Partners in the Mission: It’s Not Too Late 08/19/2008 a message from Dr. Bill Mackey, executive director Have you ever had something you wanted to do but then discovered you were just too late? Maybe the tickets were all sold out because you waited too long. Or, maybe you missed a deadline for getting in a registration form. Well, while it may be too late for some things that you’d like to do, let me share some things of great value you can do for which you’re not too late. It’s not too late to invite someone to church this Sunday. According to George Barna’s research, 25 percent of unchurched persons say they would go to church if someone invited them. If every Kentucky Baptist invited someone to go to church with them, the results would be incredible! It’s not too late to share your personal story of faith in Jesus Christ. Research shows that a high percentage of unreached persons would listen to someone share how their life had been transformed. It’s not too late to build relationships. Our culture is so task oriented that we often have difficulty building friendships and relationships. Kay and I were traveling through Mississippi recently and visited with her cousin during worship at the First Baptist Church of Newton. I was captured by the warm welcome by so many people at FBC. It’s not too late for you to provide a warm greeting on Sunday at your church. It’s not too late to give to support your church’s ministries. The Gospel is being shared and lives are being changed locally and around the world. Most Kentucky Baptist Convention churches share a percentage of their undesignated receipts with world missions efforts through the Cooperative Program. Through these gifts, thousands are reached for Christ, churches are planted and ministries are extended in Kentucky, across North America and around the world. It’s not too late for churches to mail in their Cooperative Program check for August so it will be counted in the 2007-2008 fiscal year. It will be too late if the check is not received by Sept. 2. Since Aug. 31 is a Sunday, the check should be mailed by Aug. 28, in most cases. It’s not too late to be an encourager. In response to a recent letter that I sent to KBC pastors, I have received several encouraging responses about increased baptisms. James Keeling, pastor of Ferguson Springs Baptist Church in Benton, said his small church (35-50) has been blessed with seven baptisms this year. Charlie Davis reported that Hunsinger Lane Baptist Church in Louisville has baptized 20 people the last five Sundays. And, Bob Hardison from the First Baptist Church of Sebree, reported on plans for a prayer, contact, and FAITH Evangelism plan for this fall. Is there someone who needs your encouragement today? It’s not too late! Dr. Mackey's column appears weekly in the Western Recorder. To subscribe to the Western Recorder, call (502) 489-3535.