Baptist Press Stories for Jun. 26 2012 --------------------------------------- Bedouin tent at SBC inspires Great Commission prayer http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38138 Sudanese convert from Islam loses wife, kids http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38141 Steve Saint begins rehab after accident http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38148 Native Americans install 1st executive director http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38143 Korean Council draws 800 to annual meeting http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38146 Chinese discuss outreach beyond their churches http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38139 Filipinos look toward cross-cultural missions http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38144 Black network elects officers, gives awards http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38142 Messianic speaker underscores discipleship http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38137 Seminary luncheons draw alumni, guests http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38140 FROM THE STATES: Ill., La., N.M. evangelism/missions news http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38147 WORLDVIEW: It's the size of your heart, not your church http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38145 --------------------------------------- Bedouin tent at SBC inspires Great Commission prayer By Don Graham Jun. 26 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38138 NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- Jill Welton quickly discovered that the Bedouin tent inside the convention center wasn't a marketing gimmick. It was a place for prayer and reflection. Welton, a pastor's wife from Berryville, Va., had come to New Orleans for the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting and visited IMB's booth in the exhibit hall. [QUOTE@left@250="Some of the nicest people I've ever met are Muslims.... They're actually more open to talk about religious things than many Christians in the United States." --Luke Bray]The prayer tent, which dominated IMB's display, was modeled after the desert dwellings of the nomadic Bedouin tribes of North Africa and the Middle East. It was created to inspire SBC messengers to deepen their commitment to be Jesus' heart, hands and voice, following Him in obedience to the Great Commission no matter the cost. It featured five stations that focused prayer on Jesus' commands in Matthew 16:24-25 for believers to deny themselves, take up their crosses and follow Him. Welton was overwhelmed by the words of Karen Watson, a Southern Baptist worker martyred in 2004 in Iraq. Before Watson went overseas, she penned a letter to be read by her pastor in the event of her death. Excerpts of the letter were displayed at one of the prayer stations: "When God calls there are no regrets.... To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory is my reward." "I wrote down every word," Welton said. "I'm going to print it up and post it in my cubicle at work because it is incredibly inspirational." Two years ago, Welton helped her husband Van start Apple Valley Baptist Church in Berryville. The congregation averages about 40 people on Sundays. She said the prayer tent was a good reminder that success isn't measured in numbers but in obedience. "It's so easy to get caught up in the world's idea of success, and when you don't think that you fit that mold, you may see yourself as a failure," Welton said. "And I think that's a good way for me to encourage my husband as pastor of a small, growing church." Luke Bray, pastor of Jeffersontown (Ky.) Baptist Church, said the International Mission Board's prayer tent helped renew and refocus a calling God placed on his heart to share Christ overseas. Bray, 31, said he first felt drawn to ministry as a teenager. A tour of duty in Iraq with the Army National Guard opened his eyes to the need for the Gospel in North Africa and the Middle East. "One of the most amazing things that the Lord was able to do, even through that difficult time, was to give me a heart for people in the Middle East and opportunities to share the Gospel with Muslims," Bray said. The prayer tent helped him confront a serious obstacle to Christian service in that part of the world that he didn't face as a soldier: fear for the safety of his wife and two young sons. "I served in Baghdad for 14 months, and so I'm very familiar with that world and the dangers that come with it," he said. "I'm continually praying that the Lord would eliminate those kinds of fears about my family and that I would trust Him. "Some of the nicest people I've ever met are Muslims.... They're actually more open to talk about religious things than many Christians in the United States." Megan Galvin, a 19-year-old college student from Atlanta, spoke about her dream of one day serving the Lord through medical missions. Galvin, who is studying pre-medicine at the University of Georgia, admitted that a fear of losing relationships with family and friends was hindering her ability to fully surrender her life in obedience to the Great Commission. After visiting the prayer tent, she shared that "it was really cool to be able to zone in on the things that are holding me back from living the life that God's called me to live. "Putting myself where God's called me to be over those relationships is a really hard thing," Galvin said. "Every day I'm committing to make the decision to follow Christ and to leave those things that I'm fearing behind." --30-- Don Graham is a senior writer at the International Mission Board. To participate in an interactive prayer experience to be encouraged and inspired to be His heart, His hands and His voice, visit [URL=http://imb.org/prayertent]imb.org/prayertent[/URL] to view the slideshow. -- End of story -- Sudanese convert from Islam loses wife, kids By Staff/Compass Direct News Jun. 26 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38141 KHARTOUM, Sudan (BP) -- A year ago Mohammed Khidir Khalil was glad his family had obtained refugee status in Egypt after fleeing Islamic hostilities in Sudan. The 38-year-old Christian was also heartened that his formerly unbelieving wife was attending church with him. Today the convert from Islam is back in Sudan fighting to recover his family after his in-laws compelled his wife to claim she was Muslim and divorce him. A Sudanese court automatically granted her custody of their two sons and forbade him to see them, he said. He fears that if he persists in his legal battle, he faces the threat of being accused of "apostasy," or leaving Islam. It was last August that his Muslim mother-in-law visited them in Egypt. "Without my knowledge, she took my wife and children back to Sudan," Khalil said. The couple had fled Sudan just before the South Sudan vote for independence on Jan. 9, 2011, after threats from the couples' Muslim families and others intensified, Khalil said. In Egypt, they reported their case to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and won asylum. In emails to friends back in Sudan, Khalil freely shared his Christian experience and pointed out what he termed as contradictions in Islam. Hearing nothing from his family after his mother-in-law took his wife and two sons back to Sudan, on Christmas Day Khalil decided to return to an undisclosed town in Sudan to search for them. He was shocked to discover that his wife, Manal Hassan, had filed for divorce on grounds that she was a Muslim and he a Christian. Khalil, who converted to Christianity in 2001, had met Hassan in 2007. At that time she said she was neither a Christian nor a Muslim, and they married in a non-religious wedding. The bride's Muslim family learned that Khalil was a Christian but had no objection to the marriage, he said. By 2010 the couple had joined an undisclosed church and had become visibly active in it. Opposition from their families grew, leading to the couple's flight to Egypt in early 2011. In February, Khalil decided to appeal the divorce ruling. His wife had presented a copy of the UNHCR certificate showing Khalil's testimony as a Christian, however, and that was proof enough for a judge to rule in March that the marriage be annulled and the children automatically handed over to the spouse professing "the popular religion" -- Islam, the supposed faith of Hassan. In spite of the court's ruling that Khalil did not have a right to even visit the children, in April he decided to try to see them. His former wife's family threatened to call police if he persisted. "I am very upset with courts like this that bar one from seeing one's children," he said. "I have to appeal against this." Asked what risks he might incur by appealing, Khalil said it could lead to a case against him for apostasy -- punishable by death in Sudan, where Shariah (Islamic law) is established as a primary source of legislation. "They might take the case to a prosecution court, which might lead to my sentencing to death according to Islamic apostasy law -- but I am ready for this," Khalil said. "I want the world to know this. What crime have I done? Is it because I became a Christian? I know if the world is watching, they will be afraid to do any harm to me." CONVERSION Khalil was a practicing Sufi Muslim when he began studies at a university in Alexandria, Egypt, in 1998. By the time he graduated in 2000, he had left Islam and returned to Sudan an atheist. After his return to Sudan, Khalil came into contact with a U.S. pastor who