In Acts 2, Luke emphasizes the global nature of the people to whom the Gospel was preached. The Spirit’s work here is in line with Jesus’ commission to His disciples in Matthew 28. That same work is continuing today on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.
Onley Baptist Church in Onley, Virginia averages around 65 people on a given Sunday morning. Pastor John Burr, who has served Onley Baptist for 27 years, celebrates how God is using this congregation, along with other churches on the Eastern Shore, to reach the nations. Burr recognizes that God is using a variety of avenues to get the Gospel to the nations from around the world in this coastal region of Eastern Virginia.
International teachers move to the area on J-1 Exchange Visitor Visas. Several large employers on the Shore hire international workers. Faithful churches on the Eastern Shore are laboring to evangelize, disciple, and send these men and women out with the Gospel.
A brief phone call with Pastor John includes echoes of a geography lesson as he lists the countries represented at Onley Baptist. He speaks fondly of the Filipino population on the Shore and those who attend an international Bible study on Friday nights. He recalls a gentleman from Ghana who began attending the church simply because that’s where he could get a ride. He also mentions missionaries with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) who are originally from Cameroon.
Other nations represented include Haiti, India, China, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia. Pastor John also celebrates the missionaries his church has seen sent out from the Eastern Shore, now serving in the Middle East, the Congo, Poland, and beyond.
Another avenue of Gospel advancement has been Pastor John’s friendship with Pastor Waldo Charles, who leads the Haitian congregation at Tabernacle Saved by Grace in Parksley, Virginia. On Easter Sunday, Pastor Waldo and his church launched a brand new work reaching Haitians in Pocomoke City, Maryland. On Sunday nights, youth from Tabernacle Saved by Grace gather with the youth at Onley Baptist for encouragement and fellowship.
From this small church tucked into the community of Onley, Virginia, God is truly reaching the nations! ●
