Estes Echo

Burgers with the Bishops

“Burgers with the Bishops” is the annual summer missions send-off hosted by the bishops/overseers (NT Greek episkopoi) of the Estes church (1 Peter 5:1-4). This year the gathering is scheduled for Thursday, May 5th, in the fellowship room of the Estes church building @ 6:00 p.m. Anyone involved in a short-term summer mission effort (whether stateside or abroad) is invited to attend, as well as all others who are interested in missions.

There will be a meal (hamburgers as the main dish) provided by the Estes elders, followed by an opening greeting, introduction of the various campaign groups and individuals (particularly those affiliated with Estes and Freed-Hardeman University), a charge to the campaigners, a special prayer for the campaigners, an exhortation and send-off, final words of encouragement, and a closing group prayer.

While the local church is God’s missionary sending agency, not all supporters and senders can gather in one place at the same time. Even though the Estes congregation is not officially sending all who are participating in these summer campaign efforts, the “Burgers with the Bishops” send-off is more of a symbolic gesture to encourage short-term missionaries and to offer the blessing of a mission-minded eldership. “And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:15a, ESV).

To estimate the amount of food to prepare, we need to know ahead of time if you plan to attend. Estes members are asked to sign up on the Activities Board in the lobby. FHU students, faculty, and staff who have not signed up, please inform Kevin Moore (kmoore@fhu.edu), who is also collecting information about summer mission efforts and welcomes any information you have.

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27).

–Kevin L. Moore