Search Results

ROSCOMMON, MI – After two years of turning women away from the SOLD OUT Harvest Retreat, 2016 brought new opportunities as well as new challenges - offering two fall retreats, back to back. Women responded to the two retreats with an attendance of more than 325 attending over the two weekends. 139 of the women attending this year were first timers. They gathered together to experience God's truth that they are “Marvelously Made” to become the woman God designed them to be. The first weekend was a full two-night retreat, featuring Dr. Monica Brennan, from Liberty University. The second retreat offered an overnight option for those who may have had younger children at home, Sunday church responsibilities, or who could only get away for one night. Robin Sullivan, long time Michigan Christian radio host, was our guest speaker. Both women spoke powerfully from God's word and stirred the women’s hearts. An added bonus of the retreats is that the women develop closer relationships with others from their own church. Event Coordinator, Cindy Parker says, “It is a great time of reflection - time away from the busyness of life and the many distractions. It’s a time to focus on your spiritual life and listen to what God is telling you. The sharing of worship, small groups, and outdoor fun deepens the retreat experience. The women return to their families as better wives, moms, friends, and co-workers.” Women shared how God had spoken to them through the retreat, and were encouraged and challenged. Many renewed their commitment to Christ. “Everything the main speaker shared, I needed to hear.” “I was finally able to let go of something I realized I was hanging on to.” “I need to trust God’s plan.” “Be bolder about sharing the gospel.” “I am loved and He is always with me.” A very special event took place at both retreats - the Bambi Plunge. It was a fundraiser for much needed AV equipment for the camp. Dozens and dozens of brave women took a plunge into the frigid October waters of Bambi Lake to raise money. Altogether, over $1500 was donated. Four new smart TVs have been purchased and ready to be used for future conferences at Bambi Lake. The More Beautiful Than Diamonds Boutique, LifeWay Christian Resources, and the Bambi Gift Shops provided many opportunities for shopping. Also this year, a craft expo was set up with several booths of handmade items, and other product vendors. The next retreat dates are set for October 13-15 and October 20-21. Mark your calendars now, and plan on coming with a BIG group of your friends, sisters, daughters, mothers, aunts, cousins and co-workers. More information is available on the Christian Women of Michigan Facebook page or at bscm.org/event-flyers. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Cindy Parker is the Event Coordinator for Harvest Retreat and a member of Merriman Road Baptist Church, in Garden City, Michigan. #MARCH17

As we look back on 2016, we can clearly state that it has been a year where God has shown great favor to starting new churches in Send Detroit. Over the past 12 months there have been seven new church starts: Redeemer Community Church, Crossover Church, Heart and Soul Community Church, Life-Giver Church, Restoring Hope Church, The Church at Clawson and Victory Fellowship Harper Woods. There are so many great stories with church plants in Detroit! Crossover Church had a strong launch in September, with 200 plus just had their first baptismal service of 4 people after being 4 months in to their plant. Life-Giver’s first baptism was Pastor Alin’s mother who was shortly after reunited to his father! Mile City celebrated one year in September with over 20 baptized in the first year, preparing to launch a new church within a year, and has over 80% of its body connected in small groups. Sameer Kabul* had Christmas Party to Muslims, Buddhists and partners stepped up to help. Even a Jewish, Holocaust survivor was saved this December through the ministry of John Denson and Congregation Shalom. Vision Tours: This year Detroit hosted 6 total Catch the Vision (CTV) Tours with 24 church represented (13 mobilized currently) and 42 participants. In October, primary partners Guy Melton and Gary Jared hosted our first “CTV32”, a special vision tour where churches new to church planting partnerships have ground expenses covered. On this tour, 14 churches were represented among 26 participants. Of those churches 9 have been mobilized. One of those new partners helped make Sameer’s* Christmas party a reality. In 2016 we added a total of 14 new sending churches and 27 new supporting churches, which brings our current number of partnerships to 29 sending, 64 supporting churches. Send Relief played a major factor in creating a ministry base for 3 of our current church planters as flood recovery and rebuilding efforts ended, in July after 18 months of having a unit staged in Warren, MI at a vacant elementary school. Also, in June, First Spanish Baptist Church of Detroit was able to host the Mobile Dental Unit on site in June to help persons in need of dental care. Our Coaching Network continues to grow as we added 18 new coaches at the second One-Day MAP Coaching Training in November. We also held our first Coaching Intensive for 9 current coaches to build on their coaching skills to work toward the goal of delivering great coaching to every church planter. The Planter Care Ministry has been another central feature to fostering unity among the church planting families of Detroit. We have been blessed to see great attendance and fellowship at our 2016 events: Family Retreat at Castaway Bay (Feb., 40 people), Wives Spa Day (May, 15 planter wives), Mystery Dinner Theatre (Sept., 9 couples), Family Day at Three Cedars Farm (Oct, 64 adults and kids). In December, Michigan Baptists (BSCM) hosted a Frankenmuth Winter Retreat, where 7 Detroit couples went to be enriched in their marriage by BSCM staff and Brian and Amy Bloye of Westridge Church. Answered Prayers! We are continually amazed at how God answers the prayer of Luke 10:2. Priority planting areas are continually being given laborers, Canada was priority, now there are 3 active plants there! Not only that, The Gathering (Garth & Patty