Eternal Hope, Church Planting, & Christ’s Return

Send Relief volunteers from First Baptist Church of Folsom, La., recently set up a medical clinic for Ukrainian refugees as they crossed into Moldova. They checked vital statistics and other basic health needs.

Lauren Robbins, a medical student from Liberty University, checked one man’s blood pressure while her father, Will, pastor of First Baptist Folsom assisted.

While the man’s blood pressure was being checked they offered him a QR code that scans to “Hope for Ukraine”, a website that shares the Gospel and offers an avenue to talk with a Christian. The website was developed by the International Mission Board (IMB) to connect with refugees and direct them toward Christ.

So far, more than $10 million has been given through Send Relief to help Ukrainian refugees.

Cliff McCray was playing football at the University of Central Florida (UCF) in 2007 when one of his teammates tragically passed away. Through the tragedy, God led McCray to faith and kickstarted a journey that led to full-time ministry and church planting.

More than a decade later, McCray launched Radiant City Church in Boca Raton, Fla., after leaving a successful career in the corporate world to begin exploring church planting at the suggestion of his church’s elders. Radiant City baptized 13 people before its first birthday. In just over a year, that number climbed to 24.

Radiant City Church has also set up an internship and welcomed two residents who are preparing for ministry as a congregation that has reached people across generations and cultures.

McCray’s church is part of the Class of 2021 church plants launched by Southern Baptist churches. In total, Southern Baptists added 1,018 new congregations – 735 church plants, 201 affiliations and 82 new campuses. This represents a 25 percent increase in church plants and a 19 percent increase in congregations overall.

Good News for Today is sponsored by The Voice of the Martyrs

Good News for Today is made possible through our friends at The Voice of the Martyrs, a nonprofit organization that serves persecuted Christians around the world. Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM is dedicated to inspiring believers to deepen their commitment to Christ and to fulfill His Great Commission — no matter the cost. Find out more and sign up for their free monthly magazine at vom.org/goodnews.

In a lesson from Bible Studies for Life, Lifeway writers draw from Matthew 24 to bring an encouraging reminder of the second coming of Jesus Christ.

They write, “One day Jesus is coming back, and the signs of His return will be clear and unmistakable. It will be obvious! Christ’s return will be a powerful, can’t-miss event. Matthew gave us a great reminder that the true Messiah’s coming will not be secret or hidden. His coming will not be seen by only a select group; it will be visible to all. When you hear thunder or see lightning in the sky, you do not usually wonder what it is. That’s what Jesus wanted to make clear. We will not wonder what is happening when He returns. There will be no mistaking it! Jesus’ return will be sudden and visible. When Jesus returns, I’ll gladly welcome that moment to “go home” and be with Him. In Matthew 24, Jesus told us what that day will be like.”

There is a great day ahead! You can read the full story at BaptistPress.com

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