Keeping the Mission in Focus

Limestone walls of San Antonio’s Mission Conceptión were erected in 1731 by native workers and European craftsmen with the express purpose of bringing Christianity to this part of the “new world.”  Today, descendants of those early converts still worship there.

InFaith’s Refocus was a different kind of “Mission Trip” Caroline and I were blessed to attend InFaith’s Refocus conference last week just outside San Antonio, Texas, along with nearly 200 InFaith missionaries, chaplains, staff, spouses and many of their children.  In addition to the conference, with inspiring times of worship, teaching and loving fellowship, we also took the opportunity to visit “the Alamo” and a few other of the first outposts of Christianity in what is now the Southwest US.  These first mission churches weren’t huge in population.  For example, San Antonio’s Mission Conceptión housed around 300 at its peak and had dropped to only a few dozen native residents 60 years later.  But even today, a small congregation gathers there each week to sing God’s praises, learn His word, and share His love…which makes me wonder: What might God’s plan be for the mission churches in northwest Oregon in the next three centuries?

Refocus keynote speaker Pastor Rich Cundall encouraged us to remember how God introduced himself in Exodus 34 as “I am” who is both compassionate and righteous.  Cundall is pastor of Hessel Church in Sebastapol, California and a member of the InFaith board of trustees.  Refocus was a wonderful opportunity for leaders of the multiple ministries of InFaith to gather and reflect upon how we will be serving Jesus through this mission in the years ahead. 

NWxNW Fellowship Wednesday, April 26th
Columbia Bible Church (Rainier) will host the April NWxNW church leaders’ fellowship this Wednesday, April 26 from 4-6 PM.  We are praying that the change to an afternoon gathering will allow more churches to be represented as we share what the Lord is doing in our communities and pray for His blessing on the ministries to which we have been called.

Sandy Fellowship Breakfast Wednesday, April 19
Thanks to Pastor Steven Boyle for helping set up this month’s Sandy Area Fellowship Breakfast in my absence last Wednesday.  From the photo Steven sent, it looks like at least five churches were represented, including Eastmont Bible Church, The Church on the Mountain, Woodland Park Chapel, Dover Community Church and Columbia Community Bible Church.  Next month’s Sandy area gathering is May 17.

May our gracious Lord bless and empower you for His service!
Tom Hiscox, NW Oregon Area Missionary  www.nworinfaith.org