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IRONWOOD, MI – A parishioner in Catalyst Baptist Church gave me a poem from Ruth Prentice called God’s Gift.” The poem is: This is a message lost in much of our modern world. Christmas is not a season about hanging a Christmas tree, or stockings around the fire. Christmas is not about what we can give, how early we can shop, or how long we can put it off. Christmas is about the gift God gave to mankind 2,000 years ago that is still working, does not need batteries, will not break no matter how rough we handle it, and we can’t lose it. But, we can give it away. This is Christmas. Let us not forget, Luke 2: 11-12, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” The greatest gift man has ever known. Be sure to give Jesus as your gift to others. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ian Minielly is pastor of the Catalyst Baptist Church in Ironwood, MI and a regular contributor to the Baptist Beacon. #DECEMBER17

DEWITT, MI – “Pastor…This might have been the only time some of these kids heard the Gospel!” That statement rings loudly in my head every year as we approach the Christmas season, and it makes me very conscious of the various ways to share Christ during this time. Have you ever considered how many opportunities the Christmas season gives us for evangelistic sharing and encounters? Before I became a pastor I hadn’t given it much thought other than just the celebration of “our dear Savior’s birth.” But over the years, I’ve discovered that December gives us a wide variety of ways to broadcast the Good News of great joy. Before we returned to Michigan, I heard about a church in our association in Virginia that was having a “Hanging of the Greens” service. I was unfamiliar with this service at the time. But once I obtained a copy of the service after our move, I shared it with our church leadership. We decided it was something we wanted to include in our annual schedule. We print invitation cards three weeks before the service for our people to distribute. We also announce it on Facebook and in our local newspaper. “Hanging of the Greens” is usually observed on the first Sunday evening of Advent. It is a decorating service with narrations explaining each decoration in relation to Christ. Following each narration a Christmas carol is sung as church members put up particular decorations—wreaths, window candles, the Advent wreath, and candles, etc. The climax of our service is the lighting of the Chrismon tree. Chrismons are Christian symbol decorations that remind us that Christmas is the celebration of Jesus' birthday. Children and their parents come forward to help decorate the tree before we light the tree. Then I give a brief talk about the Christmas story. Soon after we started this tradition, we talked to our high school’s choral director about having the select choral group come and sing some Christmas songs prior to the “Greens” service. She was delighted at the opportunity. (We give the group an honorarium for coming.) Every year our service has approximately 25 high school singers who come and share their talents. And many times their parents come, too. One year in particular, we were reminded of the significance of inviting those young people. That was the evening the young lady from the group, a Christian, walked up to me during our fellowship/reception afterwards and said, “Pastor, thank you for inviting us. This might have been the only time some of these kids heard the Gospel!” Wow! I was overwhelmed, almost to tears, because I realized there are kids (and adults) in our midst today who do not know the real story of Christmas. So I make it a point in early December to remind myself, our members, and attenders of the importance of the meanings behind our Christmas decorations. They can use that information to share the Christ story in their homes with unbelieving family members, or neighbors, or even out there in the marketplace when folks are admiring a wreath, a tree, or a poinsettia. It’s true that without Easter, Christmas would be meaningless. But thank the Lord the days leading up to Christmas give us plenty of opportunities to share the greatest Gift of all - Jesus. Want more background info? Check out lifeway.com/Article/Christmas-traditions-rooted-in-ancient-culture. For more on chrismons: umcs.org/chrismons. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Dan Wilkinson is pastor of First Baptist Church in DeWitt, Michigan. Dan and Denise, his wife, are products of Michigan Baptists having grown up in Detroit area churches. #DECEMBER17

WASHINGTON, DC – In his third letter, the apostle John instructs his friend Gaius about the importance of supporting itinerate missionary evangelists. In the process, he gives us a number of biblical principles that should shape the way we think about our own missionary sending and support. Calling himself “the elder,” John writes, The elder to the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth. Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth. Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth (3 John 1–8). There are several direct implications for missions in this short passage. Let’s consider five. 1. Concern for missions and missionaries is normal (3 John 3, 5, 8). John asserts that his friend Gaius is “walking in the truth,” and that it is “a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers.” He concludes that “we ought to support people like these [missionaries].” Scripture is clear that a desire to support the spread of the gospel to those who haven’t heard is a normal part of basic Christian health. 