An Ohio congregation testifies of God’s faithfulness as they are faithful to give to missions through the years.
Pastor Terry McBeath went to the Upper Room Church of God in Findlay, Ohio, 31 years ago. When he arrived at the church, his congregation had approximately 30 members. Now, the church has grown to more than 400 attendees.
In his first year as pastor, McBeath began a local church missions emphasis, teaching the church that “you can’t out give God.” As a young child, McBeath was taught the importance of giving to missions, and it was his desire to instill that same attitude in the heart of his congregation.
“My advice to other local churches is to look at God’s Promise. Mark 10:21 says, ‘…Give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven.’ Luke 6:38 says, ‘Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.’ I have no doubt that God will bless ANY church that has a heart for missions – the same way he has blessed my church,” says McBeath.
Recently, the Upper Room Church of God held a missions service with Missions Representative Terrell Brinson. In this service, Brinson brought before the congregation the 2010 missions project for the State of Ohio. That morning, more than $40,000 was raised for the cause of Christ! It was an all-time record. The pastor’s council met before service and decided to pull $24,000 cash from their church funds and give it toward the missions offering. The congregation gave the rest.
When asking Brother McBeath what future mission goals he had for The Upper Room, he said; “ To do more than we have done in the past! The people of The Upper Room have taken the step of faith that will set God’s hand free to bless them in the ways He wants.”
Praise the Lord for people like Terry McBeath and his congregation, and their heart for missions.
R. Terrell Brinson, Missions Representative
© 2010 Church of God World Missions