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CHESNEE, SC – Earlier this year, 16 churches from across the Chesnee community participated in creative service projects and outreach opportunities on the first "Love Your City" day. Several revivals occurred in the weeks that followed, and some projects have become ongoing ministries. Pastor Daniel Godfrey of Arrowwood Baptist Church imagined a ministry day like this over a decade ago after participating in smaller-scale servant evangelism activities. Then last year, while engaging with an evangelism team and other pastors in his association, the city-wide idea became more concrete. Brandon Lewis, pastor of Piedmont Baptist Church, shared an evangelist's idea to host revivals and community outreach simultaneously. "I believed a number of my Chesnee pastor friends would join forces on an idea like this," he says. They did, including a small group of them who prayed weekly for revival nine months leading up to the event. Basic data research revealed that there were roughly 15,000 people living in the Chesnee zip code and surrounding areas, and that 12,000 of them were unchurched. The planning team decided to focus efforts on a 10-mile radius of the community. A "Chesnee LYC" Facebook page was created, along with a billboard announcing the event. Postcards were mailed to area homes, provided through a grant from the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Participating churches planned the ministries they each would provide during Love Your City day. All lay leaders were invited to attend three joint worship and evangelism training services leading up to the project date. "The pastors were also unified working together on this. The desire to see God work in our community resonated with them," Godfrey says. On the morning of Love Your City day, 30 participants were positioned around Chesnee holding inspirational signs with messages like "We're praying for you" and "Jesus loves you." In 13 different ministry locations, there were free car washes, a prayer drive-through, a diaper and wipes distribution, free meals, and inflatable play areas for children. Church members talked about their faith as they interacted in the community. People began responding to the simple acts of service almost immediately. "Several folks allowed us to pray for them and were overwhelmingly grateful. People were shocked to realize the free food and car washes were given with absolutely no catch," Lewis says. One young mother heard that Arrowwood Baptist Church was giving out free diapers and wipes and walked from another part of town to get some. At the time, her daughter was wearing the last diaper the young mother had. After hearing about free diapers, another mother came to Arrowwood Baptist the next day to ask for some. Godfrey said this same woman's brothers had prayed to receive Christ at the church's free lunch on Love Your City day, and that Godfrey had prayed for this woman with the brothers. Nine of the church's planned revival services to coincide with the event. New Vision Baptist Church joined Arrowwood Baptist Church to host services led by a guest evangelist, where 29 people were reported to have made professions of faith. Other churches also reported salvations. Lewis says he is most excited to see that pastors from across the community are drawing closer together as a result of the event. "We still meet every Wednesday morning at First Baptist, Chesnee, to fellowship and pray for one another. This has helped each of us as pastors, but I think it also helps our respective churches; healthier pastors make for healthier churches," he says. According to Godfrey, next year's event planning is already underway, and he hopes the idea spreads. "Churches have been asking to be a part of this going forward, including other denominations," Godfrey says. ABOUT THE AUTHOR This article appeared in the Baptist Courier, newsmagazine of the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Julia Bell writes for the South Carolina Baptist Convention. #NOVEMBER16

SOUTHGATE, MI – Calvary Baptist Church of Southgate recently went on mission to Peru. Here is their story. It took a year in the planning, but the Lord opened the door for me to lead a team from Calvary Baptist Church in Southgate to Peru on a mission trip. I was joined by my wife, JoLinda, and two other ladies from the church as we made our way to South America in the second week of August this year. We went under the auspices of Tom Cox World Ministries, which has a long-standing relationship with many Peruvian churches. Our team from Michigan was joined by a man from Texas, Ken Bowie, who had been a missionary in Peru for many years, and was the TCWM liaison while the team was in the country. We traveled for more than 20 hours from Detroit to Miami to Lima and then on to the destination city of Piura in northern Peru. Piura is a city of 377,000 in the northern desert area of Peru, just south of the Ecuador border. It is flanked by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes mountains to the east. The city is one of the oldest in South America, being the third Spanish city founded in South America and the first city established in Peru in 1532. The language is Peruvian Spanish, which is very similar to Spanish spoken in Mexico. The city is located in the southern hemisphere near the equator, so when the team was