Leno) is an Annie Armstrong featured church plant! The Gathering has experienced amazing growth, sending capacity demonstrated by the grace of God through multiplication into Sarnia, ON (The Bridge Gathering, Cecil and Jayne Cogswell) and generous giving back to missions through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering (CDN $13,000) and Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (CDN $10,000)! Muslim populations are being reached by two MB planters. Please Pray for Detroit: As we look to 2017, please continue to pray for laborers in the following cities, Amhurstburg, ON, Waterford, MI and the Rivertown area of Detroit. Also, pray for church planters who will be preparing for launches this year: Chad Nelson of The Journey Church (Mt. Clemens), Alin Patularu of Life-Giver Church (Windsor), Stephen Murphy of Victory Fellowship, (Madison Heights) and Corey Parker of The City Church (Ypsilanti). Please also pray that the Lord would send the necessary partners needed as sending and supporting churches who will help see that these church plants would be sustained. We continue to covet your prayers, partnership and advocacy for Detroit as we are witnessing it live up to the motto “rise from the ashes.” Register here for one of our upcoming vision tours so that you can see how you or your church an be used of God to help penetrate lostness and plant churches in Metro Detroit. #MARCH17

DEARBORN, MI (BP) – Southern Baptist pastors will continue attempts to build friendships in Dearborn, Mich., among the sizable Muslim community, despite the fear pastors say President Donald Trump's now suspended travel ban has generated among immigrants there. Monthly, pastors Dave Ferraro and Carlos Liese gather small groups of volunteers and eat at restaurants Muslims frequent, starting conversations that lead to discussions of religious beliefs. Their outreach is in Dearborn, where one-third of residents claim Arab-American heritage but are not necessarily Muslim, according to the Arab American Institute in Washington, D.C. "I think the need is just that [Muslims] would continue to learn that Christians love them," Ferraro, pastor of discipleship at Merriman Road Baptist Church in Garden City, told Baptist Press. "We just seek to let them know that we love them regardless of their immigration status. There's certainly some fear there, so we just try to dispel that by imbibing the truth and showing them Christian love." The outreach set for Feb. 17 was expected to draw between 10 and 15 evangelism volunteers who are coached in proper technique before each outing. "The only way that lie [of hatred] is dispelled that Satan wants to perpetuate is if Christians go out and just meet with people face to face," Ferraro said, "and seek to demonstrate the love of Christ to them, that they're important, they're valued and maybe misguided in the truth, but that's part of our mission to love on them and point them to the truth." At issue is an executive order Trump issued Jan. 27 temporarily suspending travel from seven majority Muslim nations for 90 days and banning refugees from Syria indefinitely. Federal district Judge James L. Robart of Seattle suspended the ban Feb. 3 and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Robart's ruling days later. Matthew Vroman, a pastor who is building a friendship with a leading imam (Muslim leader) in the community, cautions Christians against mentioning politics when interacting with Muslims in the U.S. "If you're going to be effective reaching Muslims," Vroman said, "you keep it Gospel-centric. And maybe if you [support] the refugee ban ... you'd better not be advertising that, or you won't have much Muslim ministry." Muslims think the ban was "completely against Islam and Muslims," Vroman said. "It's very scary for them, definitely.... They're waiting to be rounded up and sent home," regardless of their immigration or citizenship status. "They feel on the defense and scared." Vroman, pastor of Eastside Community Church in Harper Woods, is building a friendship with Imam Muhammad Ali Elahi, leader of the Islamic House of Wisdom in Dearborn Heights. The Detroit Free Press reported that Elahi described the refugee ban as lacking "common sense" during a Feb. 1 press conference at his mosque and is the "greatest gift for ISIS [the Islamic State]" because it further alienates the U.S. from foreign countries. Liese, Vroman's partner in the evangelistic outreach who pastors First Spanish Baptist Church in Detroit, has told Baptist Press, "In all the years that we have been doing this we have been able to share the Gospel with many people, so many seeds have been sown, and we have never been mistreated or disrespected, ever." The outreach has done "a lot of seed planting and people have been very, very receptive. Our experience has been nothing but positive." 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. #MARCH17

GRAND RAPIDS, MI – My office is at the entrance to the Veterans Home Chapel. It was a very quiet day as I sat at my desk working on my sermon for Sunday. My office door was closed, but God sent an unexpected sacred blessing my way. You see, Mr. “E” was in the chapel and had no way of knowing anyone was around but him and the Lord. I felt like an eavesdropper listening in on a party line. I listened as this broken bodied, disabled Marine sang “How Great Thou Art.” He was singing as best he could to an audience of one, his Lord. Mr. “E” has an electric operated wheelchair to make it to the chapel because his “mangled” body no longer lets him walk. His voice raspy and broken allowed very little air into his lungs. He could only sing 3 words at a time, but what beautiful music he made. He was singing from his heart and I imagine how pleased God was with him. Mr. “E” may not have much left that works, what he does have he gave it all to the Lord. He was fighting the good fight that the Apostle Paul wrote about. He had finished the “race” in his electric wheelchair. There was a second sacred moment that came to me on this day. It was when his wife came in to make his funeral plans. I asked her when her husband, Mr. “E”, became such a Spirit-filled Christian and she stopped and paused for a