Aug 30, 2020
Andy Samuels, Chief Executive Director
SDB Missionary Society
Before the current pandemic curtailed our travel, the Missionary Society, over the past Conference year, through its directors and other missionaries, was able to visit and share ministry in several countries. They included:
Bangladesh
This is a new field for Seventh Day Baptists. A family of solid believers forms the foundation of this ministry. They had stepped out in faith to do ministry to children, and such ministry opened many doors for them, into neighboring villages with opportunities to minister to people of Hindu background primarily. When our missionaries went there, the field was indeed ripe and ready for harvest. Since the visit, a home church has begun, and the potential for others is promising.
Burundi
This country has 54 Seventh Day Baptist Churches and a large following of saints who serve the Lord under generally difficult conditions. As a result of demanding government regulations, some of their church buildings had to be closed, and others improved. The re-opening of the buildings will require financial resources. Our mission team preached, taught, and trained in spiritual leadership. In one service they ministered to a crowd of close to 1,500 people. Another tremendous blessing was to share in a baptism of 65 people.
Cuba
Our missionaries were able to share in the dedication of the first Seventh Day Baptist Church in Cuba, in a small town called Emilia. The church is reaching out into its community, and the Pastor is committed to discipling those who express a willingness to follow Jesus. Since the onslaught of COVID-19, through the internet and technology, the pastor is also able to minister to others in a wider geographic area. Prayers are needed as they work on the process of registering their church with the government.
Ethiopia
Our ministry in Ethiopia is primarily done by South Sudanese people to South Sudanese people. They left their homeland because of civil unrest and fled to neighboring Ethiopia, where they are trying to make it as refugees. New areas of ministry were visited by our missionaries and special services were conducted where the Gospel was preached and women and children were ministered to.
Ghana
Ministry in Ghana through our missionaries involved preaching and teaching, conducting baby dedications, and visiting orphanages and medical facilities. Much joy was brought to the people, and they are optimistic about the future of SDBs, with plans in place for constructing church buildings and engaging in other outreach activities.
India
Two areas were visited; Manipur and Andhra Pradesh. In Manipur, the SDBs are all Burmese refugees who crossed the border from Myanmar into India and settled there. They do their best to be faithful in ministry, and feel the strong need to have a church building of their own, as well as a vehicle to help with ministry activities. In Andhra Pradesh, there are nine Seventh Day Baptist Churches, and they serve the Lord in humble and difficult circumstances. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have received reports of suicide in two families. In one case, three family members suffered that tragic fate, leaving a 10-year-old girl as an orphan. Prayers and financial support are needed for that little girl who has now been unexpectedly added to a family from her church.
Rwanda
SDBs are among the survivors of the tragic genocide of the 1990s. They have been rebuilding their lives and their churches, holding fervently on to their faith in the Lord. Our mission team dispensed encouragement to them in large doses, and reminded them of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. Of particular interest was a technical school which was being used to teach young adults in a variety of practical skills.
Tanzania
Many evidences of the hand of the Lord were seen as our missionaries extended themselves to minister with the Tanzanians in a variety of ways including teaching and preaching, distribution of Bibles, and sharing in baptisms. Especially appreciated were specific ministries to women and children, whose particular needs and concerns can sometimes so easily be overlooked. A church building was erected and our mission team had been integrally involved in that project from start to finish.
United Kingdom
A brief trip was made to the oldest Seventh Day Baptist Church in the world: the Mill Yard Church in London, England. It was good for a mission team to connect with our British brethren. The congregation there continues to navigate the task of reaching out to a melting pot population in that large metropolitan city.
