June 23, 2017
What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you say the word missionary? Most people think of someone going to a faraway country, such as India. This is not a misconception, but sometimes we overlook the country, state, city, or block that we live in as a mission field. The mission, as Jesus stated in Matthew 28:19, is to share the gospel and make disciples of all nations. The United States is a nation so it qualifies as a place for missionaries to be sent. You may ask, we have churches virtually on every corner so why do we need missionaries in the United States?
There are many “nations” within our country. There are the homeless, the people caught up in sex trafficking, there are refugees from other countries who do not believe in Jesus, there are atheist, there are people in the business realm… The list could go on and on. These are people who probably would not go to a church. Romans 10:14 in NLT says: “But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?” This why we need missionaries in the United States.
Several years ago, shortly before I came to staff for Camp Barkeley 2, the Lord spoke to me about my husband and me moving back to Abilene in order to bring preservation. My husband and I committed to God that we would move back to Abilene. Shortly after, I was asked if I would like to be a Resident Missionary with Iris Abilene. I knew God had opened a door for us to come back to Abilene. He also miraculously provided a job for my husband.
As a Resident Missionary, I work along with other existing ministries. Several days a week, I work at Love and Care Ministries. They minister to the homeless and the poor. I have had the privilege in working in the kitchen preparing and serving meals for lunch and street feeds in Abilene. I am currently working in the food pantry. I help prepare and hand out sack lunches. I have had many opportunities to share the gospel, encourage, and pray for people who have come to Love and Care as well to those who work or volunteer there.
Global Samaritan Resources is another ministry I work with several days a week. They provide humanitarian aid and disaster relief when it is needed around the world and locally. They also are involved with medical missions through shipping supplies to various places in the world. I have helped prepare a container for shipment as well as assisting with inventory in the warehouse, praying along with the staff for specific needs for Global, and assisting in a community outreach where students in an area school district decorated boxes of food shipped to Iraq.
My husband and I live in a mission house called the House of Kindness. We have hosted missionaries and families who needed a time of respite and refreshing. Our heart is to serve and love on our neighbors. God has been faithful to open doors of opportunities to bless our neighbors.
One of our favorite things to do while we are out and about in Abilene is to stop for the one and listen to their story and love on them and bless them. Hebrews 13:2 NLT says; “Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it!” We are all called to be “missionaries” in our sphere of influence. I encourage you to pray and ask God for opportunities to share the gospel and make disciples in your part of the world!
--Tim & Jeannette Burleigh—Resident Missionaries at Iris Abilene
On July 22nd, we will have another Encounter Night! The previous months we have had an amazing turn-out and some incredible testimonies!! We look forward to having another night of worship and prayer at the Camp Barkeley Worship Center!! We hope to see you there!
In October, we will be offering a Restoring the Foundations Training School! It will be an incredible time of community, and being trained in this incredible heart healing ministry! The deadline for this training is August 15th. You can visit our website for more information at campbarkeley.com