2. Cooperation among local churches is encouraged (3 John 3, 7). Likewise, cooperation in missions among multiple local congregations is taken for granted as a good thing. These gospel workers went out from another church, likely John’s. They were “strangers” to Gaius (v. 5), so clearly not from his congregation. And yet John says Gaius “ought” to support these people so that together John’s church and Gaius’s church may partner together for the truth. Mutual support of missionaries is a real gospel partnership that brings honor to Christ. 3. Knowing whom we ought to support is crucial (3 John 6–8). But how can we know whom to support? The apostle John narrows it down for us considerably. Certainly we hope Christians share the gospel as they scatter because of persecution (Acts 8:4) or travel in pursuit of business (James 4:13). But John describes a special moral obligation to support those who’ve been sent out “for the sake of the name.” These are the ones to whom we “ought” to give material support. “Missionaries aren’t just self-styled free agents. They should be accountable to a specific local church.” Despite globalization and mobility, until Christ returns there will always be a need for churches to train, send, and financially support intentional missionaries. What’s more, when John notes that these missionaries were “accepting nothing from the Gentiles,” he seems to mean they weren’t earning money from the gospel; so the church should supply their needs. Lots of people share the gospel. Praise God! But only some have a moral claim on the local church’s financial support. These are the men and women we call missionaries. Missionaries aren’t just self-styled free agents. They should be accountable to a specific local church. The missionaries mentioned in 3 John are probably accountable to John’s church in Ephesus. Did you notice the church connection in verse six? John tells Gaius these missionaries “testified to your love before the church.” After having been supported by Gaius, they returned and reported back to the church that sent them. John’s letter, among other things, seems to be his church’s commendation of these missionaries as their own approved workers. Biblical missionaries are connected to a local church. It’s always been that way. 4. Support should be abundant (3 John 6). John doesn’t leave us to wonder what our support for missionaries should look like. It should be lavish, abundant, and provided “in a manner worthy of God.” “Our support for missionaries should aim to see that they lack nothing, as if we were supplying Jesus himself for a journey. It’s a high bar.” This concern that Christian workers be amply supplied is echoed elsewhere in the Bible. As Paul instructs Titus, “Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing” (Titus 3:13). Our support for missionaries should aim to see that they lack nothing, as if we were supplying Jesus himself for a journey. It’s a high bar. 5. The motivation is love for the glory of Christ (3 John 7–8). Finally, we see the motivation that should drive all this going and sending and supporting: love for the glory of King Jesus. This is the engine of the missionary enterprise—for the sake of Christ’s name. The needs of those yet unreached by the gospel are great, but John presses us to send for the sake of Christ’s fame and the glory of his truth. “Love for the glory of King Jesus. This is the engine of the missionary enterprise—for the sake of Christ’s name.” These five principles from 3 John are clear. Obedience to them should revolutionize how some of us think about supporting missions from our churches. Through the Lottie Moon Missions Offering you and I can do just that, care and support those called to go and serve. Editors’ note: This is an adapted excerpt from Andy Johnson’s new book Missions: How the Local Church Goes Global(Crossway, 2017). ABOUT THE AUTHOR Andy Johnson earned a PhD from Texas A&M and now serves as an associate pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. #DECEMBER17

WASHINGTON, DC (BP) – Protestant, Catholic and Jewish leaders from the U.S. and Israel joined Museum of the Bible board chairman Steve Green to dedicate the eight-story attraction in Washington on November 17 in advance of the public opening. The more-than-$500-million structure, located blocks from Capitol Hill at 400 4th St. S.W., opened exclusively to the media Nov. 14 and 15, and held a special dedication and ribbon cutting from 8 a.m.–noon today. The museum doors opened to the general public 9 a.m. on Saturday. While admission is free, timed tickets are required and entry is restricted to 15-minute intervals. "We only have one mission: that's to invite all people to engage in the history, narrative and impact of the Bible," Museum of the Bible President Cary Summers said during an October panel discussion the museum hosted. "It's a nonsectarian approach, and you draw your own conclusions after visiting here." On average, visitors would have to spend nine eight-hour days in the museum to read every placard, see every artifact and experience every activity offered, according to an official museum fact sheet. Guests enter the museum on the first floor through the nearly 40-feet high Gutenberg Gates, comprised of 118 brass panels inscribed in Latin with the first 80 lines of Genesis. The script is written in reverse to encourage guests to create souvenir rubbings, according to the