inspired him with his Christian faith. "He was very calm and confident," Khalil said. References to Jesus as the Good Shepherd whose Father was the God of love moved him. Khalil decided to visit the pastor's church, and he entrusted his life to Christ in 2001. He stayed with the pastor for three months before he left to his home village. The pastor paid him visits, and when his family realized that Khalil had embraced the Christian faith, his father threatened to shoot him. Khalil fled home. He was later baptized in a historically Nubian area near his home village. Khalil began winning friends to Christ, and persecution intensified; family members reported him to the police, and he fled his country. "Life became unbearable, and I decided to flee to the United Arab Emirates, where I was received by a Sudanese family in 2001," he said. He remained there until the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between north and south Sudan in 2005, and then decided to return to Sudan with the hope of serving his community. He became an English teacher, at the same time developing programs to promote Nobiin, one of the Nubian languages, and its cultural heritage. Building a literacy program for children in Nobiin, he also wrote poetry in the language and translated several hymns and Bible verses into it. Along with his other challenges, Khalil is working toward publishing his manuscripts in the Nobiin language, in spite of financial constraints. A deacon at his church summed up: "Mohammed needs prayers and support at this trying moment." --30-- Reported by Compass Direct News, www.compassdirect.org, a news service based in Santa Ana, Calif., focusing on Christians worldwide who are persecuted for their faith. Used by permission. -- End of story -- Steve Saint begins rehab after accident By Staff Jun. 26 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38148 GAINESVILLE, Fla. (BP) -- Author, missionary and inventor Steve Saint showed slight progress during his first day of rehabilitation Monday (June 25) after an accident nearly two weeks earlier left him partially paralyzed. Saint, whose missionary pilot father Nate Saint was killed in Ecuador by tribesmen in 1956, was conducting a test June 13 when a safety strap broke and an aluminum wing hit him in the head. The day of the accident, he had only limited movement in his arms and legs. He had successful surgery a week after the accident. "He continues to have very limited mobility, though he gets more movement in various parts of his body on a regular basis," his son, Jaime Saint, posted on Facebook after his father's first day of rehab. "[On June 25], he had slight movement in all of the fingers of his right hand." Steve Saint founded a company, I-TEC (itecusa.org), that develops and invents products to help indigenous churches become self-supporting and self-propagating. Successes include a portable dental lab. One of the company's most-discussed inventions is the Maverick flying car. Saint's injury did not involve working on the Maverick. Saint recorded a six-minute video prior to his surgery where he said he was learning "how to walk again, how to move my fingers." "In these last six days I have been though more pain than I ever imagined possible," he said at the time. "... The amazing thing and encouraging thing to me is that honestly, not one time have I wondered or wanted to ask God why this happened." Saint even encouraged viewers, "If God is prompting you to get out there and get involved in the fray, then please do it." Saint's father and four other missionaries were speared to death in 1956, leaving behind fives wives and several children. But the tribe eventually embraced Christ, and, amazingly, the very tribesmen who had killed the missionaries became friends with the missionaries' family members. The story was the focus of several books, as well as a documentary ("Beyond the Gates of Splendor") and a movie ("End of the Spear"). --30-- Compiled by Michael Foust, associate editor of Baptist Press. -- End of story -- Native Americans install 1st executive director By Karen L. Willoughby Jun. 26 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38143 NEW ORLEANS (BP)--The Fellowship of Native American Christians has installed its first executive director, Gary Hawkins. Hawkins, a church planting associate with the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma, was called by FoNAC's executive committee as the group's executive director. The call was affirmed unanimously by the full fellowship during its June 18 meeting prior to the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting in New Orleans. "It's time for us to build on our strengths," Hawkins said in his remarks to FoNAC. "Certain things are common to all Native peoples and yet we are a diverse people group. ... I believe God has a log of qualified people who haven't had an opportunity to step up and come alongside another Native person. "Without God I wouldn't have a family. I come to you simply as a man who has a passion to reach Indian people. ... It doesn't matter what people have or don't have. If they don't have Jesus, they don't have anything." Emerson Falls, pastor of Glorieta Baptist Church in Oklahoma City and chairman of FoNAC, told the meeting, attended by some 60 Native Americans from the United States and Canada, that the fellowship "can do anything with God's power." Most Native American Southern Baptist churches "are small; we're weak," Falls, one of FoNAC's founders in 2009, said. But just as God chose David, the weakest of his brothers, so God has chosen Native congregations to reach Native people for Jesus, Falls said. "If we don't do it, who is going to do it?" he asked. About 4.1 million Americans -- 1.5 percent of the total population -- identify themselves as Native American or Alaska Native, belonging to more than 800 tribal groups. While some live in urban areas, 140 reservations are scattered across the nation. About 1.2 million Canadians -- 3.8 percent of Canada's total population -- identify themselves as First Nations people, counted among 600 "bands" or tribes. "This is where God is at work," Falls said. "We're going to join God in what He is doing." Through the relationships developed last year at two North American conferences, Native churches are helping each other in evangelism, Falls said. In his chairman's report, he explained the need for a paid executive director who will be able to focus on building a network to start Native American churches and help existing churches extend God's Kingdom. FoNAC heard a report about its $78,700 budget, which will come from several sources, including contributions from Native churches. Some congregations have committed to send 1 percent of their undesignated receipts to FoNAC while not decreasing their giving through the Cooperative Program. Support from individuals, churches, associations, state conventions and NAMB also are being sought, as are grants. For additional information, visit www.fonac.org. --30-- Karen L. Willoughby is managing editor of the Baptist Message, newsjournal of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp). -- End of story -- Korean Council draws 800 to annual meeting By Sharon Mager Jun. 26 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38146 LINTHICUM, Md. (BP) -- About 800 people from 600 Korean Baptist churches in 40 states including Alaska and Hawaii gathered for the Council of Korean Baptist Churches' annual meeting. The theme for the June 18-20 meeting in Linthicum, Md., was "Churches Planting Churches." The keynote speaker was Sun Ro Kim from Han Ma Eum Baptist Church in Kangwon Province, South Korea. Sung Ho Kim, pastor of Living Stone Korean Baptist Church in Dallas, was elected as president of the council, which also approved resolutions emphasizing the need for church planting and voicing opposition to same-sex "marriage." "This is one of our biggest turnouts," Chuno Chi, pastor of Laurel (Md.) Korean Baptist Church and executive secretary of the council, said of the sessions at the Westin Baltimore Washington Airport hotel. Chi said having the meeting in the Baltimore/Washington area where there is a heavy concentration of Koreans was a factor in the large turnout. The other reason, Chi said, was the issue of same-sex "marriage" in Maryland. Many pastors made special arrangements to attend because of that reason, especially with the meeting being so close to the nation's capital, Chi said. "It's important to teach what is going on, to make people aware," said Samuel Cho, founder and pastor of Nepal Baptist Church and Bhutan Baptist Church in Baltimore who is leading a petition drive against same-sex "marriage" for the council. More than 500 people signed the petition. Other topics highlighted at the meeting, Chi said, were church growth, embracing the nations and encouraging second-generation Koreans. Chi said immigration has been decreasing, making it even more important for Korean churches to reach out to other cultures. While the adults packed the main meeting room where they worshipped and listened to speakers, children as well as youth and young adults -- particularly pastors' kids -- had special areas to sing, pray and meet with their peers. The youth worship included praise bands and messages by Jey Kim, pastor of First Virginia Baptist Church in Springfield, Va. The youth also had opportunities for fellowship by watching movies, participating in talent shows and even going to Six Flags Theme Park. The program was helpful to the children, said Eric Kim, a media support assistant with