there in August, it was the dry season with temperatures in the 80's during the day and the 60's at night. Being in the southern hemisphere, our team had the awesome experience of seeing The Southern Cross constellation in the night sky as the stars form a large cross. We were welcomed by the First Baptist Church of Piura, a well-known and historic SBC church in the area. Pastor Raul Lopez and his church family extended the team excellent hospitality and provided many ministry opportunities in his church, as well as a church plant in the neighboring village of Sechura. Ministry opportunities included me preaching in the two churches, conducting a half-day training conference to 40 pastors and their wives on church revitalization, a WMU meeting where each of the ladies on the team spoke to over 50 ladies, four one-day Vacation Bible Schools in the two churches for over 100 children, a four-day Medical Clinic to 80 patients, featuring the expertise of one of the ladies on our team who is a Registered Nurse, an evangelistic service for 90+ teenagers, and daily evangelism using a pantomime drama called “The Sin Box”, which dramatizes a person trapped in sin by the devil, but rescued by Jesus. Glory to God, the results of the mission trip included 53 Peruvians making first-time professions of faith in Jesus as Savior, with many more re-dedications of faith in Jesus as Lord! Pastors and their wives were very thankful for the revitalization conference and planned on implementing the truths in their churches all across northern Peru. The women of the WMU in that area were very responsive to the testimonies of the ladies on the team and really appreciated the “mission dolls” they were given. Each woman promised to give their doll to a needy child and share the Gospel of Jesus with that child. Mission Dolls were also given to the children in some of the Vacation Bible Schools. This mission trip was very rewarding for everyone on the team. Personally, I feel Jesus was glorified and His kingdom work was accomplished. We had the joy of leaving new believers in Peru and helping Peruvian churches be revitalized, as well as help some hurting people with their medical needs. Mission trips are life-changing for me, as well as each and every person who goes on them. I encourage every believer to go on “mission” somewhere in their Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and uttermost parts of the world! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Dan Russell is the Executive Pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Southgate, Michigan, a Church Strengthener for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan, and an adjunct professor in the Christian Ministry Department of Spring Arbor University at two campuses in southeastern Michigan. He has 36 years of pastoral experience, including lead pastorates in Missouri, Kansas, and Michigan. He and his wife, JoLinda, live in Brownstown, Michigan, and have three adult children, along with seven grandchildren. #NOVEMBER16

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free.” – Luke 4:18 DETROIT, MI – “I wish you would have been here the other day!” JJ said, with sadness and guilt flooding her face. JJ (not her real name) is a front desk associate at a hotel in Metro Detroit. Volunteers went there for the first time a few days after a young woman, trapped in the commercial sex industry, visited the establishment. Because of the information they shared about the lifeline that is the National Human Trafficking Hotline, JJ now has the ability to help young women, men, and children who may fall victim to sex trafficking. FRē Outreach is a sex trafficking ministry of Legacy Church in Novi with the goal to bridge the gap between Church and community, and between victims and allies. They educate hotels in Metro Detroit on how to identify victims of sex trafficking and how to safely intervene. Like JJ, many hotel staff are at a loss of how to deal with this crisis. More than 100,000 children in the United States are sexually exploited every year, and only 0.4% of sex trafficking victims in the Metro Detroit area are ever found or identified. FRē Outreach is currently working with 24 hotels in Novi, Farmington Hills, Commerce, and Wixom to address this crisis within the local community. Amy Lipovsky is a ministry leader of FRē Outreach at Legacy Church in Novi. She says, “We have gone from hotel staff looking at us like we are crazy, or reacting to us aggressively, to them opening up to us about sex trafficking happening in their establishments and having FRē Outreach resources available at the front desk.” FRē Outreach provides resources like: 1) A victim indicator card with the National Human Trafficking Hotline Number and explanation to hotel staff what to look for. 2) A discreet wallet-sized card to give potential victims the hotline number and texting hotline number. 3) Pictures of high-risk missing teens in Southeast Michigan with instructions of when to call the police or when to call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. FRē Outreach allows volunteers to build relationships with people in the community, and discover that they are not alone. They meet others who care deeply for one another, for victims and their children even if they have never met. The Gospel compels Christians to care, to love, and to meet others’ needs in Jesus’ Name. Liposvsky says, “We are so grateful that we get the opportunity to share God’s mission for everyone to know what it is to be loved and cared for by Him. I sometimes look at this crisis of slavery as if it is impossible to make a difference, and I get discouraged. Then I am reminded that the power and blood of Jesus Christ is greater than slavery and greater than my doubt. God only asks for a willing heart and for His children to put the Gospel of Jesus Christ into action.