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GREATER DETROIT – My husband and I became first-time parents to a 5 and 8 year old, both at the same time, through the gift of adoption. We were overcome with mixed emotions, thrilled that we would finally be parents, and petrified that we didn’t know what we were doing. Although most parents might not adopt, I think those feelings are common to all new parents, no matter how they get the title. Parenting is hard, and parenting children through adoption creates some additional, and often unique challenges. It is important to remember that adoption is born out of grief and loss. My being able to become a parent came at the expense of another family not being able to parent their children. My children lost everything they knew when we became their parents. Because they lived in another country, they even lost things like their language, their food, and their culture. In addition, many adopted children encounter neglect and trauma; therefore, their earliest template of a family is not a good model. As a result there are many barriers to overcome and simply taking a child and placing them in a loving family does not ease or erase those barriers. When we look at scripture, we see that God obviously has a tender spot toward the fatherless or orphans. James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after the orphans and widows in their distress.” So how can the church “look after” or help adoptive families? Understand that the process of becoming a family is most often slow with many steps forward and back, especially when the children are older when they are adopted. It is much easier to become a family on paper than it is to become one in the heart and mind. I remember one day when my kindergartener came to the car after school and said, “They called me Duletzke today. I do not want to be Duletzke tomorrow.” Parents and children need grace as the process unfolds, and many times this process can look anything but smooth along the way. Provide support and encouragement to the family, just as you would to a family who has brought home a newborn. Bring them a meal. Ask if you can watch the children so the parents can go for coffee or dinner. Provide a listening, non-judgmental ear to them as they walk out this process of becoming a family. Send a text or card to encourage them. Above all, pray for these families. God is the one who can bring healing to broken families and broken people. Be sensitive in your language. Don’t use terms like “real parents” or “real children.” Be understanding that there may be some stories in the Bible even that are hard for the children to hear, such as when baby Moses was put in the river by his mother. Things you might not anticipate may trigger feelings of rejection. I have often thought the best representation of my family is a mosaic: broken pieces, fitted together to make an amazingly beautiful picture. But isn’t that a picture of the church too? Adoptive families and the church need each other. If you or your church are interested in discovering more about how you can support adoptive families, please visit: www.namb.net/news/adopting-and-fostering-podcast-breaks-myths-shares-insights/ ABOUT THE AUTHOR Melanie Duletzke is passionate about ministry to women and ministry to families. She has served on staff at the church and/or associational level in Michigan, Texas, and Idaho and has a degree in Religious Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. In addition, she has taught at the middle school, high school, and university level, and she is currently a district director of special services. She has been married to her husband, Rob, for fifteen years, and she is the mom to two amazing children, Leydi and Christian. #JUNE18

STERLING HEIGHTS, MI – My children are grown. I am at that awkward stage of parent life where we say, in honesty and humility, we know less now than we thought we knew when we started. Is anyone with me on that? Pride says we knew it all and did it all right. But that is dishonest, really. No perfect parents exist. We all miss some things. We are all still learning, at all stops along the way. When my pregnancy was confirmed for my first-born, I spent considerable time pondering Hannah, the Biblical mother who in faith waited for a child and then gave him back to the Lord. And I went back to Hannah again with my second child. The lessons remain, 35+ years later. What do I know now that I could not have known then, in the first blush of baby-love? The giving them back to the Lord never ends. It’s a daily and sometimes moment by moment offering. When they are so sick your heart aches. When they are hurt by this world. When you want to punch (or worse) the ones who hurt them. When they are so obedient to the Lord your heart bursts with pride, when they stumble and fall so hard it takes your breath away, and you are face down on the floor. You just keep giving them back. They don’t belong to me. Never did, never will. I was privileged to be responsible for my care of them when small, my slow release of them as they grew and the balancing act that all became. I am honored to have become their adult friend. I am and always will be their mom, but I am NOT their God and they are not MY God. I cannot make them into idols to be adored, and cannot make them the center of my universe. Only the Lord God can occupy that throne. My primary identity is not found in my motherhood, as precious as it is to me. I am a child of God, redeemed by Jesus Christ, led by the Holy Spirit. I am a wife, a daughter, a sister, a servant of the Church, a friend to many, on mission in the world. And I am a mother to two beloved children. I hold the history of those two in my heart, like Mary hid the life story of Jesus in hers. Their primary identity is not found in me, although they each say I am the voice in their heads more often than I would think. My main job is to keep pointing them to Jesus. To pray. To try not to meddle. To be ready to encourage, advise when permitted, to be honest, and to live for Jesus, modeling for them what their next stage of life should look like. Perfect children don’t exist. All of us are wounded by the fall. In our DNA exists the sin of Adam; a rebellious spirit that leads to eternal death unless surrendered to the Savior who died for us. The best I can do for my children is to pray, not for perfection, but for holiness as they submit to the One who made them. I still wonder how much of it I got right, but we don’t get do overs, just memories. And forgiveness. And new starts. And lifelong friends. And maybe grandchildren. And we leave a legacy. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Karen Villalpando is a member of Memorial Baptist Church, Sterling Heights, where she serves as a Bible Teacher, Mission Team Leader and child Care Center Administrator, Michigan WMU/women’s MINISTRY Team member, WMU Acteen Camp program leader, BSCM preschool/children’s ministry consultant, and IMB Trustee, 2013-2021. She is the wife of Leonard Villalpando and mom to Lucas Villalpando, Ellen Skidmore and her husband jason, as well as Lifelong follower of Jesus and servant in his church. #JUNE18