First Virginia Baptist Church. "They really focus on the struggles preachers' kids go through," he said. "The kids meet each year, and they stay in touch," Cho noted. Robert Kim, a Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware missionary for Asian church planting and evangelism, Asian church development and language churches, said ministering to young people is a major emphasis for Korean churches. Reaching them and discipling them is important so they eventually can take over the ministries. This year's meeting drew the largest number of second-generation Koreans ever, with 180 registered. Representatives from the North American Mission Board and the International Mission Board gave presentations and manned display tables. Messengers and visitors stopped by a food area and loaded up plates with a variety of Korean foods. Breakout session topics included learning techniques for Bible memorization, educating children, encouragement for pastors' wives and information on ministering to aging adults. Robert Kim said the annual meeting is a great time of fellowship and encouragement. "It lets us know we're not alone," he said. The council will meet in Houston next June in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. --30-- Sharon Mager is a correspondent for the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware. -- End of story -- Chinese discuss outreach beyond their churches By Whitney Jones Jun. 26 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38139 NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- Chinese pastors are working to reach outside the traditional church setting to reach fellow Chinese in America and start new churches. "If you want to win a Chinese to be a Christian, the friendship is the most important," Peter Leong, president of the Chinese Baptist Fellowship, said during the group's June 19 meeting in New Orleans in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting. "When we're talking about a friendship," Leong also noted, "eating is the most important." Leong, from the Houston-area Grace Chinese Baptist Church, makes an effort in his area to connect with other Chinese outside the church walls by opening his home for a meal once a month, which usually is followed by fellowship and some Bible study. Jeremy Sin, national coordinator of church mobilization for the North American Mission Board, encouraged pastors and church planters to meet Chinese people where they are and not to just find a building, start a worship service and wait for people to come. Ted Lam, church planting ambassador for the fellowship from Oklahoma City, suggested that bodies of believers could reach out and minister to owners and workers in Chinese restaurants. "The biggest group we have not reached is the people who cook the food for us," Lam said. Leong echoed this sentiment and encouraged pastors to reach out to Chinese restaurant workers. He explained that the church service might look different or be held at a different time to work around the cooks' and servers' schedules. "You have to go out of the way to start a church for them," Sin said. "When they come to church their clothes are greasy, smelly. They don't want to make other people uncomfortable so they say, 'I prefer to stay out of here,' and that's why you need to bring the church to them." The Chinese Baptist Fellowship has 277 member churches in the United States and Canada, Leong said, and is working toward a goal of 800 churches by 2020. The fellowship added 17 churches since last year's meeting. Leong noted that 4 million Chinese live in the United States, yet there are only 1,500 churches among them. "There's a lot of people, especially of the Chinese, still out of the gate of the church, and God sent us here to be a minister and evangelist. We want to continue the ministry God has given to us," Leong said. To support, encourage and teach Chinese pastors and church planters, the Chinese Baptist Fellowship holds conferences and seminars throughout the year. The fellowship also will hold its 17th biennial conference in Los Angeles Sept. 18-20. --30-- Whitney Jones is a writer with Baptist Press. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress) and in your email (baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp). -- End of story -- Filipinos look toward cross-cultural missions By Vicky Kaniaru & Emily Grooms Jun. 26 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38144 NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- Filipino Southern Baptist leaders focused on strategies for church planting and training disciples for cross-cultural international missions via tent-making during their June 19 meeting held in conjunction with the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in New Orleans. "If we want to do missions the same way we have been doing missions in the past, we can never reach the world with the Gospel," Nono Badoy, executive director of the Philippines Missions Mobilization Movement (PM3), said during the meeting of the Filipino Southern Baptist Fellowship of North America. "So, nontraditional missions are very crucial," the Filipino leader said, "if we want to really see the world reached with the Gospel." For Filipinos, non-traditional missions means tent-making -- using one's non-church vocation as a platform for sharing the Gospel, Badoy said. With an estimated 10 million Filipinos living overseas, and more than 1 million of them Christians, Badoy said Filipinos are "scattered souls for the Kingdom." "We've got to mobilize [nominal Christians] to be engaged in missionary work," Badoy told pastors and laypersons attending the meeting at First Baptist Church in Kenner, La. A global movement is necessary, Badoy added, because the Great Commission commands believers to make disciples of all nations. By 2020, he said, PM3 wants to commission 1 million cross-cultural disciple-makers who will catalyze church multiplication movements among the unreached people of the world. "We're empowering churches and training them so they can mobilize and train their church members," Badoy said. "On and off the job, the objective is to bring people of other cultures to a growing relationship with Jesus Christ." Noel De Guzman, vice chairman of Filipino Southern Baptist Ministries in California, reported to the fellowship that more than 3,000 churches are part of the Luzon Convention of Southern Baptist Churches in the Philippines and 1,463 churches are affiliated with the Convention in Visayas and Mindanao of Southern Baptist Churches. Ken Weathersby, the North American Mission Board's (NAMB) ethnic ambassador to the Southern Baptist Convention, noted the importance of working together to accomplish their goals. While ethnic believers have open doors for involvement within the SBC, they also have "a door of obligation," Weathersby said. "It's a commandment to make disciples among ethnic people, a commandment that we are to love one another." Weathersby lamented, however, that many Christians have "allowed fear to immobilize us and stop us from being obedient to the Father." Describing church planting as the best evangelistic strategy, Weathersby said Filipinos' cultural adaptability provides an "opportunity to share the Gospel … and disciple new believers." Weathersby noted the fellowship's emphases on church planting, cultural adaptability, leadership and joy. "I want to commend you for how you love one another [and] I want to challenge you to work together to penetrate lostness in North America and around the world," Weathersby said. Jeremy Sin, NAMB ethnic church planting consultant, encouraged the Filipino fellowship to plant churches in Asian populations and to network with and support new churches near their own churches. "We have one mission to accomplish, and that is the Great Commission," Sin said. "We have to multiply and we have to start churches." Aiming for new churches plants in Atlanta, Baltimore and Chicago, Sin added that current churches must be intentional in fostering disciples who will be church planters. Citing success with new churches in Las Vegas, Toronto and Vancouver, Sin left pastors with three mandates: Be a supportive church, a standing church, and a multiplying church. Noel De Asis, regional coordinator of the fellowship's Asian Multiplication Evangelical Network, underscored his "passion" for multiplying churches. "I believe that God is a God of all cultures," said Asis, who encouraged pastors to continue sharing the Gospel, but warned, "If we won't change our attitudes to what is going on around us, the church will shrink and we will be out of touch, and we will be disconnected." Filipino leaders engaged in a time of prayer for mission teams from Woodhaven Baptist Church in Tickfaw, La., and Atlanta (La.) Baptist Church that are scheduled to travel to the Philippines later this summer. The Filipino fellowship encompasses 200-plus churches in the United States and Canada. --30-- Vicky Kaniaru & Emily Grooms are writers from Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, Ga. -- End of story -- Black network elects officers, gives awards By Diana Chandler Jun. 26 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38142 NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- The Black Southern Baptist Denominational Servants Network installed officers and gave awards to four individuals during its meeting prior to the SBC annual meeting in New Orleans. The group discontinued the office of executive director, stating that the late Sid Smith, the network's founder, had established the group