silent minute of personal revelation. She looked me in the eye with a look of amazement and said “it had to be when he moved in here and attended chapel services.” My head didn’t swell up from pride, but my heart began beating for joy. It was blessing two from my friend Mr. “E”. I am so happy that I have the freedom in the Chapel Worship Service to preach the Word of God without interference. It is true that encounters in the rest of the facility have to be cautious and sensitive to non-Christians, but when our veterans come to the chapel they will hear the plan of salvation and sermon after sermon to ignite spiritual formation. If you feel God may be talking to you about serving our military, police and emergency workers as a chaplain or have been called by God to be a chaplain or to be of support to our chaplains in prayer please contact me at bdennis@bscm.org. You can also see more information on our BSCM website at bscm.org and look under “SEND” to find the Chaplaincy page. We will have several chaplain training opportunities throughout the year. Keep checking our website for further information and registration. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Chaplain Bob Dennis is the new Chaplain Coordinator for the BSCM. He became a North American Mission Board endorsed chaplain for the State of Michigan after ministering as a pastor in the Woodland Baptist Association for many years. He currently is a chaplain assigned to the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans #MARCH17

NASHVILLE, TN – The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) announced on Monday they will now allow girls who identify as boys to participate in its boys-only programs. Since the organization was created more than a century ago, the Boy Scouts has relied on the information on an individual’s birth certificate to determine eligibility for their single-gender programs. But in a video announcement, Chief Scout Executive Michael Surbaugh said the organization “will accept and register youth in the Cub and Boy Scout programs based on the gender identity indicated on the application.” The change in policy will force all Scout troops to include transgender girls, that is, girls who are struggling with gender dysphoria (feeling one's emotional and psychological identity as male or female to be opposite to one's biological sex). The BSA has recently been accused of “discrimination” for refusing to include girls who identify as transgender. Last year an 8-year-old transgender girl sued her local New Jersey Boy Scouts’ Council for discrimination after she was kicked out of a Cub Scout troop. The suit claims the Boy Scouts of America Northern New Jersey Council violated the state's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) law by excluding the girl who identifies as a boy. “State laws like the one in New Jersey are precisely what this BSA statement cites as its rationale for this decision,” says Denny Burk, professor of biblical studies at Boyce College. “Because these laws are on the books, the BSA would be exposed to lawsuits in every state that has a SOGI law in the books . . . Rather than fighting these lawsuits, the BSA has apparently decided to capitulate.” As the Baptist Press noted, this latest policy change follows a 2013 decision by the BSA to permit openly homosexual scouts and a 2015 change that approved the inclusion of openly gay and bisexual adults as unit leaders and employees. “Now we see once again that the Boy Scouts really is committed to a gender-theory culture war that evangelical Christians and many other Americans just can’t accept,” ERLC president Russell Moore told the New York Times. Dr. Moore noted in his interview with the newspaper that Southern Baptist churches and others had been dismayed by Boy Scout policies for several years, as the Scouts moved first to allow openly gay youth members, and then openly gay adult leaders. “I think, for some, this will be the final sign that it’s time to go,” said Dr. Moore. Research studies have shown that up to 93 percent of children referred for gender dysphoria grow out of it naturally by the time they reach adolescence or adulthood. But many Christians fear that BSA’s decision will reinforce the gender dysphoria. “It is tragic that the Boys Scouts are making this misstep,” added Andrew Walker, ERLC’s director of policy studies. “Allowing transgender ideology to gain acceptance within the Boy Scouts will only further confuse children with gender dysphoria, and inject further confusion into one of America's key institutions about what it means to be made male. The Boy Scouts are surrendering their merit badge for courage with this cowardly act of kowtowing (subservient) to the Sexual Revolution.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Gabe Lyons, speaking on the ERLC podcast, reminds us that continuing to seek truth in Scripture will enable us to be bold when faced with this opposition and confusion. #MARCH17

FENTON, MI – Have you noticed lately that there has been a great deal of discussion concerning the laws of our land? With a new president creating new regulations and removing others on a daily basis, I thought I would comment on the nature of laws that presently exist in our great nation and in others as well. For the most part, the laws of the land are in place to protect and be a benefit to inhabitants of a country. Duly elected officials, who to the best of their abilities, are trying to represent the desires and wishes of their respective constituencies, have enacted the vast majority of these directives. Even though this may be the intention of our leaders, it is obvious that they do not always carry out that representation in a fashion that reflects the people's desires and in some cases prove to be just the opposite. At other times laws have been passed that apparently do not represent the thinking of any rational person. In fact, they seem to be created without any forethought or intellectual reasoning. But then again, I have been told that there is something released into the atmosphere of all of our state capitols and that of the U. S. Government that fogs the thinking of any intelligent person. (grin) Well, if you don’t believe