As we draw closer to the last two months of this year, I wonder if you will remember it being a good year? There are lots of ways to measure a good year from a bad year, but one of the ways that the Bible suggests is looking back to see the seeds we have sown. If you know anything about growing plants (believe me when I say I am not an expert!) you know how

important it is to get off to a good start. To have a good plant (and/or harvest), you start by sowing a “good” seed. When we use the biblical definition of what “good seed” is, we see that a “good seed” would be the seed that God leads us to sow.

We read in, Galatians 6:8-9 "For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

The harvest you reap reveals the seeds that you planted. When we sow “good seeds” by the leading of the Holy Spirit, we will reap good rewards.

This is the time of year when we ask you to consider giving to our Harvest Offering. This is an offering we give to support a church, person, or ministry outside of our church that we have prayerfully considered. Even though there are many things we could do with that money here at Wildwood, the Harvest Offering shows that we trust the Lord for the things we need by giving generously to others. This year’s recipient will be the ministry happening in Oyuma, Africa where our sister church, Wildwood Baptist Church of Oyuma (did you know that even existed?), is serving the community as a place where God’s Word is taught and God’s people are led to love the Lord and serve others.

Pastor Joshua is the lead pastor there and he has asked for our help in purchasing a van to carry sound equipment and tents. These would be taken to areas surrounding the church to do outdoor rallys and special worship services within those communities. Basically, since the common mode of travel in that part of the world is by foot or on bicycle, they want to spread the gospel in places where people may not be able to easily come to them. They would also like to use the van to transport people who are unable to walk to church. This is part of the initial request I received form Pastor Joshua,

To Pastor Ric and the good people of Wildwood,

We request for you and your leadership to consider us as your sister church in Oyuma and consider as we approach two months of holiday on this side of the ocean. Pastor, we are working on spreading the gospel, discipleship, open air conference and baptisms as we conduct meetings in different areas in this remote village of Migori to reach many with the love and hope of Christ. Is there any way you can help purchase a van that will allow us to do God’s will in this place? God bless you for your consideration.

Sincerely, Pastor Joshua

Our goal is to raise $30,000 for them to purchase a van to use for transportation to church for those who can’t walk far, and for the spread of the gospel in neighboring areas with outdoor rallys. The collection for the Harvest Offering began yesterday and will conclude on Sunday, November 24th . You can give online by using our website giving tab and donating to the “Harvest Offering” or you can give in person by writing a check (made payable to Wildwood), or by giving cash and placing in the “Harvest Offering” envelopes available at Welcome and Event desks, on the tables at the Worship Center exits and on the small table in the front foyer between the two sets of stairs.

I am always grateful for your faithfulness and generosity. Trust me when I say, there are many needs we have right here in our own church, but I believe that when we sow good seeds to others, God will provide for us! We not only give to places across the ocean, but we also give to places across the street! We are donating gift cards to the families who have children who attend Palmer Middle School and Pitner Elementary School who are in need of assistance to purchase turkeys for Thanksgiving this year. We will also be setting up an Angel tree to provide Christmas gifts for those families later this month. Many of those families come to our food pantry twice a month to receive food and groceries as well!

What a blessing it is to be part of a church that has a heart for sowing good seed by helping others who are in need! Thank you and God bless you for your prayerful consideration in giving to this year’s Harvest Offering.

~Pastor Ric