so well that there is no longer a need for the position. "He was able to put us in a position where we don't need an executive director now," said Willie McLaurin, ending his term as network president. "There's not another Sid Smith. We honor him and appreciate him." Elected as the network's new officers are president, Eugene McCormick, a strategist with the Florida Baptist Convention's African American church development team; vice president, McLaurin, a Tennessee Baptist Convention strategist for leadership development/seminary extension; secretary, Charles Grant, a LifeWay Christian Resources church consultant; and treasurer, Jeffrey Curtis, also a LifeWay church consultant. Jay Wells, who retired this year as director of African American ministries in LifeWay's church resources division, was honored in his absence with the Sid Smith Denominational Leadership Award. The network honored Ken Weathersby with the Kennedy Boyce Award for trailblazing service as the North American Mission Board presidential ambassador for ethnic church relations. He previously was NAMB's associate vice president for ethnic mobilization. The award is named for the pastors of the first two African American churches to join the SBC in 1953. Robert Anderson, a Maryland pastor ending eight years as an SBC Executive Committee member, received a denominational appreciation award. Dexter Hardy, an African American church starter strategist with the Baptist State Convention of Michigan in Fenton, also was recognized with a denominational appreciation award, although in his absence. McLaurin was invited to serve a second term as president but said his responsibilities coordinating the Tennessee convention's transition in selling its Brentwood, Tenn., property will occupy much of his time during the next 18 months. In his presidential address, "Taking Care of the Father's Business," McLaurin encouraged the network in seeking the lost and bringing them to salvation, focusing on the Gospel of Luke's accounts of the nativity, deity, divinity and ministry of Christ. "Jesus is inviting you and I to be about the father's business," McLaurin said, encouraging the network to anticipate tribulation while being assured of peace. "Whenever you encounter the Gospel, it is a Gospel that invites storms," he said, "but it is also a Gospel that brings peace." The network also heard updates from various SBC entities and network committees. Jeffery Friend, pastor of Suburban Baptist Church in New Orleans and president of the Louisiana African American Fellowship, hosted the June 17 meeting. --30-- Diana Chandler is Baptist Press' staff writer. -- End of story -- Messianic speaker underscores discipleship By David Roach Jun. 26 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38137 REVISED Monday, July 2, 2012. NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- Discipleship is the key to healthy, effective churches, Sam Nadler said June 16 during the Southern Baptist Messianic Fellowship's annual meeting at First Baptist Church in Kenner, La. "The undiscipled believer is a dysfunctional member of the body. Discipleship is what makes you functional in the body of Messiah," said Nadler, president of the North Carolina-based Word of Messiah Ministries. Church members who go through the motions of Christianity without maturing in their faith "may look the part but ... are not actually able to serve the Lord." During the meeting, the SBMF also elected a slate of officers that included Ric Worshill as president and Bruce Stokes as vice president and director of missions. Regional directors for five sections of North America were elected and will help the fellowship coordinate its work with the Southern Baptist North American Mission Board. Worship at the gathering was led by Stuart Lee, a Messianic Jew who serves as worship leader at The Rock of Israel Messianic congregation in Long Grove, Ill. Many churchgoers, Nadler said, are "acculturated" -- taught how to put up a Christian front -- but never discipled. Though the Holy Spirit is responsible for saving people, fellow believers are responsible to help them grow in godliness, he said. "Messiah's job is to redeem, raise the dead, even the spiritually dead -- as we all were before coming to faith," Nadler said. "But now it is our job to get them out of the dead man's clothing, out of the grave clothes that they might be wearing indeed garments of righteousness." Discipleship involves teaching believers to develop deeper relationships with Christ, imitate Christ and understand the truths of God's Word, Nadler said. On a practical level, that requires instruction in prayer, Bible reading, fellowship with other believers and evangelism, he noted. As parents want all their children to become responsible adults, God wants all His children to become mature followers of Jesus, Nadler said, adding that one-on-one instruction is an important component of disciple-making. Nadler cautioned against declaring discipleship efforts a failure if they do not yield large numbers of mature believers. Measuring the success of a church through numbers alone, he said, represents the adoption of "carnal values." "God is not ashamed of a remnant," he said, "and you shouldn't be either." Though modern Jewish ministries may be viewed as a fringe movement of Christianity by some, Nadler said that Jewish and Gentile believers in the first century knew about and respected Jewish customs. "All the believers in the first century were Messianic. Their church schedule, as such, was oriented around the feasts of the Law," he said. "... Every believer was assumed to understand these things, and it shows how far we've gotten away. And therefore our Messianic calling is for Jew and Gentile alike." As Jewish and Gentile believers follow Christ, their godly example will make non-believing Jews hungry for the Messiah, Nadler said. As more Jews are saved, more discipleship will be needed, he said. "God expects evangelism to lead to discipleship every time as He expects pregnancy to lead to parenting every time," Nadler said. --30-- David Roach is a writer and pastor in Shelbyville, Ky. -- End of story -- Seminary luncheons draw alumni, guests By Staff Jun. 26 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38140 NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- Campus updates and award presentations highlighted the alumni luncheons hosted by Southern Baptist Convention seminaries June 20 during the SBC annual meeting in New Orleans. Following are reports from the luncheons: NEW ORLEANS -- Beautiful weather, good food, good music and Christian fellowship created a celebratory atmosphere during New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's Alumni and Friends Picnic held on the school's main campus. The event started with an outdoor picnic on the campus quad and concluded with the annual alumni meeting and worship event in Leavell Chapel. This year's event served as a time of reunion and reconnection for members of the NOBTS family. Nearly 1,200 alumni, donors and friends of the seminary attended. Many were back for the first time since Hurricane Katrina. The picturesque campus, so damaged by the 2005 storm, shines once again thanks to monumental recovery efforts led by Southern Baptist volunteers and funded by sacrificial gifts from churches and individuals. During the meeting Waylon Bailey, pastor of First Baptist Church in Covington, La.; Clay Corvin, vice president for business affairs at NOBTS; Randy Davis, executive director of the Tennessee Baptist Convention; and Mark Foley, president of the University of Mobile; were recognized as distinguished alumni. The annual award recognizes consistent and unique ministry contributions of NOBTS alumni. In his introduction of Bailey, Chuck Kelley, the seminary's president, recounted the days when Bailey served as a professor of Old Testament and Hebrew. Even then Kelley heard the heart of a pastor in every Bailey lecture. "If you ever walked by his classroom while he was teaching Old Testament or Hebrew, it was no surprise to you that he was called to pastor a church," Kelley said. "He preached some really wonderful lectures." Bailey was called as pastor of First Baptist Covington in 1989. A two-time NOBTS graduate, Bailey earned a master of theology degree in 1973 and a doctor of theology degree in 1976. In addition to his ministry at First Baptist Covington, Bailey is president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention and is a member of the nominations committee for the SBC. Kelley pointed to Corvin's role as chief financial officer for NOBTS as one reason for the award. Corvin, he said, left a lucrative career as a private accountant to come to NOBTS, and in 1979 he was named vice president for business affairs. Kelley commended Corvin's ability to maximize the seminary's budget and get the most out of every dollar. He also lauded Corvin's steady leadership during Hurricane Katrina and the recent global recession. But there is another side of Corvin, Kelley said. He is a minister to those on the fringe of society. "One of the things that has always impressed me about Clay [is] from the moment he arrived in New Orleans he has devoted his ministry to the lost and the least of our city," Kelley said. "Working with people who are down and out, drug addicts, alcoholics, people on the street, homeless people." For years Corvin served at the North American Mission Board's Brantley Center in New Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina, Corvin began serving with the Bethel Colony South addiction