that then tell me what turns some of our good, rational, discerning, intelligent, wise, witty and duly elected officials into blithering idiots? Let me just share with you a few laws that have been enacted in some of our sister countries and states. No one may enter a Canadian aircraft in flight. Also, no one may leave a Canadian aircraft while in flight, except by parachute. (You wouldn’t need a jail to hold the law breaker, just a bucket) You can be fined $500 for setting off a nuclear warhead in the city limits of Chico, California. (Who would be left to make him pay?) Trucks in Great Britain are forbidden by law from driving under bridges too low for them to drive under. (Duh!) A Texas representative introduced a bill requiring criminals to notify their victims 24 hours in advance, and to notify them of their right to use deadly force. (I know all of Texas is waiting with baited breath for the phone call from their next perpetrator) Baths may not be taken between the months of October and March. (Indiana) Spitting on a sea gull is not tolerated. (Norfolk, VA) Mustaches are illegal if the bearer has a tendency to habitually kiss other humans. (Indiana) Women who sit on men’s laps on buses or trains without placing a pillow between them face an automatic six-month jail term. (Seattle, WA) The State Constitution of Alabama makes it illegal for any “idiots or insane” people to vote. (We would be better off it that was a national law!) (grin) These are just a few of the hundreds of laws that make no sense whatsoever and for sure can and will never be enforced. The laws of a land are for the protection of the good citizens of that country and for the punishment of the evil ones. On the other hand, the laws of God were not only to protect and correct, but to also show us that it is humanly impossible to keep them all. We are all lawbreakers and guilty before God. Aren’t you glad that our Loving Father made a way for our guilt and lawlessness to be forgiven and that we are made right with Him, not by keeping laws, but by Grace? "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2:16 KJV) So may I encourage you in these seemingly crazy days of laws, rules and regulations not to despair? These laws will never make us righteous, and we cannot keep them all. Besides, some of them and their creators are just a few french fries short of a Happy Meal. Rest in Him who justifies by His Grace. 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. #MARCH17

FENTON, MI – For years, buckets & scales have been a part of Vacation Bible School (VBS). We are only months away from when many churches will conduct Bible studies, activities, Bible focused games and crafts for children. Because churches want to give children the opportunity to BE a part of missions while learning of God’s love, plans for VBS often include the question, “What will we do with the money the children collect for Vacation Bible School?” What would you think about contributing your church’s VBS offering to one of the new church plants in the state of Michigan? You will find a list of the latest new church starts at bscm.org/SendMeMI. This list contains brand new church starts (less than 3 years old) that could use your support and help to reach their community with the Gospel of Christ. Years ago in one of the churches where I served as pastor, Susan was an avid fan of “Penny Wars.” It sounds more violent that it was. Simply put, children would concentrate on bringing to each day’s VBS meeting all the pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters they could find. Children would beg family members and search for coins throughout their homes and cars. The entire population of VBS was divided into different teams to create friendly competition by weight or amount given. I would watch, as Susan would tip the scales of the competition in the losing team’s favor each day. Sometimes it was boys against girls. Other times it was the Blue, Red, and Green teams in competition with one another. Who might your VBS children want to help? Our Michigan church planters are serving in different ways. Allow me to share just four examples: One semi-retired Canadian couple in partnership with former international missionaries is planting a church in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. A Native-American is planting churches among other Native Americans in the Upper Peninsula. A number of young couples with little children are planting churches throughout different neighborhoods in the Greater Detroit area. A Navy Chaplain and his family are leaving military service this fall to replant a new church in Petoskey. What would inspire the children to give? Creating reasons-to-give and explaining those reasons to the children will motivate them to generously give. Here are some ideas: Contact a church planting missionary and ask what they need? (See the list of Michigan Church Starts, bscm.org/SendMeMI). Then share those needs with the children prior to the collection. Create images or words on walls that can be crossed off as enough funds are collected. If for example, the church planter says, “We need gift Bibles to give to visiting families.” Break that down for the children to understand, such as $5 will buy 2 Bibles for the church planter to give to others. Set a goal to collect enough money to buy a specific amount of Bibles and find a way to demonstrate the shopping list. Share an idea that seems normal to the VBS children. For example, explain to the children that church planting families need to have fun, too. Share that $50 will help a family go out to eat or see a movie. Celebrate those moments when the children gather enough to allow a family a fun night out. Ask the VBS children to help with a special need for a church planter. For example, one of our church planting couples, Garth and Patty Leno care for their special needs adult-daughter while planting a church in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Please, watch the 3-minute video relating their personal story, Leno: What Started as a Joke. Imagine the immediate and long lasting impact of collecting coins for the upcoming Vacation Bible School. Children will see that even while they’re young, they