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Amy Lipovsky is the Ministry Leader of FRē Outreach at Legacy Church in Novi, Michigan. She is a massage therapist and criminal justice student who relies on God’s grace and the support of her family to be successful. You can find out more about FRē Outreach at amy.freoutreach@gmail.com. #NOVEMBER16

LANSING, MI – Faith Fellowship Baptist Church and the Eastside Community Action Center came together in support of the Potter Walsh Neighborhood by hosting their Annual community-wide Back to School Bash & Meet ‘n Greet event in September. In the past, the two events were held separately. Despite rainy weather, combining the events this year created a phenomenal turnout. The place was filled with neighbors, parents, and school-aged children. It was surprising for many to see people who live on the same street come together and fellowship for the very first time. One woman shared that she has been living in the neighborhood for almost two years and never met her neighbors, and that she felt a little intimidated because she is a single parent. The gathering provided a safe environment for neighbors to meet each other, and to get acquainted with Faith Fellowship Baptist Church. Members of Faith Fellowship Baptist Church grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and fellowshipped with the community. The Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, a community organization, also donated and assisted in distributing backpacks to the children. Lori, a mother of three, came to Faith Fellowship pastor, Stan Parker, with tears in her eyes saying this event was an answer to prayer. She said that she had been pondering what she was going to do with the few dollars she had left in her budget. She was faced with the dilemma of paying her light bill or getting school supplies for her children. Because of this event, she was able to pay the bill, and her children have the school supplies they need. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Djuana Dismuke serves Pastor Stan Parker and the Faith Fellowship Baptist Church as office manager. #NOVEMBER16

FENTON, MI – It has long been said a nation cannot stand that does not kneel before God Almighty. America is living proof of that statement. This great country had its very founding in prayer at Jamestown, VA, Plymouth, MA and later in Philadelphia, PA when the continental congress sought God’s blessing on their decision to declare independence. George Washington, our nation’s first president, established a firm foundation for prayer and governing a nation. Included below is one of George Washington’s many recorded prayers, a prayer by Thomas Jefferson for this nation and Ronald Reagan’s prayer for healing of our land. George Washington Prayer for Our Country Almighty GOD; we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy protection, that thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States of America at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of The Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech thee, through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen --New York, 1781 Thomas Jefferson A Prayer for the Nation Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people, the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those whom in Thy name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth. In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. --Washington D.C., March 4, 1801 Ronald Reagan A Prayer for Healing To preserve our blessed land we must look to God... It is time to realize that we need God more than He needs us... We also have His promise that we could take to heart with regard to our country, that "If my people, which are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Let us, young and old, join together, as did the First Continental Congress, in the first step, in humble heartfelt prayer. Let us do so for the love of God and His great goodness, in search of His guidance and the grace of repentance, in seeking His blessings, His peace, and the resting of His kind and holy hands on ourselves, our nation, our friends in the defense of freedom, and all mankind, now and always. The time has come to turn to God and reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America... Our country is in need of and ready for a spiritual renewal. Today, we utter no prayer more fervently than the ancient prayer for peace on Earth. If I had a prayer for you today, among those that have all been uttered, it is that one we're so familiar with: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace...." And God bless you all. --From a speech to the American people, February 6, 1986 #NOVEMBER16

