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  • Five benefits of going on a mission trip

    FENTON, MI – The Arkansas mission team was ready to return south a little earlier than planned during July because local construction permits had not been issued allowing the demolition & remodeling of the building. Pastor Garth, of the Gathering Church Windsor, told me, “The motor of the bus could be heard idling in the church’s parking lot as Arkansas volunteers prepared to leave, loading luggage, and saying their goodbyes.” In the midst of the farewells, a telephone rang, and Cindy Gietz, the Gathering’s administrative assistant, put the phone to her ear. After Cindy ended the call she reported to the crowd, “The construction permits have been issued, we need to pick them up.” With cries of celebration the Arkansas volunteers exited the bus, changed into construction clothes, and picked up tools. Sledge hammers and crowbars moved through the air. The snap of boards and drywall popping was everywhere. Pastor Garth said, “The volunteers did more to help us in hours than we could have done in weeks.” Twenty-two members of Union Valley Baptist Church (UVBC) from Beebe, Arkansas came through Michigan on their way to the Gathering Church in Windsor, Canada. Pastor Tommy Miller, of UVBC Arkansas, and Pastor Garth Leno, of The Gathering Windsor, having arranged the July 2018 mission trip, were glad to see their months of planning turn into reality. UVBC Arkansas volunteers made the 13-hour, one-way road-trip because they have a heart for missions that is larger than their own church and their own local community. The UVBC church brochure declares their mission is, “to build strong Christian families through our love of the Lord Jesus Christ.” That mission was evident by their intergenerational mission team. Volunteers worked equally hard whether they were senior citizens or teenagers. The days of partnership between the Gathering and Union Valley were filled with prayer, outreach, remodeling, and demolition. When mission trips do not go as planned fresh prayers provide divine direction. When mission teams and local church members invade the local community with love in interesting ways, new relationships are started where the Gospel can be expressed. The blisters and Band-Aids from hours of construction and demolition are like merit badges from the mission trip. Later conversations, after mission teams return home, increase interest in serving the Lord in others who missed the recent trip. Well-coordinated mission trips are intense lessons in becoming devoted disciples of Christ. Pastors and church leaders are missing great opportunities of learning, if they are not taking their members on mission trips outside of their local communities. Serving God in routine ways can give a person a sense of complacency. Serving God on a mission trip is more like riding a new roller coaster where every turn and drop makes a person scream. Having led many volunteers while I was an international missionary overseas, and now observing effective mission teams serving in Michigan and Canada I can list some great benefits to mission trips. Five Benefits from Going on Mission Trips Volunteers . . . Witness God’s actions in other places and in the lives of other people Gain a God-sized Kingdom vision rather than a mere local church concern Return home with a desire to do bolder things for the Lord Learn to abandon daily routines allowing God to do the unexpected Infect other people with a stronger passion for mission trips More Opportunities for Mission Trips? You might be asking, “Will there be more opportunities for mission trips?” The answer is a clear and loud, “YES!” All of the church plants in Michigan and in nearby Canada are at different stages of growth. Different phases mean that mission teams can partner with church plants in different ways. If you desire more information about the possibility of taking your church on a mission trip, contact one of the following two people concerning the following two areas: Pastor Wayne Parker, Send City Missionary of Detroit at wparker@namb.net Dr. Tony Lynn, State Director of Missions for Michigan at tlynn@namb.net or tony@bscm.org After an initial conversation, we can put you in contact with the pastor of a recent church plant. We look forward to hearing from you. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tony Lynn is the State Director of Missions for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before coming on staff at the BSCM, Tony served as lead pastor for more than six years at Crosspoint Church in Monroe, Michigan. He and his wife, Jamie, also served with the International Mission Board in Africa and in Europe. #AUGUST18