can make a difference in people’s lives. They will also see the implications that giving is joyful and rewarding, which might lead them to become better and faithful stewards at an early age, which will bless your local church for years to come. Let me encourage you to make a note on your calendar ahead of time for this year’s Vacation Bible School. Jot down a note such as, “Collect for a Michigan church plant.” In a simple manner, you can teach your children and your church that pocket change can change the world for Christ. If you prefer to make your donations to any church plant in Michigan after this summer’s VBS (or anytime!), you may direct your church treasurer to send a check in the amount of your collection directly to the church plant or to the: Baptist State Convention of Michigan 8420 Runyan Lake Road Fenton, Michigan 48430 We will make sure the church start of your choice receives the offering gift. Please, be certain to indicate the offering as designated for church starting or planting. 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. #MARCH17

FENTON, MI – Following Jesus took our family to the center of South America as IMB missionaries. The city of Cuiaba sits on the far western edge of Brazil in the state of Mato Grosso. The city was experiencing rapid growth. Construction was everywhere. A new housing development miles from the city caught our attention. There were hundreds and hundreds of new houses, but not a single church. By no church, I mean no church of any kind. We had recently moved to Cuiaba, were in our second year of learning Portuguese, and didn't know anyone living in that area. God laid it on our hearts to plant a church there. We were praying and looking for a person to help us get started when an incredible moment in a supermarket led us to the first member of the church. The pastor of the largest, most dynamic church in the state was buying groceries. I met him briefly in a meeting, but didn’t think he would remember me. I went up to say "hi" and reintroduce myself. During our conversation, he asked me what I was planning to do. I told him about the new community growing outside the city. He knew the area and was aware there were no churches there. When I told him that we wanted to go there and plant a church, Pastor William Balanuce was thrilled. He told me about a young man in his church who just got married and moved there. “His name is Samuel," he said, "and his wife isn’t a believer." He couldn’t remember Samuel’s address, but he told me that he lived on the only paved road in the community and that his house was at the very top of the hill. It wasn't much to go on, but we went anyway. We found Samuel. He owned a small convenience store attached to the front of his house. Pastor William told me to tell Samuel that he gave me his name and invite him to help us start the church. Samuel told us two things when we met him that he had been praying for: his wife’s salvation and for a church in his community. It was a God moment for us as we talked! We ultimately became best friends, but in that moment we were two men who met each other because of a pastor who saw what could be. Pastor William released Samuel without hesitation to advance God's Kingdom and challenged him to be a part of the church he was praying for. First Baptist Church didn't become the largest, most influential church in the state by keeping people. She became that by investing people in the work of the harvest in the city and beyond. The first service was a disaster - at least, that's how I felt. Lightning took out a transformer just after I stood to preach and left everyone completely in the dark (the main worship service in Brazil is at night) and the roof was leaking on us. The next Sunday, we held our second service. Judith, a young mother of two, committed her life to Christ. Weekly services were underway. We visited every home in the community, inviting them personally when we could, or by leaving information. Some attended and the church grew. In fun, I told people that listening to me preach in Portuguese was the best show in town. We had a crowd, but we needed to teach them how to be a community of Christ followers in covenant with one another as a church. My plan was to introduce them to the Brazilian Baptist Covenant, but I ended up preaching about the Baptist Duck. I meant "covenant" but one missing letter changed the meaning dramatically. I waxed eloquently, "We have an incredible Baptist Duck. We enter into fellowship with one another around the Baptist Duck. If you ever leave this place, you need to find a church with a Baptist Duck just like this one." Years later, we returned for the anniversary of the church. Before I preached, they introduced me as the pastor who preached the "Baptist Duck" sermon. These were exciting times. We built a building, started Bible studies, and shared the Gospel all over the area. Our first term as missionaries came to an end. It was time to return to the United States. One of Samuel's two prayers was answered: A new church was planted in his community. Samuel and Dalva had become our dearest friends, but she had not given her life Christ. She was there through it all - every Sunday - listening, watching, and even helping. Dalva sang, prayed, read God's Word, and participated in everything in the new church, but she did not have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Samuel's prayer for Dalva to know Christ had became our prayer. And, yet, when we left Brazil for stateside assignment, she still had not believed. After six months in the USA, we returned to Brazil. Samuel and Dalva were still actively involved in the church. A Brazilian pastor had been called to lead the church. He invited me to preach. It was February 14th--Valentine's Day. Shar and the boys were sitting two rows behind Samuel and Dalva. By the end of the service, Dalva was crying and visibly shaking. As soon as the service was over, Shar pulled her aside and asked, "What's wrong?" She was confused. Steady exposure to the Word of God had shown her some things about her life. She was a good person who believed in God, and she thought that was enough. She knew about Jesus her whole life, but she did not know Jesus. That night she realized she was following a religion. God showed her that she needed Jesus and Jesus alone. Dalva placed her faith in Christ. It was the God moment we had been praying for! Shar and I went to another area even further from the city where there was no church. We continued our friendship with Samuel and Dalva. Several years later our work was done. We got together with Samuel and Dalva for one last dinner at our house before we left the country to return to the United States to live. That night Samuel told us that he felt God calling him to pastoral ministry. He was enrolling in seminary to prepare himself. Today, Samuel is the pastor of the church he helped start. And Dalva is an amazing pastor's wife! Planting where God leads always leads to lives being changed. 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. #MARCH17

