After the resurrection, “He [Jesus] presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). The last thing Jesus said before being lifted up was, “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 ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).
Since we don’t live in Israel and can’t easily be Jesus’ witnesses in literal Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, what do these areas represent for us today? Jerusalem, for us, would be Brandon, or where you are—your neighborhood or town. Judea represents the local area around you—your county. And Samaria would be the expanded area surrounding your county—the state you live in. What about the ends of the earth? Jesus made it clear that the whole world is to know about the saving grace of Jesus. There is no focus on one specific area or region.
Below you will find examples of each area Bay Life Church serves through missions.
Jerusalem
These are all places right here in Brandon where we can make a witness for Jesus.
Emergency Care Help Organization (ECHO)
ECHO’s mission is to assist residents of Eastern Hillsborough County in crisis with emergency food and clothing, offering life-stabilizing programs and resources.
Hope for Her is a safe place where women experiencing crisis and trauma find the strength, skills, and support they need to rebuild their best lives.
Family Promise helps families experiencing homelessness attain sustainable independence.
The Seeds of Faith Community Garden is an on-campus garden purposed for creating a place for learning, fellowship, and providing food for local food pantries.
These teams provide help such as meals, prayer, tutoring, child care, and housework. Our hope is that these teams will help Bay Life's foster families thrive in fostering for as long as possible.
Choices offers free and confidential services to help you make an informed decision about your pregnancy.
Judea
These are the places within Hillsborough County that Bay Life Church serves.
Gift of Hope is a multi-church community outreach Christmas event that invites everyone to come be a part of what Christ is doing in our area.
Feed Brandon is a Community Food Drive to support ECHO and Hope for Her by keeping their pantries stocked.
Samaria
This is the organization we serve in the state of Florida.
A Door of Hope is a biblical foster care organization that seeks to provide hope for children in crisis through placement in Christian homes.
The Ends of the Earth
Below is a list of organizations and missionaries we serve across the globe.
Village of Hope Uganda provides safe homes, education, trauma counseling and spiritual guidance for former child soldiers and children orphaned through the effects of war and poverty.
Equip and Send Ministries (EASM)
EASM trains pastors from all over Africa in a two-year program. Their main areas of focus are discipleship and church leadership development, justice and peace-building, and community transformation.
In pursuit of new life with Jesus Christ, our purpose is to Restore relationship with God first and then others; Educate on applying God’s Word to every aspect of life; Activate faith through following Christ’s example by loving and serving others; Perpetuate the ministry by raising up leaders to carry forward God’s work.
Missionaries We Support
- James and Cherilyn Parkers with Navigators
- Dejan Azdajic with Pioneers
- Tomo Josovik
- We have one family we are getting ready to send.
Missions isn’t just a Bay Life thing, it’s the last thing Jesus commanded us to do. Throughout the month of May, the writers of the Deep Well blog will be diving deeper into this verse in Acts. As God moves in your heart, you can get involved with missions by reaching out to , or stop by the Missions Café on Sunday, and enjoy a latte or donut while you’re at it!
