This Friday evening, our annual Missions Conference begins—and I want to encourage you not to treat it like just another event on the calendar. This is one of the most important weekends in the life of our church each year. Why? Because it recenters us on what we exist to do.

Jesus did not leave His church with a vague purpose. He gave us a clear commission—to go into all the world and preach the gospel. A Missions Conference is our opportunity to pause, refocus, and realign our hearts with that calling. It’s a weekend designed to renew our vision for the nations and remind us that we are part of something far bigger than ourselves.

Throughout the weekend, we will have the privilege of hearing from faithful missionaries who are serving on the front lines of gospel ministry. We are excited to welcome Mark and Yanina Perez, along with their daughter Isabella, who serve in the country of Uruguay. Uruguay is one of the more secular nations in South America, and the need for the gospel there is great. We will also hear from Vladimir and Debbie Lukyanov, who are ministering in the country of Estonia, a place where a long history of spiritual emptiness has left many without a clear understanding of the truth. These are real people, in real places, giving their lives to take the name of Christ where He is not yet known. Take time to meet them, hear their stories, and let God enlarge your heart through their burden.

On Sunday evening, we will give special attention to one of the greatest mission fields God has entrusted to us—our own school ministry. It is not separate from our missions effort; it is central to it. Every day, we have the opportunity to invest the gospel into young lives right here. That night will help us see more clearly how God is using this ministry and how it fits into the bigger picture of reaching the world.

We are also looking forward to our guest speaker, Pastor Steve Cox from Bible Baptist Church in Greenville SC. He will open God’s Word and challenge us to think deeply—and biblically—about our role in reaching the world. Come ready to listen, to be stirred, and to respond.

One of the most significant moments of the weekend will come as we make our financial commitments for the coming year. The commitment cards will be handed out every service and tallied before the weekend is over. Making these financial commitments is how we tangibly participate in global missions. Through faithful, consistent giving, we send missionaries, sustain them, and expand the reach of the gospel.

But let me say this clearly: this is not about pressure. It’s about participation. Scripture teaches that when we give, we are not losing—we are investing in eternal fruit. God uses our generosity to accomplish His purposes, to shape our hearts, and to produce thanksgiving and worship from people we may never meet this side of heaven. As you pray about your commitment this year, ask the Lord to help you give not out of obligation, but out of joy and faith.

To help us stay engaged in missions beyond just this weekend, every family in attendance will receive a special gift—a Missions Prayer Booklet. This booklet includes every missionary we support and is designed to help you pray for them in a consistent, organized way throughout the year. Our goal is not just that we would give to missions, but that we would know our missionaries and faithfully bring them before the Lord.

So come this weekend expecting God to work. And come asking the Lord to enlarge your heart for the world. Because when a church takes the Great Commission seriously, there is no telling what God might do through it.