Life on Mission B by Brandon Moore, Dean of Spiritual Development ill Bakewell spent much of his adult life building a family and a successful company. He’s married with two children, and his company serves much of Northwest Arkansas—but you wouldn’t know it. In some of NWA’s most frequented restaurants and establishments, his supplies are behind the scenes. This is Bill’s personality. He’s an others-first leader who seeks to serve others from the background in whatever way possible. You may wonder why I’m mentioning Bill at the onset of an article about missions. Here’s why: if not for Bill Bakewell, I would not be writing this article today. I’m not related to Bill. He’s not a family friend or someone I grew up knowing in my community. Bill arrived at the University of Arkansas in the late 1970s and played baseball for the Razorbacks. It wasn’t until 2005 that Larry Watkins led him to faith in Christ. Larry is a disciple-maker in our community and began discipling Bill. It wasn’t long before Bill knew exactly what to do—start a Bible Study in the Razorback baseball locker room. So, in 2006, Bill and Larry launched the study. Four years later, a young, non-Christian named Brandon Moore would walk through the locker room. Over the next three years, I was a regular at the Bible study, became a Christian, and was discipled by Bill and Larry. They taught me how to read the Bible, pray, and mature as a man, Christ-follower, and eventually a husband. I was invited to their dinner tables and saw how they spoke with their wives and raised their kids. They taught me how to have a heart of generosity and lead from a place of service. I had the opportunity to teach God’s Word, lead Bible studies, and disciple younger athletes. Eventually, I joined Larry’s staff to work with his parachurch ministry and continued to grow and lead in ministry. What made all of that possible? Everyday men who leveraged their influence, big or small, for the sake of the Kingdom of God. When we consider the topic of missions, our minds often jump to conclusions—overseas, in a hut, probably getting bitten by mosquitoes. While that’s certainly possible and I have no doubt that God has called or will call a portion of the body of Christ to do (even some of our students today), I want you to 18 FEATURE STORY
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