“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel.” – Philippians 1:4-5
Two thousand years ago Paul was encouraged in his faith by the common vision shared between himself and the saints in Philippi. The desire to see the gospel preached around the Mediterranean Sea had drawn them together and made them partners in the gospel.
The South Sound Church of Christ (SSCoC) has supported many foreign and domestic churches over the years, but almost one year ago we began a new chapter in our mission commitment. Reaching the end of prior missions pledges, we were searching for another need to help meet and discovered the Baltic Nordic Missions Alliance (BNMA). Dana and Gingerla Perkins, the Evangelist and Women’s Ministry Leader for the SSCoC, had served with and been trained by Chris and Kim Reed who oversee the Nordic Churches. Landon and Gina Rawson, who lead the Kitsap Region of the SSCoC, had previously served in the ministry in Denmark. With these existing relational connections, it was an easy commitment to make to support that part of the world, joining several churches in Southern California as well as the church in Milwaukee, WI. The Baltic Nordic Mission Alliance supports the churches in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. We hope to cultivate similar partnerships with the churches in the Baltics and Nordics and the supporting churches of the BNMA as Paul had with the Philippians. We are committed to be praying for, building relationships with, and financially supporting our brothers and sisters in that part of the world.
We took up our annual special missions contribution last May, committing half of what we collected to the BNMA. The faithful disciples gave $70k, an all-time high for the SSCoC! Amen and to God be the glory! $35k went to meeting the needs and supporting the churches in the Baltic and Nordic regions.
Dana and Gingerla Perkins were invited to be the keynote speakers at the Nordic Missions Conference, held every summer on the Finish island of Eckerö. They enjoyed a week of fellowship and time in the word with disciples from the Nordic countries, getting to meet in person their new partners in the gospel. What an encouraging time! Check out the special video below with highlights from the visit.
We, the South Sound Church, have been very inspired by our partnership thus far and pray for many years of mutual support and encouragement.