museum's website. Also on the first floor, children can "walk on water" in the nearly 2,200-square-foot Courageous Pages children's exhibit. Walking on Water, one of 13 Courageous Pages areas of interest, technologically creates the illusion of a watery surface where children may stand and inspect animated marine life below, according to museum publicity. The second floor's 27,000 square feet of exhibit space demonstrates the Bible's influence "on nearly every aspect of life," according to museum promotions. A 254-foot-long tapestry telling the Bible's place throughout American history is a focus of the second floor, which also showcases the Bible in worldwide culture, government and contemporary news. "The Bible is the best-selling, most-translated book of all time and is arguably history's most significant piece of literature," Green has said of the Bible. "It has had an unquestionable influence on science, education, democracy, arts and society. This book has profoundly impacted lives across the ages, including my own." Successive museum floors include a wide array of attractions, including walkthrough theatrical exhibits immersing visitors in Bible stories, Bible history displays comprising 600 artifacts and 50 media programs, a 472-seat World Stage Theater, a 3,000-square-foot biblical garden, and a café offering Bible-inspired fare. Smithsonian.com has described the venue as one of nine "must-see" museums opening in 2017. Among those who gathered alongside Green, a Southern Baptist, are Cardinal Donald Wuerl, archbishop of Washington; Rear Admiral Margaret Kibben, a Presbyterian and chief of chaplains of the U.S. Navy; Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt, president of the Rabbinic Cabinet of the Jewish Federations of North America; U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black, a Seventh Day Adventist; U.S. House of Representatives Chaplain Pat Conroy, a Jesuit priest; Ron Dermer, Israel's ambassador to the U.S., Israel's Minister of Tourism Yariv Levin and others, according to a museum press release. More information and tickets are available at museumofthebible.org. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Diana Chandler is Baptist Press' general assignment writer/editor. BP reports on missions, ministry and witness advanced through the Cooperative Program and on news related to Southern Baptists' concerns nationally and globally. #DECEMBER17

NASHVILLE, TN – I am often asked what I find to be most lacking in training for churches serving cross-culturally. Sadly my answer is that they simply aren’t doing it. As harsh as that may sound, I regularly hear things from churches I train for short-term engagement like, “I wish I had known all of this before I went on my first trip,” or “I wish we had been using this information all along.” With an estimated two million people participating in short-term mission trips every year, a conversation is warranted to help them be more effective—not destructive—during their brief time in their country of service. Short-term missions is also a means of discipleship—that is, crossing cultures for the sake of the gospel inevitably changes believers, as well. It grows us in various aspects of our own faith. Leaving our comfort zones for a foreign context means we can’t rely on our familiarity. The result is a deeper reliance on the One who sends us. “Short-term missions is a means of discipleship—that is, crossing cultures for the sake of the gospel inevitably changes believers as well.” This is by no means an exhaustive list, but below are six vital areas for preparation prior to a short-term mission trip. Prayerful Trust “Missions is the joyous work of informing the world that it is loved.” —Calvin Miller It is easy to be overwhelmed with the logistical details of an international mission trip. Don’t get me wrong; logistics are a must. But even more important is connecting to and hearing from God. Only he knows the spiritual state of the peoples in the places you are entering. You need to be able to respond as the Holy Spirit leads. Trusting that he is in control of every situation gives you confidence, avoids confusion, and keeps you from being rattled when unexpected things happen on the field. Prayer is, therefore, essential for each team member to build spiritual dependence on the Lord as they join him on mission. It is in prayer that we discern the will of God, break down barriers, and are strengthened to carry out his will through obedience. Prayer will help prepare us for God-given opportunities to share about him. Team Dynamics and Resolving Conflict Jesus said, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35, ESV). Conflict can arise when a person’s needs or expectations are not met. What is perceived as someone being difficult or uncooperative may simply be the fact that he or she is struggling in the current environment. For example, introverts tend to become drained around large groups of people and need time alone to recharge. Extroverts, on the other hand, gain energy from people, so they will thrive and struggle in different ways than introverts. As you prepare for your trip, consider taking a free personality profile, such as DISC, to learn your team members’ strengths and weaknesses. Once you identify these traits, leverage them by allowing team members to use their strengths and grow in their areas of weakness. Crossing Cultural Divides We all have cultural biases—things that are ingrained in us from our own experiences and surroundings. Those biases