WATERFORD, MI – Being a parent is hard work. Being a single parent or a stepparent, even harder. Take it from someone who has walked in all of these shoes! I was 20 and had been married to my children’s father for 2 years when we had our first baby, in 1982. We were so young, but naïve enough to believe that we were ready to wear the huge shoes required for the job. Little did we know how complicated life would become.. Sleepless nights, no money and constant worry became our norm. In spite of it all, I loved being a mom to our sweet, little Amy. Ben, who was born six years later in 1988 and was a completely different child from his sister. Have you ever heard of Dr. Dobson’s book, “The Strong-willed Child?” I’ll bet you didn’t know that it was written with my son Ben in mind. Even though he could have tried the patience of Job, I loved being his mom, too. Amy would soon be 11 and Ben had just turned 5 when I was forced to wear the ugly single parent shoes, and life as we knew it changed forever. Wearing these horribly uncomfortable shoes was very stressful, but not without joy. We struggled, but always found ways to have fun. Our church family blessed us in so many ways during those trying years. I am forever grateful for their love and support. For the first eight years as a single mom, I had absolutely no desire to be in a relationship. My marriage had left me afraid of being hurt again so I didn’t trust anyone. It took a long time for God to heal my heart, but by the time I met and married Gary, I was ready to love and be loved. 4 of our kids were either in college or married, 1 lived with his mom and my Ben, the youngest, was in middle school. Slipping into the step-parent shoes felt great at the beginning, but sometimes a rock would sneak in and cause a blister. Ben had a very hard time accepting a man in his life, and not getting his way all the time. Also, a couple of the older kids began to feel that their dad loved his new family better and didn’t care about them anymore. It took quite some time to work through all these issues, and I am happy to share we are at a very comfortable place now. The kids are spread out all over the country, and we love getting to visit all of them; our 7 grand children and 1 great grandchild. (Grandparent shoes are the best!) If you or anyone you know is trying to get used to wearing either the single parent or stepparent shoes, please accept a bit of advice. Don’t try to suffer through the pain and hardships alone. Allow your church family to help you. Someone told me once that I was preventing others from being used by God to be a blessing. I hadn’t looked at their support in this way so those words of wisdom have stuck with me and I have shared it with those I’ve been led to bless. Stepparents, don’t get discouraged. There will be times of trial, but just make sure everyone feels loved and accepted and it will all work out. Yes, being a parent is hard work, but there is no other job in existence that is as rewarding and important. Wear your shoes with pride and remember to give God all the praise and honor for allowing you to love your beautiful, strong-willed, entertaining, exasperating, wonderful children. We wouldn’t be parents without them! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Becky is a soon-to-be retired Special Education teacher who lives in Waterford with her husband Gary, her grandmother and 2 crazy cats. Becky serves at Springview Community Church in Davisburg as Nursery Coordinator and VBS director. She is also the Michigan WMU Children’s Missions Consultant. #JUNE18

FENTON, MI – Dan Ghramm has been serving as a Church Planting Catalyst with BSCM/NAMB in Southwest Michigan. His wife Amanda, a sign language interpreter, and their five children live in Hudsonville, Michigan. They have found great joy worshipping and serving at Redemption Church, a three-year-old church plant in Grandville, a suburb of Grand Rapids. We regret to let you know that Dan has offered his official resignation as a full time Church Planting Catalyst with the Baptist State Convention of Michigan and the North American Mission Board effective July 31, 2018. His hard work in the southwest corner of Michigan will continue to see fruits from his labor of coordinating church planters, sending churches, training facilities, and so much more. On August 1, 2018, Dan will begin his duties as the lead pastor of Gateway Church in North Ridgeville, Ohio. Not only will Dan be lead Pastor, but he and Gateway Church are pursuing a partnership between Cleveland Hope, the State Convention of Baptists in Ohio, and the North American Mission Board where he will become a church-based Church Planting Catalyst for SEND City Cleveland. Church planting and reaching people with the Good News is in his blood, no matter where he is. Dan writes, “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time serving in Michigan and have appreciated Dr. Tony Lynn’s leadership. I’m grateful for what we have accomplished together. We are excited about these changes and look forward to what God is going to do. I’m confident that our partnership in ministry will continue.” Dan’s enthusiasm for the things of God will be missed. We pray for his wife and family to have a good transition to a new area of service. May the Kingdom of God increase because of his ministry. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jamie Lynn, Administrative Assistant/Communication Coordinator BSCM. Served 18+ years as Pastor's wife and 13 years with the IMB in international missions including Niger Republic, West Africa and Paris, France. #JUNE18

ROSCOMMON, MI – Bonding together through camping, retreating, and hanging out at Bambi Lake, makes us who we are. “I remember staying in Pinegrove as a kid. My mom stayed there years before me,” states Kevin Gaby. That legacy at Bambi Lake continues, as Kevin brings his kids to stay in Pinegrove. His family has been coming to Bambi every Memorial Day and Labor Day for 22 years. It won’t be too long before grandchildren will be joining this picture! “I came to Bambi for the first time as a new bride with Kevin to a marriage enrichment retreat just a few months after we were married,” shared Lisa Gaby. “Our kids have grown up there. We have pics of our son in a recycling bin stuffed with pillows and strapped to a wagon with a bungee cord as we made the rounds visiting at the campground. Our close knit young couple’s class camped for years together as our kids got to experience a little freedom and independence for the first time. My mother in law and Kevin have attended Bambi for RA and GA camps. My daughter’s first night away from home was at GA camp. So many memories! WE LOVE BAMBI!!!” Camping, the cottage by the lake, the lodge, the chalets – the Gaby family has stayed in most accommodations offered at Bambi. “And actually Bambi is the reason we don’t have an "up-north cabin." Why would we - when we have Bambi?” Many families have a heritage, a legacy of togetherness, that includes great memories at Bambi Lake Baptist Retreat and Conference Center. From camping in the campground, to attending family camp, leadership training, and coming “just because,” people have a love of this camp. “’Unplugging’ with my kids from the phones, television and video games, living in the campground for two weeks where they are safe; where they can have freedom to roam around and be surrounded by creation – this has been very special to my family,” shared another frequent guest. Campfires by the beach, cooking hot dogs in the pavilion, roasting marshmallows and making s’mores, hiking on the trails, singing camp songs by the Wilson building steps or in the amphitheater, searching for Petoskey stones in the gravel pit, a fast-paced game of ping pong, swimming and kayaking are all part of the camp experience here. It is not unusual to see deer darting across the road and into the wooded areas, or wild turkeys strutting through the field as wildlife flourishes on the property. The whippoorwill’s call signals 10:00 pm. It is very dark and still, and the coyotes’ howl sing you to sleep. The early morning alarm may be the tapping of red-headed woodpeckers on a nearby tree. Nature lives is our best alarm clock. One recent camper shared, “I remember when the Human foosball building housed the chapel, and then, meeting in the Hubbs Chapel in the Lodge downstairs, and now, the Wilson building is the chapel.” She had come to girl’s missions camp with her sister for years. As she brought her mom back to visit the camp, she noted, “Things have really changed since I was a summer missionary here.” Yes, Bambi Lake is always changing. Every time people come to Bambi Lake, there is something that is new. Right now, changes are transforming the camp, with the diligence of volunteers, as new life is breathed through the dreams and visions of the new camp staff. Excitement is on the horizon as the plans come to fruition. Just wait for your next family gathering at Bambi Lake. You will not regret the time that you have spent-away from the noise of your city, your work and your busy life-to enjoy the blessings of nature and family that God has prepared for you. Make your plans to come to Bambi Lake to refresh your spirit. 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. #JUNE18