LAMBTON COUNTY, CANADA – Why start again? Why farm the farmlands of Lambton County? The Scripture in 2 Corinthians 5 seems to highlight our answer – ‘if I acted crazy, I did it for God…Christ’s love has moved me to such extremes.’ For over 30 years, we have been involved in church planting and re-planting work in a large urban area outside of Toronto, Canada. When God moved us from that place – He really moved! We landed in the serene setting of Lake Huron, in the middle of farm country. How is this going to work? We don’t know anyone. We don’t even know how to get to the next town. This is going to be an adventure. 2 Corinthians 5: 11-14 (The Message) That keeps us vigilant, you can be sure. It’s no light thing to know that we’ll all one day stand in that place of Judgment. That’s why we work urgently with everyone we meet to get them ready to face God. God alone knows how well we do this, but I hope you realize how much and deeply we care. We’re not saying this to make ourselves look good to you. We just thought it would make you feel good, proud even, that we’re on your side and not just nice to your face as so many people are. If I acted crazy, I did it for God; if I acted overly serious, I did it for you. Christ’s love has moved me to such extremes. His love has the first and last word in everything we do. In 2014 our lives were turned upside down. From city to country, from health to illness, from strength to weakness, from fulfilled urban lives to lonely farm roads. Really God? What is this about? Our path to the North American Mission Board was about to become even more strange. We felt deflated and defeated. The very weakest of the weak. But God had a plan. The plan was not drawn on a white board. It wasn’t devised in a board room. It developed on the back of a napkin in a tiny restaurant when someone simply reached out and said ‘let’s get in touch’. It wasn’t long before that became a birthday in a blizzard, an unexpected farm country sleep over, ensuing ‘questions about the Bible’ meetings. Life on life. Christ’s love moved us. More detours. More people. Free Bibles were given to us – and we had no idea why. But God did. It was His architectural drawing that was beginning to unfold and we couldn’t see how the plan was taking shape. A caring pastor became a friend (and ultimately became our sending pastor). LOVE in unexpected places. Then the North American Mission Board…and now The Bridge Gathering. A group that desires to connect community to Christ because He loves us. It has been a bumpy, beautiful ride – very much like you would get on a hay wagon. We meet people where they are – on the streets, in a coffee shop. We love them – because God has placed us together in this confusing place called the world. Our bridge across the water and our eternal Bridge have been established to bring the message of LOVE where it might not have existed before. As we live this life nurturing those whom God has placed around us – it’s not difficult to understand the answers to our original question of ‘why’? It’s because of LOVE. His Love for all of us. Jump ahead to 2017 we are full of anticipation for what God will do in Lambton County. We have already been having discussions about how to reach those around us who have either forgotten the precious Gospel or who have not heard it. This involves planning and resources. As a tiny group of eager messengers – we have had lots of conversations about our ideas and our passion for the Message. Now we are tasked with prayerfully considering what ideas we might ensue to focus on sharing the Good News to those around us. Meanwhile, we have had very encouraging conversations with a number of people who need Christ in their lives. We have also spent time encouraging a few saints along the way. We have offered cookies to coworkers, pizza to the ill (whose appetite can be enticed by it), time to the tired, and encouragement to those whose point of view is limited to their own circumstances. At The Bridge Gathering – we’re doing life together, while we continue to consider our mandate ‘connecting community to Christ’. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Cecil Cogswell is a NAMB Church Planter in Canada. Jayne is a Church Planter’s wife and together they serve at The Bridge Gathering, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. #FEBRUARY17

PROVO, UT (BP) – Four Southern Baptist church plants are in their early stages in Utah County, a traditional Mormon community, but home to First Baptist Church of Provo since 1948. Pastor Russ Robinson has led the Baptist congregation to plant other churches rather than expand its church building. First Baptist Church meets in a former Mormon or Latter-day Saints "ward meeting house" the church purchased in 1963. Located in an out-of-the-way residential neighborhood, First Baptist Provo is at near-capacity for the perhaps 100 people who worship there Sunday mornings. "We're very much invested in proclaiming the Gospel in Utah County and to the ends of the earth," Robinson told Baptist Press. "We're a small church but we think we can do a whole lot more." Among First Baptist Provo's church plants is one in Springville, a town south of Provo that has more than doubled in size since 2000, but has only one evangelical church for its nearly 35,000 residents. Another congregation is set for