Missions & Outreach
Our motivation for being involved in missions is the conviction that God is a missionary God, as reflected in every page of scripture, He is constantly seeking the lost of His creation to bring them back into His fold, and that God calls his Church to be a missionary Church. It is our firm belief that it is not only important to support our mission efforts prayerfully and financially, but we hold that it is even more important to send people forth on to the mission field, locally, nationally, and internationally.
LOCAL MISSIONS & OUTREACH
K.A.I.R. - Kalkaska Area Interfaith Resources
Kalkaska Area Interfaith Resources (KAIR) is an all faith, community-based volunteer organization that provides practical assistance to the qualified elderly, frail, disabled, isolated and needy of Kalkaska County.
Crawford County
Christian Help Center
The Crawford County Community Christian Help Center has been serving the needs of the community since 1992. It began when a group of residents came together in hopes of reducing hunger in Crawford County.
Phone +1 618-546-5542
River House Women's Shelter
The mission of River House, Inc. is to provide safety and services to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse and the homeless population while promoting empowerment through education and advocacy. River House, Inc. has been serving local communities since 1986, by providing crisis counseling, emergency shelter, group counseling and support, as well as legal advocacy and community education.
iNTERNATIONAL MISSIONS AND OUTREACH
International Fellowship of Christians and Jews
The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews was founded in 1983 by Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein to promote understanding between Jews and Christians and build broad support for Israel and other shared concerns. Our ministry's vision is that Jews and Christians will reverse their 2,000-year history of discord and replace it with a relationship marked by dialogue, respect, and cooperation.
Samaritan's Purse and Operation Christmas Child
BLCC participates every year in this worthwhile project. Our 2022 goal was 300 shoe boxes. By the grace of God and the generosity of our church family we were able to pack and send 300 boxes!! Please be praying for those who will receive these simple gifts that it will make a difference in their lives and that they come to know Jesus - the reason we celebrate Christmas!
After sharing the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus said “Go and do likewise.” That is the mission of Samaritan's Purse—to follow the example of Christ by helping those in need and proclaiming the hope of the Gospel. They are an effective means of reaching hurting people in countries around the world with food, medicine, and other assistance in the Name of Jesus Christ. This, in turn, earns them a hearing for the Gospel, the Good News of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Tapestries of Life
Tapestries of Life is a US based organization that takes seriously the Christian mandate to take care of widows and orphans. In order to accomplish this mandate, Tapestries of Life is focusing on two large initiatives all for the glory of God.
The first vision that God laid on our hearts is to build an orphanage in Guadalupe Mexico, which will be the largest orphanage in all of Latin America. Although there is a lot of work that needs to be completed, God has blessed this project.The Biblical mandate to take care of the widows and orphans is in the process of being fulfilled in the orphanage that is being built at in Guadalupe, MX. This orphanage will house over 400 children and the government promised to fill it within 24 hours of when the doors open with a small percentage of the over 7000 children that are living on the street in this area alone. This orphanage is being built by churches in America, Canada, Scotland and all over the world. May God’s name be praised. However, there is a lot of work that still needs to be done.
In the early 1980′s 27 acres of property located in Guadalupe, Mexico was donated to Tapestries of Life Ministries. This property was an answer to prayer for Pastor Steven Brewer and his wife Cathy. The Brewer’s vision is to build an orphanage for the homeless children of Mexico. They have named this orphanage “Casa de las Gemas” – House of Gems. Each child is a jewel in God’s eyes. When completed this complex will house over 400 children. The main dormitory is a two-story building constructed in the shape of a cross. Also on the grounds are a Clinic, Cafeteria, Staff Housing, Elementary School and a Warehouse.
Tapestries of Life provides many ways for people to have “hands-on” involvement in our mission outreach to Mexico. Individuals, churches, mission groups, youth groups… there’s an opportunity for you!
The second part of the vision is meeting the immediate daily needs of today through the mercy ministry. We are providing much needed food to the poor of Mexico. Many of these items are provided by donations specifically for this ministry or by the work teams involved in the distribution.
The Bible is full of verses that require us to help those who need our help. Some examples are “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.” Another one is when Jesus asks what we have done in His name. He rejects and accepts people based on serving a cup of water to a thirsty person or giving clothing to someone in need. This is what the mercy ministry is all about. It is a day away from working for the children, but it isn’t a wasted day. It is a day where we serve families. Families that line up for hours to get food so they can feed their family. And the satisfaction of watching the children walk away with a smile on their faces.