DALLAS, TX (BP) – Abuse, the future of the Southern Baptist Convention, racism and collegiate church planting are among trending topics the Cooperative Program booth will address at the 2018 SBC Annual Meeting in Dallas. Interviews with SBC presidential contenders J.D. Greear, pastor of The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, N.C., and Ken Hemphill, a North Greenville University administrator, also are scheduled during the June 11–13 sessions in the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. C. Ashley Clayton, SBC Executive Committee vice president for CP and stewardship, called the lineup impressive and worthy of notice for visitors to the exhibit hall. "Messengers and guests will have opportunities to hear directly from SBC leaders about topics and issues orbiting SBC life," Clayton told Baptist Press. "The CP stage and platform will feature SBC entity leaders, seminary presidents and faculty, missionaries, church planters, pastors, authors, experts and 'thought agents' discussing important and high-leverage issues of top interest to Southern Baptists." In addition to the presidential candidates, speakers and panelists will include SBC President Steve Gaines, pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church near Memphis, Tenn.; former SBC President Fred Luter, pastor of Franklin Avenue Baptist Church in New Orleans; D. August Boto, interim president of the Executive Committee; Russell Moore, president of the SBC Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission; and Beth Moore, founder of Living Proof Ministries. Others are former National African American Fellowship President K. Marshall Williams, pastor of Nazarene Baptist Church in Philadelphia; Vance Pitman, former SBC Pastors' Conference president and pastor of Hope Church in Las Vegas, and Matt Carter, pastor of Austin Stone Community Church in Austin, Texas. Boyce College associate dean Kevin Jones and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary associate professor Jarvis Williams, co-authors of "Removing the Stain of Racism in the SBC," will be featured, as will Jonathan Akin, North American Mission Board director of young leader engagement; Jeff Palmer, executive director of Baptist Global Response; and Jonathan Howe, managing editor of LifeWayPastors.com and co-host of the SBC This Week podcast. The CP platform will be located between the International Mission Board and North American Mission Board exhibits. A full schedule of the three-day events, which begin at 8:30 a.m. daily, is available at TalkCP.com and the SBC mobile app and will be listed in the annual meeting's daily bulletin. Also slated for the exhibit hall: INTERNATIONAL MISSION BOARD The IMB interactive exhibit will provide space for pastors and church leaders to explore opportunities and resources that IMB has to offer to help equip and lead their churches in missions. Guests will find specific mission projects, mission trips, mission team opportunities and digital training materials -- and plenty of IMB missionaries and staff ready to have a conversation about reaching the nations. Because every church plays a vital role in the Gospel going to the nations, IMB offers guests a mosaic wall and video booth to tell their mission stories. NORTH AMERICAN MISSION BOARD At the North American Mission Board's exhibit, attendees will learn about NAMB's two primary ministry areas, Send Relief and Send Network. Missionaries and leaders who serve throughout North America will be on hand to connect pastors and churches with missions opportunities. Attendees can learn about partnerships with missionaries and discover how their church can be on mission in North America. "We always look forward to visiting with pastors and church members at our exhibit each year," NAMB President Kevin Ezell said. "This is a great opportunity for us to share how we can help them take the hope of the Gospel to their community and beyond." Those who stop by NAMB's exhibit also will have a chance to share the story of their latest gospel conversation by recording a GC60 message as part of the GC (Gospel Conversation) Challenge (gcchallenge.com), which is an evangelism initiative for pastors and their churches. Many of NAMB's leaders will also participate in conversations on the Cooperative Program stage that will take place throughout the annual meeting. LIFEWAY CHRISTIAN RESOURCES LifeWay's 20,400-square-foot exhibit will offer a wide selection of books, Bibles, small group studies and other Christian products. Among the exhibit's features: -- LifeWay Groups Ministry staff will help messengers plan and select appropriate materials for group Bible studies. Attendees can learn more about LifeWay's ongoing studies The Gospel Project, Explore the Bible, Bible Studies for Life and SmallGroup.com, as well as short-term Bible studies. -- Messengers and guests will be able to obtain information about two free movie screenings: "Indivisible," based on the story of Army Chaplain Darren Turner and his wife Heather, and "Unbroken: Path to Redemption," the sequel to the 2014 feature film "Unbroken." The film picks up where the first ended and follows World War II prisoner of war Louis Zamperini's life after the war, his struggle with alcoholism and PTSD, and his conversion at a Billy Graham crusade. Church leaders can learn more about opportunities to host movie screenings for their churches. -- Book signings are scheduled in the LifeWay store throughout the convention by numerous authors including Jeff Iorg, Beth Moore, Ronnie Floyd, Jerry Vines, Jarvis Williams and Kevin Jones. ETHICS & RELIGIOUS LIBERTY COMMISSION Visitors to ERLC's booth in the exhibit hall can pick up the latest issue of Light Magazine. The current issue features an interview with Russell Moore and Andy Crouch on technology and the family and an interview between Lindsay Nicolet and the founder of the popular YouVersion Bible app. The theme of the issue is how Christians should engage technology in this digital age in areas like artificial intelligence, communications, economics and the home. Booth visitors also can register to win an ERLC resource gift pack featuring the most recent books from ERLC authors. Each pack will include a full set of Gospel for Life series, edited by Russell Moore and Andrew T. Walker, as well as two complimentary registrations to the 2018 ERLC National Conference Oct. 11-13 in Dallas. This year's conference theme is "The Cross-Shaped Family." GUIDESTONE FINANCIAL RESOURCES GuideStone's Wellness Center once again will offer free health checks, valued at up to $150, allowing messengers and family members to have their blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose measured. Medical professionals will be on hand to answer any questions about the results. Fasting is not necessary for this year's tests. In the main booth, representatives will offer reviews of participants' retirement accounts and answer questions about GuideStone's life and health plans, property and casualty coverage, and other GuideStone services. Churches will be able to order free materials for Mission:Dignity Sunday, to be held June 24, to support GuideStone's ministry to retired ministers and their widows in urgent financial need. As part of GuideStone's celebration of its 100th anniversary, Mission:Dignity will provide prayer cards for recipients where messengers can write a personal note to recipients, thanking them for their service to the Lord throughout their lives. Additionally, a large photo display will be available for families to take photographs and post them on social media. GATEWAY SEMINARY OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION Gateway Seminary's exhibit booth will focus on the benefits of Gospel-centered education offered at the seminary's five urban campuses