Missions

MISSION WORKS SUPPORTED BY THE HERITAGE CHURCH OF CHRIST

From its beginning, the Heritage Church of Christ has had an active missions program. Members of the congregation have told church leaders that they want the church to be actively involved in carrying out the Great Commission of Jesus to “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.” (Mark 16:15) This involves giving prayer support and financial support for those who labor on the mission field. Below is a list of some of the mission works we support with regular financial contributions:

WORLD CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING - WCB operated KNLS, a short-wave radio station transmitting from Alaska with a signal that reaches most of the Pacific Rim, including China, eastern Russia, Japan and Australia. Programs are prepared by the WCB staff (members of churches of Christ) in 3 languages: English, Russian and mandarin Chinese. The gospel is preached. Bible lessons are presented. And other programs aimed at generating listener interest, including programs about life in America, are broadcast. The WCB follow-up department answers listener mail and provides free Bibles and Bible correspondence courses. Very soon KNLS will be broadcasting in Arabic on a new station which will reach Africa and the Indian Ocean.

INNER CITY MINISTRIES - Operated by members of churches of Christ, this program reaches out to young people and their families in six cities in Alabama, Tennessee and Florida. The ministry provides mentors for inner city residents, many of whom are members of minority groups. Included in the outreach are classes in basic life skills, addiction recovery and grief support classes, summer camps and a teen ministry.

HONDURAS WORK – Heritage provides funds to help support a minister and a church in the community of Agua Agrea in Honduras. The work is under the oversight of the Central Church of Christ in Sarasota, Florida.

LEWIS AND TAMMY SHORT - MILAN, ITALY
The Shorts have worked for several years with the church in Milan. This is a dedicated Christian couple working in northern Italy where they live with their two beautiful daughters; Michela, who is 5; and Rebecca, who turns one in late November of this year. Lewis preaches for the church in Milan and conducts weekly Bible studies with people who have expressed interest in becoming Christians. For example, Lewis recently baptized a lady after studying with her for several months. She is now continuing her studies. Tammy is conducting weekly studies with several women. Together and individually, Lewis and Tammy have met with contacts, with church members in need of special ministering, and those in need of encouragement. The Shorts have also participated in fellowship activities for the church in Milan, including meals, singings and social activities in members' homes. The Shorts have worked with missionary interns in Milan. The work of Lewis and Tammy is overseen by the Ross Road Church of Christ in Memphis, TN and is supported by a number of congregations and individuals.
NATION’S UNIVERSITY – This is a school without walls that offers accessible higher education to build faith and to develop culturally rooted Christian leaders around the world. There is no charge for tuition. Delivery of educational services is done through courier, postal services, tutors and electronic media. Courses maintain the standards of universities in the United States. Two levels of study are offered: undergraduate, and master’s.

MISCELLANEOUS - A portion of our missions budget is set aside to meet emergency requests and to provide one-time gifts. For example, we donated $5,000 to help the Tennessee Children’s Home buy a van. We contributed $1,500 to Eastern European Missions to help them provide Bibles in Russia. And we sent $500 to help a fellow Christian working with Mercy Ships, a Christian organization that operates hospital ships staffed with doctors and nurses who provide free medical care to people in Africa and Latin America.