As I’ve had the privilege of speaking throughout the state this past year, it’s been a high honor and a humbling experience to see how God is at work in churches that are part of our state convention.
Every place that I’ve had the opportunity to visit, I go to encourage them, but truthfully, I leave these churches encouraged, too. The churches, associations and schools I’ve visited have all lit a flame in my heart to love the saints at my church even more and to love the work that our state convention is doing to advance this mission.
My desire is still to encourage everyone I come into contact with across our state, whether you’re in the mountains, in the middle of the state (like where I serve in Monroe) or all the way in Manteo.
There is one thing that I’ve learned in the past year and that is we are better together! I’m reminded of this through two stories.
The first story comes from Scripture. In Mark 2, we see Jesus heal a paralytic man. The Lord used specific means that led to this man’s healing, which included the faith of those who brought the man to Jesus and their obedience to the mission.
These men were on mission together to bring the paralytic man to Jesus, and they would not let the crowd stop them. They were so determined to get the man to Jesus that they made an opening in the roof and lowered the paralytic man down when the crowd got in their way.
There are numerous obstacles that get in the way of us bringing people to Jesus. As North Carolina Baptists, we must be on mission together in bringing people to Him! We must be determined to do this together, despite opposition. We are on mission together to bring people from our neighborhoods, communities, state, country and the nations to Jesus. Opposition cannot stop this!
The second story is one of determination, as well.
William Carey is known as the “father of modern missions.” Upon his call to take the gospel to the lost, Carey quickly heeded the voice of God when he was called to India. This call was accompanied by a promise from men who committed to stand by Carey’s side as he obeyed the voice of God.
One of those men was Andrew Fuller. It has been said that Carey told Fuller, “You hold the rope, and I will go down into the pit.” Fuller was one of the financial rope holders for Carey as he proclaimed the gospel in India. They were on mission together for the propagation of the gospel.
We too are on mission together for the propagation of the gospel across the street and across the sea!
Carey and Fuller didn’t see change overnight. History shows that Carey preached for seven years and didn’t see one person come to Christ. But God was faithful to allow Carey to see the fruit of his faithful ministry, and he would soon baptize his first convert.
Many believe that Carey’s faithful proclamation of the gospel was the key to many coming to know Christ today, but he didn’t do this alone. He was on mission together with those who were holding the rope so that he could solely focus on faithfully proclaiming the gospel.
As North Carolina Baptists we are not alone. We are on mission together. Some are rope holders, some are proclaimers and others are prayer warriors, but we all have one mission together to advance the gospel. It is important that we do not grow “weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9-10).
My encouragement for all North Carolina Baptists this year is to be on mission together, expecting great things from God. William Carey said, “Expect great things for God, attempt great things for God.” Let’s do this together!
(EDITOR’S NOTE – This article originally appeared in the November 2023 edition of the Biblical Recorder magazine. Quintell Hill serves as president of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.)
