The following email arrived and may be of interest to folk: 

The Tennessee Baptist Convention has been invited to partner with the International Mission Board’s Team Malta. One initial trip was made last August to see what we might be able to do together. After much prayer and discussion, we would like to move forward with this partnership.

There are several reasons that a partnership is needed. Malta, with close to 400,000 people living in 68 villages, has only one church that is affiliated with Southern Baptist. There are 14 Evangelical churches on the island. 97% of Maltese consider themselves Roman Catholic, with about 73% who regularly attend Mass.

Malta is located about 60 miles south of Sicily and 180 north of Africa. The official language is Maltese and English. Malta receives about 1 million visitors a year.

Through this partnership we will be working with IMB missionaries, Earl and Robin Pinkston. Robin is from West Tennessee and a graduate of Union University. They are praying that Tennessee churches and associations will adopt a village to pray for and possibility send mission teams. Team Malta is inviting Tennessee Baptist be apart of the “Village Adoption” strategy.

The first opportunity to serve in Malta will be May 14-21, 2007. Team Malta has invited Tennessee to participate in an “Adopt a Village Tour”. We would like 5 teams of 2 to travel to Malta leaving Tennessee on May 14 and returning May 21. Participants will be responsible for lodging, meals and airfare to Malta. Cost will be approximately $2000. A valid passport will be needed for travel. Travel arrangements will be made thru Phyllis Cobb at Wilcox Travel and Tours, 1-800-294-5269 ext 306. Please contact me at kmargrave@tnbaptist.org or 1.800.558.2090 ext 2021 if you are interested in participating in the “Adopt a Village Tour” by March 2.

Blessings

Kim Margrave