recovery ministry. He co-pastors a church that was started among the men of Bethel Colony South. "Whenever you find Clay involved in ministry, you find him pouring his life into the people that society, culture and even the church often tend to overlook and ignore," Kelley said. Kelley commended Davis for being an effective leader in his role at the Tennessee Baptist Convention. He also commended Davis for his longtime service as a local church pastor, most recently at First Baptist Church in Sevierville, Tenn. "When I was in school here there were three Randy Davises on campus. When they called and mentioned this distinguished alumni award, I kept asking if they had the right one," Davis said. "Getting any degree here is honor enough. I appreciate this very much." Kelley pointed out the unique path Foley took on his journey to a career in higher education. "Dr. Mark Foley is proof of that old Texas adage, 'If you can ever run a truck stop, anything else is easy,'" Kelley said. "That's what he did before he came to New Orleans Seminary." Foley answered God's call to ministry, left the business world and moved to seminary. He went on to earn master of divinity and doctor of philosophy degrees in psychology and counseling and served in the NOBTS administration. In 1998, Foley was called to lead the University of Mobile where his goal is the integration of academics and faith. GOLDEN GATE -- Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary honored Edmund William "Bill" Hunke Jr. with a distinguished alumnus award at the seminary's Alumni and Friends Luncheon. Jeff Iorg, the seminary's president, praised the work of Bill Hunke, who, because of his age and health, was presented with the award in person at the seminary's Arizona campus graduation ceremony in May. "Dr. Hunke was one of the earliest graduates of Golden Gate Seminary," Iorg said. "He has invested his life fulfilling our mission of expanding God's Kingdom around the world. It is a privilege to honor him and celebrate his many accomplishments." During his lifetime of service, Hunke was pastor of four churches in California, Utah and Arizona and served in numerous interim pastorates. He planted 14 churches in California and Arizona and was involved in starting more than six other churches, missions and fellowships in Alaska during his tenure there as executive director. Hunke was an associational minister, a Home Mission Board coordinator in 15 western states and Canada and wrote books about Southern Baptist history. "What a remarkable man he is," Iorg said. "Today, at the age of 88, he is helping to plant another new church in Arizona, and it currently meets in his home." At the luncheon, Iorg reported on the work of the seminary, citing "the ever-present daily challenge of what to embrace, what to let go of, as we focus on our mission and keep up with the changing needs of our students." Iorg listed several new programs the seminary is launching, including the master in Christian counseling degree. "This program is made possible by two specific gifts," he said. "Last October we received $200,000, and in April of 2012 we received $400,000, both explicitly to start and sustain the Christian counseling degree. We are now in a position to offer a first class counseling program." Iorg added that the seminary will offer a chaplaincy program in conjunction with the Christian counseling program, with classes beginning this fall. The Korean English Bilingual Program also is launching this fall, and Iorg explained that the tracks of two existing degrees, the master of divinity and the master of theological studies, initially will be offered at the seminary's Southern California campus. "The bilingual program was created in response to the need of many Korean students who are capable academically but who struggle to explain what they have learned in the English language," Iorg said. "They still must be proficient in English in order to interact with our business, administration and other campus departments." The president told about the retirement of Faith Kim, professor of intercultural studies, and the transition of several faculty and administration members. He described the seminary's new partnership with the Mexican Baptist Seminary and how several faculty members already have been scheduled to teach as visiting professors. "This agreement will enhance the association between the two schools and develop academic and cultural relationships in the areas of educational development, research, spiritual growth and other activities," he said. Iorg explained the option for the seminary to deliver fully online degrees as early as next spring depending on the Association of Theological Schools' upcoming decision to revise accreditation standards. "In the future, I envision Golden Gate as having two kinds of accredited options: online and face-to-face," he said. "This will allow us to be creative in what we offer, and I predict our regional campus system is going to change. The 100 percent online degree program opens up possibilities that change the paradigm of what we're doing." He shared about the land development situation the seminary is experiencing with the county and community groups who oppose any new development on the seminary's Northern California property. "Other than this issue, it is a good place to be, with so many wonderful things happening," he concluded. "We ask that you send students to us. Thank you for praying and giving, and we appreciate your support and for standing with us as we fulfill our mission of shaping leaders who expand God's Kingdom around the world. MIDWESTERN -- A confidence-building message from a Kansas pastor and the presentation of alumni of the year awards were focal points of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's alumni luncheon. Steve Dighton, pastor of Lenexa (Kan.) Baptist Church, addressed the group about how the cause of Christ can be exalted through seminary education with a message from 2 Timothy 2:1-3. Referencing his church's recognition in Thom Rainer's 2005 book, "Breakout Churches," Dighton spoke about some traits he believed would be applicable to a Southern Baptist seminary. One trait Dighton described was that breakout leaders persist in their mission, and their setbacks don't have to be failures. He noted that everyone has failures, but "past struggles indeed do not need to be the final chapter, and how true it is at Midwestern Seminary." Secondly, Dighton said a strategy was needed to strengthen the seminary. "... What indeed needs to happen at Midwestern Seminary is to attract God-called students to Kansas City to get their seminary education," he said. "The best way we can do that is to have a satisfied-customer approach -- that we would tell others about our seminary. Would you help us in this endeavor, to help attract other students to come and experience what we know is a good seminary education?" Selling points to highlight, he said, include a low student-to-teacher ratio, students' ability to develop personal mentoring relationships with professors, and the school's focus on God's Word. Dighton's third point was that despite the challenging work involved in attaining success, there should be a great joy pervading the campus. He concluded that two crucial steps in the seminary's future success involve making the correct choice of the next president and completing the chapel construction project. During his brief report, Robin Hadaway, Midwestern's interim president, praised staff and faculty for their solid work at the convention, noting that the recruiting efforts had garnered a number of strong leads for prospective students. Midwestern's leader said the seminary is in good enrollment and financial shape. He further reported that although it was likely that other Southern Baptist schools would soon be able to begin offering 100 percent online degree programs, "We are proud of the fact that right now we have the only bachelor's and master's, fully-accredited, 100 percent online programs." Following the president's report, Tom Elliff, the International Mission Board's president, introduced David Steverson, the IMB's vice president for finance, who was honored as alumnus of the year. Steverson was recognized for his humble servant nature, heart for those in the mission field and the high character and integrity in which he approaches his work. "David Steverson has that special quality of dealing with people in a kind, gentle way but making sure that handling the responsibilities of the financial accountability of the largest agency of the Southern Baptist Convention are done well," Hadaway said. Elliff said, "I cannot imagine a person on this planet more deserving of the alumnus of the year award than David Steverson. I know that when David is sitting there in that office with the IMB, everything that's happening in terms of finances is going to be taken care of in a way that is absolutely and inscrutably above reproach." Steverson said it was a great honor and a humbling experience to receive the award. "It's not an individual accomplishment," he said. "It's something that happens because of a group of people that get together and do something for the Lord." He then thanked his coworkers on the IMB's executive team, the staff members he supervises, his sister and his wife Judy. The honoree and his wife also served on the mission field in Thailand for six years before he began his tenure in the IMB's home office in Richmond, Va. Dighton was named honorary alumnus of year. He received the recognition for his integrity, preaching