  • It is not the size of the church

    FENTON, MI – Imagine getting on an airplane for vacation. The getaway you’ve been planning is finally here. You anxiously anticipate the time you will spend at your destination, but first, you have to get there. The plane is boarded. The doors are tightly shut and the fight crew is making final preparations for take off. As the fight attendant walks down the aisle, he smiles and reminds you to fasten your seat belt. You cautiously try to get both parts of the belt buckled without touching the passengers beside you. It’s a real challenge! Your seat is small - too small. You realize that is not just the seat. Everything is small - the space above your head, the leg room, the luggage compartment, the aisle - small, small, small. You don’t even want to think about needing the bathroom! It redefines small. You scan the plane, and it looks like all 200 seats are taken. If you fly much, you know how real this scene is. As you think about the plane, realize that the Sunday morning crowd in 85% of all Southern Baptist Churches could fit in this plane! Let me put it another way: The entire worshipping congregation in 42,500 of the 50,000 churches in the SBC could each fit on a 200 passenger capacity plane. Yes, we have some megachurches - churches that have an average attendance of 2,000 people or more. All the senior pastors of all these SBC churches could fit on the plane and it would only be 3/4 full. Big doesn’t mean healthy; neither does small. Healthy is healthy, and Michigan Baptists are working together to have healthy churches. (I’ll come back to this in a moment). We are a convention of mostly smaller membership churches, and yet, the impact of our ministry is felt from our neighborhoods to the nations. I have been reminded over and over again that it is not the size of our churches, but the strength of our partnership in Christ that God uses to impact this world. We are a Convention of autonomous churches - churches of all sizes, ethnicities, and economic realities - that voluntarily partner together under the Lordship of Christ to send missionaries, train ministers, speak Biblical truth, minister to the hurting, and share Christ across our homeland and around the world. The impact of our partnership was vividly demonstrated on a national level at the Southern Baptist Convention in June. Pastor Frank Pomeroy and his wife Sherri took the stage during the Send Luncheon. Tears filled my eyes as they shared the horrific events that happened November 5, 2017. As the FBC Sutherland Springs church family gathered for worship, a gunman ruthlessly started shooting into the church from outside the walls. It was the start of a rampage that left 26 people dead. The Pomeroy’s 14 year old daughter, Annabelle, was killed that tragic day. Pastor Frank’s faith in Christ touched our hearts as he shared, "Though there was pain, evil didn't win.” “... I would hope that when people think of Sutherland Springs, they think of Christ. And if everything that happened and everything we do thereafter gets people to focus on Christ, then that's what it's all about. Kevin Ezell, President of the North American Mission Board, said to Pomeroy, "I've had the privilege of watching you lead in a crisis that no other pastor in this room or North America has ever led through. You have been an incredible model of leading a church while at the same time walking through crisis personally” (Baptist Press, June 12th, 2018). You may be interested to know that our SBC family, through the leadership of Kevin Ezell, paid for the 26 funerals of the Sutherland Springs tragedy. NAMB is also leading an effort to build a brand new church building for our brothers and sisters at FBC. It’s an incredible picture of what it means to be part of the family of God, and what can happen as we work together. This is only one picture, a beautiful picture, of what is happening because churches just like the one you attend partner to advance God’s kingdom. I want to thank you for your partnership with the Baptist State Convention of Michigan, especially as we approach the Frances Brown Offering for State Missions. One of the ways we use this offering is to Strengthen Churches. A major focus of our Convention is Church Revitalization. In a recent blog post, LifeWay President Thom Rainer, wrote that in North America there are “...300,000 or 85%, of all churches needing some level of revitalization, from modest to radical revitalization” (July 9, 2018). That number is staggering! It means we have unhealthy churches and a lot of them. It caught my attention. Some level of revitalization is necessary in 85% of churches: That’s big churches, small churches, and every church in-between. The good news is that revitalization is possible. We have invited Richard Blackaby and Mark Clifton to lead us in our first Church Revitalization Conference. They will focus on the subject, “Revive, Reversing the trends, Reviving the Church.” The Conference will be held, September 22 at Eastgate Baptist Church in Burton from 9:00 to 3:30. This is an event for the whole church. Go to BSCM.org/flyers for more information. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mike Durbin is the State Evangelism Director for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before joining the state convention staff, Mike served as Church Planting Catalyst and Director of Missions in Metro Detroit since 2007. He also has served as a pastor and bi-vocational pastor in Michigan, as well as International Missionary to Brazil. #AUGUST18

  • Can one person make a difference?