in the Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Phoenix and Portland areas as well as its Gateway Online program. Alumni and friends also may purchase tickets for the seminary's luncheon at the booth, if they are still available. Tickets are $10 and can be reserved online by clicking here. Seating is limited. The event will be held on Wednesday, June 13, in Ballroom D4, Level 3, of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Gateway President Jeff Iorg will share about new programs at the seminary including the Chinese-English Bilingual Program, the Women's Network and the Jonathan Edwards Center. In addition, the seminary's distinguished alumni awards will be presented. MIDWESTERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Guests visiting Midwestern Seminary's exhibit booth will receive a "For the Church" mug with the state design of their choice. Additionally, in celebration of the renaming of Midwestern's undergraduate program to Spurgeon College, each mug comes with a code to waive the application fee and a chance to win an iPad loaded with digital resources from Charles Spurgeon. Admissions team members will be ready to answer questions about Midwestern's opportunities for training in ministry and missions. The new Timothy Track and Ph.D. residency programs, the 81-hour M.Div. and other undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and online degree programs will be featured. Purchase tickets to the For the Church Dallas Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 12 for $15 and tickets to Midwestern's Alumni & Friends Luncheon at noon Wednesday, June 13 for $25. During the Tuesday luncheon, leaders such as J.D. Greear and Thom Rainer will discuss issues facing the denomination, while the Wednesday luncheon will highlight faculty at Midwestern as they discuss "Theology for the Church." Early bird pricing for events is available through June 8; register online at mbts.edu/sbc18. NEW ORLEANS BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY The New Orleans Seminary exhibit booth will highlight main campus programs and distance learning options with a special emphasis on NOBTS' ongoing centennial celebration. The booth will feature a centennial-themed wall to serve as a backdrop for alumni social media posts. On Monday, June 11, NOBTS President Chuck Kelley will host a Centennial Cake Reception at the booth from 4-5 p.m. Throughout the annual meeting, cartoonist Joe McKeever, an NOBTS alumnus, will provide complimentary sketches at the booth and visitors may stop by for seminary literature, pens, Louisiana hot sauce and to enter a drawing for three gift packages (each includes a laptop messenger bag with 11 books written by NOBTS alumni and faculty members). The seminary enlistment team will be on site to guide potential students as they seek to answer God's call to ministry and prepare for service. SOUTHEASTERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Southeastern Seminary's exhibit is designed to connect with attendees about how every believer can serve the church and fulfill the Great Commission. Learn about courses offered at the College at Southeastern and the seminary. Talk with admissions staff and faculty, including Danny Akin, SEBTS president, and Bruce Ashford, Chuck Lawless, Keith Whitfield, Jamie Dew, Jim Shaddix and Alvin Reid. The booth will feature book giveaways and the spring issue of the Southeastern magazine. SOUTHERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Throughout the annual meeting, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary's exhibit booth will offer a variety of giveaways providing resources for pastors. One giveaway is a new resource by SBTS Press, "Essential Reading on Leadership," featuring contributions by seminary R. Albert Mohler Jr., SBTS president, Hershael W. York, Matthew J. Hall and others. Along with promotions and interaction opportunities with faculty, the seminary will distribute the spring issue of Southern Seminary Magazine. Themed around evangelism, the magazine features articles by Mohler and Adam W. Greenway, dean of the Billy Graham School of Missions, Evangelism and Ministry, and a profile of SBTS alumnus Bland Mason. Convention attendees can connect with alumni, professors, friends and prospective students at the exhibit's seating area, as well as purchase tickets for the annual alumni luncheon on Wednesday, June 13. More information is available at sbts.edu/alumni/sbc18. SOUTHWESTERN BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY Southwestern Seminary's exhibit booth will reflect its ongoing passion for preaching the Word and reaching the world. Visit the booth to receive free books -- including one by Matt Queen, chair of evangelism, on how to mobilize churches for evangelism, and one containing 110 stories of Southwestern students, faculty and alumni sharing the Gospel with the lost, with many coming to saving faith in Christ. T-shirts and a gift for Southwestern alumni also will be available. SWBTS representatives and faculty will be present to discuss seminary programs and answer questions. The booth will highlight Southwestern's seven schools and share how each one equips students to make a global impact for the Kingdom of God. WOMAN'S MISSIONARY UNION WMU will feature three distinct ways to be involved in missions through interactive exhibits in the SBC exhibit hall: Children's missions: Experience Burkina Faso in this fun, interactive exhibit for children that will also engage adults. Learn how WMU nurtures children in missions discipleship as they hear stories of how God is at work around the world through Southern Baptist missionaries. Kids and adults alike will enjoy experiencing Burkina Faso through missionary stories, missions activities, games and more. Take a fresh look at the ways WMU involves children in grades 1–6 in missions through Girls in Action, Royal Ambassadors, and Children in Action. Seeking refuge: A Refugee Simulation: The International Mission Board, Baptist Global Response, North American Mission Board, Send Relief and WMU will jointly present a refugee simulation to help Southern Baptists understand the refugee crisis and discover ways to actively respond with Christlike compassion. Through this interactive experience, participants will have an opportunity to develop a greater understanding about the issues refugees face, learn what the Bible teaches about our response to refugees and explore how to go from having knowledge about this issue to engaging in ways to make difference for the cause of Christ. Plan 45 minutes for this experience. WorldCrafts: A division of WMU, WorldCrafts develops sustainable, fair-trade businesses among impoverished people around the world. Its vision is to offer an income with dignity and the hope of everlasting life. To accomplish this vision, WorldCrafts partners with artisans throughout the world to bring their products to market. Visitors to the WorldCrafts exhibit will learn how to join this fair-trade ministry in providing hope to those in need. In addition to highlighting one of its newest partners, Begin Anew Refugee Artisan Group in Nashville, WorldCrafts also will introduce two new initiatives to bring hope to at-risk children and their families and to students involved in job-readiness ministries. These new initiatives invite churches and individuals to host 30-day online benefits for their chosen Baptist Children and Family Ministries and Christian Women's Job Corps/Christian Men's Job Corps sites. Twenty percent of all sales generated by each benefit go directly to the host's selected ministry. Visit WorldCrafts to learn how you can bring transformation to your community and around the world. SEMINARY EXTENSION Seminary Extension offers theological education and ministry training that is biblical, accessible and affordable. Most of its work is done through local churches and associations. Independent study for individual students also is available when other options are not practical. For information about how Seminary Extension serves Southern Baptists or about Seminary Extension