The Importance of Local Missions

I have often heard the argument, “Why would I get involved with international missions when there is so much need locally? People here need Jesus too.”

I understand their point. People at home ABSOLUTELY need Jesus. That is made evident in new ways every day and local missions are a vital part of reaching the lost right here in Knoxville (or wherever your hometown may be).

Often when we hear the word “local” we only think of what is local to us (for obvious reasons). But what happens when the local church overseas is not equipped to reach their own community? When the Pastor of their church has not had the opportunity to receive biblical training and teaching?

We are each called to reach out to the lost and go to them but Jesus was specific when He said “Go into ALL the world” and, “Go and make disciples of ALL nations” (Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:19). So we, at One Vision International, will continue to do our part in making a way for our local disciples to reach ALL nations with the truth of the Gospel.

Coming up in October, we will do just that.

We will help host a Pastor’s Conference in Teresina, Brazil from October 22nd-27th. We are prayerfully expecting 200 Brazilian pastors and church leaders to attend. We are sending six American pastors to encourage, teach, and disciple Brazilian pastors in their ministries, their personal lives, and most importantly, that they may glorify God in all they do.

The goal is to invest in these pastors so that they can go back to their local churches better equipped to serve people, love people, and share the Good News with them.

This is discipleship…

…and this is our calling.

Each Monday, we will share prayer requests leading up to the conference and introduce you to a local pastor or church leader that will be impacted there.

Please join with us in prayer, join with us by giving, or join with us by writing a letter of encouragement that we can pass on to church leaders in Brazil.

We want to ensure that cost does not prevent Brazilian pastors from attending so we are assisting them with travel expenses (when necessary), feeding them, and providing admission free of charge. You can help a pastor attend this week long conference for $150.

Letters can be emailed to rcox@onevisionintl.org or mailed to P.O. Box 20608 Knoxville, TN 37940.

Click the “Follow” button in the bottom right corner of your screen to be reminded to check back in next Monday.

Golf Tournament

Sign up a team to play in One Vision's Annual Golf Tournament! Email rcox@onevisionintl.org or call our office at (865) 579-3353 to register your team.

When: Friday, August 5th
Where: Three Ridges Golf Course
6101 Wise Springs Rd, Knoxville, TN 37918
Time: Lunch & Registration begin at 12pm
Shotgun Start at 1:30pm
Fee: $100 per person, includes lunch, cart & goody bag
Sponsorship opportunities available (see below). Click here to fill out a sponsorship form.
Register by: Friday, July 22nd
Format: 4 person scramble

Proceeds from the tournament will go to benefit our overseas projects in the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Asia, and the Middle East.

Title Sponsor $3,000

As the Title Sponsor of the Annual One Vision International Golf Tournament, your company is assured high visibility before, during and after the Golf Tournament. Sponsorship includes: 

  • Entry of 2 golf teams, including their registration, lunch, and gift bag during the Event
  • Corporate name/logo incorporated into name of the Event
  • Corporate name mentioned in all advertising including any radio and newspaper promotion
  • Name recognition on event promotional banner plus one corporate banner prominently displayed at the tournament
  • Souvenir photographs of foursomes
  • Name recognition in any public relations material generated by One Vision International
  • Opportunity to display promotional material and/or provide product samples on day of event to all players
  • Recognition of your company on the One Vision International website
  • Opportunity to provide a promotional brochure in player tee gift bags

Lunch Sponsor $1,000

  • Entry of 1 golf team including their registration, lunch and gift bag during the Event
  • Company recognition on all signage at tournament
  • One on-course tee sign
  • Name of business on banner prominently displayed in lunch pavilion
  • Souvenir photos of foursome

Hole Sponsor $150

  • Individual or company name on one on-course tee sign
  • ompany logo included in promotional material for the event

Cart Sponsor $50

  • Individual or company name on sign in golf cart
  • Company logo included in promotional material for the Event

Prize Sponsor

Items used as prizes for contest winners (i.e., closest to pin, putting contest, straightest drive, longest drive, etc.)

  • Recognition during the Awards presentation 
  • Company logo included on promotional material for the Event

     

Sporting Clay Shootout Update

This year we hosted our first Sporting Clay Shootout at Chilhowee Sportsman's Club in Maryville. It was a great day to relax, eat together, and get competitive with some clay shooting. But it wasn't all for fun... We were able to raise over $3,000 to support our projects in the Dominican Republic, Brazil, and Asia!