and gifts to the seminary. "He's been very giving to the seminary," Hadaway said. "No one is a better friend of Midwestern Seminary than Lenexa Baptist Church, Steve Dighton and his wife Mary." Dighton said it was a joy to be recognized. "Our church has a vested interest in the success of Midwestern Seminary. We want it to prosper and thrive," he said. "We want to do what we can do to help the cause of Christ through seminary education." Dighton and his wife have served in the Kansas City area for more than 20 years. Previously, he was pastor of First Baptist Church in Piedmont, Okla. Also during the luncheon, Neil Franks, pastor of First Baptist Church in Branson, Mo., was recognized as the 2012-13 National Alumni president. SOUTHEASTERN -- Alumni and friends of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary came together to hear about what God has been doing at the seminary at the Southeastern luncheon in New Orleans. Attendees heard from Danny Akin, the seminary's president, and from Jim Shaddix, a new professor of preaching at the seminary. Shaddix, a former teaching pastor at Riverside Baptist Church in Denver, said that in his early years he never thought he would be part of academia. "My burden today is the spiritual lives of leaders today in our churches," Shaddix said. "I believe theological education is a way of seizing an opportunity of Gospel-making. At Southeastern, it became clear through conversations with Dr. Akin that intentional disciple-making and theological education are to be wed together, and that is why I am excited to be a part of the team at Southeastern." Akin said the election of Fred Luter as president of the Southern Baptist Convention will become one of the most historic events in SBC life. In 1995, Southern Baptists marked their 150th anniversary and apologized for the convention's racist past. In 2000, they adopted a revised version of the Baptist Faith and Message. "Yet these events, even though great, pale in comparison to Luter's election," Akin said. "Look around this room. It is too white. I want to be a part of a convention and a network of churches that reflect the ethnic diversity of the Kingdom." Addressing past and present discussions of Southeastern's supposed Calvinistic agenda, Akin said, "Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary is not going to be dragged down in a street fight over Calvinism. We're going to love everyone on all sides of the issue." Referencing the Baptist 21 luncheon the previous day, Akin said the panel was an example of the theological diversity reflected at Southeastern. "More than a 1,000 people gathered for the luncheon to hear from the panel -- Fred Luter, Paige Patterson, Al Mohler, J.D. Greear, David Platt and myself," Akin said. "Each of us has differences on the particulars of theology, but we're all together for the proclamation of the Gospel. Southeastern models this diversity and unity as well. "The only agenda at Southeastern," Akin said, "is the Great Commission agenda." Enrollment numbers, Akin said, indicate Southeastern has 2,957 students, and the seminary expects to surpass 3,000 in the fall. Akin shared a story of a friend who came to visit him and the Southeastern campus and said, "Danny, this is a very happy campus." Speaking to the attendees, Akin said, "I can tell you all here today at this luncheon why Southeastern is a 'happy' campus. It is because our faculty, staff and students love Christ and worship Him. What a novel idea that a seminary would be happy because they have King Jesus as their Lord." SOUTHERN -- R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, announced Bryant Wright and John Folmar as distinguished alumni of the year at the Southern Seminary alumni luncheon. Wright, a master of divinity graduate from Southern in 1979, is pastor of Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga., and the immediate past president of the SBC. Folmar, who earned his M.Div. from Southern in 2003, is pastor of United Christian Church of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Mohler also announced that Southern Seminary has identified the Meskhetian Turks as a people group to reach with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Meskhetian Turks, despite their name, are not from Turkey. They are about 300,000 people who lived in the Russian Federation. World War II scattered the Meskhetian Turks, and they have since remained an especially elusive group to engage, with a number of attempts seldom progressing beyond the information gathering stage in the past. Louisville, Ky., where Southern Seminary is located, houses a community of 60 to 80 Meskhetian families -- somewhere between 500 and 800 individuals. Efforts to reach the Meskhetian Turks will begin by reaching out to the Louisville community, Mohler explained. Also at the luncheon, Mohler outlined the seminary's adoption and implementation of a comprehensive master plan to repurpose and refocus the seminary's physical campus. During the next 10 years, the master plan will dissolve $52 million in deferred maintenance and position the campus for immediate and future structural and financial sustainability. Phase one will repurpose the historical Mullins Complex as a state-of-the-art facility for Boyce College, the undergraduate school of Southern Seminary. The SBC Executive Committee June 18 approved a $20 million loan for phase one of the SBTS master plan. Phase two will advance the learning community of Southern Seminary, primarily through renovation of the James P. Boyce Centennial Library. Phase three, without requiring any firm commitments, anticipates future development. At the end of his address, Mohler emphasized the increasing need for faithful theological education in a time that requires well equipped pastors, missionaries and teachers. "We're up to this," he said. "But we need each other. It is moving to imagine how the lives gathered together, gather to become a part of that long line of faithfulness that came before us at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary." Mohler affirmed Southern Seminary's commitment to the seriousness of its task, the urgency of its vision and the credibility of its alumni. The commitment, though, is only a means to an end. He explained: "We have a job to do, and it's not done when we graduate. It's not done when we retire. It's not done until Jesus comes. It's not done yet." SOUTHWESTERN -- Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary recognized former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and retired pastor Tommy French as distinguished alumni at its annual Alumni and Friends Luncheon. Both were honored for their commitments to the Lord and contributions to the church and the world. Before campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination, before serving as governor of Arkansas and before hosting a top-rated show on Fox News Channel, Huckabee was a young student at Southwestern Seminary. Upon receiving his distinguished alumnus award, he explained how God used his time at Southwestern to heal his brokenness and prepare him for the future. "I'm truly honored, and few things that I have ever received in my life have meant more to me," Huckabee said. He explained that when he and his wife Janet arrived at Southwestern, they were financially broke and spiritually broken. Janet was recovering from cancer treatments which had taken a toll on her physical strength and on the young couple's emotional strength. "What wonderful days," Huckabee recalled of his time as a student on campus. He remembers going to chapel regularly, where he heard President Robert Naylor quote long passages of Scripture and other speakers challenge students "not just to be intellectually prepared but to be on fire." He said friends at other seminaries used to refer jokingly to Southwestern as the "three-year camp meeting." "I considered it a badge of great honor," Huckabee said. "[Southwestern] was known as a hotbed of evangelism and missions." Huckabee completed more than half of the required hours for a master of divinity degree before leaving seminary to pastor churches in Arkansas for 12 years. During that time, he also became the youngest ever president of the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Huckabee was elected as lieutenant governor of Arkansas in a 1993 special election, and he then served as governor of Arkansas from 1996-2007. The following year, he campaigned for the Republican nomination for U.S. President. Afterward, he formed the HuckPac to help Republicans running for office nationwide. Huckabee has authored nine books, including three New York Times bestsellers. He hosts the hit show "Huckabee" on Fox News Channel and the Cumulus Media Networks' syndicated radio program "The Mike Huckabee Show." He also is heard three times each day on The Huckabee Report, which is syndicated on nearly 600 stations. Despite his success, Huckabee remembers his days at Southwestern as an unknown. "I was a nobody," Huckabee said. "Many were the times when I would go to chapel and then afterward go to the prayer room, which was down in the basement. My heart would be so filled with what I had heard in chapel, and I would go to that prayer room and say, 'God, if there is a place for me, use me.' "I think that prayer is answered every time we ask God to use us, and He chooses to use us in very different ways." Huckabee added, "The one lesson I learned at Southwestern was to love the Word of the living God, to believe that it is absolutely, 100 percent true, and then to