NASHVILLE, TN (BP) – Americans with evangelical beliefs share a great deal in common. They trust in Jesus alone, evangelize their neighbors and believe the Bible is the final authority in their lives. But when it comes to voting, race and political affiliation still divide evangelicals, according to a survey from Nashville-based LifeWay Research taken from Sept. 27 to Oct. 1, before the second presidential debate. Overall, fewer than half (45 percent) of those with evangelical beliefs planned to vote for Donald Trump, according to the survey. A third (31 percent) said they would vote for Hillary Clinton. Fifteen percent were undecided. One in 10 (9 percent) supported a third-party candidate. White Americans with evangelical beliefs favored Trump (65 percent) over Clinton (10 percent). Sixteen percent were undecided. Eight percent planned to vote for Gary Johnson, the Libertarian Party candidate. African-Americans, Hispanic Americans and Asian-Americans with evangelical beliefs supported Clinton (62 percent) over Trump (15 percent). Thirteen percent were undecided. Seven percent supported Gary Johnson. LifeWay Research also found that party affiliation is a much stronger predictor of voting preferences than faith. Three-quarters of Republicans with evangelical beliefs planned to vote for Trump. Though a smaller sample, 75 percent of Democrats with evangelical beliefs planned to vote for Clinton. Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research, said the divides among evangelicals will remain regardless of twists and turns in the election season. "This group of Christians shares the same core beliefs -- but they don't vote the same way," McConnell said. "There are significant cultural and political divides among evangelicals that will remain long after the election is over." Politics more unifying than faith The online survey asked 1,000 representative Americans four questions about core evangelical beliefs -- the Bible, the crucifixion of Jesus, salvation and evangelism. Those who strongly agreed with all four (17 percent) qualified as having evangelical beliefs. The idea is to define evangelicals by belief rather than self-identified religious affiliation, McConnell said. "The evangelical label has picked up political and social overtones that mask any patterns that are actually tied to evangelical religious beliefs," he said. For example, many political surveys look only at self-identified white evangelicals who have tended to support Republican presidential candidates, including Trump. The pool of Americans with evangelical beliefs, however, is more diverse. Four in 10 Americans with evangelical beliefs are African-American, Hispanic American, Asian-American or other ethnic minority. Six in 10 are white. Those with evangelical beliefs also have more diverse political views, according to LifeWay Research. As part of the survey, researchers looked at how people with evangelical beliefs and churchgoers see the issues at play in the 2016 election. Topics like personal character, abortion and religious liberty -- often identified as key evangelical issues -- matter less in this election. Other pragmatic concerns like the economy and national security are more influential. For Americans with evangelical beliefs, a candidate's ability to improve the economy mattered most (26 percent), followed by national security (22 percent) and personal character (15 percent). Few emphasized Supreme Court nominees (10 percent), religious freedom (7 percent), immigration (5 percent) or abortion (4 percent). For self-identified Christians who go to church at least once a month, the economy (30 percent), national security (23 percent) and personal character (15 percent) topped their concerns. Likewise, few prioritized Supreme Court nominees (10 percent), religious freedom (6 percent), immigration (4 percent) or abortion (3 percent). Overall, the economy (30 percent) was the top concern for Americans regardless of religious affiliation in the LifeWay Research survey. National security (17 percent) and personal character (17 percent) also were significant. Supreme Court nominees (10 percent), immigration (5 percent), religious freedom (2 percent) and abortion (1 percent) were less important. "For churchgoers and those with evangelical beliefs, their pocketbook and personal safety are paramount," McConnell said. "Moral issues aren't a priority for many of them." Religion plays a role Still, religion does seem to affect voting patterns. Self-identified Christians who go to church at least once a month favored Trump (41 percent). A third (34 percent) planned to vote for Clinton. Eighteen percent were undecided. Six percent supported a third-party candidate. Americans who skip church were more likely to support Clinton (46 percent). A third (31 percent) planned to vote for Trump. Fifteen percent were undecided. Eight percent favored a third-party candidate. Those without evangelical beliefs also favored Clinton (45 percent). Thirty-two percent planned to vote for Trump. Sixteen percent were undecided. Eight percent planned to vote for a third-party candidate. A previous LifeWay Research poll of Protestant pastors found that most clergy don't expect Christians to vote the same way. Two-thirds (65 percent) disagreed with the statement, "Christians who truly vote their conscience will vote for the same candidate." Less than a third (29 percent) agreed. Six percent were not sure. McConnell said neither major party in the United States has a monopoly on biblical values. So it's no surprise, he said, that evangelicals who value the Bible will