studies, stop by booth #925. Seminary Extension director Randal Williams and student services associate Carmen Parker will be at the booth each day to provide assistance and to greet friends of the Southern Baptist service. SOUTHERN BAPTIST FOUNDATION Protect your loved ones and create your legacy, starting with information available at the Southern Baptist Foundation exhibit booth, relaying a wide range of investment and estate planning services. With just a little planning, you can have peace of mind knowing that you are taking care of your family and making an impact for Christ through charitable giving, which also offers opportunities for significant tax savings. Stop by the foundation's booth to and discover innovative ways to support your favorite causes and advance the Kingdom or email sbfdn@southernbaptistfoundation.org. GLOBAL HUNGER RELIEF RUN The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention is serving as a key partner for the Global Hunger Relief Run 2018, in addition to being one of the sponsors. Runners can register for the 5k and Fun Run on Monday and Tuesday mornings in the SBTC booth at the exhibit hall. In addition, packet pick-up for all participants will be from 2-4 p.m. on Tuesday at the SBTC booth. Runners will receive T-shirts, bibs and a swag bag for the race, slated for 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 13. After the race, all winners -- individual and team -- in the 5k will be recognized later Wednesday morning at the CP Stage at 11:20 a.m. BAPTIST GLOBAL RESPONSE – Get to know more about BGR and its projects while sipping a cup of Kingdom Growers Coffee. BGR works with Kingdom Growers to train coffee entrepreneurs in developing countries, and at this year's Southern Baptist Convention, you'll get to taste the results of that partnership at the BGR booth. You can also learn how you and your church can join BGR to aid the most vulnerable, restore families in crisis and empower communities. Just follow the smell of coffee to the booth's retro Volkswagen bus. Compiled by Baptist Press editor Shawn Hendricks, senior editor Art Toalston and BP general assignment writer/editor Diana Chandler. #JUNE18

NASHVILLE, TN (BP) – As discussion of domestic violence persists among evangelicals, seasoned pastors and others who minister to families are advising their ministry colleagues on what to do when they encounter physical abuse in a marriage. At issue in evangelicals' discussions are controversial comments by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary President Paige Patterson regarding women, divorce and domestic abuse. See Baptist Press' reports here, here and here. "When we have a case of domestic violence, my recommendation is that we immediately deal with making safety the number one priority" for the "spouse that's being abused physically," said South Carolina pastor Marshall Blalock, whose state was called by Charleston's Post and Courier "among the deadliest states in the union for women" in terms of domestic violence. "In some cases," creating a safe environment "may mean law enforcement is involved," Blalock, pastor of First Baptist Church in Charleston and president of the South Carolina Baptist Convention, told Baptist Press. "... We've learned in South Carolina domestic violence oftentimes leads to very serious cases, even people being killed. So you never want to put yourself in a situation where you underestimate the gravity of domestic violence." Blalock, a 30-year pastoral ministry veteran, said his state's laws require reporting domestic abuse any time it involves a child. He recommends reporting abuse of a spouse any time children are present in the house. Two studies by LifeWay Research -- one in 2014 and another in 2017 -- highlighted pastors' views on domestic violence. Last year's study found 89 percent of American Protestant pastors believe their churches regularly communicate that domestic violence is not acceptable. Still, 45 percent say their churches have no specific plan to help victims of abuse. The 2014 study found 62 percent of pastors have provided "couples or marriage counseling" to those experiencing domestic violence, and 56 percent address the subject in messages at least annually. Joanna Berry, vice president of family and international ministries for South Texas Children's Home Ministries (STCHM), a ministry partner of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, told BP pastors should both address domestic violence from the pulpit and prepare to point abuse victims to resources. "From the pulpit a pastor can present how women should be treated, using many examples, including Jesus," Berry said in written comments. "Testimonies from recovering women are extremely impactful. The church can also provide counseling services, a confidential phone line and a list resources on their website. Resources should include where a mother with children could go for respite and healing, keeping in mind that most women will not have financial resources to pay for this." STCHM and some other Baptist children's homes -- ministries affiliated with more than 20 Baptist state conventions -- offer abused women "a safe environment, counseling, spiritual and practical training to rebuild their lives and ... skills to help with a variety of issues, including job skills -- all at no cost," Berry said. LifeWay Research found that among churches with resources for domestic violence victims, 76 percent have a referral list for professional counselors, 64 percent have finances to assist victims and 61 percent can find victims a safe place to stay. Fifty-three percent have a referral list for legal help. Tony Rose, a 31-year veteran of the pastorate with a master's degree in conflict management in addition to his theological training, noted "the pain and effort and energy and angst it causes a pastor who's willing to step into the messes of people's lives and walk with them." But he said the effort is worth helping hurting people. "We do not need to hide" domestic abuse, Rose, pastor of LaGrange (Ky.) Baptist Church, told BP. "We don't need to fear making abuse public. The church doesn't have a reputation to guard. She has a character to guard. Reputation is what people think of you. Character is what you really are." After a report of abuse is confirmed, "the first thing" a pastor should do "is get the couple to separate for safety's sake," Rose said, adding separation is not the same as divorce. During the separation, both the husband and wife should get counseling -- either from their pastor or a Christian provider the church recommends, said Rose, who chaired the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee's Mental Health Advisory Council. The goal of counseling a couple dealing with domestic abuse is to preserve the marriage, Rose said. Yet he believes in severe cases there is "freedom of conscience to grant divorce and remarriage" for "something as far out and against Christian truth and the covenant of marriage as abuse." Like Rose, Blalock said he believes divorce is justifiable in some cases of abuse, though some godly pastors disagree. He called physical abuse "a serious violation of the marriage covenant." Alan Branch, an ethics professor at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, noted the variety of views among evangelicals about abuse and divorce, but he said a wife is never "required to stay in a situation where she is in physical danger." "There is no specific passage of Scripture which addresses divorce and domestic violence," Branch told BP in written comments. "There are two issues: What is one's stance on divorce and what is one's stance regarding domestic violence. There are a wide variety of moral stances regarding divorce among Southern Baptists. "In 1 Corinthians 7:15," Branch said, "Paul says that if a non-believer chooses to leave a believing spouse, the believer is no longer bound to the marriage. The situation Paul has in mind seems to be case where two non-Christians get married, and then one of them comes to faith in Christ after they are married. If the non-believer decides he or she doesn't want to be married to a Christian, many Baptists understand Paul to be giving an allowance for divorce. For some, physical abuse is considered a kind of 'abandonment' and thus an allowance for divorce in cases of physical abuse." Other Southern Baptists, Branch said, "do not see any allowance for divorce in the Bible. For people with such a moral stance, the idea of a permanent separation is often suggested" in cases of physical abuse. Regardless of their views on divorce, Blalock said, pastors should always get abuse victims to a safe place and never "make people feel like if you're a good Christian, you shouldn't say anything about" domestic violence. Silence "is not helping our families." The SBC last spoke to domestic violence in a 1979 resolution which recognized it "as one of the serious moral issues of our time," encouraged pastors and churches to minister to domestic violence victims and urged "clear and responsible public policy related to domestic violence" at the local, state and national levels. ABOUT THE AUTHOR David Roach is chief national correspondent 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. #JUNE18

