From Middletown to Spain: The Gideons' Journey - Wednesday Evening - October 9, 2024

Middletown Baptist Church

This podcast episode features a powerful message from Colton Gideon, a missionary preparing to serve in Spain, emphasizing that missions exists to make disciples of Jesus who worship and enjoy Him forever. Colton shares insights into the spiritual landscape of Spain, where less than 2% of the population profess faith in Christ, and highlights the urgent need for gospel-preaching churches in the country. He discusses his family's mission to plant healthy churches and make disciples, illustrating that true discipleship is about becoming apprentices to Jesus and living out His teachings. Pastor Josh also reflects on the importance of prioritizing the Great Commission within the church, encouraging listeners to support missionaries like the Gideons as they embark on this vital work. The episode concludes with an invitation for the congregation to engage with and pray for the Gideons as they prepare for their journey.

As the Middletown Baptist Church podcast unfolds, Pastor Josh introduces a special evening dedicated to supporting missionaries Colton and Allie Gideon, who are preparing to embark on a mission to Spain. The conversation flows with warmth and sincerity as Pastor Josh connects his past experiences with Colton, illustrating the deep ties they share through their faith journeys. The Gideons articulate the dire need in Spain, where only a small fraction of the population identifies as Christian, despite the country’s historical ties to Christianity. This revelation sets a poignant backdrop for their mission of church planting and discipleship, aiming to reach those who have been disillusioned by traditional religious practices.

Colton and Allie share their personal stories, reflecting on how their backgrounds shaped their calling to serve. Allie's upbringing in a missionary family instilled in her a passion for spreading the gospel, while Colton recounts a transformative experience during a missions conference that solidified his commitment to reaching the unreached. They discuss their strategy of first learning from seasoned missionaries, which emphasizes their desire to build a solid foundation for their future ministry. This approach not only highlights the importance of cultural understanding but also the essence of discipleship, which they see as essential for fostering genuine faith among those they aim to serve.

Wrapping up the episode, Pastor Josh calls upon the church community to actively support the Gideons, emphasizing that the mission of spreading the gospel is a shared responsibility. He urges listeners to consider how they can contribute, whether through prayer or financial support, reinforcing the idea that the church is called to be a beacon of hope and transformation. This podcast episode serves as a compelling reminder of the global mission field's urgency and the vital role every believer plays in fulfilling the Great Commission, encouraging a proactive approach to evangelism and discipleship within the church.

Takeaways:

• Missions is not just about getting people into heaven, but about transforming lives.
• The Great Commission emphasizes the importance of making disciples who worship Jesus.
• Spain has a significant need for gospel preaching churches, with many towns lacking them.
• Colton and Allie's desire is to share the love of Christ in Spain.
• Worship is the ultimate goal of missions, serving as both motivation and purpose.
• Understanding the cultural context in Spain is vital for effective ministry and outreach.

Links referenced in this episode:

https://www.thegideons.org/

• middletownbaptistchurch.org
• facebook.com
• youtube.com
• joshmissaroiddletownbaptastchurch.com