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Rich Ratts, a church planter and missionary in the Missoula Valley area, said, “Students of church history often point out that a Great Awakening, or sweeping movement of the Holy Spirit, has never impacted [this area]. I personally have found people to be somewhat open to the gospel here, but ignorant of it at the same time.”

This summer, Brentwood Baptist will send a team of our members to the area to assist in planting a new church in the area. Under the direction of Rich, the church plant is called Convergence Ministries, which is sponsored by the Montana Baptist Convention and the North American Mission Board. And for the past three years, Brentwood Baptist has invested in the start of this new church through the Hope for the World Missions Offering.

“The word ‘convergence’ means, among other things, to bring things together,” Rich said. “There are three E’s in the word. These three E’s represent our visions statement: to see people encounter God, experience community, and engage culture. So in terms of bringing things together, we are seeking to bring about a convergence between people and God—we want to see people encounter God.”

Families are encouraged to participate in this mission journey together as there will be service opportunities for all ages. “Brentwood Baptist members will have opportunities to engage in several critical components of our last few weeks prior to our grand opening and public launch,” Rich said. “Possible projects include prayer walking through neighborhoods, distributing promotional materials to advertise our grand opening, hosting a familyfriendly children’s event, working to clean up after a citywide event in Caras Park, and other community service, conspiracy-of-kindness events.”

Convergence Ministries has begun home Bible studies in the community along with launching worship services. In addition, they are serving the community through a children’s shelter, a home for unwed mothers, a crisis pregnancy center, the Ronald McDonald House, a  homeless shelter, and more. And there is a significantoutreach ministry to some of the 15,000 students on campus at the University of Montana.

According to Rich, there are numerous people who are currently on the verge of giving their lives to Christ. “I would appreciate your prayers for Bree,” Rich said. “Bree is a young man (born Bret) in the midst of a significant search for significance and identity. It would be great if people could pray for Tyron and Rita, [who] have moved here from outside the United States. Their 7-year-old rides the bus with our 7-year-old. Their friendship has opened some opportunities to have spiritual impact on their family. And I just recently heard of some spiritual decisions being made in our college student community group. This is going to be a significant area of ministry for us as we move forward.”

“We’re trying to focus on making disciples the way Jesus did—relationally. People here are so skeptical and independent. It’s going to take Christ- followers living missional lives in relationships with their lost neighbors, friends, and co-workers in order to reach the city.”

Please prayerfully consider how you and your family would like to serve in this effort. Come to the Montana meeting on Sunday, April 26 at 4:00 p.m. in Room 2100. To signup, contact us at missions@brentwoodbaptist.com.