The Power of Partnerships

(This message was originally published on September 27, 2012) We can all think of examples of powerful partnerships.

Pop culture gave us: Bert and Ernie Batman and Robin Beauty and the Beast Bob Hope and Bing Crosby Andy Taylor and Barney Fife Famous business partners included: Rolls and Royce Sears and Roebuck Black and Decker History notes partnerships like: Lewis and Clark Orville and Wilbur Wright Franklin Roosevelt and Winston Churchill Here is another example of the power of partnership that you may not have considered: Southern Baptist churches.

By joining forces, as allies in the Great Commission, as a coalition of churches, Southern Baptists do the following together: support approximately 5,000 international missionaries; plant churches all across America and the world; coordinate one of the top Disaster Relief Ministries in America; have six seminaries that provide education to ministers (Cooperative Program giving allows Southern Baptist students to attend for about half the cost); provide resources to over 40,000 churches; and more.

Indeed, the sun never sets on the missionary efforts of Southern Baptist churches.

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him-a threefold cord is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, ESV).

Because of the faithfulness of Southern Baptist churches across the SBC of Virginia, this month we were able to provide equipping conferences for church leaders across the state in five venues, with over 700 equipped. This weekend, over 120 pastors, staff, and wives will participate in a retreat that is made possible because of the Southern Baptist Cooperative Program and the Vision Virginia State Missions Offering. Thank you. Finally, I hope to see you at our Annual Homecoming (fall convention meeting) at Liberty Baptist Church in Hampton, November 11-13. Please go to www.sbcv.org for more detailed information.