I returned late last night from the Southern Baptist Convention in Greensboro, N.C.   As a Southern Baptist Church we make the decision to cooperate with 43,000 other churches to support the cause of missions around the world. In Southern Baptist life the highest authority is the local church.  It provides us with opportunities to participate in missions in so many different ways.
When you support the ministry of our church with your tithes and offerings you have a part in all that we do as Southern Baptists.  The SBC has been a powerful force for evangelism around the world but it is not without its challenges.  Like all denominations, it has a tendency to be bureaucratic and slow moving.  That is why it is so important to stay focused on what we are doing as a local church.  We are not controlled by our denomination.  It is supposed to be a resource for us. 
In September we will be hosting a commissioning service for missionaries that will be serving around the world.  We will also be holding a conference for churches that would like to be involved in East Asia.  This will all be at the same time as our missions conference.  We are not only committed to doing missions but helping others do missions also.  We have the responsibility to help other churches as well.
What we do as a church on a daily basis makes a difference.  What will you do today to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ?  Don’t lose that opportunity.
By the way, Our choir and orchestra played a major part in leading the worship of the convention.  This is an honor and it reflects the confidence that leaders in our convention have in Mickey and our music ministry.  They did a great job you would have been very proud of them just as I was.