students for christ

What is students for christ?

More significant choices such as vocation, lifestyle, and relationships are made during the ages of 18-25. One of these major choices is spiritual. SFC exists to give opportunity to reach the college campuses for Jesus. One of their primary goals is to encourage the Christian student. Statistics have shown that 90% of students who have grown up in the church may never return to the church after college. The college campus is a mission field! 

   
 Our family has the great privilege to partner with SFC in Limerick, Ireland. We are excited about the opportunity to be a family for a young life while they are away from their family, and to help them navigate through life's many tough questions. We will be meeting with college students in small groups, formal meetings, and spending one-on-one time with many individuals. We will also be helping Christian students learn to reach out to their peers who may not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

GREENTEAM

SFC is one area of ministry that are family will be involved in while we are in Ireland. By reaching the college campus, families the workplace, and nations are touched. Ireland has less than 1.5% of believers in Jesus Christ, and where we will be working is even less. Help us reach the college campus and be a part of SFC by going Green! Click here to join the greenteam.

Fruition - Taking Hold

As 2014 moves on, our family has taken time to pause and reflect on the years passed and His goodness. Over the last few years, God has given our family some concrete words of focus for the coming year. In 2012, the Lord encouraged us in "Moving Forward". As we looked back, this word was evident throughout 2012 that the Lord was indeed moving us to something. 

When making a commitment to surrender your life to Christ, it isn't long before you learn that His plans will become your plans. In 2013, the path He had us on took a new name as we "Forged Ahead". He continues to set our pace and steps that we are to take. In looking at what He has called us to, our first thought is gratitude. We are thankful for His promises and the hope He has given us through Christ. We are thankful for the plans He has called our family in bringing others this Hope. We are reminded of Abraham's promise and encouraged by his faith in Romans 4:20-22 (Amplified).

"No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God,Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised.That is why his faith was credited to him as righteousness (right standing with God)."

In 2014, the words that the Lord has given our family are "Fruition-taking hold". Fruition by definition means:

1. Realization of something desired or worked for; accomplishment:  2. Enjoyment derived from use or possession. 3. The condition of bearing fruit.

Our family continues to wait on the Lord as He unfolds His plans. We look to Him for understanding and direction. Like Abraham, we give thanks and glory to God for His promises. Our assurance remains in Him and know that He is able and mighty to do what He has promised. We begin each day by taking the next step that He calls us to. We believe that as we live each day more in faith, we move closer toward His promises. We are anticipating "taking hold" of what He will give us in 2014. We are anticipating souls saved, deeper relationship with Him, being His hands and feet along the way, and watching Him move in and through us for His purposes.

greenteam

One promise we are believing to "take hold" of is the call to minister in Ireland. We are believing that we will be departing this summer. We have made great strides, but still have much to gain. Our current budget raised is 70% of cash and 26% monthly commitments. We are praying for others to become a part of this call and join the "greenteam". You can join by filling out the form at s1.ag.org/bairdform.  We are humbled by all those who have invested in our family and in Ireland. 

THANKSGIVING Twist

As we approach this Thanksgiving, the Lord has put on my heart many times over the last month the verse that Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." When I think of what to give thanks for, my first thoughts are usually the many blessings the Lord has bestowed upon my life including His love and grace.

However, this Thanksgiving the Lord has brought to my mind the many trials I have faced and has challenged me to be thankful. Not just thankful for the victories out of the trials, but actually thankful for the difficult and challenging time.  I read not long ago in a book on leadership about courage. It said you cannot have courage without fear. The more I have thought about this the more I have thought about the similarities between blessings and trials. The experiences that I have faced, although not always pleasant, have molded my strength in the Lord, my trust in the Lord, my love for the Lord, and my witness of the Lord. It is because of these things that I can truly "give thanks in all circumstances". 

A.W. Tozer once said, “Perhaps it takes a purer faith to praise God for unrealized blessings than for those we once enjoyed or those we enjoy now.” This Thanksgiving I have been challenged to look beyond the obvious into those things unrealized and give thanks, a "Thanksgiving Twist". What I have found is His blessings are limitless!

Tribute to Travis

Ten years ago today, October 21, 2003, our lives changed. Travis Austin Baird was born. His name came from Texas heros, and he is and will always be one of the Baird Family heros. We have enjoyed watching Travis mature over the last 10 years. He is a wonderful son and brother, who has a soft spot for his sister.

Travis at the Airshow at 3 years old

As a Tribute to his 10 years of life, Travis wanted to draw our "Baird Journey"board for October and write our next blog. We are so thankful that God chose to bless us with Travis. Our family has the privilege in taking part in God's plan for Travis. We feel blessed beyond words to be a part of his life.

Part of the plan for Travis' life is to join in the call of our family to Ireland. The Baird Family is grateful for your prayers and support in our Baird Journey. We are counting down to Randal's 50th birthday with the 50BY50 Campaign. Our goal is to have the greenteam at 50% by Randal's 50th birthday, December 23rd. Have you prayed about joining? You have the opportunity to reap a harvest in Ireland. You can join the greenteam by clicking here.








Journey Defined

jour·ney (jûrn)

n. pl. jour·neys

1.

a. The act of traveling from one place to another; a trip.

b. A distance to be traveled or the time required for a trip: a 2,000-mile journey to the Pacific; the three-day journey home.

