Monthly Focus
Welcome to our “digital extra goodies” page!
Each month in our missions discipleship curriculum, we focus on Southern Baptist missions efforts in various locations in the US and around the world.
And, well, some things like videos and downloadables don’t quite fit in our print publications.
So here is where you can find your extra supplemental digital goodies every month.
Below you’ll see the extras listed by month. We’ll keep a few month’s worth up on the page at a time.
But to keep the page light and speedy for you, we’ll delete the oldest month as we add the newest month. So if you think you might want to refer back to something in the distant future, go ahead and download or copy the info now.
Don and Maria Friesen are International Mission Board missionaries to the “M people” in the eastern Amazon region of South America, where they lived more than a decade on a floating house in order to reach an Indigenous tribe along the rivers.
Through the Friesens’ outreach efforts to meet spiritual as well as physical needs, God has opened doors for Don and Maria and multiple teams of churches and individuals to gain access to the M. people. The Friesens, with the help of volunteer teams, have been able to drill wells for clean drinking water. Providing clean water as well as medical and dental care has opened doors to build relationships with the local chiefs.
5 Fun Facts about the Missionaries
- Don and Maria Friesen have a boat nicknamed “Lottie” because the boat was purchased with funds from the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering.
- The M people speak Portuguese, so the Friesens learned Portuguese to communicate with them.
- The Friesens knew they were accepted by the M people when a woman sniffed their necks. M people know their family by smell.
- When invited to eat with the M people, the Friesens may be served fried ants or firefly larvae. They report they prefer the larvae.
- The Friesens miss being near their two grown daughters and grandchildren who live in the United States.
Prayer Requests
- Pray that church members of the church the Friesens lead would grow into leadership roles within the church.
- Pray that God’s Word would overcome the strong cultural ties that keep the M people from following Jesus.
- Pray for the Friesens as they miss their grandchildren and that they would have strong long-distance relationships with them.
- Pray for safe travel on the Amazon River.
- Pray that a nearby group designated the J people would be open to hearing about Jesus and for church members who travel to their villages to tell Bible stories.
Play and Learn: A Floating House in Brazil
Click here for more Free Downloads.
Additional information and activities and “Mission Friends at Home” are in SON 2024 Mission Friends Leader, pages 45–62. Missions Leader: WMU Planning Guide 2024–25 has planning helps.
Children’s Scripture Video: vimeo.com/1019907845
Children’s Missions Video: vimeo.com/1019910531
Family Missions Focus (PDF): Download and use this resource to reinforce what your children’s missions discipleship groups are learning every month in Missions Journey: Kids. Family Missions Focus includes a feature for you to type notes to parents on the right-hand side of the page! Print the page for parents or email them as a monthly way to encourage their support.
Spotlight Update: Don and Maria Friesen in Brazil
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For Women on Mission
November 2024 Missions Mosaic Discussion Guide (PDF)
November 2024 Missions Mosaic Recipe Card (PDF)
Invite women to next month’s meeting with this downloadable color invitation: December 2024 Women on Mission Save the Date Flyer (PDF)
Michele Newsome cofounded F.A.I.T.H. Riders motorcycle ministry with her late husband, Buddy. This ministry is different from other ministries because it has chapters — local branches — that are part of Southern Baptist churches. They use the local church as a means to disciple people who come to Jesus because of the ministry.
F.A.I.T.H. Riders attend the same biker events as other bikers, including Sturgis Motorcycle Rally; Daytona Beach Bike Week; and Bikes, Blues, and BBQ. Their purpose in going, though, is different: They look for opportunities to share Jesus, and they creatively engage nonbelievers in conversation.
5 Fun Facts about the Missionary
- Michele Newsome did not grow up in church. She came to know Jesus as an adult and then felt God’s call to start a motorcycle ministry!
- The first chapter of F.A.I.T.H. Riders began at Lakes Church in Lakeland, Florida. Now, there are hundreds of chapters (groups) in the United States and two in Cuba!
- Before starting F.A.I.T.H. Riders, Michele was a detective for the Lakeland Police Department.
- Michele Newsome has an adopted daughter from Moldova, whom she met on a missions trip with F.A.I.T.H. Riders.
- Michele Newsome and members of F.A.I.T.H. Riders travel to bike events across the country to share Jesus with others who love motorcycles.
