If you are one of the many people who give faithfully for global outreach, you have already worked through this issue.  However, some of you that read this blog may be struggling to know why we give money to people outside of our immediate geographical area.  We have a lot of needs right here!  Yes, we do.  But it doesn’t have to be “either/or.”  We do help many people in our church and community through the gifts you so faithfully provide to our Benevolent Fund.   But, it is important to remember that we are here as a church (humanly speaking), because someone came to our community supported by others.  It has always been this way.  From the first missionary trip that left Antioch to this day, it is the gifts and people of the established church that establish new churches.  We can’t all go but we can all give.  We can pray.  We can encourage those who go.  If you are a child of God, you are an ambassador of His Kingdom.  You are His representative in this world.  You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.  Joining the family of God has many privileges but it also has responsibilities.  Angels are not coming to earth to share the gospel, it’s our job to pray, proclaim, live and give in a way that keeps the truth before the people of this world.  If you are not praying for the missionaries we support, please start.  If you are not supporting global outreach financially, please prayerfully consider doing so.  We have some quality missionaries and we have new opportunities to support nationals if we had the funds to do so.  Sunday is Missions Emphasis and Tim Compton is here from Thailand.  Tim will encourage you as you hear what God is doing thousands of miles away from Greenville for the glory of His Name and the good of the people He loves.