Missions

Mission Project Angola 2021 - Flyer

Christian women of Angola make clothing for women and men out of fabric that has scripture verses printed on it. Wearing clothing made from this fabric helps them to witness to those with whom they come in contact. (See examples of the printed fabric below.) Funds raised by American Baptist women will enable the Christian women of Angola to have more fabric made. Rev. Ruth Harvey, a member of Somerville Community
Baptist Church and first International Ministries Special Assistant to Angola in almost 100 years, is available to speak via Zoom in local churches, mission events, women’s gatherings, etc. Hear what the churches in Angola have to teach us about radical hospitality. Contact Rev. Harvey via email at ruthlh@comcast.net to schedule a presentation.

Angola is a west-coast country of south-central Africa. It is the seventh-largest
country in Africa, bordered by Namibia to the south, the Democratic Republic of
the Congo to the north, Zambia to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.

2 Thessalonians 3:1 1

As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the LORD may
spread rapidly and be honored just as it wa with you.

Hebrews 11:6 6

And without faith it is impossible to please
God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

2019-2021 Mission Focus: Addiction

Addiction is a psychological and physical inability to stop consuming a chemical, drug, activity, or substance, even though it is causing psychological and physical harm. In 2011, there were approximately 20.6 million people in the U.S. over the age of 12 with an addiction.

American Baptist Women’s Ministries announces its mission focus theme for 2019-2021, Addiction. Building on the 2019-2021 ministry focus, “Sisters Seeking Wholeness,” and in response to the increase in addiction in the United States, the mission focus provides American Baptist women and girls the opportunity to explore this critical issue, especially its impact upon women and girls, and how our faith calls us to respond.

Did you know?

· Over 20 million Americans over the age of 12 have an addiction (excluding tobacco).
· 100 people die every day from drug overdoses. This rate has tripled in the past 20 years.
· 6.8 million people with an addiction have a mental illness.
· Over 90% of those with an addiction began drinking, smoking or using illicit drugs before the age of 18.

Addictive behaviors are used to help us manage stress, negative emotions, and difficult social or relational experiences. For women, the challenges of multiple demands, role stress, body image, or trauma may also lead to addictive behaviors as coping strategies. With this theme we could explore the dynamics of addiction as a progressive condition that begins as a solution and ends as our biggest problem. But even in the midst of this problem, we are not separated from God. Jesus knows why we started these behaviors and will walk with us into newness of life.

State Mission Project 2019-2020

Christian Women in Angola

Mission Focus 2018/2019: Domestic Violence

Domestic violence crosses all socio-economic and racial barriers. Intimate partner violence, or domestic violence, is a crucial topic affecting women and families in our communities and in our congregations. Thirty percent of women globally experience intimate partner violence. Nearly 75 percent of Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence. Yet, despite these statistics, few churches address the issue openly. What a powerful place of safety, healing, and recovery a women’s ministry and a congregation could be for those experiencing or having experienced domestic violence.

Visit http://www.abwomensministries.org/ for information regarding your study or to take action.

If you or a loved one are experiencing domestic violence, visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline at https://www.thehotline.orgor call 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224.

Human Trafficking:

The Department of Justice estimate that there are 300,000 children at risk of being trafficked into sexual slavery in the United States.  One in three runaway teens are picked up by a pimp/trafficker within 48 hours of leaving home and becoming homeless.

Human Trafficking is a criminial business that profits from enslaving people for sexual servitute or exploitation and forced labor. It is the fastest growing and second largest criminal industry in the world today - second only to drug trafficking and tied with illegal arms - according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Estimated number of people trafficked into the U.S. each year is 14,500-17,500. Of this number, 50% are children. Ninety eight percent of sex trafficking victims are women and girls.

Visit http://allhandsinma.org/ for more information.

People can be connected to help or report a tip of suspected human trafficking by calling the National Human Trafficking Hotline at1-888-373-7888, texting "BeFree" (233733), or chatting at www.humantraffickinghotline.org.

Mission Focus 2017/2018:  Homelessness

According to the numbers from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's 2017 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress, there were 17,565 people in Massachusetts counted as experiencing homelessness during the January 2017 point-in-time count conducted by the HUD Continua Care across the state.  This included an estimated:  11,298 people in families with children, 6,267 unaccompanied adults, 469 unaccompanied youth, 853 veterans, and 1,238 individuals experiencing chronic homelessness.