I was teaching in our Bible Institute in Mexico recently when a middle-aged woman who was taking the class stood and wanted to tell about her nephew. She told the group of about 100 students that he had lived a pretty rough life before coming to faith in Jesus Christ. She shared how his experience of salvation in Christ had changed his life forever.

With her hands moving up and down both arms she said, “My nephew had tattoos covering both arms.” She explained that these tattoos served as illustrations of the life he had been living before trusting in Jesus Christ. He said to his Christian aunt, “Now that I am a Christian, I am embarrassed by these tattoos. What can I do?” Very thoughtfully she replied, “You now have a testimony of how Jesus saved you from a life of sin and running from God. Those tattoos have become very important, because they are now a part of your testimony of how Jesus changed you completely.”

After an evening class, one of the pastors spoke to me through a translator, “I have read your book, Healthy Kingdom Churches. Since reading your book, we have improved the ministry of our church. Whenever a visitor comes to our church, I ask myself, ‘If I was that visitor, would I join our church?’ Thank you for helping us to think about how we can minister better to the people who come to our church.” Of course, I was thrilled.

I was reminded once again of the multiplication of ministry that is taking place through the Georgia Baptist Convention. Through our mission partnerships and through the mission trips taken by members of our churches, your impact around the world is being felt far more than you probably realize. Thank you for your faithfulness in going and for your obedience in giving through the Cooperative Program so Georgia Baptists and all Southern Baptists can impact the world for Jesus.

There was a mission team of Georgia Baptist ladies in Mexico when I was there. I had the privilege of meeting them and thanking them personally for their mission work. They prayer walked, visited and witnessed in homes in the area of the Bible Institute. They invited many women to attend a showing of the version of the Jesus film, especially for women. They had a large turnout and over 20 professions of faith in Christ. Praise the Lord!

Wherever the Gospel is being preached in the world, people are being saved. What a joy it is to be a part of carrying the Gospel to the nations beginning in our own communities. I am praying that this year will be the greatest year in baptisms we have ever had in Georgia. It can happen if we will all be missionaries!