affect how we interact with others, so they need to be understood and minimized as much as possible in order to avoid barriers to good communication. Be a learner, and let people show you what they believe. Then engage them with the gospel in ways that are relevant to their specific worldview. Practically think through your own life and create a timeline, whether mental or physical. List things that have shaped you, such as family structure, faith journey, education, where you’ve lived (rural or urban), media, technology, world events, etc. Have your entire team develop their own lists and talk through how your cultural biases will be different from those of the people among whom you will be working. Discuss how those differences will shape the way you engage with them. Preparing for Culture Shock Most things we do every day are done without much thought. They are routine. Once you leave your familiar surroundings and enter into another culture, however, virtually everything will be different. Everything requires thought and everything can potentially be a trigger for culture shock—language, transportation, food, cleanliness, personal space, and even bathrooms. To help limit the disorientation you may feel, try these things before you go: Eat at an ethnic restaurant and order something unfamiliar Brush your teeth with bottled water Keep a bucket of water beside your toilet and use it for flushing Learn a few basic phrases in the local language of the country you are visiting Research cultural do’s and don’ts from websites or travel books Spiritual Warfare Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Pet. 5:8, ESV) This is a subject that isn’t talked about very often, but it is real and deserves your attention. It can come in subtle forms like health problems, relationship struggles, physical illness, and many others. As Chuck Lawless recently wrote on the topic, “We face three enemies: the world, our flesh, and the devil (Eph. 2:1–3). In some cases, the three are so interwoven that it’s difficult to tell them apart.” Recognizing who is our enemy, and who isn’t, is the first step to victory. Both before and during your trip, through Bible study and prayer, prepare yourself and your team to face an enemy who does not want to see you produce fruit in your work. Safety and Security Although safety is not the number one concern of those engaging in global mission—obedience to Christ’s call and command is—it would be foolish not to consider it at all. In today’s world, we cannot rely on any “safe” places. Expecting the unexpected and having contingency plans will help you and your loved ones at home rest easier. Understand the potential risks of global travel and learn best practices to minimize adverse situations. Again, this is far from an exhaustive list. However, these six considerations are a great starting point for churches and individuals looking to maximize effectiveness in short-term missions. If interested to learn more - Equipped To Go provides an online training session o n staying healthy and keeping everyone secure while traveling abroad through minimizing risk and managing potential or real crises. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Debbie Stephens lives in Middle Tennessee. She is the founder and president of Equipped To Go, which provides training and coaching services to those desiring to be culturally adept while traveling, living, and working in foreign countries. She also leads the Jet Set division of the Upstream Collective. Follow her on twitter @equippedtogo. #DECEMBER17

ALPHARETTA, GA – Many churches would love to serve veterans and soldiers, but feel ill-equipped or think they cannot do so because they’re not in a “military town.” Below are 12 practical ways churches can minister to those who have served or are serving in the U.S. military: Pray for veterans, service members and the military chaplains who minister to them on bases at home and abroad. Encourage emotionally and spiritually healthy parishioners to take time to listen to the military personnel in your community. Ask those in your church who have served in the Armed Services to come alongside the church as it seeks to serve the veterans, service members and their families. Find ways to recognize Veterans Day, Memorial Day and Independence Day at your church. You could even consider honoring the various military branches on their birthdays. Realize that your church does not need to be near a large military installation to minister to veterans and service members. Veterans and service members who are not near a large base may feel isolated and need greater local community support. Draw 10- to 15-mile circle around your church, and locate any Veterans Affairs (VA) offices, VA Medical Centers or military installations. Reach out, and ask about their specific needs. Network with military chaplains in your area. Host them, and help them set up a military veteran and family network. Your church can then become a referral any time needs arise in the military community in your area. If your church is near a large base with a military population where the majority of people stay two to three years, host special events (such as special dinners or welcoming Bible studies) that help service members and their families connect as quickly as possible. When a service member is deployed, send letters and care packages that let him or her know she is thought of and prayed for. Help the families of deployed service members with routine tasks: prepare meals, help with car maintenance, offer to do yard work or offer to tutor or mentor the kids. Encourage the church to see themselves as a family who are there to support military members and their families while the spouse is deployed. Advertise that your church is a safe place. Find a trusted, Christian counselor in your area who is professionally equipped to handle moral injury, suicide ideation or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This list has been adapted from conversations with retired Maj. Gen. Chaplain Doug Carver, retired Brig. Gen. Chaplain Carlton Fisher and Pastor Jeff Streucker. For more information about serving our Armed Services personnel and their families, contact the chaplaincy office of the North American Mission Board at chaplains@namb.net. