First Baptist Church is all about going "across the street and around the world" with the Gospel. Many of you have given sacrificially to assist other church members who were God-led to go on mission trips. These short term mission trips by members of our church are part of our ongoing strategy for carrying out the marching orders of our Lord: "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel" (Mark 16:15). The "Gary and Carla Sloan Short Term Mission Offering" is our means of funding short term mission projects.
We receive this offering to assist anyone who desires to participate in a CHURCH-SPONSORED mission trip. The exact amount any person can receive depends on the availability of funds given through the "Gary and Carla Sloan Short Term Mission Offering" and the actual expenses related to the mission trip in question. In the last few years we've had groups go to Alaska, Belize, Louisiana, Mexico, Bridge City, Washington State, Grand Canyon, Peru and others. Trips are planned as we sense God's leading.
This offering will be received August 14th - September 25th. As with all other mission offerings, the giving should be above your weekly tithe. Please indicate on the "missions" line of your envelope what portion is designated for the "Sloan Offering". All giving listed as "missions" in August and September will go directly to this offering.
Gary Sloan grew up in FBC Crosby. Gary and Gloria and their children, Alyssia, Rissa, Alan, and Carla, were serving as our Southern Baptist Missionaries in Toluca, Mexico, when Gary and Carla tragically drowned. Gloria and the other children continued on the mission field, and maintain a close relationship with our church. Alyssia and Rissa currently attend college; Alan will attend high school; and Gloria is reporting to a new position as Global Mobilizer to teach indigenous people how to plant churches. She will be based in the MAC (Middle America and Caribbean) Region. The sacrifice this family has made is a constant reminder of the high price of reaching a lost world for Christ.
