Message Magazine Online - Vol. 55, No. 01, Spring 2007

In This Issue

• Editorials
• Canadian Editorial
  David W. Smith
• Vision Greater Than Our Memories
  Dr. Michael G. Loftis
• Going On: Fran Weddle
• Message Headlines
• Nothing Wasted: The Story of Paul and Helen Miller
  Jim Ruff
• My Way of Escape
  Shoko
• Looking Back: God's Faithfulness. Looking Ahead: God's Provision
  Spencer Jackson
• Prisoners Set Free
  Angela Shuff
• Sharing the Mission
  Dr. Bill Commons
• Between Here and There: Partnering in Ecuador
  Geoff Williams
• Pray for the Unreached
• ABWE and FBFA Announce Historic Partnership
• Children's Corner
  Sadie Busse
• Congratulations ABWE on 80 Years of Ministry
  
• Our Rearview Mirror
  Dr. Wendell Kempton

Our Rearview Mirror

Dr. Wendell Kempton, President Emeritus

Since time has always greatly damaged man’s ability to accurately see the happenings of the past, man has always turned to an inanimate object called a rearview mirror, and it grows in size and age every year. A rearview mirror transports us into the past, where we can once again identify with important events, moments, and people. It is a beautiful way of capturing the past, heightening our appreciation for those who had the first vision, were willing to exercise faith, and believe God for great and mighty things.

It is anniversary time, and ABWE’s rearview mirror is now eighty years old! In these days, we carefully clean and polish our looking glass so that it better reflects the proper images of the past. Some 29,200 days ago a small group of very concerned and dedicated servants of Christ met in Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Mrs. Lucy Peabody, Marguerite Doane, and several single missionaries, including Ellen Martien, met with Dr. and Mrs. Raphael Thomas to discuss and pray about starting a new mission agency. It would stand true to the great doctrines of the faith, while allowing Dr. Thomas the liberty to engage in evangelism. Dr. Thomas was a missionary surgeon in the Philippines who spent hours in the hospital. However, his heart was strongly burdened to reach out to the villages and share the gospel.

This very small genesis confirms the words of the old hymn “Little is much when God is in it.” From that important moment in history, God has poured out His blessings upon the life and ministries of the little organization, which became known as the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism in the Orient. 

The mission quickly expanded and changed its name to the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism, dedicated to engage in evangelism, discipleship, and church planting. Looking into our mirror, we readily see faithful, dedicated, and loyal missionaries who have forged ahead with the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. ABWE has grown from ministering in the Philippines to ministry in eighty-four countries. Millions have been reached with the gospel and thousands of churches have been planted. Some early missionaries were martyred for the cause of Christ, and hundreds saw God do the impossible in transforming lives from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of His dear Son.

In our rearview mirror, we clearly see reflections of the glorious character and person of God—His love, faithfulness, mercy, watching care, and His provision. After these eighty years, we must declare ABWE has seen a whole lot of the glory of the Lord, and we echo the testimony of Psalm 124: “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side . . . the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul.” We would have been a failure.

Instead, because of the goodness of God, we have seen much spiritual success and fruit that remains. All glory to God in the Highest!