Dr. Sabrina Black Seminar, Part 1

Dr. Sabrina Black

Seminar, Part 1

Life Mission Recap

By Kristy Alexander

“Repeat after me:  “I am powerful!”

You are powerful not because society says you are but because God says you are.

Say it again:  “I am powerful!”

You are powerful because of the God in you.

Again:  “I am powerful!”

You can have impact in every sphere of influence.

To be this powerful is an awesome responsibility!”

With this refrain, Dr. Sabrina Black opened her seminar for the Life Mission Month series entitled, “I AM Woman: Hear Me R.O.A.R. – Impacting Your World Through Missions”. Dr. Black is the founder of Global Projects for Hope, Help and Healing, her non-profit organization that helps individuals globally through the Word and counseling. As a humble servant in the field for over 20 years, Black holds degrees in counseling and psychology and, more recently, was selected as a delegate to attend the 2010 Lausanne World Congress on Missions and Evangelization in Cape Town, South Africa. Her passion for glorifying God, amplifying his word and edifying his people was evident during the seminar as she exhorted the attendees to tap into the power that God has given them to be on mission for him.

“I am a missionary!” Dr. Black had attendees exclaim. She explained that a missionary is one who is commissioned by the Lord to make disciples and followers of Christ. As Christians, we are all missionaries.  Jesus commands all Christians to share the gospel.  We are all ambassadors for Christ and we represent him.  Dr. Black led the group through a biblical study of the “who, what, when, where and why” of missions.  Who should witness?  Ezekiel 33:7-8 tells us that we are all witnesses.  Who should be witnessed to?  Romans 1:16 tells us we should witness to everyone.  When should we witness?  Hebrews 3:13-15 tells us we should witness today and every day.  Where should we witness?  Acts 1:8 tells us we should witness in Jerusalem (home), Judea (neighborhood) Samaria (regional) and Uttermost parts (the entire world). Why should we witness?  We should witness in obedience to Christ’s command; out of love and concern for the lost because time is short and, according to 2 Peter 3:9, it is God’s will that all would come to repentance.

Dr. Black expounded on how women should practically approach missions and impact their world through missions. She used the phrase “I am Woman: Hear Me R.O.A.R.”

R.O.A.R. being an acronym for:

Recognize your Roles- wife, mother, sister, daughter, employee, friend, missionary

Observe your Authorities – God, Spouse, Pastor, Mentor

Accept your Limitations - Seasons, Spiritual Gifts, Physical challenges

Realize your Potential – Greatness, Glory, Graciousness

She explained that we must have the right mindset of a servant for missions. It is important to love God and to love his people, even those who are sometimes hard to love. She believes that one major benefits to missions is growth.  As we embark on a lifestyle of missions our growth will include: 

Giving sacrificially of time, treasures and talents

Respecting the culture or customs of others

Obedience to the vision and team leadership

Willingness to do what is needful to serve

Trusting God with things you don’t understand

Humility as God uses you in a mighty way 

We will also be challenged to increase in holy boldness, increase in compassion for others, deepen our trust, and increase our faith. Other benefits of missions include doing well for the sake of others and to bring glory to God. 

Dr.  Black ended her first session (two part series) with highlights of famous women missionaries in church history such as Catherine Booth, a preacher who changed her husband, William Booth’s, mind about women preachers and Fanny Crosby, a famous hymn writer. She also drew the attendees’ attention to quotes on missions such as one by Oswald J. Smith, “We talk of the Second Coming; half the world has never heard of the first.” Another quote by William Carey reads, “Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God”. 

We can attempt great things for God because we are powerful; we are missionaries!