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Brandon Elrod writes for the North American Mission Board. #DECEMBER17

LOUISVILLE, KY (BP) – Dec. 18, 2014, Sam and Stephanie Patterson changed four lives forever as they adopted three sisters and a brother who came into their lives through foster care. Now, three years later, the family is eager for another Christmas together. Carrie, Carissa, Austin and Kali were first welcomed into the Patterson home in October 2013. These four years have been a time of growth and adjustment, yet the children "have changed our lives completely," Stephanie said, hardly remembering "what life was like pre-kids." The family's journey was atypical from the challenges often involved in foster care and adoption, Stephanie acknowledged. "I don't think that we had a normal experience. I honestly don't. Ours was the best possible experience we could have. They loved being in our home, they were wonderful children to take care of and we connected with them immediately. "Within six months parental rights were terminated. Within one year they were ours. Adoption was final Dec. 18, 2014," Stephanie said. "That is not the norm. Normally it takes three years and for us it took one. So we're very, very thankful." Despite how everything fell in place for the Pattersons, they are just like any other family. "We have ups and downs, it's not roses all the time," Stephanie said. The day before she met their children for the first time, a friend asked Stephanie if she had any idea what she was getting into. To which she answered, "No, I sure don't." But the love and support they received from friends and family was overwhelming. "One thing that parenting has taught me, in having four all at once, is that parenting is very humbling. When people ask you if they can help, always say yes no matter what it is.... People were so willing to help and I'm forever grateful for the help we received." As the Patterson's approach the third anniversary of the adoption, they can't help but look back on how things have changed and how much their children have grown. "It has gone by so fast ... they're growing up right before our eyes," Stephanie said. Carrie, now 14, loves to serve others. "She will willingly do acts of service for you, she is kind of like that caregiver, being the oldest." Carissa, now a lively 10-year-old, is said to be a princess who loves to laugh and snuggle. She is the leader among her friends and loves to plan activities with them. Austin, now 7, is quite different from his sisters. He loves playing with trucks and anything with wheels, yet most of all he loves playing with his little sister Kali. "His greatest joy is making [her] laugh," Stephanie said. Kali, now 5 and the youngest of the four siblings, has needed some help adjusting. "She had some developmental delays," Stephanie said. "When we got her she could not hold her head up. She'd never been on her tummy and she had obviously been neglected. She goes to a specialty pediatric daycare and receives all the therapies [she needs] and has improved so much." Kali is the most stubborn of the siblings, Stephanie noted. "Her stubbornness is what gave her the strength to learn to walk, to learn to crawl, to learn to talk.... She's a very happy little girl, and one of my greatest joys is listening to her laugh." The journey through the foster-to-adoption process, and now adapting to life as a family of six, has been "wonderfully exhausting," Stephanie said. "Even though I didn't physically labor for my children, believe me I labored for it. There's so many hoops to jump through.... We labored for our children, just in a very different way." Despite the laborious times they have faced, the Pattersons have remained grateful that God brought them together. "I have come to understand just how amazing God's grace is for us," Stephanie said. "Because as a parent it's not discipline all the time. As a parent you have to parent with grace because your kids make mistakes and it's your job to teach them.... God's grace just pours over daily, and in return I need to show that grace to my children." And at Christmas, Sam and Stephanie get to share precious memories with their children every year. One of their favorite memories took place two years ago, when Carissa was in the second grade. Stephanie watched as her daughter and the second grade class got up to share what their greatest Christmas gift was. When it was her turn Carissa said, "My greatest Christmas gift is that my mom and dad took me in and adopted me, and now I have a forever family." ABOUT THE AUTHOR Savannah Lewis is an electronic media assistant for the Kentucky Baptist Convention. #DECEMBER17

