The beginning of a new year is not only a time to make resolutions but also time for many people to look at their financial investments and see what kinds of dividends they received in the previous year. When people do such an analysis, they realize that they need to either stay the course or make some changes. They also realize that there may be other investment opportunities that result in better and more fulfilling dividends.
The Christian needs to analyze were he or she is investing in order to gain the greatest dividends that will honor the Lord and expand his Kingdom. One area of investment for the Christian to honor the Lord is investing in the advancement of the gospel particularly the expansion of the kingdom through evangelistic church planting.
This brings us to the point of how investing in Church Extension Ministries brings about dividends that reach well beyond just supporting Church Extension but rather dividends that have a Great Commission reach from our Jerusalems to the uttermost parts of the world.
Follow me as I spell out several dividends that are realized from investing in Church Extension Ministries:
Dividend #1 – Increased Support of Global Missions
When new churches are planted, particularly new Bible Fellowship Churches, the support for global Missions increases. In the past twenty-five years and up to this coming April, twenty-four new Bible Fellowship Churches graduated from Church Extension and were received into the BFC fellowship of churches. This translates to twenty-four new churches who now have a mission budget that includes supporting missions in our Jerusalems and on to uttermost parts of the world. Every new church will add to our ability as a denomination to fulfill the great commission and reach the world. Your investment in Church Extension goes much further than you first thought. This is why we encourage our churches and donors to think twice before they reduce support to Church Extension.
Dividend #2 – Recruitment of BFC Pastors and Missionaries
When you invest in Church Extension you are investing in the recruitment of men who will serve the BFC as future pastors and missionaries. Fifty-nine men are listed in our 2024 Yearbook who came through Church Extension and are currently serving or previously served as BFC pastors or church planters. This list continues to grow through our intensive recruitment efforts. Your investment in Church Extension opens the doors for new men to serve in the BFC.
Dividend #3 – Increased Multicultural Presence in the BFC
Church Extension Ministries has been the catalyst for a budding multicultural presence in the BFC. The Mission has established a growing outreach among Hispanic people groups in the United States, Mexico, and new places like Costa Rica. Currently the BFC as five ordained Hispanic pastors and to Spanish BFC churches in Reading, Pennsylvania and Merida, Mexico with the possibility of more. We are investigating an African BFC church in Philadelphia along with two other multicultural possibilities. Every Bible Fellowship Church is experiencing cultural changes and Church Extension is available to assist with the growth of multiculturalism in the BFC. Church Extension recently graduated Christ Alone Bible Fellowship Church in downtown Lancaster and Citylight Bible Fellowship Church in downtown Allentown both of which are intercultural which means they are comprised of people from various cultural backgrounds who are worshipping and leading the local church together. Your continued and increased support for Church Extension Ministries will support our efforts to have churches reach every tongue tribe and nation.
As you can see, investing in Church Extension Ministries has significant dividends that honor the Lord, follows His plan for building his church, and evangelizes people from all nations. Again, I encourage all our churches and donors to continue their support for Church Extension Ministries in order to carry out His Great Commission!