vote differently. "Until one party or one candidate embodies everything that evangelicals believe, there is no reason to expect them to vote the same way," he said. Still, McConnell worries that the polarizing rhetoric of the 2016 election will spill over into churches. The Christian faith is supposed to unite people "from every nation, tribe, people, and language around Jesus Christ, not a politician," said McConnell, citing the New Testament book of Revelation. "Christianity includes peoples from different political parties as well," he said. "Sometimes I think evangelicals forget that." Methodology: LifeWay Research conducted the study Sept. 27 to Oct. 1, 2016. The survey was conducted using the web-enabled KnowledgePanel, a probability-based panel designed to be representative of the U.S. population. Initially, participants are chosen scientifically by a random selection of telephone numbers and residential addresses. Persons in selected households are then invited by telephone or by mail to participate in the web-enabled KnowledgePanel. For those who agree to participate, but do not already have Internet access, GfK provides at no cost a laptop and ISP connection. Sample stratification and weights were used for gender by age, race/ethnicity, region, metro/non-metro, education and income to reflect the most recent U.S. Census data. The completed sample is 1,000 surveys. The sample provides 95 percent confidence that the sampling error does not exceed plus or minus 3.1 percent. Margins of error are higher in subgroups. Evangelical beliefs are defined using the NAE LifeWay Research Evangelical Beliefs Research Definition based on respondent beliefs. Respondents are asked their level of agreement with four separate statements using a four-point, forced-choice scale (strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, strongly disagree). Respondents are categorized as having evangelical beliefs if they strongly agree with all four statements: -- The Bible is the highest authority for what I believe. -- It is very important for me personally to encourage non-Christians to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior. -- Jesus Christ's death on the cross is the only sacrifice that could remove the penalty of my sin. -- Only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior receive God's free gift of eternal salvation. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bob Smietana is senior writer for Facts & Trends magazine. #NOVEMBER16

SCHROON LAKE, NY (BP) – Messengers to the Baptist Convention of New York discussed proposals to affirm the biblical definitions of marriage and gender in the convention's constitution. Messengers also heard addresses from SBC Executive Committee President Frank S. Page and Todd Starnes of Fox News during their Sept. 25-27 sessions at Word of Life Conference Center in Schroon Lake, N.Y. In addition to 90 registered messengers, 21 guests were present for a total of 35 churches represented. Two amendments to the BCNY constitution proposed by the convention's Executive Board dealt with the topics of gender and marriage. Both amendments will be voted on at the 2017 annual meeting. The first, which was amended by a messenger, would deem churches "not in cooperation with the Convention" if they "act to affirm, approve, endorse ... same-sex marriage, or any expression of marriage, including but not limited to civil unions, other than the uniting of one biological man and one biological woman in covenant commitment for a lifetime." The constitution already states churches are not in cooperation if they affirm, approve or endorse "homosexual behavior." The second proposed amendment would add to the convention's affirmation of the Baptist Faith and Message the statement, "We also believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Gen. 1:26-27). Rejection of one's biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person." ABOUT THE AUTHOR Reported by the staff of the Baptist Convention of New York. #NOVEMBER16

LOUISVILLE, KY (BP) – Jesus is the "ultimate" refugee and immigrant, and as a result the church has a responsibility to love and care for strangers in their land, said Georgia pastor and former Southern Baptist Convention president Bryant Wright during an Oct. 11 chapel message during Heritage Week at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. "The role of government is different. The role of government includes a protection of the citizens, but our role in the church is to love our neighbor," said Wright, who received his M.Div. from Southern Seminary in 1979. "And we are called to do that in any situation in life as Jesus teaches us to do so." Wright's sermon, "Refugees and Immigrants," focused on the biblical role of the church to serve and love those considered foreigners to America. Wright's main text, Matthew 2:13-15, explains that Jesus, led by his parents, were refugees who fled to Egypt. Addressing the topic of refugees and immigrants specifically, Wright encouraged Christian citizens to "be engaged in the political process" in order to draft reforms to solve the immigration issue "in the most humane manner that is good for citizens in our land and is good for all." Wright, who pastors Johnson Ferry Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga., reminded students of the privilege to "be part of a convention that is really in the