MONROE, MI – For more than 12 years Dale Beal has been the chaplain in jail ministry in Monroe County. He ministers in two locations. One is the Main location which houses maximum security prisoners, and the other is the Dorm facility which houses minimum security prisoners. The dorm also houses Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) Detainees. He goes to the Main House every other Tuesday and into the Dorm House every Wednesday. Two different men travel with Dale, and together they preach God’s Word. Just like many churches do today, they flash the words and the pictures of different hymns on the wall while they sing. In the Main House, they are locked in a room with a maximum number of 15 prisoners. They are given a two-way radio, and cameras monitor throughout the room. Most of the men they encounter are headed to prison. Prison will be far worse for them than jail. Every night Dale and his volunteer are thanked for giving up their time to come and minister. The chaplain team focuses their time on the Gospel, sharing the love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ each week. Beal says, “I have seen some of the hardest guys break down and cry. God is breaking down the hardness of their hearts. Last month, a guy, who is on his way to prison, came up to me after the service asking to talk. With tears in his eyes, he said “Thank you.” It was obvious the Holy Spirit was doing a mighty work in this man’s life and so many others. Only God knows how much he needed to hear the words of salvation in Christ that I talked about that night. We are so amazingly blessed by the privilege of sharing with these guys each week.” During his time of serving in the jail, Beal has been able to perform three weddings in the Main House and four in the Dorm House. When he officiated his first wedding, a guard told him he was the first to perform a wedding in the Main jail, and that he was the only one who had permission to do so in the Dorm jail. In another rare sign of trust, he is also allowed to bring cookies and pop into the Dorm for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The women of CrossPointe Church Monroe bake the cookies in another form of volunteer help for the ministry. Beal adds, “This simple act of caring means so much to the men in the jail. It is easy for society to forget about them and yet their need to be loved is greater than ever when isolated from friends and family.” More than 65% of the jail inmates are alcoholics or drug addicts. Beal shares, “I know all too well since I was once both of those. Thanks be to God I have been sober 26 years. This is one reason the guys like coming to my service, I used to be just like them, but Jesus changed me. We have an instant connection where God took something bad in my life and now uses it for good.” Jesus is doing some mighty things in the Monroe County jails. But Chaplain Beal says so much more can be done if more Michigan Baptists come to be a part of this important ministry. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Chaplain Dale Beal, leads the Freedom Jail Ministry for CrossPointe Church Monroe. Former biker, addict and troublemaker, now transformed and on mission with God to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. #DECEMBER17

FENTON, MI – Lottie Moon dedicated her life to the people of China, living out the Good News before them. It was seldom easy living in a vastly different culture and little support, but she always found a way to be faithful. Her early efforts have paved the way for thousands of missionaries since and one of those is how she provided a blessing which in turn opened a door. As a way to earn the trust of the people in China, Lottie Moon made tea cakes for the children in her village. She would then be invited into homes where she could share the gospel with their mothers. The children began calling Lottie “the cookie lady.” Plain Tea Cake (As made by Lottie Moon) 3 teacups of sugar 1 teacup of butter 1 teacup of sour milk 4 pints flour 3 eggs, well beaten 1/2 teaspoon of soda Flavor to taste, roll thin, bake in a quick oven. Adapted recipe: 2 cups flour ½ cup butter 1 heaping cup of sugar 1 well-beaten egg 1 tablespoon cream Cream the butter and sugar. Add the egg and mix well. Add the flour and cream. Dust a board with flour. Roll the dough very thin. Cut cookies with a round cookie cutter. Place on a buttered or nonstick cookie sheet. Bake at 475 degrees for about 5 minutes. Contact Sue Hodnett, sue@bscm.org, your state WMU director for LMCO Week of Prayer guides and Lottie Moon Offering Envelopes. Visit the International Mission Board website Imb.org, to learn more about Lottie and the missions of Southern Baptists worldwide. #DECEMBER17

JACKSONVILLE, FL – I’ll always remember the pre-retirement seminar I attended a full seven years before what would have been my normal retirement date. I’d given thirty-five years of my life to a large corporation. And the prospects of being retired sounded bleak: loss of influence, reduced responsibility, and being relegated to nonessential tasks. It was then that my wife and I began discussing the possibility of serving in missions during retirement. We were overwhelmed with a desire to not give God only the leftovers of our lives. We did not want to wait seven more years. When I announced the Lord was calling us to retire early and serve as missionaries, several friends, coworkers, and some family questioned us in love because of the magnitude of the decision. God graciously reassured us it was right many times during the process. We landed overseas in 2002, and