    ROSCOMMON, MI – Back in the early 90’s when I was an Intern on staff with a church in Florida (my birthplace), I met regularly with Associate Pastors who would speak into my life and mentor me. During this time, I also became engaged to my forever sweetheart (now 23 years married). In one of our weekly meetings a pastor friend shared with me this statement, “What’s more important, your rights or the relationship?” Wow, what a thought,especially as I was about to be a husband. That one statement has replayed itself in my mind continuously over my years of marriage and ministry, a constant guide and reminder that people are more important than my personal, selfish agenda. So, the answer is yes, one person can make a difference. It’s easy to believe you are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. However, please understand you were created by God for a specific purpose and impact in this life and this world, and God does not scheme. God is not playing games with us. This is real life with eternity in the balance. God has placed you right where you are to impact those around you with the love and life of Christ. Nevertheless, in case you still doubt your significance and the impact you can have on the world, let me give you a few of my favorite examples: Moses had a speech impediment yet led a nation to freedom. Gideon led an army of 300 to defeat an army of thousands. David was a sheepherder who defeated a giant. Mary was a young virgin who believed by faith she was to give birth to Jesus, the son of God. Saul was known to kill Christians yet called by God to be Paul and be a missionary for Him. George Washington would lead a country to freedom over tyranny. Winston Churchill lead Great Britain to victory during World War II. Bill Gates is the founder of Microsoft. Steve Jobs single handedly transformed the music industry. Rosa Parks campaigned and fought against segregation and racism. Neil Armstrong was the first man to ever walk on the moon. Obviously, this list is just some of my favorites and it could go on and on. History is packed full of people who impacted their community and the world. God uses folks of all shapes and sizes to achieve His purposes. Your shape and your size are included in His plans. (To download this video for playing in your church service or small group setting, click here.) This year our Frances Brown State Mission Offering is focusing on “the Power of One Multiplied.” That’s one person (you) impacting one other person who impacts another person and so on and so on. When you set your mind on accomplishing His mission and allow His life to live through you, you personify, “the Power of One Multiplied.” May we not be content with living our lives just for our own glory and satisfaction - let’s live every day with a Kingdom mindset, on a Kingdom mission for Kingdom glory! For more information and resources to promote the State Mission Offering in your church, go to www.bscm.org/smo. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mick Schatz serves on the staff of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. He is the State Director of Spiritual Enrichment and Retreats and lives at Bambi Lake. #AUGUST18

  • Can one person make a difference?

    ROSCOMMON, MI – Back in the early 90’s when I was an Intern on staff with a church in Florida (my birthplace), I met regularly with Associate Pastors who would speak into my life and mentor me. During this time, I also became engaged to my forever sweetheart (now 23 years married). In one of our weekly meetings a pastor friend shared with me this statement, “What’s more important, your rights or the relationship?” Wow, what a thought,especially as I was about to be a husband. That one statement has replayed itself in my mind continuously over my years of marriage and ministry, a constant guide and reminder that people are more important than my personal, selfish agenda. So, the answer is yes, one person can make a difference. It’s easy to believe you are insignificant in the grand scheme of things. However, please understand you were created by God for a specific purpose and impact in this life and this world, and God does not scheme. God is not playing games with us. This is real life with eternity in the balance. God has placed you right where you are to impact those around you with the love and life of Christ. Nevertheless, in case you still doubt your significance and the impact you can have on the world, let me give you a few of my favorite examples: Moses had a speech impediment yet led a nation to freedom. Gideon led an army of 300 to defeat an army of thousands. David was a sheepherder who defeated a giant. Mary was a young virgin who believed by faith she was to give birth to Jesus, the son of God. Saul was known to kill Christians yet called by God to be Paul and be a missionary for Him. George Washington would lead a country to freedom over tyranny. Winston Churchill lead Great Britain to victory during World War II. Bill Gates is the founder of Microsoft. Steve Jobs single handedly transformed the music industry. Rosa Parks campaigned and fought against segregation and racism. Neil Armstrong was the first man to ever walk on the moon. Obviously, this list is just some of my favorites and it could go on and on. History is packed full of people who impacted their community and the world. God uses folks of all shapes and sizes to achieve His purposes. Your shape and your size are included in His plans. (To download this video for playing in your church service or small group setting, click here.) This year our Frances Brown State Mission Offering is focusing on “the Power of One Multiplied.” That’s one person (you) impacting one other person who impacts another person and so on and so on. When you set your mind on accomplishing His mission and allow His life to live through you, you personify, “the Power of One Multiplied.” May we not be content with living our lives just for our own glory and satisfaction - let’s live every day with a Kingdom mindset, on a Kingdom mission for Kingdom glory! For more information and resources to promote the State Mission Offering in your church, go to www.bscm.org/smo. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mick Schatz serves on the staff of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. He is the State Director of Spiritual Enrichment and Retreats and lives at Bambi Lake. #AUGUST18

