The Lord's church in Katy now provides full support for twelve Mexican workers in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi and three in the state of Nuevo Leon. Our support of brother Ed Wharton, who teaches at the Sunset International Bible Institute, will continue in the new year.
Other special “one time” contributions are planned for men in other places (please see the following pages). As in previous years, requests from numerous mission and benevolence sources were supplied by funds made available by our special outreach contributions, and we expect that to continue in the coming year. In 2008 we plan to assist with another large scaled evangelistic campaign in the Dalias/Trojes area of San Luis Potosi. Another summer mission trip for our older teenagers is planned for the summer of 2008. This mission trip is being planned for the city of San Luis Potosi (this could change as the year goes forward, but this is our planned destination as of this writing). An eighth mission trip which will involve more of our young people is being planned to assist the church in New Iberia, Louisiana. From the special outreach funds we are able to assist many of our own college aged young people in mission trips throughout the world.
As an example of some of the opportunities answered by the money contributed to the special outreach fund we mention the following: assistance for several individuals participating in mission trips, Bible school materials for Mexico, Elders In Every Church seminar hosted by Katy church, communion supplies for Mexico, assistance for tornado victims in Eagle Pass and Piedras Negras, World Bible School materials, assisting with rental payment for the venue of the M.S.O.P. graduation. We also provide the monthly support for two missionary preachers from this fund.
By means of four special outreach contributions each year our ability to answer great needs has increased in a very positive way. Our Foreign Missions Committee is constantly receiving and evaluating requests for aid throughout the world. Because money is made available in the special outreach contributions and dedicated for missions and benevolence, many of those requests can be answered with financial help.
In 2007 our special outreach contributions amounted to a total of $77,596.00. These funds were used to support numerous works not presently included in our regular missions budget. 2008 dates for our special contributions are:
The goal for our special outreach contributions in 2008 is $79,800.00. The church here has responded to these special opportunities to support mission and benevolent work in an overwhelming manner. From the 1996 Three Year Plan comes this explanation:
The church at Katy has joined enthusiastically to support an expansion of the foreign missions and other evangelism goals. Much of this is facilitated by the "Special Contributions" scheduled four times in each year. On designated Sundays, members are asked to bring TWO contribution checks. One for the regular collection and another for a second collection that will be used directly for our goals of missions, evangelism, and benevolence. Our theme over the years of these special collections has been "Double, Or More".
The elders ask us to consider, plan and pray for the four special contributions. Remember, everything contributed in the four special contributions goes directly to missions and benevolence!
ED WHARTON - Brother Wharton is a teacher in the Sunset International Bible Institute. His work in training preachers, here and abroad, is a vital work in which we are happy to have a part.
MONTERREY SCHOOL OF PREACHING - We plan to continue full-time support of two students at this school of preaching in 2006. The Monterrey School of Preaching has provided a sound Bible education for men whom we support in Mexico. From our special outreach contributions we also provide small, monthly supplemental support for the single students at the school. Our preacher, brother Cecil Hutson, teaches a one week mini course in the school each year. The importance of the school to the Lord’s work in Mexico causes us to work toward greater involvement with the Monterrey School of Preaching.
MEXICO SUMMER YOUTH MISSION TRIP - Each year a summer trip is planned for evangelism and service. For seven years our older high school students have worked in Mexico. Our 2007 summer mission trip will take us again to the city of San Luis Potosi where it is planned that we will assist two churches with the construction of church buildings.
NEW IBERIA, LOUISIANA MISSION TRIP - For several years our younger teens have assisted in a vacation Bible school for the church in New Iberia, Louisiana. This work also involves a number of our adults who assist in various activities.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL FUND - Each year we allocate some funds from our special outreach contributions for the emergency/medical needs of our missionaries and others. Medical and benevolent help for several in Mexico and Katy has come from this fund in the past year.
SPECIAL REQUESTS - Numerous requests for missionary and benevolent assistance come to us each year. We have attempted to respond to those requests when possible and give priority to requests which have some association with members and former members of the Katy church. When our college young people participate in mission trips with their university groups, we are able to assist with expenses with funds from our special outreach contributions.
WORLD BIBLE SCHOOL - Several of our Katy members are involved with the World Bible School program, and it is our desire to continue to assist with this work.
RENT ASSISTANCE WITH MEETING PLACES (MEXICO) - To help with the work of new congregations in Mexico we provide assistance with payment of rent for the places where the churches meet. This year our assistance for payment of building rent continues to be reduced as the churches there begin to grow to the point that they can absorb some of this expense.
BENEVOLENCE REQUESTS (MEXICO, AND ELSEWHERE) - Each year we have many requests for assistance with physical and medical needs of people in the Katy area and in Mexico. Although we have funds in our regular budget for such requests, our expenses usually exceed the amount budgeted. By adding this category to our special outreach fund we are able to expand this assistance.
DAVID ADKINS - Brother David Adkins and his family have worked with churches in Australia for many years. A few years ago, David’s support from U. S. churches concluded, and he was unable to travel here to seek renewed support. While he and his wife are working at secular jobs in order to support themselves, David continues to preach in Melbourne. Associated with his work are various expenses with which we hope to assist.
LIONEL CORTEZ - Brother Lionel Cortez is a well known, faithful teacher and preacher who works with Spanish speaking churches in Mexico and the United States. Much of his day to day work involves translating into Spanish some of the excellent English language commentaries and study helps. Our support will help him continue that invaluable work.
TRAVEL EXPENSES - In order to be effective in our work with preachers and churches in Mexico it is necessary to travel there from time to time. One of the important trips is the January conference we have with all of our Mexican workers. Although a large portion of the necessary travel funds is found in our regular budget, there are other unbudgeted travel related expenses which involve our work in Mexico.