southeast Provo, home to more than 10,000 college students and perhaps 10,000 more young families. Others are planned for Lehi, which has increased by 13,000 people since 2010, and among the area's growing Hispanic population, about 12 percent of the county's population. Despite its size, First Baptist Provo is already doing "a whole lot more" than it was when Robinson was called from Tennessee seven years ago to his first pastorate. Missions giving at first was less than 1 percent of the annual church budget, but is budgeted at 10 percent for 2017. Mission trips were non-existent, except for Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief. Now the church goes to Haiti at least once a year to work with an orphanage and local churches in evangelistic outreaches. A new missions endeavor to southwestern Wisconsin in partnership with the Salt Lake Baptist Association is being planned for the summer. Mission partnerships were unheard of with the church seven years ago. In the summer of 2016, First Provo housed 175 short-term missions volunteers from various churches to work in Utah County, and trained them in evangelizing Mormons and other groups. This is essential because the area's dominant religion, Mormonism, teaches that God was once a man, and that men can become gods. Numerous other doctrines -- such as salvation -- deemed essential to Christians are different for Mormons, Robinson explained. First Baptist Provo conducts various types of evangelism, including relational, event-driven and door-to-door, aimed at "the Gospel being presented clearly, compassionately and boldly," Robinson said. "Our training usually focuses heavily on making clear the doctrine of 'imputed righteousness.' "Most Latter-day Saints will agree with you that Christ died for sins," Robinson said. "Almost all will disagree that we can be seen as righteous as Christ today by faith, as it says in 2 Corinthians 5:21. This is a necessary point of the Gospel that needs to be made clear to LDS neighbors who trust in their own righteousness for salvation." Many Mormons believe that everyone is going to at least one level of heaven, "affirming a gospel of religious relativism and pluralism, although you won't find that in their scriptures," Robinson said. "When you preach a Gospel of the exclusivity of Christ, there are some real obstacles of faith." In a population the U.S. Census Bureau said was 516,564 in 2010, Utah County tallied a total of 2,540 evangelical Christians, 6,792 Catholics, 423 mainline Protestants, 211 African American Protestants, and 459,847 Mormons, according to the Association of Religious Data Archives. ARDA statistics "can be computed to show that Utah County is 0.49 percent evangelical/mainline," Robinson said. "Keep in mind the International Mission Board's definition of 'unreached and unengaged' is 2 percent or less." Mormons are dominant in Utah County primarily because Brigham Young University (BYU), the religion's flagship school, was started in Provo by Young in 1875. More than 33,000 students attended BYU during the fall 2016 semester. At the same time First Baptist Provo is sending out four families to plant churches, the congregation is planning to "develop a person to lead in missions training and biblical counseling," Robinson said. "We want to send out more short-term missions teams, and we have suicide and prescription drug abuse epidemics here. And … almost every person who comes to us out of Mormonism has a great load on them." First Baptist Provo seeks to identify God-called church planters, nurture them, guide them, mentor them and help them locate areas that need a Gospel witness, but because of its size, it cannot underwrite all the church plants members believe God wants them to help start, Robinson said. "We perceive we need more financial resources," the pastor said, "and we'd love to have more missions-minded people who would invest their lives here in our community. "Here's what we don't have, which is our dream, our prayer, what we're laboring for," Robinson noted. "The indigenous person. The goal is for churches in Utah to be led by people from Utah, to reach the people of Utah with the message of biblical grace that isn't earned through works but is a free gift that comes from God the Father through the work of Jesus Christ by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit." ABOUT THE AUTHOR Karen L. Willoughby is a 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. #FEBRUARY17

BOSTON, MA – The “urban jungle” – it’s a phrase we’ve often used to describe the challenging environment where more and more of our population lives every year. Business, recreation, tourism, education and family life all converge in the teeming masses that inhabit our cities. The sheer volume of people who live in these places creates a unique opportunity for the church in the twenty-first century. In reality, with more than half of the American population now living in the urban world, it’s more than an opportunity – it’s a responsibility. We must take the Gospel to them. Historically, Southern Baptists have struggled in our efforts to impact metropolitan cities. Our strength has been located in the rural and suburban areas. To our credit, we’ve recognized the sociological changes that led to urban migration and have attempted to embrace the challenge of urban ministry. However, early efforts led to modest, limited impact. Not before the SEND NORTH AMERICA strategy of the past decade have we really found any modicum of effectiveness. The reason is church planting. Over the past twenty years of my work in the world of church planting, I’ve discovered that no two church plants are the same. All of them are unique in special ways, from the planter who serves with God to establish it to the name that expresses their identity and purpose to the environment in which they serve. Nowhere are these differences more significant than in the cities. Planters and churches who understand and incarnate their uniqueness as God leads them will find greater success. But they must also come to grips with the following five things to have lasting impact on the urban world in which they serve. COMPLEXITY The world of complexity. Everybody is