  • Singermans see cooperative gospel effort in Sub-Saharan Africa

    In the country that birthed voodoo, Beninese Baptists are working collectively to pray for and support the spread of the gospel. It’s a story IMB missionary Barbara Singerman can’t share without tearing up. “They are investing in missions,” she said. “They are expressing a love and appreciation and oneness —participation in the work. We are completely overwhelmed.” She and her husband, Jeff, lived in the West African country of Benin for 24 years. When they moved to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), they continued to encourage Beninese Baptists to actively own the Great Commission. Then tragedy struck: A week after a visit to Benin in March 2018, the Singermans both endured severe injuries from a horrendous car accident in the DRC. They had no idea God was using this awful experience to mobilize their Beninese brothers and sisters. ‘Giving to God’ Friends from Benin presented an astounding love offering to Jeff and Barbara, who wept. Widows gave out of their lack to help their “Beninese brother and sister” who were suffering. Others were upset they hadn’t been able to contribute right away. “They’re not giving it to us. They’re giving it to God,” Barbara said. This is the first time she and Jeff have seen this group of Christians unite in prayer and sacrificial giving toward taking the gospel to the nations. Church leaders across the country are calling on their congregations to pray. People have told the Singermans they will pray until they are healed. “We’re excited to see what happens,” Barbara said. Please join the Beninese Baptists in praying for Jeff and Barbara Singerman’s physical healing. Ask God to continue to use this horrible accident to spur Beninese Christians to own the Great Commission. Pray Beninese Baptists will boldly share the gospel with their countrymen and the nations. Your gifts through the Cooperative Program and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® support Southern Baptists such as the Singermans who are taking the gospel to people in Africa — and who help national believers lead out in that effort. Thank you for giving. The Lottie Moon Christmas Offering® is a registered trademark of Woman’s Missionary Union. #JULY18

  • FREE MONEY!!!

    "FREE MONEY! FREE MONEY! FREE MONEY!" That always gets people's attention! The North American Mission Board has an agreement with Home Depot that when Southern Baptist Disaster Relief purchases material at Home Depot and uses the NAMB Pro XTRA number, they will receive a rebate at the end of the year. Last year NAMB received almost $400,000. The Baptist State Convention of Michigan has a Pro XTRA number and a tax-exempt number so that BSCM can receive a Home Depot REBATE also! If you are purchasing material for your church or association, please use the Pro number 8107141955 and the BSCM tax-exempt number 38-156-1623. When you are asked for the job name, use your church or association name. In 2019 we will post the total refund BSCM received. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bob Kiger serves as the Michigan Disaster Relief Director for the BSCM. He has been involved in Disaster Relief since 2008. Bob brings a wealth of diverse experience to the State Director’s position. His first major call out was in 2012 when he went to New York to help prepare meals for displaced residents after Hurricane Sandy. He was raised in a Christian home and accepted Christ when he was twelve years old and has been a Baptist all his life. #JULY18

