Missions is at the heart of Minier Assembly of God.  That's obvious from the moment you walk in the door and see the maps surrounded by Missionary photos and when you see the flags of many nations hanging in the sanctuary.  Of course we know that our mission starts right here and we are trying to reach out more and more to our local community and show the love of Jesus.  But we also feel the responsibility that Jesus gave us to reach the whole world when he gave the great commission:

"Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you."  -Matthew 28:19-20

Here are some of the ways we're working to fulfill our Lord's command...

Missionary Support

We support more than 45 missionaries bringing the good news about Jesus throughout the world.  Some are as nearby as the Teen Challenge substance abuse recovery program in Peoria, others are as far away as China and the Sudan.  About once a quarter we have a real live missionary here to share with us about the mission God has called them to, once a year in the spring we have a missions convention with several missionaries and pledge our monetary support for the year. This consistent emphasis reminds us of both the need and our Lord's command to bring the good news to every nation.  It also reminds us to give the support that is more important than money--the support of our prayers.

Missions Projects

From time to time we will have a special offering to support a special missions project.  It may be a response to a natural disaster like a hurricane or for equipment or materials some of our missionaries need, like Bibles or a radio tower.

Missions Trips

Missions trips are an opportunity for folks to "get their hands dirty" on the mission field.  Sometimes it will be a construction project but it may also be something like a special outreach coordinated with one of our missionaries.

In March of 2006 a team of ten from Minier Assembly went to the Czech Republic to help with construction of a church facility.  The team came back not just weary, but energized with a renewed passion for the worldwide mission of the Church. 

Boys and Girls Missionary Crusade (BGMC)

BGMC is the missions education emphasis for children in the Assemblies of God. It supports our missionaries in their fields of ministry in America and around the world with necessary supplies such as Bibles and Sunday School materials. 

At Minier Assembly on the first Sunday of each month the kids bring in the offerings of pennies, nickels, dimes and dollars they have saved throughout the month for a BGMC offering.  On that Sunday they hear stories or see a video about a particular country.  They learn about the culture of that country, its spiritual needs and what God is doing there through the work of missionaries. 

Did you know? Among Assemblies of God Missionaries, 85% first felt God was calling them to be missionaries while they were between the ages of 9 and 13!

Speed the Light

Speed the Light is the student-initiated ministry that provides transportation and communications equipment to missionaries across the nation and in over 150 countries around the world. In other words it is the missions program that Salvage Yard Youth Ministry participates in.  They raise money both by pledging and taking up offerings and by doing special fund raising projects.  Together with BGMC, Speed the Light helps us as a church ensure we are raising up future generations with a heart for missions and a passion for those who need to hear about Jesus.