary effort of the Filipino churches has been amazing. One of our great missionaries, Bob Hughes, ministered in Cebu where a thriving church continues under the leadership of Armie Jesalva. They are well able to host such a meeting and many missionaries and churches in the Philippines would be able to participate. Transportation to and in Cebu is accessible. The cost for accommodations is very reasonable.
Excitement is already growing in many countries as they look forward to attending this historic meeting. We anticipate pastors, missionaries, and national leaders from the USA, Africa, Latin America, Europe, Asia, the South Pacific, Australia, and the Middle East to be in attendance to celebrate God’s work through the BBFI.
Churches in America are already talking about sending their pastor and his wife. Others are planning to send the entire staff, and some plan to make it a mission trip for their church. Wouldn’t it be great if every state would send their chairman or national director? Some suggest that states raise funds to send a national pastor from another part of the world. For that national pastor to meet other pastors in various countries with ties back to the BBFI would give him the understanding that he is part of something greater. What a joy it will be to see and meet missionaries who can trace their faith to early BBFI missionaries sent from the USA.
Our desire is to see the nations rejoice for God’s glorious gift — Jesus Christ. We want to celebrate and praise God for what He has done over the past 60 years and renew our vision for the future with the intent of coordinating our efforts from every nation to reach out to all the people of the world with the gospel.
The Mission Office will set up travel packages from several locations in the USA. Accommodations are being reserved at this time in Cebu. Costs will be provided as soon as we can get some confirmations. Plan now for Cebu, Philippines, in February 21-24, 2011!