“Training Up” in 2016!

In Proverbs 22:6 it reminds us how important good beginnings and valuable training are, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” (ESV)

The picture is of my new friend, Logan, who attended the North Carolina Region 8 NC OIAM 2016 training in Shelby, NC Saturday, January 9.  He is a great “poster-child” for Operation Inasmuch!  But it is because of the example and leadership of his father that he and his brother are committed participants in the Compassion Revolution.

OIAM is involved again in 2016 with NC Baptist Men and NC Baptists on Mission emphasizing “whole church and whole community” ministry through Inasmuch Days April 30-May 7.  David Crocker and John Daugherty are conducting regional training across the state in January and February “training up” folks to be effective in meeting people in their communities at the point of their needs.  Hundreds of churches across the state will be conducting Inasmuch Days and Inasmuch United Days moving from the pews of their churches into the streets of their communities as part of the Compassion Revolution being the hands, feet, eyes and hearts of Christ.

Also during the first week of January, Executive Director, John Daugherty was in Louisiana sharing the OIAM story with friends and colleagues ugateamunited.com/online/aciphex/ representing a number of churches from Shreveport to Alexandria to Baton Rouge anticipating adding that state to our list of states and new churches who are part of the Inasmuch family thereby widening the Compassion Revolution.

On Thursday and Friday of that same week, John had the opportunity to meet with and tell the OIAM story with national and regional leaders who are part of the Baptist World Alliance North American Baptist Fellowship.  Join us in praying that God will open doors for OIAM to expand into areas of North America and beyond in “training up” churches and leaders to empower their congregations and people in being the presence of Christ in their communities through compassion ministry.

I want to add a prayer request for the 2016 Board of Directors.  We’ve added six new members and are still one member short of our goal of nine.  Our first Board meeting of 2016 is Friday, January 22.  We will be unpacking and prioritizing our “future story” developed from a strategic planning meeting of the Board last Fall.  Pray for vision, excitement, good strategic planning for Phase I of the “story.”

Operation Inasmuch continues to be a valuable partner for churches and other faith-based organizations as we “train up” disciples to be compassion oriented and mobilized for service ministry to transform our communities for Christ.