for the next six years, we wore many different hats. Our team opened a bookstore and art gallery as part of its ministry, and I worked in both. We also led volunteer coordination for the short-term teams and individuals who came to work with us. Although we eventually had to return to the United States to care for our aging mothers, we would not trade our six years on the field for anything. Learning the Language Serving as a retiree had its advantages and challenges. One of the most obvious challenges was language acquisition. It was without a doubt the most difficult part for us and is so for many seniors. From hardening auditory ossicles to memory retention, the struggles were real. On the bright side, there are many roles needed on the field that require less language skill, thankfully. But, relationship-building skills often depend on speaking to neighbors and new friends in their own language. It is what brings you into their circle—their lives. “We believe the Lord created divine appointments with others who needed the gospel.” As in so many other ways, we seniors were given grace with our language skills. Any effort by us seemed to be applauded, and core words and sentences began to surface when needed. Presence, compassion, and love also go a long way in supplementing meager language skills. We believe the Lord created divine appointments with others who needed the gospel. Even with deficient language skills, we only needed to allow ourselves to be used. Leaving Family and Creating a New One One of the greatest concerns we had when we began to think about long-term service on the field was being away from our children and grandchildren. What we later discovered was the young missionaries became like our kids and their kids our grandkids. And not surprisingly, our children back in the States grew in their faith and trust in the Lord. It turned out to be a blessing for us all. Although we’re easily reminded we’re not the youngest in the room, our day-to-day processes with our new missionary family made us feel and act many years younger than we are. The love and grace of the families we adopted and who adopted us sustained us. We were not unlike grandchildren—you can enjoy them and then give them back. They did that with us, and it was completely okay. Missionary Inadequacy Perhaps one of the most common issues faced by missionaries is an inadequacy in skills and proficiency in the work of the gospel. I have long admired the young missionaries who give themselves, their education, their very futures to the Lord in service. And quite honestly, I felt inadequate in those areas. A simple phrase changed that for me when it’s meaning finally settled in: God can use you. It is clear throughout Scripture that God uses whom he pleases, how he pleases, prepares them for the work, and equips them to carry it out. God prepared for me more than I imagined or deserved. And he is preparing you as well for the work to which you’ve been called as you seek to serve him. If you are a retiree and considering serving on the mission field, try not to let yourself be victim to illogical thinking—that God can’t use you. The inclusion of the words “God can’t” in that statement should expose the error in such thinking. God, the creator of heaven and earth, can use you, even when you don’t see how. “God, the creator of heaven and earth, can use you, even when you don’t see how.” When we were wrestling with a possible change, we called the IMB and asked if they needed someone our ages with our specific backgrounds. Retail management and nursing seemed far from what you need to be effective missionaries. However, we were excited to discover that with the diversity of mission needs around the world, and the outstanding training the IMB provides, they could not only use us, there were actually current requests for missionaries with our skill sets. Who knew?! Well, God did. And he knows about you too. Be open to how God may use you and understand that it very well may be in ways you absolutely do not expect. My Sunday School class lives vicariously through my wife’s and my accounts of our time living and serving as missionaries. It was a wonderful time in our lives. Many of our retired friends have never traveled abroad, or at least don’t do so at this time of life. Likewise, were it not for our short-term mission trips back to the country we love, it would sometimes seem to be the distant past. Who could have possibly thought that the past six years would have been so rewarding? Our only regret is that we didn’t do this sooner. But we know that God led us each step of the way. He will do the same for you. And if you are like us, it will be the best decision of your life. ABOUT THE AUTHOR David and his wife have been married for thirty-eight years and have two children and seven grandchildren. After taking early retirement from a large retail corporation, David served with the IMB. Since then he was an associate pastor and administrator in Louisiana, and is now an associate pastor for pastoral care in Jacksonville, Florida. He is still looking for where God can use him. #DECEMBER17