  • America’s revival

    FENTON, MI – When we think of our American heritage and especially the early days of our nation, most of us have idyllic conceptions that our country was a deeply spiritual place. We still envision our pre-Revolutionary War community as a very religious and Godly people that reflected the heart and attitude of the first Christian pilgrims that settled on the Eastern coasts of North America. But the fact of the matter is pre-revolutionary America had moved far away from God, and in fact, persecution and demeaning of Christians and the local churches was prevalent. In the early 1700’s the standards of morality were at their lowest and alcoholism was epidemic. Life was hard and dirty in more ways than one. Lawlessness prevailed and a general atmosphere of decadence spread throughout most of the population. It was in the midst of this melee and mess that God did a deep and reviving work not only in the general population, but also in the Christian community. God used the preaching of men like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield to bring an entire nation back to God. It was estimated that 50,000 people, out of the colonies’, sparse population of 340,000 were added to the New England churches. Churches that had been lifeless and in danger of dying out altogether, received new life and vitality. The Awakening, as it has been called, had a lasting impact on the new nation that would soon be birthed. It had a significant influence on the development of American ideals of religious and political liberty. Many of the freedoms that we enjoy today were birthed in that extraordinary decade when the glory of God touched down on our infant nation. Today our nation seems to reflect and magnify the same decadent atmosphere prevalent in the days before our nation’s birth. Mainstream denominational churches are now condoning that which is specifically condemned in the Bible as sin. Who would have ever thought the great denominations that helped found this nation and themselves were founded on the Word of God would now ordain homosexuals and place them in positions of great power and authority? This is not the place for me to debate the sinfulness of homosexuality. In fact, there is no debate needed, if one believes the Bible. God’s Word is very clear in its condemnation of this destructive and damning sin. Today there are so many more of us, and the depth of depravity and sin is so severe, is it possible for God to do again what He did for our fledgling nation? Can a people who seem to be caught in the vortex of decay ever be rescued? Is there any hope for America or are we doomed to die a slow and agonizing death? The answer is yes! There is hope and our nation can be saved from self-destruction, but it can only happen when God does what He did for our forefathers. A great spiritual awakening is the only answer, and now is the time. If anyone is to blame for the moral decay of our nation it is the Christian Community. Far too long, we have been cloistered in our nice and comfortable monasteries that we call churches. Far too long, we have sat silently as opportunity after opportunity to share the Gospel passes us by. As Christians we must stand up for what is right. Speak out for Biblical truth, and kneel down before God and ask for Him to change our complacent and wicked hearts. If we will do this God will do it again. II Chronicles 7:14 – If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tim Patterson is Executive Director/Treasurer of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Elected unanimously in May of 2015, Patterson formerly served for 9 years as pastor of Hillcrest Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla. He also served as trustee chair and national mobilizer for the North American Mission Board. #JULY18

  • Register or be homeless

    DALLAS, TX – Get ready. Stop and write this message on your personal calendar for October 1, 2018: “10 AM (EST) - Register for a Birmingham, Alabama hotel on October 1, 2018.” Do what I am asking or be homeless in Birmingham. As that date approaches there will be more details at www.sbc.net. You will thank me, this time next year, for reminding you about this one-of-a-kind world event. Book Stacks Taller Than an Eight-Year Old I’m inviting you to a 2-day business meeting on June 11-12, 2019 in Birmingham, Alabama which is unlike any other meeting you have ever experienced! Crazy uncles. A carnival-like atmosphere. Free book giveaways that will stack-up higher than an eight-year old. Preaching that will melt your heart. Singing that will make your soul rise. Representatives from some of the 47,000 churches that makeup the Southern Baptist Convention will gather to hear reports and vote on recommendations, a budget, resolutions, and elections. Eating an Elephant One Bite at a Time Come experience how our network of autonomous, self-governing convention of 47,000 churches cooperate together to accomplish God’s will through 13 organizations. The national network of churches is so large that it is a miracle that we can accomplish so much in just two days of business. It is like eating an elephant one bite at a time. Monumental but doable. (Not that I have a craving for eating elephant meat.) You learn about and could one day serve on one of the following organizations. Executive Committee International Mission Board North American Mission Board Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission Gateway Baptist Theological Seminary Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Women’s Missionary Union (an auxiliary) GuideStone Financial Resources LifeWay Christian Resources Become a TV Sensation If you decide you want to ask a question of one of the heads of an agency, approach a microphone. One of the many cameras in the auditorium will find you. In a split second, your face will fill the screens in the auditorium and be streamed live, worldwide on the Internet. First impressions matter, so be careful of what you say on screen and how you say it. Still, never fear. Your question, your vote, and your presence are equal to anyone else in the building. However, remember before you show-up, next year, in Birmingham, Alabama, have your church pre-register you as a messenger from your church. They always want you to identify yourself by name and church membership before you speak at the convention. Your annual church profile (ACP) needs to be completed this fall too if you’re going to represent your church home. Remind your church clerk or secretary to file the ACP this fall and pre-register you next spring. Offered Instructions to J.D. Greear If you come next year, what happened to me might happen to you. For example, I could tell you that I offered Dr. JD Greear, pastor of Summit Church, vital instruction mere hours before his election to president of the national Southern Baptist Convention. It would be true . . . sort of? Let me explain. You see the day after JD preached the closing sermon at the 2-day pastor’s conference which comes before the annual business meeting, JD and I had a chance encounter outside a set of elevators. I told JD how encouraged I was by his message. He in turn engaged actively in our conversation. During our brief conversation, JD entered my elevator which was going the opposite direction he and his friends were intending to go. I repeated what his friends were saying, “JD this elevator is going down, you need to go up.” After my explanation and instruction, JD said to me, “Thanks. Have a good day.” So, I did offer JD Greear instructions mere hours before his election to the presidency of the Southern Baptist Convention. Though, my instructions were not as important as you might have thought. Ha! But Seriously folks Seriously though, you will have sanctified celebrity encounters all day long and every day you are at the annual convention. On Wednesday, I leaned back in my chair and thanked a former president of the SBC for mentoring one of our new church planters in Ann Arbor. On Thursday, I greeted another president of one of our agencies at the airport while he was buying caramel popcorn with his wife. You will discover that those who we think are unapproachable are actually loving, humble, pastoral people serving you and serving the Lord in their roles of leadership. You could very well be one yourself some day. Please, start saving now. Ask your church to help you go to the convention. Arrange your housing and travel itinerary. Pre-register as a messenger from your church. Next year will come sooner than you think. I hope to see you next year at the annual Southern Baptist Convention on June 11-12, 2019 and at all the other events that come before and around those incredible days. See you in Birmingham! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tony Lynn is the State Director of Missions for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before coming on staff at the BSCM, Tony served as lead pastor for more than six years at Crosspoint Church in Monroe, Michigan. He and his wife, Jamie, also served with the International Mission Board in Africa and in Europe. #JULY18