2. A process or course likened to traveling; a passage: the journey of life.

Travis at 5 years old

When Travis was 5, he took his very first big hike of 5.5 miles. We were living in Maui at the time. There were times in the hike that Travis was tired, hungry, and even bored, but all that he experienced on his way to the top will never compare to the things that were not enjoyed. One thing that he took attention to was when all the sounds of the traffic below could no longer be heard. It was completely quiet; even so, he could still hear the Humpback whales in the ocean below expelling air from their blowholes. How is that even possible? 

 

In the definition of journey, I am reminded that it is in fact a "process". Many times when we begin a journey, a trip, we can't wait until we arrive. How much do we miss along the way because our focus is what is at the end? Often we complain of the time it takes to get there.

Although Travis was very tired at times, I wonder if he would have felt as proud of his accomplishment if it would've been possible to drive to the top. It would've been faster. He still would've seen the view. However, it was because of the process of his journey, he could appreciate the top even more.

Our family has been on a long journey now for several years to answer a call to Ireland. I must admit that I have been one of those at times to say, "why can't we just get there?" I also have found myself at times complaining of the time it has taken us to get there. When I think of all that Travis experienced on his hike, I would never want to take that away from him to get to the top faster somehow. It makes me wonder what our family would've missed along our journey if we would've landed in Ireland years ago. I am so thankful that God has our family in His hands, and He brings good things into our lives in just the right time.  The verse in Proverbs 4:11-12 that says, "I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble" has given me encouragement many times along our journey. When I rest in the journey He has given us, I am trusting Him.

100 Dots to go GREEN

Travis turns 10 years old next month

Part of our journey is to gather partners who will join our journey. Our partners are called "THE GREEN TEAM". We have 100 dots to fill before departing to Ireland. We are so grateful for those who have joined in this journey. If you would like to join the GREEN TEAM, click here, here, or here. How much more will we appreciate being in Ireland because of our journey!

Ireland 101 - Top 10 Interesting Facts We've Learned about Ireland

10. No Snakes in Ireland!

9. You drive on the left side of the road, and there is
more than one kind of traffic jam.

8. Here are the hours of daylight for Dublin.
We would walk Travis to school in the dark
and pick him up in the dark during the winter.

7. There are over a quarter of a million miles
of stone walls in Ireland. Many were created
to clear the land for farming.

6. Randal says Ireland has a "lazy sun" in the winter months. It only goes as high as about 9 o'clock, never a high noon.

5. It's not uncommon to drink tea
at least 5 times a day.
Ireland ranks in  the top 5 countries
who drink the most tea per capita.

4. Don't be confused when buying petro "gas".
The green is regular where in America,
the green means diesel. We will never forget...again.

3. Slippers were on the school supply list.
Travis would wear his wellies "rain boots" to
school and change into slippers when he
entered the building.

2. This phrase is said all the time.
What's the "crack" means "what's the story" or
"what's been going on?"

1. There is a Starbucks only
1.5 hours from Limerick!

The Good Shepherd

Having lived in Ireland once before, seeing sheep graze the land is not a foreign thought. In fact, it's difficult to go most anywhere in Ireland without seeing sheep. There would be many times that we would pass sheep on the side of the road. The boys enjoyed us driving up close and honking our horn to see them run in the fields. They also thought it funny that the shepherds would paint their sheep to identify them. My favorite was to see all the lambs jumping around in the fields during the Spring time.

I think of what a shepherd means to sheep, and how everything a shepherd does is with the sheep in mind. The shepherd wakes in the morning to tend to the sheep. He not only desires to find the best pasture for the sheep, but he will look for the greenest part of the pasture. He trains the sheep to heed to his voice because he knows what is best for the sheep. His livelihood is the sheep. He rests only at night when the sheep are safe, and when he wakes he will begin his day again taking care of his sheep.

I often think of Psalms 23 and what it means for the Lord to be my shepherd. As my shepherd, I know the Lord desires to bring me and my family to the very best. I also know that I am on my Father's mind at all times. I think of the prayer Paul prayed in Ephesians, "to grasp how wide and how long and how high and deep is the love of Christ." I think it grand that the Lord gave us a picture of his love by calling himself our shepherd. My prayer is that I can be one of his sheep that heeds to his voice.

100 Dots to go "GREEN"

One way our family is following his voice is by answering the call to Ireland. We are believing for a harvest to be added to His Kingdom with our obedience to go and share with others that He is the Good Shepherd. Our prayer is that we can raise our budget in one year and leave for the mission field next summer. We are currently at 7.5% of our monthly commitments. We need 100 green dots before we can leave. Our account #2957363. You can be a part of this harvest by joining the "Green Team"! If you believe you are to be a part of what God is doing in Ireland, you can fill out this form to help us fill our 100 green dots.

We also have an "up-front cash" budget to raise. We are at 15%. There are 2 ways you can contribute to our journey:

Our AGWM Account # 2957363

 1. Online - www.s1.ag.org/bairdgiving.com 
 2. By Mail - Checks payable to AGWM with our account number #2957363 and name.   

Checks mailed to:
                    AGWM
                    1445 North Boonville Ave
                    Springfield, MO 65802-1894