believe that the purpose for reading it was not for what we have up here [pointing to his head] but for what we would do from here [pointing to his heart] out there in the world." Tommy French, pastor emeritus of Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, La., pastored the church for 50 years until his retirement in 2009. During that time, he also served as president of the Louisiana Baptist Convention and chairman of the board of trustees at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Today, he serves as a trustee at Louisiana College. "Southwestern gave me a set of tools with which to work, they gave me that evangelistic fervor that everybody needs when they go out into the world to tell people about the Lord Jesus Christ, and then they gave me a set of principles by which to live," French said. After 50 years of pastoral ministry, French said, "I found that what Southwestern had prepared me to do helped me get it done along with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ." In addition to his faithful service in the local church, French established the Mary French Priscilla Scholarship at Southwestern in honor of his late wife Mary, who, he says, made his ministry possible and effective. French set up a similar scholarship at NOBTS. In addition to the presentation of awards, Southwestern's president, Paige Patterson, updated alumni and guests on the many exciting things going on at Southwestern. To watch a video of Huckabee's award acceptance speech, visit [URL=http://www.swbts.edu/huckabee]www.swbts.edu/huckabee[/URL]. --30-- Based on reports by Gary D. Myers of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, Phyllis Evans of Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, Pat Hudson of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Michael McEwen of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Aaron Cline Hanbury of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Keith Collier of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. -- End of story -- FROM THE STATES: Ill., La., N.M. evangelism/missions news By Staff Jun. 26 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38147 EDITOR'S NOTE: From the States, published each Tuesday by Baptist Press, relays news and feature stories from state Baptist papers and other publications on initiatives by Baptist churches, associations and state conventions in evangelism, church planting and Great Commission outreach, including partnership missions. Reports about churches, associations and state conventions responding to the International Mission Board's call to embrace the world's 3,800 unengaged, unreached people groups also are included in From the States, along with reports about church, associational and state convention initiatives in conjunction with the North American Mission Board's call to Southern Baptist churches to broaden their efforts in starting new churches and satellite campuses. The items appear in Baptist Press as originally published. Today's From the States features items from: Illinois Baptist Baptist Message (Louisiana) Baptist New Mexican (New Mexico) 1 day + 570 volunteers = multiplied results By Lisa Sergent SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (Illinois Baptist) -- What difference does one day make? For some it's the difference between spending their eternity in hell or in heaven. The hundreds who heard about Christ through Missions Spectacular activities and events had the seeds planted for coming to Him. IBSA's one-day missions blitz Missions Spectacular sent 570 volunteers from 60 churches to six locations -- East St. Louis, Champaign, Fairfield, Litchfield, Metropolis, Springfield and their surrounding communities -- to share Christ's love in the neighborhoods through block parties, clean-up projects, food pantry assistance and more. Two Champaign churches, Cornerstone Baptist, and new church plant, Redeemer Church, teamed up to host a block party in Hessler Park. Mission Spectacular volunteers from Louisville FBC and Greenup FSBC helped provide support for the event by canvassing neighborhoods and passing out flyers earlier in the day, and helping with the block party events later that afternoon. Steve Diehl, Cornerstone's pastor, and Jim Smith, an IBSA church planting strategist and a pastor at Redeemer Church, were pleased with the event's results. "The Missions Spectacular teams were invaluable for us," shared Smith. "We were really surprised and pleased with the difference their neighborhood canvassing made. We held a similar event last fall with 80 families registered, but with their help we reached 145 families through this block party. "It really made the difference for us to have that much extra help, it really improved the quality of our event." The families who came to the block party didn't go away hungry. "We gave away 400 hotdogs, chips, cookies and drinks -- all free," said Diehl. "Our guests said it was really great that a church would host an event for the whole family. They were amazed that everything was free." In addition to the free food, block party guests enjoyed playing inflatable and lawn games and getting their faces painted. John Odle, minister of music at Immanuel Baptist, Benton, joined nine other church members at the Christian Activity Center (CAC) in East St. Louis, where they boarded buses with volunteers from other Illinois Baptist churches to escort CAC children on a trip to the St. Louis Zoo. "The kids were wonderful to work with," said Odle. "They quickly found people they gravitated to, that they had never met, and paired up with them for the trip. We were there to help them have a good experience at the zoo and to love them. One little girl held our hands (Odle and his wife) like we were her grandma and grandpa." After spending the day at the zoo and returning to the center, Immanuel's volunteers boarded their van to leave. "It had been a hot day, but everyone was excited about their experiences with the kids. Our volunteer's discomfort was not at the forefront of their minds. It was great to see our people so excited. They are very missions-minded." IBSA's Mark Emerson coordinates the event. "Missions Spectacular continues to be an effective event that connects Illinois Baptists with projects in different parts of the state," he shared. "When Illinois Baptists see firsthand what God is doing through the efforts of a church planter or through a local community ministry, they can sense an invitation by the Holy Spirit to partner with these workers or begin looking for other ways they can make a difference throughout Illinois." --30-- Lisa Sergent is associate editor of the Illinois Baptist newspaper. ********** Embrace churches make first contact in Europe By Marc Ira Hooks EUROPE (Baptist Message) -- When Nick Hodges decided to watch the Southern Baptist Convention meeting online last summer, he never dreamed he as a result would be navigating the "tubes," trains and taxis of a major European city this spring. During the meeting, Hodges heard about Embrace, "and it was like a light went on inside of me," he said. Embrace is an initiative to encourage churches to choose an unengaged, unreached people group (UUPG) and establish an active church-planting strategy among them. "We're supposed to just go and carry out the Great Commission," he said. Hodges serves as pastor of the 80-member Emmanuel Baptist Church in Oakdale, La. He and members of 1,100-member First Baptist Church of Mansfield, Texas, spent the last week of April in Europe with International Mission Board trainers to begin their journey to Embrace one of the world's 3,800 UUPGs, 500 of which can be found in Europe. They are the first Embrace churches to make connections with their people group on the ground in Europe. Johnny Dickerson, senior pastor of First Mansfield, said, "The thing that appealed to me about Embrace was that we were stepping in to places and situations where there was not already an IMB missionary on the ground. When we decided we were going to do this, I told our church, 'We are not sending a missionary -- we are sending you.'" Hodges said he and his wife, Dawn, had never been on a mission trip or out of the country before going to Europe for training. "All of this is very new to us. Not to mention the fact that we are both introverts," Hodges said. "I think we [Emmanuel Oakdale] represent the typical Southern Baptist church, and I'm hoping that people will see us and say, 'If they can do it, then we can too.'" Before the team came to Europe, the churches spent time investigating the world's UUPGs and praying about which to Embrace. After meeting with IMB personnel, each European Embrace church is assigned a "coach" who acts as a consultant for the church as it fulfills its commitment of eight weeks per year for eight years. Then, on the ground in Europe, the coach helps them learn about the culture and locations of their people group, as well as how to begin planting churches among them. They also go out into the city and make initial contacts with the people group. Paul Combs, a volunteer from First Mansfield, said he "saw the Holy Spirit do stuff that only the Spirit could do. "We went out there today not knowing where we were going, who we were going to talk to or if we were even going to find anybody to talk to," Combs said. "But now, when we send teams back here, one of the hardest things about all of this has already been taken care of. We have somebody who has invited us back. They want to know when we are coming and want us to contact them when we get here." Doors are