busy; it’s our modern world. But nowhere is that more evident than in the city. The complex domains of work or school, family, transportation and recreation (especially for children) create tensions for social networks and congregational life. They all demand our time, and they pull us in difference directions. Busyness and complexity go hand in hand and make the challenge of church more difficult for many to embrace at the most basic, practical level, even if the desire is there. The key for effective church planting is to keep it simple. This offers refuge for fellow strugglers and security in a volatile, changing world. DIVERSITY The must of diversity. The urban landscape is not monochromatic; it is Technicolor. This diversity is seen not simply in race and ethnicity but also in economics. In fact, the urban environment is more diversified by socio-economics than anything else. This urban caste system creates “haves” and “have nots” based on education, jobs, wealth and heritage (in the Northeast, at least), in addition to race and ethnicity. Effective church planters know their own neighborhood well and transcend these differences with the Gospel in effective, practical ways. They welcome diversity and refuse to allow these sociological differences to define God’s people. VARIETY The seduction of variety. The city offers a buffet of options on everything from outdoor activities to means of transportation. While variety has grown everywhere, the options in the city are endless and are available 24/7. Comparative analysis and consumer thinking are two inevitable results for city dwellers. “How is this option better than that option?” “What’s the benefit to me?” These are the questions that run through the minds of many urbanites. Effective church planters refuse to fall prey to the overwhelming cultural push toward unlimited options. They remain focused in their service, relying on the strengths God has given them and the passion He provides to direct them to carve out their initial niche of impact for Him. TOLERANCE The deception of tolerance. Urban society has embraced a sophistication that has redefined basic terms for its own benefit over the years. None has been more readily embraced in the urban world than “tolerance.” This word, which formerly meant respect, now means acceptance. Anything less is seen as racist, misogynist, homophobic and politically incorrect. Evangelical Christians are often stereotypically thrown into these hateful categories by others. The effective urban church planter knows what he believes and, with compassion, refuses to veer from it. He overcomes this slander with demonstrations of love, service, patience and perseverance. SOUL The worth of a soul. Brokenness is a real thing in every life and family. Nowhere is that more evident than in the city. The tensions of urban life stress the greatest of believers. Unredeemed souls too often are shattered by the brute force of the dehumanizing, impersonal forces that undermine their worth. Into this reality steps the church to bring good news of reconciliation and redemption for broken people. Effective church planters always keep the main thing, the main thing. They are the ultimate optimists, because they know the ability of our eternal God to “make all things new.” These realities are not just in our cities, to be sure. Perhaps they are simply magnified there, because of the density of people, the exaggeration of emotion and the desperation of need. But with each of these realities comes the opportunity for us to demonstrate the difference the Gospel makes. It is a responsibility we MUST embrace, for it is the power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16). ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. David Jackson is the Church Planting Director/Strategist for the Baptist Convention of New England, and is author of the book PLANTED: Starting Well, Growing Strong. He can be reached at the BCNE’s website, www.bcne.net. #FEBRUARY17

FENTON, MI – The Baptist State Convention of Michigan (BSCM) is announcing the hiring of the new State Director of Spiritual Renewal and Retreat Ministries at Bambi Lake Conference Center in Roscommon, MI. The first of March Michael (Mick) Schatz will assume the role at Bambi Lake. BSCM State Executive Director, Tim Patterson, says, “It is my joy to introduce that Mick and his family will be serving here. He has a very broad range of gifts and abilities that he has used in ministry since 1993.” The calling of Mick and his wife, Jackie, has lead them over the years to churches where he has served as a youth pastor, worship pastor and associate pastor. Both Mick and Jackie did undergraduate work in Hospitality Management at the University of Central Florida. Mick has very broad experience in the local church. He has served in small rural churches, larger churches and is now part of a mega church, FBC Broken Arrow, OK where he services as the Associate Pastor of Worship Arts and Youth at their Coweta Campus. Patterson adds, “He possesses the giftedness and passion to help lead Bambi Lake Conference Center to its full potential and as a result, impact our state with the Gospel. All of his training and experience has prepared him for such a time as this. I and the rest of the team, are thrilled to have Mick as part of our BSCM family.” Mick and Jackie and have 3 children, Julia, Noah, Emily. Julia (19) is currently living in Dallas working for State Farm Insurance while pursuing a degree in fashion merchandising from the University of North Texas. Noah (17) is a senior in High School and extremely active in music and video production, Drama and musicals, graphic design and currently producing his first original EP - set to be released early summer. Emily (13) is an eighth grader who loves to dance, paint and draw. She is a member of the Tigettes (school dance team) and loves the outdoors. Schatz says, “My wife and I are blessed to say all of our children know Jesus personally and are not ashamed of the Gospel.” Emily will accompany him in March while Jackie and Noah stay back in Oklahoma to finish school and sell the house before joining them in May. Please pray for them and the great future of “Bambi”. #FEBRUARY17