This is the first of several posts highlighting Hillsdale’s upcoming Missions Conference.

“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

Hillsdale Baptist Church has been a missions-minded, missions-hearted church since her founding in 1962.  Our church family has known not only the joy of supporting missionaries and missions endeavors around the world, but also of sending our own members to follow God’s calling as missionaries.

Fifteen years have passed since Hillsdale’s philosophy of supporting missions and missionaries underwent a radical transformation following a challenge by Rev. Tom Morgan he titled “Home Grown Tomatoes”.

Tom and his wife Diane, members of Hillsdale, had served as missionaries in both Italy and Australia.  When they returned to the States I received an education in the trials and hardships of missionary deputation.  Tom challenged me; if pastors and churches want to see more missionaries go to the mission field we need to affirm them by supporting them, especially our “Home Grown” missionaries.  That challenge resonated in my heart and the members of Hillsdale.  We committed to supporting new missionaries sent out by Hillsdale at 20% of their support need—a radical departure from the past, but one that transformed both our hearts and vision.

Hillsdale’s Missions Conference begins Sunday, October 26-29, and we will revisit the fruit of our decision to “put our money where our hearts were” as Dennis and Melanie Rodgers, church planters in Pullman, Washington, return as one of our “Home Grown Tomatoes” for our missions conference.  The Rodgers will highlight their visit to Hillsdale by being the keynote speaker at our Missions Banquet, Sunday night, October 26.

Reminder: You need to sign up to have a seat reserved for you at the banquet.