2018 A&B Campaign Giving above and beyond this year = doubled missions budget for 2019. 2019=doubled missions funding AND doubled missions participation. Additional 300,000 this year.

Mark 4:26-29 Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.”

Mark 4:30-32 Jesus said, “How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”

Sowing = Verses 26, 31 Jesus said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground…” “The Kingdom of God…is like a mustard seed planted in the ground.”

Strengthening = Verses 28, 32a “The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens.” “…it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches…”

Scholarships = Verses 29, 32b “As soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.” “…it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”

Matthew 6:1-4 “Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Acts 4:32-37 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need…

…For instance, there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means “Son of Encouragement”). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus. He sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles.

A Barnabas Giver

Mark 4:24-25 (The Message) “Listen carefully to what I am saying— and be wary of the shrewd advice that tells you how to get ahead in the world on your own. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.”