The following teams were our sharp shooters: 1st Place Steve Richardson Stuart Asbury Larry Peck Bob McDuff 2nd Place Jerry Fouse Dennis Baxter Bruce Schofield Tom Barnett 3rd Place Tanner Walker Clint Lynch Jacob Wilson Logan Haynes Thank you so much for everyone who came out and participated, volunteered, cooked, and made it a great event for One Vision International. We will host another Shootout next Spring. Check our social media accounts for announcements on the dates and details.

We look forward to seeing you next year!

A Lot Can Happen In A Year

Madiero 1

Madiero 1

A year ago First Baptist Church Madiero was a dream. A dream that was slowly becoming a reality for Pastor Machado and a small group of brothers and sisters.

They had purchased land, made plans, and gotten a construction crew to break ground. Just a few short months later, our friend Florencio gave One Vision the opportunity to partner with this church plant and visit them in August 2015. Our OVI team was blessed by the chance to meet these men and women and serve alongside them to finish their first church building in Madiero, Piaui.

Madiero 2

Madiero 2

A full year later, God has continued to prove Himself faithful. What was once a plot of land, is now a complete church home for the community of Madiero. The believers there have a passion for sharing the Gospel with their neighbors and are growing under the leadership of Pastor Machado. Continue to pray for them as God grows His Kingdom in Brazil!

Madiero 3

Madiero 3

"To God be the glory forever and ever. Amen!" Galatians 1:5

A Light in the Darkness

Like a lot of kids, I grew up being afraid of the dark. There was always a light on, a door cracked, or a flashlight hidden under the covers. I longed to be in the light and keep the darkness as far away as possible. It wasn’t “the dark” that kept me awake at night but the thought of what might be hiding there. As an adult, the night-lights have long been put away and the switches to lamps are turned off at night. Even though those physical lights are no longer necessary, there is still a desperate desire to keep myself in the light of the Lord and find delight there. The darkness that brought fear before is still there, but it looks different now. Instead of monsters under the bed and boogie men in the closet, I fear the lies of the enemy, the doubt he brings, and the frustration he puts in my heart.

Those lies fill the darkness for believers. The enemy lives and thrives there.

However, we often make the mistake of thinking that the darkest of places are inhabited by the darkest of people. Surely only fear, hate, and anger can thrive there...right? We need not look far to find the answer.

John writes that Jesus came to earth as “…the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12) He didn’t reassure us that He would provide light bulbs or flashlights for all, but that He WAS light. Jesus came as light because there IS NONE without him and it shines through His children. His light pierces through the darkest of places. Good people don’t bring light, good deeds can’t produce it, neither can laws or government…Only Jesus.

And where is Jesus needed the most? IN THE DARK. It’s where his light shines brightest through his disciples.

Photo Feb 04, 2 04 43 PM edited

God has allowed us to partner with some of his disciples to provide for the physical needs of his children. The thought that people care for those they haven’t met, allows a new light to shine in their lives. Although these people may live in a dark place, this does NOT mean that darkness lives in their hearts or abounds in their lives.

You can help us by providing the following:

SEND

Blankets (Large quilts) Closed toe shoes (all sizes) Rain Boots (all sizes) Pants Long sleeved shirts Short sleeved shirts (for men and children)* Long dresses Long Skirts Sunglasses New packages of underwear New packages of socks Rain Jackets Children’s clothing (ages newborn-12)Key Chain Flashlights

DO NOT SEND

Shorts Tank tops (sleeveless shirts) Bathing Suits Flip-Flops Leggings Short Sleeved shirts (for women)* Any items with stains or tears

*Modesty standards for women are much higher and generally women are covered at all times. This includes only wearing long sleeved shirts or dresses (no low necklines). Please only bring short sleeved shirts for men and children.

This will be delivered to a refugee camp that is home to over 6,000 men, women, and children. This specific camp has only received outside help ONCE in the last 6 months. Those donations provided for only 1/3rd of the people there.

This help is needed. It is appreciated. And it is more than just clothing.

It is a small glimmer of light that shows someone cares for them. Someone is thinking of them. They are not forgotten or insignificant. Their lives matter and have a purpose.

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Will you put Luke 11:33 into practice in your own life?

"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.”

HOW TO HELP         

Please bring new or GENTLY used items to the office by Monday, May 9th.

One Vision Office: 2915 Alcoa Highway Knoxville, TN 37920 Hours: 9am-5pm Monday-Thursday 9am- 12pm Friday

If you plan on shipping your items, they can also be shipped to this address.

-This container will be received during the summer months. Lightweight clothing is preferred.

-Unlike our last container, there are no cultural restrictions on the color of clothing. All colors are welcome.