by Rev. Casey Southerland
Field Director, Cincinnati, OH
the Missions Banner, December/January 2025
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
On behalf of our family, I want to wish you a blessed season of considering, appreciating and rejoicing in the abundant loving-kindness of our God who has shown forth His love in the sending of His Son.
Recently, while in Peru visiting several missionary families, I was reminded of the many happy things missionaries, and their children give up to “Go into all the world”. My trip only lasted a couple weeks and then I was home in time for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years and all the church and family gatherings that have become traditions for my family. One missionary couple I was with were grandparents. They were visiting fellow missionaries in Peru after being in the U.S. where they have children and grandchildren. In about a month’s time they were returning to Brazil where they had already served the Lord for many years. They will miss being with their family for the holidays, miss watching grandchildren open presents, miss seeing them laugh across the dinner table, and miss deepening relationships with the ones they cherish most.
This season, we pray you, and those you are with, will rejoice in the Lord’s great gift of the Savior. And we encourage you to remember in your thankfulness and prayers, those who have given up many things we cherish this season. They have done so for the sake of the Name of Jesus and are taking the gospel to places and people who remain in darkness, having not yet seen the great light. Remember them in your prayers, but do not pity them. Instead, remember the promise the Lord gave when Peter said to Jesus, “See, we have left all and followed you.” On that occasion the Lord said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come eternal life.” (Luke 18:29-30)
Wishing you a Christmas filled with the glory and joy of Christ!
The Southerlands