  • The hawk and the lizard

    FENTON, MI – The hawk resting on his arm caught my attention. We were on vacation. Think white sand beaches, palm trees, light blue ocean and the love of my life. He walked around the resort, pausing for people to get their picture taken with this hawk. I was intrigued when he let the bird go free for a moment. It flew and perched on a nearby tree. My mind immediately wondered why this magnificent animal didn’t take advantage of his freedom to soar to the heavens. After a few moments, the hawk returned to the outreached, leather padded arm of its trainer. Then it happened! It was so quick that the trainer couldn’t respond fast enough. The hawk pushed off his arm, flapped his wings to climb a few feet, and then, like a dive bomber descended to the ground. The trainer took off after him and a small crowd quickly gathered to see what was happening and to take pictures. I decided to move closer to see the action as well. The trainer had the hawk on its back, holding him down with his arm stretched across the bird’s chest. With his free hand, the trainer was trying to pry something from the vice-like grip of the hawk’s talons. The hawk was clutching an eight or so inch, light green lizard. The trainer worked meticulously to free the lizard, trying all the time not to crush or hurt either animal. As the crowd dwindled, I was able to get closer to the action. The hawk, this magnificent hunter of the sky, was clutching onto a child’s toy lizard! It wasn’t real. I imagine that lizards taste good to hawks. That’s why he held on to it with such great tenacity, but the toy was an illusion, an imposter of the real thing. Had the hawk been allowed to keep what he desperately clung to, he would have been sorely disappointed with the first bite. As I walked away from what appeared to be an epic battle for the hawk, I wondered if I was clinging to anything in life that promises much and delivers nothing. Illusions are everywhere, and are as old as humanity. “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat” (Genesis 3:6 ASV). We know the end of Adam and Eve’s story and yet, it’s played out in life all around us. It’s hard to describe what it looked like for the trainer to hold the bird down while he tried to free the toy. The hawk was his livelihood - he obviously did not want to crush or injure it. It may have been a cherished pet. He also did not want the bird to instinctively clamp down on his hand or fingers with his powerful talons. As he bent over the obviously distressed hawk, he also had to stay far enough away that the bird could not peck his face. He calmly, patiently released the toy lizard. And when he did, the hawk was free again. Truth does that! “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” - Jesus. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mike Durbin is the State Evangelism Director for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before joining the state convention staff, Mike served as Church Planting Catalyst and Director of Missions in Metro Detroit since 2007. He also has served as a pastor and bi-vocational pastor in Michigan, as well as International Missionary to Brazil. #JULY18

  • What does VBS mean?

