Philippians 4: 4-9: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
This is the final article in the Core Values series and looks at our core value of Gospel Outreach Sustainability, a principle that allows us to continue spreading the timeless and everlasting Gospel of Salvation and the Unconditional Love of Christ in a changing and often lost world. At our core, we are dedicated to ensuring the longevity and prosperity of our organization as we work strategically to advance the Kingdom of God.
As stewards entrusted with the sustainability of the IBCM Endowment, we are called to cultivate and nurture this fund. By planting the seeds of the Gospel and supporting believers, we are fostering a thriving and generous ministry that will further the Kingdom of God into the future. We focus on nurturing future generations and cultivating the expansion of the churches and ministries we support. Our unwavering commitment is to extend the reach of the Gospel and leave a lasting impact on a global scale.
This is the vision and purpose of the Road to 2040 Endowment growth campaign, which aims to increase the IBCM Endowment fund to $750,000 through three five-year giving campaigns. While this goal may seem ambitious, we firmly believe that with our unwavering faith in Christ, all things are possible, and we trust in your ability to help us achieve it.
Scott Cormode emphasizes that if we want to innovate within our current world, we should adopt a farmer’s mindset. He references the biblical principle: “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.”
Paul and Apollos embodied this farmer-like approach as they sowed the seeds of the Gospel and nurtured the growth of new believers. However, God ultimately enables them to mature into Christians ready to plant new seeds themselves. Through these collective efforts, Christ’s message of salvation reaches every corner of the Earth each year and will continue to do so far into the future.
Since Paul and Apollos are no longer with us, we are responsible for becoming God’s farmers and preparing for the harvest. As Christ said in Luke 10:2, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest.”
We are excited about the new direction and focus of the IBCM and look forward to collaborating with you as we work together for the harvest. The IBCM is evolving This demonstrates our commitment to adapt and thrive in any circumstance.
Though I cannot predict the future or guarantee the outcome of the Endowment Fund Campaign, I find comfort in my faith and trust in God’s plan. This plan will enable growth, development, and a sustainable impact in spreading the message of Christ globally.
Let us honor the vision of the IBCM Founder and the legacy of Cary Quillin and Dr. Charles McIlveene by recognizing your vital role in continuing the mission of spreading the Gospel worldwide. We are deeply grateful for your past contributions and look forward to your continued support.
Dr. Thomas S. Narofsky, President
International Baptist Church Ministries