Connections

Ken Rhodes, Director of Missions Mobilization for the Mississippi Baptist Convention, recently conducted a Connections Conference for Agricola Baptist Church. The conference was requested by Agricola Baptist pastor, Tommy Mitchell, as a means of identifying the interests and natural connections already existing with Agricola members in North America and internationally. This was the initial step in Agricola’s discovering places the Father has already worked to put in place potential engagement.

The conference, conducted on a Sunday evening, consisted of four elements:

1. Biblical basis for a people group focus
2. Insight into vast lostness of our world
3. Dialogue with the congregation regarding existing connections

The following questions served to begin and guide dialogue:

a. What does it mean to be a missional active church?
b. Where are you already connected in the world? (Example: friendships, family, prior mission experiences, relationship with a missionary, visited or lived, an unexplained interest)
c. Which of the connections seems most natural offering real opportunity for future connections?
d. How could a focus on the connections be developed?

Agricola discovered 38 existing international connections. The conference closed with a time of commitment and the pastor sharing his vision for Agricola’s mission impact.

This was a step toward discovering the heart of the Father for a people group that Agricola can adopt.

A Southern Baptist Convention entity supported by the Cooperative Program
and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering®.
®Lottie Moon Christmas Offering is a registered trademark of Woman’s Missionary Union