    LIVONIA, MI – Recently, while wearing a VBS t-shirt, I was asked by a 20-something young man, “What does VBS stand for?” (Yes, I continue to wear the shirts after VBS.) I replied, “Vacation Bible School.’ He said, “I know what those words mean but I don’t know what that is.” I explained, but it saddened me to know we have a generation that does not know the happiness, joy, love and truth that is all part of VBS. VBS, Vacation Bible School, evokes many precious and wonderful emotions; from the love of the leaders, to the happiness of being with friends, to the joy of learning about Jesus. They all are part of my fond memories. But there is no greater emotion than that created by the many wonderful opportunities VBS provides the church member. Taking a walk down memory lane first takes me back to childhood, where it seemed that everyone had a VBS. Not only did I attend our church’s VBS, but also those of my friends and relatives. Yes, there were different themes and new verses, but I encountered the same caring servants of God. It was also a first opportunity for me to invite others to enjoy VBS in the fun environment that included the gospel in both message and the lives of the children and leaders. As a very young Christian, I was able to be a witness in my Jerusalem, as Acts 1:8 admonishes. Fast forward a few years to my life as a teen. That was my first opportunity to serve as a VBS helper. It was there that I learned the importance of service in the church and my role in that. From that first exposure, I went on to minister, as a teenager, in children’s choir and as a bus captain. VBS was the door that opened my heart to service. As an adult, I have had the opportunity to continue that desire for ministry both in and out of VBS. God has provided several VBS roles in which I have been privileged to serve—from nursery to crafts to teacher and, most recently, to VBS director. Having attended our church for more than 25 years, I have had the privilege of watching many of the children I’ve ministered to grow up and, in turn, serve the Lord. Now, as a grandmother, I love that the Lifeway curriculum gives me a connection with my grandchildren, even those in other states. They love showing me that they know the songs, motions and Bible verses. Some of the songs are so memorable that we continue to sing them years later. Although VBS is a significant starting point, the relationships we create can and should be nurtured beyond that. Since we our church has VBS for the whole family—from birth through adulthood—we, the whole church, can find a place to minister and someone to whom we can minister. We then need to build on those relationships to make disciples as directed in Matthew 28. Yes, VBS is an opportunity. It is an opportunity to serve God and others, to create and build relationships, and to share the gospel with those who need it. These are all part of our responsibility as the body of Christ. Let’s ensure that this ministry opportunity remains by each supporting our own church’s VBS. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Elaine Weathers serves as VBS Director at Merriman Road Baptist Church in Livonia, MI. #JULY18

  • Surrender to freedom

    ROSCOMMON, MI – Except for Christmas, my best day as a kid was the last day of school! No more teachers, no more tests, no more sack lunches, no more getting up early, no more homework, just complete freedom! Freedom to have fun, go to the beach, stay up late, play in the woods and freedom to stay with grandma for weeks at a time, and eat as much ice cream as possible out of her magically stocked freezer. Sweet Freedom! Unfortunately, as we all know, this freedom was only temporary because school always came back around to enslave my time and imagination. Thankfully, there is a freedom that is eternal and magnificent. It is the freedom we have in Christ because He gave His life for us on the cross where He paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Yet, there is a price we must also pay - the price of humble surrender. Compared to the price Christ paid, humble surrender seems quite easy. Nevertheless, it is the most difficult act of the human will. Our pride and our ego are far too important to just surrender control. We know what’s best because we have all the answers. This unwillingness to surrender reminds me of an encounter between Captain Naaman and the prophet Elisha In the book of 2 Kings 5. Naaman was a great warrior, but he had leprosy. He was sent to the prophet Elisha for healing who told him to wash in the Jordan River seven times, and he would be healed (made clean and set free from the disease). The price of freedom was too high, too undignified, too humiliating so he stormed away full of pride and doomed to die. Proverbs 16:18 tells us “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling”. This was almost the end of Naaman’s story, and for many of us this scenario has become all too familiar. We desire to obey God’s word, and grow stronger and deeper in our faith until we reach the place where obedience and relationship demand too high a price. We choose disobedience over obedience, defeat over victory, ego over humility, self-reliance over surrender and captivity instead of freedom. Why? Because being free in Christ requires total reliance on him and not ourselves. For Naaman to be free he had to humble himself, surrender his ego, and assumptions. He literally had to allow himself to be “washed away”. Freedom comes through the blood of Christ washing away our self - all of our pride, vanity, ego and self-righteousness. When we choose to live in freedom, in victory, we discover healing for our souls, the desire to forgive and be forgiven, and the ability to see and want the best in others. The truth is, once you have experienced living free in Christ, anything less is unacceptable. We desire others to also live in Christ’s freedom. Freedom is contagious. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mick Schatz serves on the staff of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. He is the State Director of Spiritual Enrichment and Retreats and lives at Bambi Lake. #JULY18

