FBA Missions in the Rear-View Mirror 

An Historical Account Of FBA’s Goal To Adopt An Unreached People Group

1999 – A First Baptist Atlanta World Missions Conference to Remember

Dr. Stanley declared it “the most wonderful world missions conference anyone can remember” at First Baptist Atlanta. 80 missionaries from 50 agencies were with us for the conference.

The spirit of the Lord was especially evident on the final Sunday evening after we heard from Paul Eshleman, director of The JESUS Film Project. Hundreds came forward and the first one to respond to the invitation was our own pastor. He expressed interest in taking a short-term trip with Paul Eshleman to some part of the world where The JESUS Film will be shown for the first time.

Over 300 individuals made decisions to seriously pursue missionary service. What a harvest, but what a major challenge we faced with the follow-up effort.  With wonderful assistance from Operation Mobilization leaders in nearby Tyrone, GA, we conducted follow-up training sessions on two Sunday afternoons:

·         Over 155 people packed Lakeside Grill on the first Sunday,

·         An additional 135 participated the last Sunday evening.

These were not curiosity seekers, but people whom God had spoken to in a clear and direct manner.

Each day we received requests for counseling sessions and many questions from those people such as:

1) What do I need to do to get ready?

2) Which agencies should I contact?    

3) Where in the world are the greatest needs?

4) Should I sell my house now, or later?

This was the first year for First Baptist to adopt an “unreached people group.” That also expressed the theme of our conference, “Reaching the Unreached.” By the end of the week-long missions conference, many were praying for the 3 million BUYI-speaking people of southwest China.

Members of First Baptist also gave $93,000.00 to help reach these people with the Gospel:

     These funds were used to produce both a video and an audio version of The JESUS Film in the BUYI language.

·    Other monies were used to make many copies available on VCDs and audio cassettes.

·   There was also a need for TV sets and VCD players, both electric and battery powered, since electricity had not yet come to many of the BUYI people.

We also began praying for “Elizabeth,” the “American name” of an SIL missionary couple’s house helper.  She became more like a daughter to them, and she was open to listening to the Gospel.  Elizabeth was able to come to the USA with the SIL missionaries and attend our 1999 World Missions Conference.  At that time, Elizabeth had already become a Christian and soon after she returned, she married a Christian and now has a family. 

Several short-term mission teams from FBA later subsequently went into Buyi-land, including a prayer walking team to the BUYI-speaking area of southwest China. 

Prayers then, that are still much needed today, include:

·    Praying for continued faithfulness in giving to World Missions at FBA.

·    Praying for some members of the church staff and members at FBA who sense God is calling them to the mission field.

·    Praying for the millions of people worldwide that they would have a chance to hear a clear presentation of the Gospel.