Dear Friends,
Earlier this month at the January Missions Encounter, we heard from two speakers who challenged and encouraged us with reports of what the Lord is doing in bringing the nations to himself. First we heard remarkable stories of new churches planted and growing in Turkey, many in places without any known believers until recent years. It was amazing to see the decades-long progression of the work of foreign missionaries from Chicagoland assemblies (some in the 1960s!) to the Turkish church’s joyful duty of reaching both their own and immigrants from neighboring countries for Christ. Lastly, we were inspired by the potential for gospel impact in the Chicago-area among international students coming from some of the most unreached nations on earth. These are exciting times as the Lord builds his church and calls his people to engage with the unreached both near and far!
The February Missions Encounter will be held at Bethany Chapel in Wheaton on Saturday, February 10 at 6:30pm. You will not want to miss Shahbaz Masih sharing about the work he and his wife Silvia have seen in reaching Pakistanis for Christ. Both natives of Pakistan, they are currently in Chicago while they study at Trinity International University.
Steve Hawthorne will be also be speaking about his 30+ years experience with medical missions in Bolivia, and the opportunities he and his wife Mary now have in mobilizing new medical workers to the field.
If you have never been to a Missions Encounter, or have not in a while, come check it out! An important focus of Missionary Study Class is challenging the next generation to take up the mantel of gospel proclamation and church planting, both in “going” and “sending”. How can you encourage a younger person at your assembly to be a part of the Lord’s work to the nations?
Annual Conference Mark your calendar if you have not already for the 2024 Missions Conference at Lombard Gospel Chapel, March 8th & 9th. The event will kick off with a middle school & high school gathering on Friday at 7PM with pizza, volleyball, and a message from Luca Drago. Saturday will feature Terry Wilson of Everyday Publications Inc. EPI is celebrating 60 years of this worldwide ministry of teaching the Word of God in simple, understandable languages. We are in for a treat with dinner ANDlive music from the Emmaus Bible College Choir.
New Leadership Vacancies Lou Suraino and Bill Carrera are stepping down from their leadership roles in April. The Lord has been gracious to this organization in providing such dedicated and trusted guys who have been faithful supporters of missions for many decades. We are looking for committed people to serve in the offices of president, vice president, and treasurer who would like to see this organization thrive and grow. Please talk to your assembly’s elders or a CMSC representative for more information.
The Chicago Missionary Study Class exists to support commended missionaries from Chicagoland assemblies with:
1. Prayer and financial gifts for 47 missionary families serving around the world
2. Monthly Missions Encounter events hosted by local assemblies
3. Annual CMSC Missions Conference
4. Support and encouragement of short-term mission trips for young people
5. Operating Chicago Missionary Guest Apartments in Glen Ellyn, Illinois
