Berea Update for October 17, 2025
Last Sunday’s message by Eliud de la Cruz reminded us that missions is not optional—it’s the heartbeat of God’s people. As a former missionary in Guatemala, now serving in Central Florida, Eliud shared both the joys and challenges of following God’s call. Even in seasons of difficulty, his testimony showed that the Gospel continues to move forward when God’s people remain faithful and obedient to His leading.
As Missions Month continues, this week’s devotion takes us back to the book of Acts and the letters of Paul. We’ll see how the Holy Spirit empowers believers to go, give, and serve; how the early church prayed, sent, and supported; and how that same Spirit is still at work today through faithful churches. My prayer is that these devotions will either spark or renew your passion for the Gospel and remind you that missions isn’t just something that happens “out there.” It begins right where you are, as the Spirit empowers you to live as a witness for Christ in your everyday life.
Please read below for this week’s devotional readings and for more information about upcoming Missions Month events!
Upcoming Events
1. This Sunday we’re excited to welcome Dr. Matthew Bennett as our guest speaker. Dr. Bennett serves as Associate Professor of Missions and Theology at Cedarville University, where he teaches courses such as "The Bible and the Gospel," "Global Theology," and "World Religions." Before joining the faculty at Cedarville in 2017, Dr. Bennett and his family served for several years in North Africa and the Middle East, ministering in predominantly Muslim contexts. His background combines a passion for global missions, theology, and cross-cultural engagement. He holds a PhD in Missiology, an MDiv in International Church Planting, and an MA in Intercultural Studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Dr. Bennett has written several books, including Hope for American Evangelicals and The Qur’an and the Christian. He and his wife, Emily, live in Cedarville with their three children—Anabelle, Elliot, and Oliver—and are active members of Grace Baptist Church, where he also serves as an elder.
Dr. Bennett will be preaching a message from Matthew 11:1-6 called "Shall We Wait for Another?" during the morning worship service.
2. During Missions Month, Youth Group and adult Sunday School classes will combine together in the Family Life Center during the Sunday School hour to hear more from our guests. The Sunday School hour allows for more interaction with our guests, so I would invite you to come to hear more details about the unique ministries they serve in! Sunday School begins at 9:00 AM. Kids' Sunday School classes will meet as normal.
3. Interested in joining Berea in formal membership? There will be a New Member class tomorrow, Saturday, October 18 from 1:00-4:00 PM here at the church. If you are interested, please let one of the pastors know by sending us an email.
4. There will be a Resurrection Garden Work Day on Saturday, October, 25 starting at 9:00 AM. Please come if you are able! That morning we'll have a variety of tasks to prepare the Garden for winter, including cutting down a few trees. Another indoor work day will be held in November--more details to come!
5. There is another Operation Christmas Child work day coming up! On Tuesday, October 28 at 10:00 AM, there will be a work day devoted to folding the shoeboxes in preparation of the OCC Packing Party in November.
Ways You Can Pray This Week
1. Pray for our church, that we might have unity, as we continue to work through staff transitions and building needs! Pray for wisdom for our church's leadership, and that the Lord might be glorified! Ask the Lord to provide the right candidates for our open positions!
2. Pray for missionaries that are serving the Lord, both in the United States and around the world. Pray for their protection, and that the seeds that they plant might grow God's kingdom!
***Please know that there are many individuals who need prayer this week due to health concerns and other events going on in their lives. Out of sensitivity to each individual's situation, these requests may not appear in this weekly blog. We have a "Prayer Team" at the church who receives more detailed information, and commits to praying for individuals in our church family.
This Week's Devotions
Day 1: The Spirit’s Power for Mission
Acts 1:8 (ESV) — “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
The mission of God is fueled not by human strength but by divine power. The early church had no buildings, budgets, or media—but they had the Holy Spirit. The Spirit empowers ordinary believers to be bold witnesses, starting right where they are and moving outward to the ends of the earth.
Reflection Question: Where has God placed you to be His witness right now?
Prayer Focus: Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with courage and compassion to reach those around you.
Day 2: The Courage to Go
Acts 13:2–3 (ESV) — “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”
Missions begins in a praying church. Before Paul and Barnabas were sent, the church sought God’s direction together. God still calls and sends through the local church. When the church prays, listens, and obeys, missionaries are raised up and the Gospel goes forward.
Reflection Question: How can you join Berea in prayer and participation for those being “set apart” to go?
Prayer Focus: Pray that Berea would be a prayerful, sending church that listens to the Spirit and obeys.
Day 3: The Message for All People
Acts 17:30–31 (ESV) — “The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Paul’s message in Athens reminds us that missions is about calling people to repentance and faith in the risen Christ. The Gospel should not be viewed as one message among many—it is God’s command to all people, everywhere.
Reflection Question: How does the universality of the Gospel shape the urgency of our mission?
Prayer Focus: Pray for missionaries engaging people with little or no knowledge of the Gospel.
Day 4: The Cost of the Call
2 Corinthians 11:24–27 (ESV) — “Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one... on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers... in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst...”
Paul’s endurance shows that the cost of missions is real—but so is the reward. He didn’t suffer because he enjoyed pain, but because he loved people. When we follow Christ in mission, we accept both the cross and the crown.
Reflection Question: How do you respond when obedience to Christ brings difficulty or discomfort?
Prayer Focus: Pray for missionaries in dangerous or difficult places, that they would remain steadfast in Christ.
Day 5: The Joy of Partnership
2 Corinthians 9:13 (ESV) — “By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission... and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others.”
Giving to missions is not just generosity—it’s worship. The Corinthians’ financial partnership brought glory to God and joy to the missionaries. Every dollar, prayer, or note of encouragement is an investment in eternity.
Reflection Question: How does your giving reflect your heart for God’s mission?
Prayer Focus: Pray for joy in giving and for Berea’s offerings to meet real needs on the field.
Day 6: The Compassion of Christ
Matthew 9:36–38 (ESV) — “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said... ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.’”
Jesus’ mission began with compassion. He saw people not as problems but as souls in need of a Shepherd. Missions flows from the same heart—a heart that sees, feels, and acts. Compassion fuels the call.
Reflection Question: Who around you might be “harassed and helpless” and in need of Jesus’ compassion?
Prayer Focus: Pray that God would give you the eyes and heart of Christ for the lost.
Day 7: The Mission’s Finish Line
Matthew 24:14 (ESV) — “And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
The mission is not endless—it has an end. Christ will return when the Gospel has reached the nations. Every missionary, every prayer, every act of faith moves history toward that glorious moment. Our task is not to predict His coming, but to proclaim until He comes.
Reflection Question: How does knowing the mission has an end motivate you to act today?
Prayer Focus: Pray for the advancement of the Gospel to the final frontiers, and for faithfulness until Christ returns.
Kids (and Kids at Heart) Korner
For Missions Month, here is an activity packet from Ethnos 360's "Mission Minded Kids" program. On the activity pages, you'll find a website where you can visit to have your kids learn more about what it means to be a missionary!
Ethnos 360 Mission Minded Kids Activity Pages
Hope to see you all on Sunday!
Keep Pressing On!
Mark