"Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age." Matthew 28:19,20 (HCSB)

It was never Christ's habit to mince words. The message that was clear so long ago is clear today. We are to spread the word of His gospel to all the nations. Missions is a word that conjures up images of far distant lands with missionaries doing their thing to tell primitive people about Jesus. Most of us figure that since we weren't called to the "mission field", we're off the hook. Not so.

The word "Go" in Matthew 28:19 literally means to "go one's way" or "take a journey". In other words, "as you are going". Missions is everywhere. We welcome the opportunity to see where God is at work and join Him!

Northside provides missions support through a number of channels.

First, we participate in the supporting the Cooperative Program, Southern Baptist's way of supporting over 5000 missionaries in nearly 130 countries, and 5000 more serving in the United States in various capacities. Those monies also support six seminaries and the other agencies of the Southern Baptist Convention. We do this through our giving to the Baptist Convention of New York. We voluntarily affiliate with these entities believing we can do more together than we could ever do by ourselves.

Special Offerings
In addition to this we observe three special offering emphases for missions. They are the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions (named after a missionary to China), the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering for North American Missions and the Paul and Ava James State Missions Offering for the Baptist Convention of New York.

CNY Baptists
We next support the work of the Central New York Baptist Association, an association of 35 churches that stretch from Binghamton to Owego to Newark to Phoenix to Rome.

Mid-America Seminary
We support Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. The seminary has two campuses. One is located in Memphis, Tennessee and the other in the Albany area (Schenectady). Two of our pastors received their Master of Divinity degrees from Mid-America. Ironically, the church supported the school before they came on staff. Northside shares the vision to reach the Northeast through training indigenous leaders for the churches and to start new churches. 25% of the population of the United States lives within 250 miles of Albany. Praise God for the vision of Dr. Gray Allison, founding president, and the current leadership and for their hearts for the Northeast.

Local Missions
We support two wonderful local ministries. Rather than 'reinventing the wheel', we believe it makes more sense to partner with existing ministries. We gladly support the work of the Syracuse Rescue Mission with resources as well as volunteers throughout the year. We gladly support the wonderful work of New Hope Family Services, which reaches out for life to this community.

Individuals
We support individuals who have had a connection with Northside and serve in ministries where they must raise their own support. Carl and Sarah Combs work with Campus Crusade for Christ International and live in Fountain Hills, Arizona. They have worked extensively with the International Leadership Academies. Larry and Gail Taylor also work with Campus Crusade and travel to areas challenged by the dread of AIDS and minister with an abstinence program that is saving lives. Scott Thomson attended Northside while a student at Syracuse University. He and his wife, Jen are now campus ministers at Yale University and we are very blessed to be part of their support team. Brian and Sarah Hampshire minister to children in Tennessee through a mission organization called BCM. We were blessed to have the Hampshire's here at Northside for quite a while until they followed God's call to missions. We rejoice in how he is using them there.

AWANA Missionary
AWANA club has made a huge impact on the ministry to children at Northside and in this community. Our missionary is Bob Bennett and his family. They are wonderful resource people to help with training, answering questions and giving input to this growing ministry. We welcome the opportunity to support them as well as to give in the adopt-a-club program internationally.

Church plant - Guilderland, NY
Open Arms Fellowship in Schenectady, NY has sponsored a new church plant in Guilderland, NY called Open Door Church. We have partnered with them to assist in getting this new and exciting work off the ground. Having been similarly blessed at times in our history, it's an honor and privilege to help another congregation in this way.

Volunteer Missions
We also have a Volunteer Mission Fund approved by the church to help support those who go out from our congregation on short term mission projects.

Jenna Currey - New Tribes Mission
Nothing is quite as exciting as watching young people grow up and respond to God's calling on their lives. Such is the case with Jenna Currey, whose family joined Northside during her early teen years. You don't have to be around Jenna very long to realize that she's serious about the Lord and His Word. Jenna is currently studying at New Tribes Missionary Training Center in Camdenton, MO. Her goal is to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to unreached people groups around the world. We are thrilled as a church to be able to help support her in her ministry. For more information, visit Jenna's webpage at http://www.ntm.org/jenna_currey/