1. living letters
stories from the Great Commission
cleaning up the neighborhood –
here and abroad
In one of the toughest crime- a variety of youth and adult outreach
projects. The challenge of living in this
infested neighborhoods of central
Memphis, local believers are mov- community has helped prepare many
ing in, pushing out the drug dealers of them for mission work overseas.
and helping change lives. And after Some are partnering with IMB (Inter-
training here, some are taking their national Mission Board) to go to some
missions calling overseas. of the world’s most dangerous mission
It’s a one-square-mile neighborhood fields – including areas of Central Asia,
of about 9,000 people, where many Africa and South Asia.
refugees from Africa and Asia have For Nathan Cook, a local believer,
settled to make a new life for them- describing the transformation in the
selves. But poverty and crime make it community is simple.
a tough place to live. The area, how- “The general idea is for Christians to
ever, is gaining fame for its effective move into poor communities and love
homegrown array of ministries, and in your neighbor,” he said. “The problems
many ways it’s undergoing a spiritual of the neighborhood become your
face-lift. problems. People interacting who
More and more faith-filled doctors, ordinarily wouldn’t interact.”
nurses and teachers have moved into See the Winter edition of Commission Stories and
the ‘hood’ to reach out to the commu- commissionstories.com for the full story. Commission
nity. They’re offering free medical clin- Stories print magazine is offered free. Call (800) 999-3113
option 3, or visit imbresources.org to subscribe.
ics, community clean-up efforts and
commissionstories.com
2. Baptists see response after tsunami relief
They lost their three children and seven other relatives in one day along the coast of
India. Paramesvaran and his wife, Choodamani, had every reason to lose hope.
After the 2004 tsunami claimed the lives of their family and more than 200,000 oth-
ers in 11 countries, the couple struggled with depression and suicide. Their Christian
faith, however, led them to start an orphanage for 20 children – many of whom lost
parents in the tsunami. Backed with the gifts of Southern Baptists — more than $17
million donated for tsunami relief — an IMB worker helped the couple provide beds,
clothes, school supplies and other needs for the children.
Since then, all of the children have accepted Christ as their savior and some of them
are working with Paramesvaran to share Christ with the community.
Baptist relief efforts in the region helped prompt the beginnings of 1,400 house
churches and 12,000 people accepted Jesus Christ as their savior.
Learn more about Paramesvaran’s story at commissionstories.com.
news from NAMB
The morning mist lingers over the Appalachian Mountains as missionaries Charles
and Marjorie Wilson open the doors of the Wheelwright (Ky.) Baptist Center for
another day of ministry in the tiny hamlet. Forty percent of the people in southern
Floyd County live below the poverty line. For 23 years, the Wilsons have helped
meet the physical and spiritual needs of the community with support from
Southern Baptists. Due to the current economic crisis, more and more people
are looking for help. Baptist Centers are a beacon of hope to their communities.
To find a center near you, visit www.namb.net/ministrycenters.
Contact us for a free subscription.
imbresources.org • (800) 999-3113
IMB and NAMB are supported by the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® and the Annie Armstrong
Easter Offering®, respectively, and the Southern Baptist Convention’s Cooperative Program.
Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and Annie Armstrong Easter Offering are registered trademarks of WMU®.
JANUARY 2010 PP 183.9M 11/09 P5889-1