now open that weren't open before, he said. Dickerson said the project embodies what he endeavors to preach every Sunday: "You have got to put your faith into action," he said. Hodges echoed the need for faith in this project. "There is no way that a church of 80 to 100 people in Louisiana can reach a European people group of 200,000," the Emmanuel Oakdale pastor said. "Yeah, this is a huge task. But if we are faithful, then God will provide the resources and the people along the way. We are not responsible for the results — God is. Our job is just to be faithful to the task." The Great Commission is not for professional missionaries only; it's for him and his church, and all churches, Dickerson said. "We all have a responsibility to go." The results are eternal, the pastor added. "Some day in Glory there is going to be someone from my people group," Dickerson said. "And they are going to say, 'Thanks for going.' And when that happens ... well, I know there are no tears in heaven, so when that happens I am going to just have to jump and shout or something." If you would like more information about how to Embrace an unengaged, unreached people group in Europe, email euroconnecting@imb.org. --30-- Reprinted from the Baptist Message, newsjournal of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. ********** Spring Break Mission Trip to Albuquerque By Tim Singleton ARTESIA, N.M. (Baptist New Mexican) -- This past spring break the student ministry of First Baptist Church, Artesia, took a team of 15 to Albuquerque for the purpose of serving with a church plant known as CenterPoint Fellowship. Our team participated in the gospel-centered missional ambition of the church, which is led by Pastor Scott Wilson. We engaged the Nob Hill community by hosting a block party at an area park. We also spent a large amount of time cleaning up the playground and refinishing tables for an area elementary school. We were shocked to receive an outpouring of gratitude from the school's administrative office. Wednesday was filled with service to the University of New Mexico students. We handed out over 900 energy drinks with church invites that were donated by one of our church members. We fed and joined college students and athletes on the ball fields that night. This again led to conversations for Pastor Scott and greater receptivity to the church plant. We were invited to join a school club of Albuquerque High School, and our high school boys shared about the Life Book Project. That same teacher then invited me to share the gospel with the students who were testing in his room during lunch. God was so faithful to lead us in the right direction and open up doors for His gospel. The prayers that we were led in as we "prayer drove" Sunday afternoon are the same ones that I would encourage you to engage in. We ask that the Lord would plant more gospel-centered churches in the downtown area of Albuquerque. We ask for the hearts of those in that area to be softened by the Holy Spirit to encounter Jesus. We also beg for more doors to be opened to minister to the families and faculty at Monte Vista Elementary School. Thank you for allowing your children and your student ministries to be able to minister and experience trips like this. The impact is deep, whether from serving or from listening and sharing with people who have completely different beliefs. Your prayers, love, cookies, encouragement and financial support for students to engage this lost world are tremendously appreciated. --30-- Tim Singleton is student pastor at First Baptist Church in Artesia, N.M. -- End of story -- WORLDVIEW: It's the size of your heart, not your church By Erich Bridges Jun. 26 2012 http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=38145 Visit "WorldView Conversation," the blog related to this column, at [URL=http://worldviewconversation.blogspot.com/]http://worldviewconversation.blogspot.com/[/URL]. Listen to an audio version at [URL=http://media1.imbresources.org/files/156/15602/15602-86086.mp3]http://media1.imbresources.org/files/156/15602/15602-86086.mp3[/URL] NEW ORLEANS (BP) -- Chris Jenkins wants fellow pastors to know something up front: It's not easy to get your church strategically involved in global missions. In fact, it might be the hardest thing you ever do. "I hear the IMB giving us these steps, you do this and you do that, and it sounds easy," says Jenkins, pastor of Unity Baptist Church, a congregation of about 200 people in semi-rural Prince George, Va. Four years ago, the church called IMB's prayer office and committed to pray for a nomadic group in the Sahara Desert with more than 300,000 people and only one known Christian. "We wanted somebody that nobody else wanted," Jenkins told messengers to the annual Southern Baptist Convention meeting in New Orleans during IMB's convention presentation June 19. "Of course, we just wanted to pray for them and didn't have a clue what we were getting into."

They were getting into something that is revolutionizing their church -- and might just revolutionize the people group they began visiting in 2010. But that's getting ahead of the story. Jenkins insists he's like most pastors: so busy he can barely carve out enough time to handle garden-variety ministry and family life -- much less a major commitment to an unknown group thousands of miles away. "When you're dealing with a couple hundred people in your congregation and they all have a different idea of what you're supposed to be doing, it's hard to put rubber to the road," he admits. "You're dealing with hospital visits and marriages falling apart and teenagers getting in trouble at school. You've got single moms trying to pay the bills, and they need help with their kids. Then you're trying to have a family of your own. [Jenkins and his wife have three foster children in addition to their own two children.] "You want the church to be missional, but it's overwhelming." Yet Jenkins and his flock couldn't ignore God's call to the nations. Unity has become one of hundreds of churches and entities to act on its commitment to embrace an unengaged, unreached people group. Before, "We liked to talk like we were a church on mission, but we really knew it was just a show," he told listeners during the IMB program. "We were more concerned with what was going on inside the four walls [of the church] instead of out." After Unity's first trip to the Sahara in 2010, their whole outlook began to change -- beginning with Jenkins himself. "God kind of slapped me around a little bit" on that trip, he reflects. "I was getting comfortable as a pastor. I was getting comfortable doing American ministry. … I saw people, thousands of miles away, that are going through things I could never imagine going through, and they have no one in their life sharing with them that God cares. … How in the world are they going to know it unless we're out there with our hearts, pouring 'em out, with our hands, getting 'em dirty, and with our voices telling people about the Good News of Jesus Christ?" That first journey -- and three more since -- have changed priorities at Unity. Some members are selling cars and taking second jobs, even planning for early retirement, to get involved in the Sahara mission, according to Jenkins. "And what we've learned on the global side certainly has helped us on the local side" -- whether it's reaching out to public schools in Prince George or other ministries. During his time at the SBC meeting, Jenkins had the chance to share his experience with other pastors, both as a participant in the IMB presentation and in one-on-one conversations around IMB's "prayer tent" exhibit. "To be mobilizing others when we're just getting mobilized, it helps you see the work that God is doing," he says. "But I feel like a cat in water, too. I dove in and here I am trying to help other people. Sure, we've sent four teams, but I'm not ignorant enough to think that we're an engaging church just because we've sent four teams. We're still learning about our people, what our platform is and how we're going to raise money for the next 10 or 20 years to do this thing. "But I want to help churches see that this is not just for mega-churches. You don't have to have a thousand people in your sanctuary on Sunday morning to be able to adopt an unengaged, unreached people group. If you've got 80 people in your church, adopt that people group, be as loud about 'em as you can, find other churches of 80 members to team up with, and you might have a thousand people reaching out to that group one day. It's for all of us. It doesn't matter our size; it doesn't matter our race. … That's who God has called -- the local church." The first step, he adds, is to take a first step: "Start praying for a people group. Start researching and learning about them. It's amazing what God does in your heart as a pastor and the heart of your congregation as they start to literally embrace a people group, not just on paper. Their heart starts to get wrapped around these people and they start seeing a God-sized call and a God-sized task in reaching them. I came [to the SBC meeting] to talk to pastors and see churches get fired up." As IMB President Tom Elliff says, it's not the size of a church that matters in embracing lost peoples; it's the size of the heart of a church. And its pastor's heart. --30-- Erich Bridges is IMB global correspondent. -- End of story -- Copyright (c) 2013 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press 901 Commerce Street Nashville, TN 37203 Tel: 615.244.2355 Fax: 615.782.8736 email: bpress@sbc.net