Women on Mission - September Update

Bryon Ethington brought a powerful presentation of his love for and work among the Jewish people when he spoke to Women on Mission on Sept. 8. After seeking the Lord's will for 15 years concerning his desire to work in the Jewish homeland, he and his family moved to and lived right next to an atheistic Jewish family they had met in New Zealand while going through discipleship training.

"I want to live where no one knows Jesus," Bryon prayed. During the two years he and his family were there, Bryon prayed over "every square inch of that town." During their time there, they never met a believer, nor did they meet anyone who had ever met a believer. "That is what it means to be in an unreached people group," he commented.

Bryon shared several historical and present-day facts about the nation of Israel. Less than 2% of Israelies are believers, he noted, and 80% of Israelis are atheists.

WOM learned from Bryon that it is very difficult for a Jew to follow Jesus because historically Christians have been extreme Jew-haters, to include the Crusaders, Martin Luther, and many early church leaders. Jesus' crucifixion has for many years been used as evidence for the persecution of Jews. As a result, Jews today reject Jesus as Savior because "I can believe anything but I cannot believe that!" Bryon related. "The message of the cross, which we see as a message of love and mercy, for 2,000 years has been held up as a reason for hate and persecutionof Jews.

Bryon urged that when dealing with Jewish people we should follow this path: repent, remember, renew, pray, prioritize, provide. He noted that in bringing Jewish people to Christ, WE join them in Messiah as the full completion of what God meant the Jewish people — HIS people — to believe.

Brian and Angela Sackett from Camp Bethel will be the guest speakers when Women on Mission meet on Oct. 13. Camp Bethel is a 160-acre retreat nestled in the mountains of southwest Virginia. Founded in 1939, it has deep roots in the local community.

As camp directors since 2021, Brian and his wife Angela have developed a year-round program to connect generations in Christ, expanding from a primarily weekly summer kids' camp to retreat facilities for church and school groups, cabin rentals, hosted retreats, and holiday events. In 2022, they founded a year-round coffee shop to help build stronger community connections and expand ministry more intentionally to college students, young families, and guests of every generation.

Brian came to Bethel after serving at Harvey Cedars Bible Conference in Long Beach Island. As Bethel director, he has served in all aspects of the ministry, finally able to bring on a director of maintenance this past spring. He is an ordained minister. Angela is a photographer and podcaster and passionate baker who loves to use food and hospitality to share the love of Jesus with others.

The October WOM meeting will be held in the Buchanan Hall at First Baptist. A covered dish luncheon will begin at 11:30 a.m. Followed by the speakers' presentation at noon.