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THE GREAT COMMISSION
“…. All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20).
First Global Missionary Journey
In October of 2003 while sitting in the middle of worship service at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, the Lord spoke to me by way of the Holy Spirit in an audible voice, “you are to go to Africa to spread the good news of the gospel.” After much debate (days of praying and fasting) and every excuse I could come up with (not to go), I finally repented and said, “Lord, here am I send me, I’ll go!” In May of 2004, (with suitcases loaded with NIV Bibles) I found myself in Atlanta, GA boarding a plane with three other evangelist/missionaries headed to Zimbabwe, Bulawayo Africa, also Zambia, Livingstone, Botswana and Victoria Falls. The mission was four-fold, evangelistic, discipleship, teaching and holistic.
During this eleven day mission trip, we visited fourteen schools, shared the gospel with over 20,000 children, teenagers, young adults, teachers and administrators. We held open air crusades, men and women conferences and took the gospel to a community of families living in the town’s garbage dump. During this evangelistic mission, we had an outdoor movie night, featuring the film, “This Man Called Jesus!” Many souls were won for Christ during the sharing of the gospel.
We traveled into the Bush to minister to the children at the Towhe Secondary School, (over half of them being without mother, father or grandparents) due to the devastation of Aids. These children, many under the age of fourteen, lived in the outback on their own with no support from government officials (they band together and considered each other as family). While visiting this school, once again I heard the audible voice of the Holy Spirit, “this is why I sent you here, and these children are now your children and the children of the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Family. I have heard their prayers and their cries; they will no longer be without earthly parents.” Upon receiving my report the Friendship Missionary Baptist Church adopted this school of 428 students (holistic mission complete). To this day we fully support these children through financial aid, prayers and words of encouragement.
Second Missionary Journey
In 2004 while still in Zimbabwe the Holy Spirit again spoke, “your next mission trip will be to India.” By this time the Lord had put a passion deep down in my heart for the souls of all his people (no debating this time, Lord here am I). In 2006 once again I found myself assembling with 250 missionaries from 38 states and 6 countries, headed to New Delhi India including the cities of Agra, Hyderabad, Guntur, Vijayawada, Salem, Madurai, Tuaga and Bombay. During this life-changing fourteen day outreach ministry we took part in church plants, Wells of Life, orphanages, feeding programs, and the tsunami village to dedicate new homes to those who lost everything, even family member during the tsunami, medical clinics and prisons. We were able to pray with AIDS patients, dedicate church buildings and serve food to children whose only meal was provided by the feeding program.
In addition to the outreaches, we held a four-day crusade in the city of Hyderabad. Within that time God allowed the team to minister to over 1.2 million people with approximately 400,000 coming to Christ. The day time conference exceeded over 35, 000 registrants.
Third Missionary Journey
In 2007, I waited patiently with great hope and expectation, praying that the Lord would allow me to return to Zimbabwe to visit my new brothers and sisters in Christ and our children at the Towhe Secondary School, instead I found myself being led by the Holy Spirit to Liberia, Africa along with 26 other missionaries. During this eight day evangelistic mission trip, we held day and night revivals at churches of different denominations; we visited schools, orphanages and hospitals. We held youth crusades and a block party for Jesus (numerous youth were saved during these evangelistic services).
We went to the capital and met with the first ever women president of that country. We discussed in details the rebuilding efforts after fourteen years of civil war and the need for better schools and hospitals. We sent a freight loaded with paper, pencils, books and other school essentials to be disturbed to the different schools we visited.
Fourth Missionary Journey
It was not by chance, nor by accident that I enrolled at the W.L. Bonner College of Theology in the fall of 2008. Was I led by God to this institute of higher learning, I can say yes without a doubt? Shortly after entering my second class, “Introduction to Missions,” Sister McQueen begins to speak about the Spring-break mission trip to Trinidad, instantly the Holy Spirit spoke, “this is to be your next missionary journey.”
On April 4, 2008 nine missionaries from different parts of the U.S., (different denominations, different backgrounds, different gifts and talents), boarded our prospected planes, with one designation in mind; Port of Spain, Trinidad located in the West Indies. Our mission: evangelism and discipleship, preaching, teaching, holistic and fellowship. For those whom had never embarked on global missions prior to this date, they were about to embark on a journey that would have a life time impact upon their lives. For those of us whom God had blessed to venture out beyond our borders in times pass, we waited patiently while looking forward to a mighty move of God.
During this short six day mission trip, we spent time in fellowship with our India-Trinidadians’ and African-Trinidadians’ brothers and sisters in Christ. We broke bread and shared meals together (meals which were culturally prepared). As we fellowshipped with our brothers and sisters, we found them to be humble, meek, kind and very friendly. There servitude went far above and beyond what could be asked or expected.
We held nightly evangelistic services; our souls were fed with encouraging words from on high. During the day we witness to people in the outback areas, passed out gospel tracks, shared the gospel with troubled teen girls at the St. Jude’s Home for Girls, and ministered to the elderly at several nursing homes. Out of the abundant of the blessings God showered upon us, we were able to give financially and materially to help those in need as they continue the spread of the gospel. By the grace of God the seeds which were planted, will take root, grow and multiply; thus producing a great harvest for the kingdom of God. I have become pin-pals with some of the young ladies at the St. Jude’s Home for Girls. By way of Sister Hart, I have been able to stay in contact with them (writing letters of encouragement and sending postcards of our state). These young ladies are eager to here from people other than family (some have no family to stay in contact with).
As led by the Holy Spirit, the Spring Break Mission Team will return to Trinidad in the “2009” to continue carrying out the Great Commission. By the grace of God these mission efforts will continue in this location and surrounding areas for years to come as led by the Holy Spirit. Only God knows where I will be headed next . . . as the passion for Global Mission and for the souls of God’s people, burn deep within my soul, I wait patiently to hear the audible voice of the Holy Spirit saying this is the way, walk therein. In the meantime I pray daily for all missionaries and for all God’s children as we endeavor to carry out the Great Commission, spreading the good news of the gospel to a hurting and dying world.
Evangelist/Missionary Iola Meadows
Sincere thanks to all of you for your past, present and future prayers and financial support as I continue to carry out the “Great Commission”.
Special thanks to:
My Husband: Stephen Meadows
Our Children: Jamie (Elaina) and Libby (Myles)
Our Grandchildren: Leigh, Katie, Jon Myles and Christian
My Parents: Earnest and Annie Adams & Family
(Our Pastor) James A. Duncan and (Our 1st Lady) Alfreda Duncan
(All the Pastors and members which make up the Friendship Baptist Educational Association)
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
Olive Branch Baptist Church
St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church
Philippi Baptist Church
Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church
Chinquapin Baptist Church
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