Part of what I have loved about this and our last capital campaigns is that 10% of everything given has been tithed to missions. In the last “I Believe” campaign we gave $84,000 to Central India Christian Mission to start and build three church buildings in Chandigarh, India. After visiting India in March of 2007, I had the opportunity to share about the trip with a Hillside family over lunch. God laid upon on their hearts the desire to give another $28,000 to plant and build a fourth church building. In March 2008 a Hillside team of ten (both staff and members) returned to Chandigarh to dedicate these four buildings to the work of the kingdom.

So what’s next? Oh, the limitless possibilities. Part of what we did not accomplish in the last campaign, I would like to accomplish in this one. We dreamed of building an orphanage, church, school, and clean water source in Zambia, Africa. Some of you may remember the weekend that the Zambia Vocal Group visited at Paramount. We were moved to hear of what they wanted to do in their own country, and we were hoping we could have partnered with them sooner, but I really feel like now is the time to commit to get that project moving.

My heart is also drawn back to India. I have to admit, I have truly fallen in love with these people and this country. I was sharing with Tommy the other day that India is “red-hot” with activity right now. The Spirit is moving and the lower caste, the “untouchables,” is leaving Hinduism and seeking out “truth” like never before. I can’t imagine trying to worship 33 million gods; gods who offer no hope of salvation in this life. The Indian people are divided into four castes, with the lower caste or “untouchables” divided into 4000-6000 different sub-castes, a divide and conquer mentality. The lower caste is literally cast aside and forgotten by those above them. Hillside has been challenged to help with a new project in India—a training center. When the untouchables leave Hinduism and become Christians, they are rejected by their own people, their villages, and frequently, their own Hindu families. They quickly find themselves homeless, jobless, etc. This training center would empower them by offering rehabilitation, job training, and job placement. This lower caste has always lived in poverty and has had no opportunity to get a good education. The center would train them in any of the following: computer applications, sewing, electronics repair, electric motor winding, welding, painting, late machine operation, or motorcycle, automobile, and tractor repair. As we are training them for a new career, we would also train them in Bible Study and Evangelism, empowering them both socially and spiritually. We have gotten a start in India, but I would like to see us take another step in reaching out to this country that makes up 1/5th of the earth’s population.

The last project would be local: building a Habitat for Humanity house here in Amarillo. We have already committed to Habitat for a blitz build. Hillside will build one house in 2 weeks in October (Oct 11-25, with the dedication of the house on Sunday, Oct 26th). Now we just have to raise the funds and team to get it done! I can’t wait to meet our family who will be selected in July 2008 and can’t wait to hand the keys of their new home to them! I know you will want to be a part of this experience!

Also new to our Missions area will be our multi-site congregations. Tommy will be sharing a new vision for reaching out to the High Plains/Panhandle area by planting Hillside multi-site congregations in several strategic areas. Hillside will become “One church, many locations.” We have been praying, studying, and planning for our first multi-site to be launched in Canyon, Texas, sometime in 2009. We are currently identifying and interviewing for our Hillside: Canyon staff. Tommy will be sharing more about this exciting vision for Hillside. Stay tuned.

Our next generation of missionaries

JOHN PIPER WRITES:

HOW DO WE DECIDE WHAT THE TASK OF MISSIONS IS, OR EVEN IF THERE SHOULD BE SUCH A THING AS MISSIONS? ONE ANSWER WOULD BE THAT LOVE DEMANDS IT AND LOVE DEFINES IT. IF PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE UNDER CONDEMNATION FOR SIN AND CUT OFF FROM ETERNAL LIFE, AND IF CALLING ON JESUS IS THEIR ONLY HOPE FOR FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD, THEN LOVE DEMANDS MISSIONS.

For over five decades, Hillside Christian Church has felt the responsibility to partner with and send out mission partners throughout the world. We truly honor God when our hearts beat for the lost, and we can no longer sit on the sidelines—our love for the lost demands that we reach out, share, and lead people into relationships with Him. At Hillside, we believe that sharing our faith with another is the responsibility of every member; some members do that locally, some nationally, and some globally.

Throughout 2007, and in this first quarter of 2008, God has been knocking on the hearts of a few “products” of Hillside. As the lead pastor for our Missions Department, I am excited to introduce to you the “Next” generation of
missionaries for Hillside. Some of the names and faces you may recognize, some you may not, but all grew up at Paramount Terrace. I find it truly exciting that the seeds were planted right here at Hillside, and they have grown into a love for people and a call for missions!