ALPHARETTA, GA (BP) – Starting a compassion ministry at your church is about expressing the heart of God with others in a real way. When your church initiates a compassion ministry, a door is opened in the local community where people witness Jesus’ character through your actions and hear about His gift of salvation, some for the first time. The North American Mission Board’s (NAMB) Send Relief compassion ministry strategy encourages churches to expand their community engagement while delivering the gospel. "As Southern Baptists we are good at making the call to missions around the world and across our continent, but we also need to be careful not to miss the needs right in the shadow of our own steeple," said Kevin Ezell, president of NAMB. Like thousands of other SBC churches, Mobberly Baptist Church in Longview, Texas, engages in missions holistically. The church is fully invested in connecting with unreached people groups through the International Mission Board and is involved in church planting locally and across North American. The church also engages in a full range of Send Relief ministry, including everything from grief and divorce care to foster care, adoption and crisis pregnancy support. “One of our greatest traits as a church family is that we care for and support each other during times of trouble and hardship,” said Tony Puckett, develop ministry coordinator at Mobberly Baptist Church. “We have support ministries for the entire family, from pre-k through adulthood, to aid those who are struggling. As a church, we are firmly committed to helping others get back to a place where they can chase their purpose with passion and confidence. Here are seven ways every church, regardless of size or budget, can embrace Send Relief and meet physical needs and share Jesus’ love to all through compassion ministries. 1. Look inside your church – Have you ever stopped to wonder what the needs of your fellow church attendees are? Start asking around and find what needs can be met inside your church—be it a clothing drive, a paid dental trip or specific prayer. Seeing the needs of those nearest you will open your eyes to the broader needs of your community. 2. Plan around holidays – Think ahead toward Thanksgiving, Christmas and other holidays. Compassion ministries are greatly appreciated and put to good use year-round, however, it’s never too early to plan an outreach around the holidays when research shows people feel the most alone, overwhelmed or in need. Ask your church family to plan a compassion ministries event for a holiday and use it as an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with others. 3. Team up with another church – The Bible tells us two are better than one. What better way to further your reach in the community than by working with another church? That means more volunteers, more equipment to pull off the event and a larger audience to broadcast God’s message of hope. 4. Make calls – Make a few calls to local shelters and non-profits in your community that could use church support and involvement. Ask your church leaders and congregation to organize a group to serve on projects in the community that bring hope to those who need it. Some compassion ministry initiatives include medical and dental services, car maintenance for single moms, yard work for senior citizens or meeting another specific community need. 5. Offer a relationship – The most loving thing we can do is offer a relationship with a loving God. But it starts by offering up a relationship with ourselves first, and living out that relationship as a godly example. If someone around you is looking for a friend, be that friend. Tell them about Jesus. Ask them to coffee and bring up His name. Listen to someone’s problems and pray over them, in private and with them if he or she is willing. With this new budding friendship, God will do great things! 6. Visit the sick – This, first, requires listening. When people offer up prayer requests on the behalf of others, stop and listen. Then, if you’re able, make a trip to visit whomever is sick or hurting. Compassion ministry is often about meeting the needs of others in creative ways, including sharing your time and attention. 7. Make, bake and take – Food is definitely a part of compassion ministries; it is a great expression of love and caring and it can warm the soul. Offer expecting parents a meal (better yet, organize a meal train online) or bake a surprise cake for a friend. Compassion ministries is also about doing, rather than saying. Take a trip to see someone you haven’t seen in awhile or visit a children’s ward in the hospital. Learn how your church can become more involved in compassion ministries. So, what does being the church look like in your community? What needs are going, largely, unmet and how might you and your congregation begin to embrace the need and those impacted? Jesus stopped to care for the ones society had forsaken, shouldn’t we do likewise? To learn more visit namb.net/SendRelief. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Josie Rabbitt writes for the North American Mission Board. #JUNE18

FENTON, MI – I have often thought about Jesus’ words; "Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." (Mark 10:15 KJV). At times that has been a great comfort to me because those who know me best have said that I have never grown up. I’m a little child at heart in a grown up and rapidly deteriorating body. If I had it my way, I would play all day, eat junk food and sleep until I wanted to rise. I would still believe in Santa Clause and really want birthdays to come around. If I could get away with it, I would keep a good supply of water balloons in one of my filing cabinets just in case a need for them might arise. I am also still of the opinion that “recess” should still be scheduled twice a day and Saturday mornings should be reserved for cartoons. I hold that the Roadrunner and Bugs Bunny are classic actors that rank among the leading men of Hollywood today. I still get a kick out of riding bikes, but today I like the kind with big motors and the name Harley Davidson emblazoned on their tanks. If I weren’t afraid of breaking some ribs, as did my father-in-law, I would have a Slip-N-Slide permanently installed in my backyard. I like going to movies, but I miss the cartoon features that precede the major attraction, and I am highly disappointed that they have been replaced by commercials. I get enough of those on broadcast television. But like most adults, my life and its perspective has drastically changed. That childlike innocence, faith, and unquestioning love have been tainted by time and the frailty of fallen humanity. Thank goodness there are still children in this world. Children who still love unconditionally and trust totally. Children who believe what they are told and see life simply. The kind of childlike and loving faith that children possess are reflected in the life of one such child. Some years ago, a little girl named Liz was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease, and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her little brother and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. He hesitated for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, “Yes, I’ll do it if it will save her.” As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, seeing the color return to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, “Will I start to die right away?” Being just a child, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her. I don’t know about you, but I’m a pretty selfish individual. I want to think that I would do the same thing for someone else, but could I? Or would I if I could? When I see life from the eyes of a child then I begin to better understand our Lord’s admonition to become as a little child. He was God’s child in a grown-up body. Oh, how I need to be a child again. Not childish, but childlike. I believe my Father would really enjoy that as so would I. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13 KJV) 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. #JUNE18