  • SBC resolution affirms women, denounces abuse

    DALLAS, TX (BP) – Messengers to the 2018 Southern Baptist Convention affirmed the dignity and worth of women, denounced all forms of abuse and called for sexual purity among Christian leaders in adopting 16 resolutions Tuesday (June 12). Passage of the resolutions on women, abuse and pastoral purity by nearly unanimous votes late in the afternoon session came after months of disclosures of sexual abuse and misconduct by male leaders had rocked Southern Baptist and other evangelical churches and institutions. The resolution on women recognized May 15 as the 100th anniversary of female messengers to the SBC meeting and honored "the immeasurable contribution of women to our cooperative mission of Great Commission work." It also affirmed women's gifts "in their distinctive God-assigned roles" and urged Southern Baptists "to encourage, cultivate, and celebrate the diverse gifts, callings, and contributions of women in biblically appropriate ways." The measure on abuse renounced "all abusive behavior as unquestionably sinful" and called for decisive action to report abuse allegations to law enforcement authorities. It also offered compassion to abuse victims, "being careful to remind the abused that such injustice is undeserved and not a result of personal guilt or fault." In the resolution on clergy purity, messengers repudiated actions that undermine the New Testament standard of holiness for Christian leaders and urged churches "to exercise appropriate redemptive church discipline" when needed. While the subjects of these first three resolutions had some overlap, the Resolutions Committee -- which received 38 resolutions, the most since 1997 -- "determined to address each theme individually" because of the number of proposed statements it received, Chairman Jason Duesing told reporters afterward. "It was clear to us that the convention wanted to speak to those themes," and separate resolutions allowed the committee to meet that desire, said Duesing, provost and associate professor of historical theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, Mo., and a member of Antioch Bible Baptist Church in Gladstone, Mo. Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, commented on the three resolutions by commending the Resolutions Committee "for strong, positive resolutions that address a crisis in our country and in our world right now." The resolution process not only speaks "to the outside world for the convention" but also serves "to help educate and equip" Southern Baptists, Moore said at the news conference. "And my hope is that these resolutions, as weighty and biblically crafted and worded as they are, would help to spark conversations and actions in local Southern Baptist churches and other churches about how can we best respond to those who are being abused." In addition to Duesing, the other committee members, in alphabetical order, were: Ken Alford, pastor, Crossroads Baptist Church, Valdosta, Ga.; Byron Day, pastor, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Laurel, Md.; Candi Finch, assistant professor of theology in women's studies, Southwestern Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas and member of Hope Church, Fort Worth; Willie McLaurin, special assistant to the executive director, Tennessee Baptist Mission Board, Franklin, Tenn., and member of Simeon Baptist Church, Antioch, Tenn.; Chris Metcalf, pastor, Lihue Baptist Church, Lihue, Hawaii; Jason Paredes, lead pastor, Fielder Church, Arlington, Texas; Adron Robinson, senior pastor, Hillcrest Baptist Church, Country Club Hills, Ill.; Alicia Wong, associate professor of women's ministry, Gateway Seminary, Ontario, Calif., and member of Rosena Church, San Bernardino, Calif.; and Curtis Woods, associate executive director for convention relations, Kentucky Baptist Convention, Louisville, Ky., and member of Watson Memorial Baptist Church, Louisville. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tom Strode is Washington bureau chief for Baptist Press, the Southern Baptist Convention's news service. BP reports on missions, ministry and witness advanced through the Cooperative Program and on news related to Southern Baptists' concerns nationally and globally. #JULY18

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