1) The total budget approved (the overall budget amount for the coming fiscal year) and percentage increase or decrease from last year of the total budget. $2,693,073 for 2018 Budget. That is a 31% increase over last year's budget. 2) Anticipated Cooperative Program (CP) receipts from churches; anticipated receipts from LifeWay; anticipated receipts from NAMB. Anticipated Receipts: $1,340,000 CP from churches; $68,262 from LifeWay; $701,000 from NAMB. 3) CP percentages, as well as dollar amounts, that the state convention is allocating for state Cooperative Program ministries and for SBC Cooperative Program ministries. 27.5% Cooperative Program, $368,500. 4) Whether those CP percentages were changed during this year's annual meeting. While adopting the 2018 BSCM Budget, we voted to remove the Shared Ministry Items, thereby increasing the actual dollars going to missions. We will be giving 27.5% of the total Cooperative Program money from the Michigan Baptists which is an increase in dollars given to missions over last year's budget. 5) Any budget provisions (percentages as well as dollar amounts) for shared expenses. No, the Baptist State Convention of Michigan leadership in consultation with Frank Page, Executive Committee, led the Convention to remove the Shared Ministry Items from the 2018 BSCM Budget. Election of officers, including: 1) president, first and second vice president and recording secretary; 2) whether any of these were re-elected; 3) titles at their churches (pastor or member) as well as the name of each of church and its city; 4) in cases of two or more nominees for an office, please give the names of the other nominees, along with his/her title, church, city; 6) vote totals for elections with two or more nominees and for any subsequent runoffs. President: Jerome Taylor, re-elected, Pastor of Eastgate Baptist Church, 4226 East Atherton Rd, Burton, 48519. 1st Vice President: Scott Blanchard, re-elected, Pastor of Lakepointe Church, Meets at Lutheran High School, 16825 24 Mile Road, Macomb, MI 48042. 2nd Vice President: Larry Johnson, newly elected, Pastor of Middlebelt Baptist Church, 943 Middlebelt Road, Inkster, MI 48141. Recording Secretary: Roy Henry, re-elected, Pastor of Faith Baptist Church, 13840 South Helmer Road, Battle Creek, MI 49015. Assistant Recording Secretary: Eli Garza, re-elected, Pastor 1st Spanish Baptist Church, 3495 Livernoi Road, Detroit, MI 48210. Theme: The Power of ONE! Host Church: Middlebelt Baptist Church, 943 Middlebelt Rd, Inkster, MI 48141. Total Messengers and Churches Represented: 109 messengers out of 53 churches (23 guests) Total Baptist State Convention of Michigan Churches: 314 Dates and location of next year's (2018) meeting: November 6-7, 2018; Grace Church, 2692 North Dettman Road, Jackson, MI 48201 with Host Pastor James Walling. Baptist Press provides a summary report of every state convention. Baptist Press is located in Nashville, TN. For more information please contact the BSCM offices. (810) 714-1907 or info@bscm.org. #DECEMBER17

WHEREAS, in light of the tragic and horrific attack at First Baptist Church, Sutherland Springs, Texas, during a worship service on Sunday, November 5, 2017; WHEREAS, we mourn for and with our brothers and sisters in Christ there, weeping with those who weep (Romans 12:15); WHEREAS, the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention has graciously ministered to these grieving families by offering to cover the funeral expenses for each victim of this tragedy; WHEREAS, there is no way to explain why this heartbreaking event occurred without the Scripture’s teaching about the sinfulness of humanity (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23; Psalm 14:1; Jeremiah 17:9; Isaiah 64:6; Ephesians 2:3; Psalm 51:5); Therefore, be it RESOLVED that we unite in prayer for our brothers and sisters at First Baptist Church, Sutherland Springs, Texas, as they wrestle with their grief and pain, struggling with the sudden and painful loss of their family, friends, brothers, and sisters in the faith; Be it further RESOLVED that where sin and evil greatly abounded in Sutherland Springs, Texas, in the events of November 5, 2017, we proclaim on the authority of God’s Word that the grace of God will abound even more to the comfort of God’s people (Romans 5:20), such that they will possess a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7) that will serve to point people to the exceeding comfort, mercy, love, and grace of Christ Jesus our Lord; Be it further RESOLVED that what a single man intended for evil, God our loving Father will cause to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28); Be it further RESOLVED that we affirm and give thanks to our Lord for the leadership and compassion of the North American Mission Board as it has demonstrated a deep love for our grieving brothers and sisters; Be it further RESOLVED that we shall diligently work to bring about true unity between individuals by showing them the only source of that unity, the reconciliation of God and man through Jesus Christ, and we urge our Convention leadership to facilitate these efforts within our communities, state, nation, and world; And be it further RESOLVED that the messengers to the 60th Annual Meeting of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan affirm that the only solution for such events is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and so are united in our desire to see the kingdom of God advance through the power of the Gospel, which is the power of God to save men, women, and children as well as the only way to be reconciled to God, and committed in our efforts to see people transformed by the grace of God through the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ for His glory alone. Dr. David Roberts Chairman, Committee on Resolutions For more information please contact the BSCM offices. (810) 714-1907 or info@bscm.org. #DECEMBER17