FENTON, MI – As I visit churches throughout the region, from the cold waters of Lake Superior to the Ohio border, from the edge of Wisconsin to the shores of Ontario, I’ve compiled a list of the characteristics present in effective churches. By effective, I do not mean exclusively large; I mean healthy and growing churches, in depth and in size, regardless of their number of attenders and members. Here is what I found: The leader has a map. New people feel welcome. The Bible is the content. Spending is meaningful. Teamwork is obvious. People share life. The Gospel gets priority. Leader and His Map The most effective leaders maintain focus on a few priorities. One wears skinny jeans. One has a midlife prosperity bulge above his waistline. Another is withdrawn and quiet. One is in his 50’s and the other is in his 20’s. Yet every one of them influence a variety of people to keep going in the same direction. It is not about a series of themes or flashy publicity. It is about keeping the main thing the main thing all the time. I know I am in a church with an effective leader when during the course of conversations, the members of the church naturally repeat the focus of the church’s leadership with an excitement in their hearts. Leaders who articulate well where the church is headed are easy to spot. People Feel Welcome Either you feel it, within the first 2-3 minutes, or you do not feel it: Welcomed! Some churches have greeters in the parking lot, on the sidewalk, at the entrance, and in the worship center. Others let you find your own way into the entrance and worship center where they greet you in a chain of sincere, personal greetings. Regardless of the greeting system, you know quickly as a guest or newcomer whether people are happy to see you. Members of the church can splash cold water on the leader’s warm greeting at the start of a worship service by ignoring guests, casting glares, and being self-absorbed in their own conversations with other church members. Congregations show love when they assimilate guests and newcomers into church. Bible is Central There is something powerful about the Word of God. When worship leaders read Scripture during musical sets something special is felt. When leaders make the Bible text central to their message lives are transformed. When small groups look to verses in the Bible for guidance lives are strengthened. The translation does not matter as long as it conveys the Bible’s original words. I love to see the glow of devices lighting up faces, or hear the rustling of pages when the leaders make reference to a passage and people look at Scripture for themselves. The best churches and leaders let their illustrations, testimonies, and personal stories take a back seat to the importance of Scripture when they preach and teach. Meaningful Spending Generosity thrives within effective churches. When people in the church believe in the direction, in the leadership, and in the priorities of the church, funds are present. When leadership focuses on the few priorities the congregation can do with their own resources the people take ownership and enjoy making a difference in the world. Ministries that use the monies within the congregation are better planned, always shared, and frequently evaluated. Annual budget planning meetings include church members who are spiritually mature, well respected by others, and forward-thinkers. That same group periodically meets with leadership when making plans for expansions, new ministry initiatives, and major purchases. More people share more of their money when eternal and effective ministries are carried-out. Teamwork I know the danger signs when teamwork is absent. The pastor is the cheerleader for every effort. The pulpit is more of a publicity center than a preaching site. I also know when I am surrounded by a team working harmoniously together for God’s glory. The Gospel remains central to all of the large conversations. Worship and preaching are experienced without interruptions and commercials. Enlistment, promotion, and conducting ministries is achieved through vibrant, social connections within the church. There are talented humble people leading particular ministries throughout the church. Everyone is working toward the same few priorities of the church. The primary leadership and the second and third ring of leadership have a shared calling to lead well and to lead as one united team. Those same rings of leadership share life at a deeper level than everyone else because they share a calling and burden to see the church become more effective and healthier. Shared Life Bible study at 9:45. Sunday worship at 11:00. All meetings are on the church property. That is not shared life, those are merely appointments and meetings. Sharing life is bigger than schedules. Effective churches love and care for one another in the midst of daily living. Men help one another with home improvement projects. Mothers carpool one another’s children to school activities. Young parents share free-babysitting services. Couples go out on dates together. Teenagers who meet at church become friends at school. The most effective churches give pastoral care to one another before church leadership can respond. Meals are provided for friends after they return from the hospital. Friends gather at someone’s home when they hear someone lost a loved one. Churches that transform their local community include people who are not yet followers of Christ. Some are persuaded to believe by the spoken word while others are persuaded by seeing love-in-action. Effective churches are filled with friendships, old and new; and there is always room for one more friend. Gospel Priority Effective churches share the good news of Jesus Christ in coherent ways that persuade people to believe and follow Christ through with baptism directly into enthusiastic service. The Gospel is heard when listening to leaders, teachers, and members. That miracle of life to death through Christ saturates every message and many casual conversations within the church. You can hear it being spoke of as if it is an ongoing celebration. Everyone understands that continuous, eternal changes come from encounters with Christ. Leaders and members who share the good news of Christ in their daily, Monday through Friday, lives as well as during church meetings are making the biggest difference. It is not a cliché to me so I enjoy it when a pastor and the members of a church say, “Our goal is to make Jesus famous!” I get it. It is not about them. It is not about the leader nor is it about the activities at the local church. It is about people considering Christ as Savior. As the summer begins, long sunny days allow for deeper contemplation and reflection. I encourage you to spend some time thinking; Is the church, where you attend, an effective church? If so what characteristics are making it effective. Protect those traits. Participate in those efforts and add to the strength of your church. If the church is not effective, what needs to change? How can you make a difference? To whom do you need to speak and include in the improvements? What actions are you going to take? What kind of schedule toward change is reasonable when including others in the move toward a healthier and more effective church? I am praying during the summer that more of us will reset the priorities of our ministries. That we will take the steps to ensure more salvations, more disciples, and more called out to serve in ways that boggle our imaginations. 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. #JUNE18

