This evening we kickoff our annual Missions Emphasis Weekend. To that end, we've asked our Deacons of Missions and Benevolence to provide this week's check-in.
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Dear LTCC Family,

The roots of LTCC were formed by Village Missions, an organization whose heart it is to bring Jesus to rural areas through mission minded pastors. (Yes, Lake Tapps was rural 55 years ago!)

Those roots grew into a congregation of people passionate about missions; engaging with missionaries personally, praying over their struggles, giving open-handedly, and sharing their hearts and lives with the mutual goal to spread the Good News.

Today, we continue this mission-minded focus by way of our missions committee and benevolence committee. There are now many branches receiving nourishment from that well rooted tree.

• 21 missionaries around the world, several of whom have been sent from the body of LTCC

• 6 local outreach partners, two of which were founded by LTCC members

Each receives monthly financial support from LTCC; about 25% of our annual budget, in fact.

So, this coming Missions Emphasis Weekend is less about raising money for our missionaries; God has truly blessed the church with the funds to do so. This weekend is more about you. Yes, you!

As the missions committee works through plans for the future and what missions will mean to LTCC going forward, we are encouraged by a broader definition of “missions”. A definition that applies to us all, a definition that dismisses us at the end of our church services with “You are sent!”

• You are sent…to serve as a Children’s Church teacher

• You are sent…to teach as a Bible Study leader

• You are sent…to pray with your co-worker

• You are sent…to meet needs in the community

• You are sent…to serve at local outreach partners events

• You are sent…to give generously of your time or finances

• You are sent…to step into the shoes of a missions committee member

• You are sent…to personally build a relationship with a missionary and support them in the best way possible

• You are sent…to learn about being a missionary, locally or abroad, because God has laid it on your heart

• You are sent…to wrestle with God as to what He has for you.
  

• You are sent…to reach others for the gospel

It is only through the Spirit’s call that any of us step forth in faith and act in His strength. Is your heart open to hearing His Spirit speak to you and lead you into humbly serving Him through “missions”, however that is defined?

God works through people! He has worked through the missionaries we will hear from this weekend, who have humbly submitted to serving Him, to impact lives for the Gospel, no matter where or how.

God works through you! As we seek to follow Christ, we are given opportunities to serve, to be sent. In His strength, be encouraged to step into those opportunities.

What is God doing in your life? Pray to answer this question daily, that God gives you a heart to answer the call, not out of obligation or duty, but by faith.

I can’t help but remember a song that so clearly expresses my heart. I pray these words stay in your heart, as well.

“To Love the Lord our God
Is the heartbeat of our Mission
the spring from which our service overflows
Across the street and around the world
The mission is still the same
Proclaim and live the truth in Jesus’ name.”
“The Mission” by Steve Green

In His Service,

Ron Hubeek, Deacon of Missions
Trista Sutherland, Deacon of Benevolence

Registration is still open for the following events!

• Saturday, Oct. 22nd, 8 am – Men’s Breakfast | Speaker Micah Heath

• Saturday, Oct. 22nd, 11 am - Ladies' Brunch | Speaker Andrea Heath

• Saturday, Oct. 22nd, 6:30 pm - Ice Cream Social | Featured Speakers James Hoad | Nursery & Children's Church available

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• Check out our Announcements page and/or our Events page to find out What's Happening at LTCC this week and beyond!

• Read about this week's Missionary Spotlight, Micah and Andrea Heath.

• Joining us via Livestream this Sunday? Click here to get the link for the Livestream.