To the Ends of the Earth . . .

Acts 1:8 says “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. “ For the past four Sundays we have examined through Life Guide how Dawson has used God’s financial resources and God’s people, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to serve within the walls of Dawson, in the city of Birmingham, in the southeast, in North America and today we look at the ends of the earth.  Let me briefly tell you about the hundreds of volunteer Dawson missionaries who have made 65 trips to 22 countries in the past decade.

In Bolivia, a team of Dawson’s youth conducted Vacation Bible Schools and helped with construction projects.

In Brazil, Dawson has had three teams that have built church buildings.

In China, doctors and medical educators worked in hospitals in North East China and the Dawson Sanctuary Choir performed concerts in Beijing.

In the Czech Republic, Dawson’s youth worked with the International World Changers Ministry to minister to the Roma people.

In the Dominican Republic, a Dawson group conducted outreach through baseball camps and another team helped missionaries promote their ministries by making DVDs.

In Ecuador, Dawson teams have gone over ten times to help construct a Christian Camp and Seminary to train local pastors, as well as hold medical clinics, often in remote villages.

In Egypt, Dawson members presented a health education project.

In Ethiopia, Dawson has had three teams that conducted AIDS prevention classes in public schools.

In France, a group of Dawson single adults distributed Bibles and Christian literature to Muslims.

In Germany, a media missions project took place to help missionaries promote their ministry through video presentations.

In Honduras, at least eight teams have worked with the orphans served by the Forgotten Children’s Ministry.

In Indonesia, four Dawson teams have worked with disaster relief, conducted an eye clinic, taught English classes and helped university faculty and students on Sumatra.

In Nairobi Kenya, team members participated in evangelism and church planting along with a medical project

In Macao, medical professionals conducted a mobile medical clinic and distributed Christian literature

In Malawi, Dawson members provided support to local missionaries by helping with Vacation Bible School.

In Mozambique, Christian hymns were translated and recorded in the heart language of the people.

In Peru, Dawson teams have worked with e3 Partners for six years to conduct medical clinics and do door to door evangelism to help local pastors plant churches there.

In Romania, two teams conducted medical clinics and Vacation Bible Schools at a local Church.

In Sudan, Dawson has had six teams that have helped meet medical and ministry needs and two teams will go this year.

In Swaziland, Dawson will sponsor 20 orphans through Children’s Hope Chest, and this summer a Dawson team will go there to assist with the overall development of the community.

In Ukraine, three teams have worked with the Life Song for Orphans ministry to conduct sports camps, provide medical services and build a transition home for orphans.

In Venezuela, Dawson has provided medical teams to help support a Christian medical ministry and to construct water purification systems.

Dawson missionaries are all ages and all skills.  Jesus did not command a certain profession or a certain spiritual expert to be His witnesses.  His command was “you”.  The Holy Spirit equips all of us.  This morning you make a new commitment.  We are committing to support our church with God’s resources entrusted to us to accomplish His work and we commit to serve Him in Jerusalem, in all Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth.  Commit to change your story as God leads you today.