A Message Of Hope - for those of us that need a daily reminder of God's goodness
The World Today - a look at unreached people groups and the need for Truth to be spread
Our Ongoing Response - how the hands and feet can move in a time of isolation
A Message Of Hope

Our first Mt. Horeb Missions Newsletter comes at a time when our news cycle is dominated by COVID-19. No matter where we go (or don't go), uncertainty about the future, and the resulting fear, battle for our thoughts and emotions.

However, this is a day to remember that our hope comes from the LORD. When faced with the unknown, we turn to the Word of God to find our direction, wisdom, and Truth. We remember that God rules and reigns even when circumstances would tempt us to believe otherwise. God is not surprised by the development of a virus or the upheaval of our day-to-day living. He is not distracted, absent, or disinterested. He remains “our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1 emphasis added). We can respond with optimism and joy.

Therefore, as our attention is drawn to the world, perhaps we can view the world through a new lens. Perhaps rather than allowing our hearts to be consumed with fear, we can allow our hearts to be broken for the people that break the heart of God - people who do not yet know of the Hope we have in the name of Jesus Christ.

It is how we respond in times of powerlessness and anxiety
that provides a witness to the rest of the unbelieving world.

As image-bearers, we have a unique opportunity to show the world how a Christ follower handles crises. We are able to demonstrate how our God , who is reflected in our actions and resides in us by His Spirit, handles - and rules over – turmoil and disaster.
 
There are two reactions that will likely come out of this charge:

  1. Inspiration and revelation. Your life experience, scriptural knowledge, Spirit-given gifts have all equipped you for such a time as this. Encourage others by sharing the joy of the Gospel and leverage your sphere of influence for the Kingdom. Show a genuine interest to those whom God has already put in your life. 
  2. Realization. The challenge you may be faced with is the realization that you don't know how to face crisis with faith. This may be uncharted territory for you. If so, this is the time to LEARN about Jesus, His Kingdom, His mission, and the example He modeled when in isolation and distance, focusing on who He is, what He’s done, and what He promises to those who trust Him. 

This global health crisis provides us with a window of opportunity.  An opportunity to redeem this crisis by showing love and concern to our fearful neighbor, praying for our brothers and sisters who are on the front lines serving, praying for healing for the sick, praying for salvation for the lost, providing resources to those who lack them, learning something new about our God, and taking uncharted steps to advance the Kingdom!
 
Source: Joshua Project, a ministry of Frontier Missions
The World Today

At the time of this writing, a total of 190 countries and territories in the world have been affected by COVID-19 ( who.int 3-23-2020). Now consider the sobering fact that 41.6% of the world’s population remains unreached with the Gospel.  "Unreached people groups" are those who have no Bible in their language, no churches and for most, no Christian witnesses at all .

Imagine the overwhelming sense of despair when facing
a world-wide pandemic without the hope of eternal life found in Christ.

That is today's reality for 3.1 billion people.

Check out our most recent mission-focused sermon series, Cover The Earth . Missions Director Janis Albergotti, Liberian Pastor and Leader Dr. Jerry Kulah and Compassion International Area Director Scott Limerick give voice to how we can join God's work to cover the earth with
His glory.
Our Ongoing Response

As a church, we strive to invest our missional dollars among the most unreached people or where the percentage of evangelical Christians is low or non-existent. The over $1.4 million USD that went outside the walls of our church last year alone went to support partnerships that align with the Biblical standards we ourselves use.

Mt. Horeb currently partners with over 30 local and global organizations to:
  • plant churches
  • serve the under-resourced
  • stand with the marginalized
  • defend the persecuted
  • empower orphans
  • develop sustainable, Christ-centered communities

The work of these partners takes place in 21 countries, including the United States.
TWENTY ONE! 10 of which have a dominant religion that is not Christianity; 20 of which are less than 27% evangelical.

The good news is that we are currently working with these partners to provide the resources they need to impact the Kingdom where they are.
Our ability to go to people may be limited during this pandemic, but our support is not! We will continue to provide financial support both locally and globally to meet needs and spread the Gospel.
What is our invitation at this moment?

We want to empower and equip you to bring Light into the darkness right where you are planted. In order to do that, we're asking you to respond today in three ways:
 
  • GLOBAL RESPONSE: Join us in prayer for lost people and that God’s glory and healing will cover the earth. Prayer is not the least we can do but the MOST we can do! We have the power that raised Jesus from the dead at our disposal. Let’s use that power to bring salvation to the nations through an outpouring of the Spirit in response to our prayers. 
  • LOCAL RESPONSE: We encourage you to connect with family or those around you who may be particularly isolated at this time. Phone calls, texts, FaceTime, Skype or other technology can enable us to stay in community and continue to care for one another.
  • UP-TO-DATE RESPONSES: We’ve set up dedicated social media pages for this purpose - to make known the physical and spiritual needs during this time. There are local and global needs coming to our attention regularly and we will keep you informed of ways you can respond.
 
"Let your light shine before others, so that they
may see your good works and give glory
to your Father who is in heaven."
-Jesus (Matthew 5:16)
Click either of these links to
"follow” or “like” our pages. 
Make sure your notifications are turned on or even set an alarm on your phone to check for updates.
 
Of course, we hope you will also share this new social media community with others in our church and believers you know.
 
 " Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find;
knock, and it will be opened to you."
-Jesus (Matthew 7:7)
This crisis is an opportunity to fuel a renewed sense of urgency
for reaching those who don’t know Christ and meeting the needs
of others in His name.
 
We invite you to feel that urgency as well, confident of having a power that is not our own and a community of support in the body of Christ.