forefront of leading the way and making a statement and testimony to the world" in regard to the treatment of immigrants. He urged students to review the SBC immigration resolution passed at the annual meeting in 2011. According to the SBC website, sbc.net, the resolution recognized the government's responsibility of border security, requested public officials to offer a "a just and compassionate path to legal status … for those undocumented immigrants already living in our country," and a call to Southern Baptist churches to "proclaim Christ and minister in his spirit to everyone, regardless of their 'immigration status.'" Wright has served the convention in the roles of SBC president (2010-12), president of the SBC Pastors' Conference (2006), chairman of the Committee on Committees of the SBC (2003), and on several boards including the board of trustees for GuideStone Financial Resources (2009-2017). Because of the refugee crisis and immigration, Christians are able to share the Gospel with people who do not usually have access to hearing it. "One thing for sure, we have an opportunity in sharing the good news of the Gospel of Christ with refugees and immigrants" Wright said. "It is news that helps them to identify with this Jesus, who knows what it's like to be a refugee." "But that's not all," Wright noted. "… You see, Jesus is the ultimate example of an immigrant. But what is so unique about Jesus? He didn't leave His throne in heaven for a better life on earth, He left His throne in heaven because He loves you and me, sinners unworthy of his love, and gave His life for us. If the ultimate immigrant, Jesus Christ, has done that for you and me, can't we reach out to the strangers and aliens of our land and show them the love of Christ? And share with them the Gospel, the good news, when they've experienced so much bad news." At a special Heritage Week service Oct. 12 in Broadus Chapel on the seminary's Louisville, Ky., campus, R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of Southern Seminary, preached about the resolute faith Christians should have for God's promises in a fallen world. Despite a clash of worldviews that characterizes the church's interaction with secular culture, believers can have confidence that God's sovereign purposes will be fulfilled in the end, Mohler said. "Scripture pervasively and consistently tells us that God is in control and nothing is outside His control," Mohler said. "If there is anything -- a single atom or molecule in the universe -- that appears to be out of His control, we're not just in trouble, we're doomed. But He is in absolute sovereign control, and He is exercising His power -- He is King and Lord over all, and He will bring all things to pass according to his will." Preaching on Ecclesiastes 9:11-18, Mohler said believers' experience in a fallen world makes it seem like God will not triumph. The wicked prosper, the wise are forgotten, and everybody dies, Mohler said, indicating that sin and its consequences will have the final say. God's absolute sovereignty speaks a truer word, He said, and death will not have victory. "If God is God, and if He has acted in Christ to save sinners, and if He is the sovereign ruler of the entire universe, and if He is going to bring all history to a climactic conclusion according to His perfect judgment, then 'if God be for us, who can be against us?'" Mohler said, referencing Paul's famous testimony of God's sovereignty despite suffering in Romans 8. "If God is God, then we can go to the cemetery and understand that the grave does not have the last word." In the Oct. 13 service in Alumni Memorial Chapel, SBTS trustee Clint Pressley said believers can hold onto the strength of Jesus Christ in times of trouble. The Lord Jesus knows and sympathizes with everything Christians experience in their lives, said Pressley, who is senior pastor of Hickory Grove Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C. "Isn't that what the Psalm promises? That He knows our frame and that He remembers that we are dust," he said. Using as his text Acts 23, when Paul is held before the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem and rejected, Pressley said believers often share Paul's darkest moments in ministry. Within those difficult circumstances, Christians can experience the "staying power" and strength of Christ in their lives. "In Christ, there is strength," he said. "You find your identity, you find your ministry, you find your affections, and you find your ambition bound up in Christ." ABOUT THE AUTHOR Story submitted by Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Communications Office. #NOVEMBER16

