Missions

Contents:
Baptist Affiliation support
Madison community Baptist ministries
Community Ministries
Other Outreach programs

The Board of Outreach seeks to promote twin aims of Mission Work (locally, nationally and internationally) and the application of Christian Ethics to modern life. Ministry is directed locally to persons in need, linking of talents and strengths of the congregation with community ministries through special projects, provision of resources to the congregation for study and advocacy of social projects, and for social change, and the development of cooperative witness through denominational, ecumenical and community networks. The Board of Outreach receives requests for donations and volunteers from agencies, organizations, and groups which greatly need support and whose clients represent important issues in our community, state, nation or world. Educational programs about mission work and social justice issues are offered to the congregation. The Board of Outreach also encourages groups within the congregation who see specific needs to form task forces on social concerns and involve the congregation as appropriate.

Baptist Affiliation support provided through the Board of Outreach includes a variety of Mission affiliates including:

  1. American Baptist Missions, Baptist Peace Fellowship, and Baptist World Alliance
    In recent years, several of our members taught English to Chinese middle school English teachers as part of the Amity Foundation's Summer English Program. To read about their experiences, take a look at their "blog". The Amity Foundation is a Chinese Christian organization supported by the American Baptist office of International Ministries. In addition to general mission support, we also support the work of Judy Sutterlin, an American Baptist missionary in China.
  2. National, World, and Wisconsin Council of Churches
  3. The Welcoming and Affirming Committee has arisen from First Baptist’s decision to be a Welcoming and Affirming American Baptist Congregation. This includes development of inclusive, reconciling ministries, and participation in and support of a variety of local and national associations and caucuses committed to welcoming and affirming all persons regardless of sexual orientation into the full life and mission of American Baptist Churches.
  4. Various Baptist colleges and seminaries.
Madison community Baptist ministries which are supported by the Board include:
  1. The Wayland Foundation partners with other denominations to support the Crossing Campus Ministry on the UW campus. As part of its contribution to this ecumenical campus ministry, Wayland provides two houses for students interested in Christian community living. First Baptist also supports the Crossing Campus Ministry directly.
  2. The Northport/Packers Community development offers assisted housing for lower-income families, providing residents with job preparation opportunities, child care, social activities, computer skills, tutoring and other life-enhancing activities.
Community Ministries provide financial and manpower support to various community programs including:

  1. Transitional Housing which assists homeless men with short-term living accommodations at the Grace Episcopal Church shelter. Once a month, First Baptist members prepare and serve the evening meal and assist the staff during the evening.
  2. Habitat for Humanity is an international program which provides for building and renovating homes for lower-income families and has helped many Madison families who were formerly unable to obtain their own housing to do so.
  3. Madison Urban Ministry receives support through participation in task forces on peace and justice and promotion of peaceful solutions to community problems.
  4. The Triangle Ministry serves a population of ethnic diversity, including the elderly and people with physical and mental disabilities in the “triangle” area of Madison. The Board of Outreach supports assistance to enable the ministry to continue its work in providing for this population of the community.
  5. The Urban League of Greater Madison focuses attention on the African-American community and provides tutoring, outreach for teen parents and job skills preparation.
  6. Children/Youth at Risk and the Transitional Education Program (TEP) are assisted through the Board of Outreach through collections of school supplies, as well as tutoring and mentoring opportunities for children who reside in homeless shelters and attend TEP at Emerson School.
  7. Project Angel Tree provides for purchase and delivery of holiday gifts for children of prisoners.
  8. Mobile Meals provides hot meals, delivered to elderly/disabled persons within the community, is sponsored by Visiting Nurse Service and supported by members of First Baptist who assist with delivery.
  9. Red Cross blood donations/drives.
Other Outreach programs provided specifically by First Baptist of Madison include:
  1. International English Classes sponsored by Madison Friends of International Students, Inc., are held two mornings a week at First Baptist. Church members support this English as a Second Language (ESL) program by tutoring adults, teaching the mother/child class, outreach to new learners, and administrative support.
  2. Donations of food by the congregation are delivered to the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Food Pantry that provides food for those in need.
The Board of Outreach of First Baptist Church of Madison demonstrates Christ’s principles of unconditional love, providing a hands-on response to our rich traditions of theological openness and social concern, regardless of race, gender, culture, sexual orientation or marital status. We welcome input from the congregation on any social concerns which may arise within our community and attempt to provide the needed support as best we can, through the spirit of Christ.


Copyright © 2007 First Baptist Church Madison.