Mission Friends

Mission Friends is the missions organization for birth through Kindergarten. In Mission Friends, preschoolers are led to move their focus from self to others. They are introduced to missions through sensory experiences and activities. They learn about God's helpers who tell people about His love. They learn that they can be helpers too. In Mission Friends, preschoolers begin building a foundation which will one day lead them to learn of God's plan for their lives as well as for the entire world.

Mission Friends is a vital missions education program for preschoolers to learn about missionaries all around the world and the countries they serve in and that they, too, can be missionaries right here where they live by telling others about Jesus and His love.  Each month Mission Friends focuses on one of our Southern Baptist missionaries. Each week Mission Friends teachers tell a missions story, plan an activity related to the country, give all preschoolers the opportunity to pray for the missionary, give the preschoolers a light snack, and play games related to the country where the missionary lives.  God uses Mission Friends to plant the seeds of becoming a missionary in the minds of little ones!  It is a blessing to see and hear preschoolers praying for the missionary they learn about monthly and know that Mission Friends is having a positive impact in the life of God's precious preschoolers.

 

How has Tulip Group implemented Mission Friends?

Mission Friends:

  • teaches missions to preschoolers in three-year-old through five-year-old classes
  • meets in the classrooms on the second floor of the educational building
  • meets every Wednesday night from 6:45 p.m. to 7:30 p.m
  • promotes at the beginning of the school year

 

2008-2009 Mission Friends Projects

August: Christmas in August

Collect school supplies such as paper, pencils, pens, crayons, scissors, glue, and backpacks for missionaries in Kansas.

 

September: Worldcrafts

Support this WMU-sponsored ministry by placing Worldcraft catalog orders.

 

October: World Hunger Emphasis

Collect food for our Crisis Closet.

 

November: NBA Toy Store

Collect toys for the NBA Toy Store.

 

January: Stuffed Animals

Collect stuffed animals to give to emergency response agencies

to give to children involved in emergency situations.

 

February: Habitat for Humanity

Purchase “A Gift from the Heart” cards to support Habitat for Humanity.

 

March: Christian Women’s Job Corps

Collect children’s books for the children of the women being served by CWJC.

 

April: Room in the Inn

Collect socks for Tulip Grove’s Room in the Inn ministry.

 

May: Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes

Collect Change-for-Children offering for the TN Baptist Children’s Homes.

 

 

MISSION FRIENDS NEWS

Spring 2009

 

Dear Parents,

      This letter is just to update you on the “happenings” of Mission Friends.

 

      Last week you received a letter from the missionaries in Kansas, that we sent school supplies to.  Although, we just received their letter, I wanted to remind you that we shipped four boxes to them in August and also gave one large box and several bags full of school supplies to the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home. 

     In September, we supported the Worldcrafts organization (sponsored by WMU) by placing orders from their catalog. 

     In October, your generous giving helped us re-supply our church food closet.  The cans/dried food came in every week throughout the month.  It was awesome!!!!

     In November, your families helped collect toys for the NBA toy store. 

     January’s service project has been the largest so far!!!  We collected stuffed animals for police/ambulance/fire departments to give to children involved in emergency situations.  Your donations were through the roof!!!!!  The following is a breakdown of how the stuffed animals were distributed:

2 trash bags were given to W.E.M.A.

2 trash bags were given to Lebanon City Fire Department

2 trash bags were given to Wilson County Sheriff Department

4 trash bags were given to Metro Police Department (Hermitage)

**I have 1 trash bag and am waiting on another donation-to give Metro Fire Department (Old Hickory) 2 trash bags full.

We even had a Sunday School class donate $50.00 for us to purchase more stuffed animals!

     This month, February, we are purchasing “A Gift From the Heart” cards from Habitat for Humanity, to support that great organization.

     In March, we will be helping the Christian Women’s Job Corps.  In April, we will support the Room in the Inn (by collecting for next year’s program).  In May, we will participate in the Change for Children offering-for the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes. 

     THANK YOU so much for your generosity and giving!  You have been wonderful!!!!  Please continue to help us during the upcoming spring months.  These next few service projects are easy to participate in and ALL are for very worthy causes.  Watch for more details to come!!!!!

 

Linda Sharp

Mission Friends Director

 

 

Related Links:

 

Mission Friends Web Site