NASHVILLE, TN – In November, Colorado voters will consider whether to legalize “assisted death” for people with a terminal illness who receive a prognosis of death within six months. Additionally, 9 other states are considering legalizing physician assisted suicide. What is physician-assisted suicide? Physician-assisted suicide (PAS) (also known as physician-assisted death, or PAD) occurs when a physician facilitates a patient’s death by providing the necessary means and/or information to enable the patient to perform the life-ending act (e.g,. the physician provides sleeping pills and information about the lethal dose, while aware that the patient may commit suicide). The distinction between PAS and euthanasia is that in the latter, the lethal dose is administered by someone other than the patient. So if a physician directly administered a lethal drug it would be euthanasia, either voluntary or nonvoluntary (i.e., against the will of the patient). In which states is physician-assisted suicide currently legal? Five states—California, Oregon, Washington, Montana, and Vermont—have legalized physician-assisted suicide in some form. PAS remains illegal by statute in Montana, but a 2009 Montana Supreme Court decision shields doctors from prosecution so long as they have the patient's request in writing. New Mexico's statutes continue to list assisted suicide as a fourth-degree felony, but the courts briefly made the practice legal in 2014 before the New Mexico Court of Appeals ruled against it. Currently, one in six Americans lives in a state where a doctor can prescribe a lethal dose of drugs to a patient. What states are considering legalizing physician-assisted suicide? There are ten states in which the legalization of physician-assisted suicide is being considered: Alaska — A bill is currently pending in the state legislature. Arizona — A bill is pending, though currently stalled, in the state legislature. Colorado — A physician-assisted dying measure, Proposition 106, is on the ballot this election. Michigan — A bill is currently pending in the state legislature. Nebraska — A bill is currently pending in the state legislature. New Jersey — A bill is currently pending in the state legislature. New York — A bill is currently pending in the state legislature. Rhode Island — A bill is currently pending in the state legislature. Tennessee — A bill is currently pending in the state legislature. Utah — A bill is currently pending in the state legislature. What is the federal government’s position on physician-assisted suicide? In the case of Washington v. Glucksberg (1997), the Supreme Court ruled that the Due Process clause of the 14th Amendment does not guarantee an individual the right to PAS. The Court ruled that since the individual states can have a legitimate interest in prohibiting PAS. The ruling made it clear that legalizing or criminalizing PAS is a matter of states' rights. Is there a demand for physician-assisted suicide? Many Americans think it should be a option: According to a Gallup survey taken in 2015, nearly seven in ten Americans (68 percent) say doctors should be legally allowed to assist terminally ill patients in committing suicide. Support for PAS has risen nearly 20 points since 2013 and stands at the highest level in more than a decade. But even in states where it is legal, there is not much demand for PAS. In 2015, 132 people died by PAS. Similarly, in Washington in 2015 there were 166 deaths due to PAS. Only 24 PAS-related deaths were recorded by Vermont from 2013 to 2016. (If PAS was legal in all 50 states and accounted for 0.25 percent of deaths in 2014 (2,596,993), there would have been 6,492 physician assisted suicides.) Why do people seek physician-assisted suicide? A report by the National Institute of Health notes that in published studies, pain is not a dominant motivating factor in patients seeking PAS. The reasons for seeking to die are usually depression, hopelessness, issues of dependency, and loss of control or autonomy. ABOUT THE AUTHOR The Weekly is presented by: The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, 901 Commerce Street, Suite 550, Nashville, TN 37203 #NOVEMBER16

PLAINFIELD, IN (BP) – Indiana Baptists amended their bylaw regarding cooperating churches at the group's annual meeting Oct. 10–11 at the Palms Conference Center in Plainfield, Ind. The new State Convention of Baptists in Indiana (SCBI) rule provides "a personal and proactive approach to dealing with churches that have not met the basic requirements of being a 'cooperating church with the SCBI,'" the group reported. Under the amended church cooperation bylaw, approved overwhelmingly, the SCBI will make efforts to communicate with churches who have not met cooperation guidelines. Churches are considered in cooperation with the SCBI when they agree with the Baptist Faith & Message 2000, give to the Southern Baptist Convention Cooperative Program or the state mission offering, and submit basic statistical information to the SBC annual church profile. To that end, a team of SCBI representatives will meet with the church in question to discuss any problems and determine whether the church desires to reaffirm cooperation. The $4,290,680 budget approved for 2017 represents a 5.7 percent increase over the 2016 amount, and is based on anticipated receipts of 56 percent in Cooperative Program funds, 21 percent from NAMB, 17 percent from fees, 1 percent from LifeWay and 5 percent from other sources. The 198 messengers in attendance voted to forward 40 percent of CP receipts to the SBC for national and international causes. Bruce Reynolds, pastor of Old Town Hill Baptist Church in Muncie, was elected the new SCBI president over fellow nominee Bob Parnell, pastor of Black Oak Baptist Church in Gary. Completing the new slate of officers are first vice president Roger Kinion, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Greenfield; second vice president Randy Forsythe, pastor of Grace Baptist Church, Portage; and recording secretary Sandy Irick, a member of Vann Avenue Baptist Church, Evansville. "Shining Through the Darkness" was Indiana