Prayer Requests
- Pray that God will give Michele Newsome the wisdom to lead others in F.A.I.T.H. Riders well.
- Pray that F.A.I.T.H. Riders leaders all over the United States will follow God’s leading and continue to tell others about Jesus.
- Pray that F.A.I.T.H. Riders will have the money they need to do the work of serving others and sharing Jesus.
- Pray that F.A.I.T.H. Riders will have many opportunities to tell others about Jesus.
- Pray that F.A.I.T.H. Riders will ride their motorcycles with purpose and be bold as they meet people they can tell about Jesus.
Play and Learn: Michele Newsome and the F.A.I.T.H. Riders Motorcycle Ministry
Click here for more Free Downloads.
Additional information and activities and “Mission Friends at Home” are in SON 2024 Mission Friends Leader, pages 24–44. Missions Leader: WMU Planning Guide 2024–25 has planning helps.
Children’s Scripture Video: vimeo.com/1010279495
Children’s Missions Video: vimeo.com/1010285334
Family Missions Focus (PDF): Download and use this resource to reinforce what your children’s missions discipleship groups are learning every month in Missions Journey: Kids. Family Missions Focus includes a feature for you to type notes to parents on the right-hand side of the page! Print the page for parents or email them as a monthly way to encourage their support.
Missions Journey: Kids, October Week 2 Opening (p. 29), optional video: youtube.com/watch?v=D4hP_qQo2xo at timestamp: 14:45–15:45
Spotlight Update: Michele Newsome and F.A.I.T.H. Riders Ministry
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For Women on Mission
October 2024 Missions Mosaic Discussion Guide (PDF)
October 2024 Missions Mosaic Prayer Reminder Card (PDF)
Invite women to next month’s meeting with this downloadable color invitation: November 2024 Women on Mission Save the Date Flyer (PDF)
Jason and Cassie Harris, along with their four children, serve with the International Mission Board in Paris, France.
Jason is the team leader in the city. Much of the Harrises’ and their team’s time in Paris has been focused on language learning and building relationships in the city. A large part of Jason’s job has been recruiting and onboarding new team members.
Cassie spends a lot of time reaching out to local women. Cassie also mentors and meets with team members and serves at their local French partnering church, helping with childcare and hosting a small group Bible study at their home.
5 Fun Facts about the Missionaries
- When Jason Harris was 12 years old, he went to Russia on a missions trip.
- Mr. Harris has also been to Mexico, Philippines, Brazil, and Guatemala on missions trips.
- The Harrises enjoy baguettes (French bread) so much they named their French cat Baguette.
- Reading missionary biographies inspired Mr. Harris to become a missionary.
- Before they went to Paris as missionaries, Mr. and Mrs. Harris lived in Asia as missionaries for over nine years.
Prayer Requests
- Pray for the team of missionaries in Paris to work well together and have more people join them.
- Pray for the Harrises as they begin using computers to connect with people in Paris.
- Pray for Paris outreaches for people who speak English.
- Pray for the Harrises to have good friendships so they can tell their friends about Jesus.
- Pray for good follow-up to the Summer Olympics ministries and outreaches, and for new churches to be started in neighborhoods where the gospel was shared.
Play and Learn: Sharing Jesus with People in Paris
Click here for more Free Downloads.
Additional information and activities and “Mission Friends at Home” are in SON 2024 Mission Friends Leader, pages 6–23. Missions Leader: WMU Planning Guide 2024–25 has planning helps.
Children’s Scripture Video: vimeo.com/999149223
Children’s Missions Video: vimeo.com/993025929
Family Missions Focus (PDF): Download and use this resource to reinforce what your children’s missions discipleship groups are learning every month in Missions Journey: Kids. Family Missions Focus includes a feature for you to type notes to parents on the right-hand side of the page! Print the page for parents or email them as a monthly way to encourage their support.
Spotlight Update: Jason and Cassie Harris in France
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For Women on Mission
September 2024 Missions Mosaic Discussion Guide (PDF)
Invite women to next month’s meeting with this downloadable color invitation: October 2024 Women on Mission Save the Date Flyer (PDF)
New to missions discipleship?
Ready to get started? Check out sample curriculum units and learn how to get started with missions discipleship by downloading a starter pack.
Just want a little general info first? Scroll on down to the footer on this page and click on the link to the Missions Discipleship Age-Level you want to explore!