Advance Magazine
Summer 2023

President’s View

Hobbies or Opportunities?

What do officiating high school sports and going hunting have in common? You may be thinking, “interesting hobbies?” I would suggest they are both opportunities. Both of these activities represent opportunities for me to interact regularly and cultivate relationships with people who have not yet come to faith in Christ. Ever since I was young, hobbies like sports and hunting have been an important part of my life. But I haven’t always viewed them as opportunities for gospel witness. I was probably in my twenties when I started to realize the connections I could make with unbelievers who enjoy similar pastimes. 

“I haven’t always viewed hobbies as opportunities for gospel witness, but I started to realize the connections I could make with unbelievers who enjoy similar pastimes.”

Changing my mindset has allowed me to develop relationships that have opened doors for natural spiritual conversations with unbelievers. As a result, discussing spiritual matters has become a dialogue rather than a monologue, the result of which is fertile soil for the seeds of the gospel.

Every believer should be looking for ways to connect and converse with unbelievers for the sake of sharing the gospel. In this issue, enjoy reading about BMM missionaries and the ways they are sharing the gospel through relationships. Join them in cultivating your own relationships so others can hear the gospel.

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Dr. Patrick Odle

In 2020, Dr. Patrick Odle became Baptist Mid-Missions’ ninth president. He came to his position with 26 years of pastoral experience and eight years as a BMM Council member, along with service as a vice president of Faith Baptist Bible College and Theological Seminary.

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