FENTON, MI – We are encouraging Michigan Baptist churches to set aside Sunday, October 7th as Acts 2:41 Sunday. It’s a day to celebrate the work of Christ as churches all over the state baptize new believers on this common Sunday. “Those who accepted His message were baptized, and that day about three thousand people were added to them” (Acts 2:41). If first century Jerusalem had a newspaper, the headline about the Day of Pentecost would have declared, “3000 Baptized! It was an incredible move of God!” Early followers of Jesus were together when they heard a sound like that of a “violent rushing wind” and “saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them.” They’d never experienced anything like it. Jesus promised they would be filled with the Holy Spirit and it happened in a powerful, dramatic fashion! It was a day that changed Christianity forever. The new church was alive with the Spirit, ready to share the Good News and it didn’t take long. Jerusalem was filled with people from all nations for the Day of Pentecost. The noise of what was happening to the disciples caught their attention. Surprised and confused, they heard in their own language followers of Jesus speaking. Peter, full of the Spirit, stood and addressed the perplexed crowd. He told them Jesus died on the cross for their sins, and rose again for their salvation. The simple, straight-forward message of the Gospel pierced their hearts and they responded by asking what they should do. Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Thousands responded to the Good News message resulting in this massive baptism service. I imagine that cisterns, pools, and creeks all around the city were used to baptize new believers. It was an incredible moment for the early church as they celebrated the saving work of Christ and welcomed new believers to the family of God. That’s what Acts 2:41 Sunday is all about. It’s a day, October 7th, for Michigan Baptist churches to baptize new believers. Imagine the joy it will bring as we celebrate the work of Christ in the lives of those who follow Him in baptism! Here are some keys to making Acts 2:41 Sunday a success at your church: BAPTIZE 5% - Set a yearly goal to baptize 5% of your church’s average worship attendance. It’s SMART - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. Set aside some of those who follow Christ to be baptized on Acts 2:41 Sunday, October 7th. PRAY 4 - Challenge every believer to pray for four people in their lives to come Christ. Give them an Acts 2:41 Prayer sheet to write down the names of those loved ones who need Jesus. ENGAGE 3 - Engage your community through evangelistic events, mission service, and relational opportunities to experience Biblical community. Take Christ to the streets, the community and neighborhoods that surround your location. SHARE 2 - Intentionally share the story of how you came to Christ 2 times with people who need Him. LEARN 1 - Go to BSCM.org for free resources to share your faith. Learn one way to have a Gospel Conversation then go do it. The early church celebrated as they watched God move in the lives of those who responded to the Gospel on the Day of Pentecost. The cisterns, pools and streams of Jerusalem were filled with people following Jesus in baptism. There were “amens” and tears of joy as these new followers of Christ were enthusiastically welcomed to the family of God. Acts 2:41 was a time of rejoicing. It was a time of celebrating the work of Christ. It’s what, we as Michigan Baptists want to experience as our family, friends, and neighbors publicly profess their faith in Christ on Acts 2:41 Sunday, October 7th. Register here to sign your church up for Acts 2:41 Sunday. 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. #JUNE18

ROSCOMMON, MI – Bonding together through camping, retreating, and hanging out at Bambi Lake, makes us who we are. “I remember staying in Pinegrove as a kid. My mom stayed there years before me,” states Kevin Gaby. That legacy at Bambi Lake continues, as Kevin brings his kids to stay in Pinegrove. His family has been coming to Bambi every Memorial Day and Labor Day for 22 years. It won’t be too long before grandchildren will be joining this picture! “I came to Bambi for the first time as a new bride with Kevin to a marriage enrichment retreat just a few months after we were married,” shared Lisa Gaby. “Our kids have grown up there. We have pics of our son in a recycling bin stuffed with pillows and strapped to a wagon with a bungee cord as we made the rounds visiting at the campground. Our close knit young couple’s class camped for years together as our kids got to experience a little freedom and independence for the first time. My mother in law and Kevin have attended Bambi for RA and GA camps. My daughter’s first night away from home was at GA camp. So many memories! WE LOVE BAMBI!!!” Camping, the cottage by the lake, the lodge, the chalets – the Gaby family has stayed in most accommodations offered at Bambi. “And actually Bambi is the reason we don’t have an "up-north cabin." Why would we - when we have Bambi?” Many families have a heritage, a legacy of togetherness, that includes great memories at Bambi Lake Baptist Retreat and Conference Center. From camping in the campground, to attending family camp, leadership training, and coming “just because,” people have a love of this camp. “’Unplugging’ with my kids from the phones, television and video games, living in the campground for two weeks where they are safe; where they can have freedom to roam around and be surrounded by creation – this has been very special to my family,” shared another frequent guest. Campfires by the beach, cooking hot dogs in the pavilion, roasting marshmallows and making s’mores, hiking on the trails, singing camp songs by the Wilson building steps or in the amphitheater, searching for Petoskey stones in the gravel pit, a fast-paced game of ping pong, swimming and kayaking are all part of the camp experience here. It is not unusual to see deer darting across the road and into the wooded areas, or wild turkeys strutting through the field as wildlife flourishes on the property. The whippoorwill’s call signals 10:00 pm. It is very dark and still, and the coyotes’ howl sing you to sleep. The early morning alarm may be the tapping of red-headed woodpeckers on a nearby tree. Nature lives is our best alarm clock. One recent camper shared, “I remember when the Human foosball building housed the chapel, and then, meeting in the Hubbs Chapel in the Lodge downstairs, and now, the Wilson building is the chapel.” She had come to girl’s missions camp with her sister for years. As she brought her mom back to visit the camp, she noted, “Things have really changed since I was a summer missionary here.” Yes, Bambi Lake is always changing. Every time people come to Bambi Lake, there is something that is new. Right now, changes are transforming the camp, with the diligence of volunteers, as new life is breathed through the dreams and visions of the new camp staff. Excitement is on the horizon as the plans come to fruition. Just wait for your next family gathering at Bambi Lake. You will not regret the time that you have spent-away from the noise of your city, your work and your busy life-to enjoy the blessings of nature and family that God has prepared for you. Make your plans to come to Bambi Lake to refresh your spirit. 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. #JUNE18