Baptists' annual meeting theme, based on Ephesians 5:8, "For you were once darkness, but now light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light…" Attendees heard team reports and celebrated Seagle's denominational contributions, churches strengthened and planted, and salvation decisions voiced at camps. Messengers to the annual meeting received the resignation of SCBI executive director Cecil Seagle, elected new officers and approved a 2017 budget. Seagle will serve through Dec. 31. Seagle preached his final annual meeting message from Revelation 19:11-17 on the theme of "Take Me to the King." He spoke about current popular culture and the need for churches to "keep the focus on Jesus" and "bring a lost world to the King." Among those presenting special accolades to Seagle were Frank Page on behalf of the SBC Executive Committee, Guy Key on behalf of the International Mission Board, and David Cullison, SCBI Executive Board chairman and pastor of First Southern Baptist Church in Evansville. Seagle had announced his resignation at the August 15 SCBI Executive Board meeting. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Reported by Steve McNeil, communications team leader of the State Convention of Baptists in Indiana. #NOVEMBER16

FENTON, MI – It was an unbelievable flame. The blow out took the whole crew by surprise, but fortunately no one was seriously injured. There were a few bruises, cuts and scrapes as the roughnecks scrambled for their trucks or just “high-tailed” it out across the sand and mesquites. The geological surveys that had been done by the seismograph team indicated large oil deposits and some natural gas, but they did not show pressures of this magnitude. The driller knew they were in trouble when the gauges that monitored the wellhead pressures began to fluctuate violently. That is when he told everyone to bail. The derrick hand that worked the top of the rig grabbed the emergency cable that was attached to the top and slid to safety as the rest scattered like a covey of West Texas Blue Quail. It took about ten minutes before the well blew and began spewing drill stem into the air like limp spaghetti. As soon as the gas appeared sparks from metal being slammed together ignited the fuel, and the giant earth torch began to burn. I was only about eleven years old, but I remember the event like it happened yesterday. It was front-page news in papers throughout the West Texas oil fields, and the area television stations carried footage every evening. What was a financial and possible deadly catastrophe for an oil company was a blessing for most of the children of this little dusty hamlet in which I lived. Even though the well fire was several miles from our town, it was so intense and bright as it burned millions of cubic feet of gas it literally lit up the evening sky. So much so that we played baseball in the back yard during the dead of night with no other light except for the “giant gas street lamp” that had been provided thanks to God, Gulf Oil and a few unlucky fellows. This meant that our summer days were now in extended mode until the fire could be snuffed. The company that owned the rig and mineral rights called in the famous oil well fighting team of Red Adair. After several days of preparation, the implementation of some ingenious methods of extinguishing a well fire, and an indeterminable amount of courage the billowing blaze was blown out. The well was capped with a specially made set of valves, and much like one would turn off a water faucet the flow was halted. Several million dollars exchanged hands, and Red and his boys went back to Houston. Everyone was happy except the children of my hometown. Our extended frolic in a surrogate sun had just been stopped. The fun was over, and we were relegated to the confines of a sixty-watt porch light. It was a sad day in the annals of kiddom. I often think about the vast reservoirs of power that lay hidden beneath the sands of the Permian Basin, and the potential for good they hold. There are unbelievable storehouses of energy sitting dormant under various strata of earth just waiting to be released. So too in every Believer resides an illimitable storehouse of God’s power and energy, just waiting to be released. There are times when some brave soul is willing to explore the depths of God’s power and when he does, releases a Light that impacts all those around him. He shines brightly and wonderfully for all to see and marvel. Yet there are always those who want to control this “glow”, and send in the “spiritual fire snuffers” to take care of this out of control saint. They run in, blow out the fire and run home. That’s what spiritual fire snuffers do. Then they are not seen until another flare-up occurs. Today more than ever, we need Believers who will plumb the depths of God’s reservoirs of power and grace. We need Believers who are willing to burn uncontrollably for Him. We need Believers who will so exude the light of our Lord that all those around are bathed in that brightness. Every once in awhile I see a Believer who has tapped into God’s power and is burning for Him. I also see the cold-water committee running to put him out. It too is a sad day in the annals of the Kingdom. I am praying for a blowout in the church, one unstoppable by any means. How about you? 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. #NOVEMBER16

FENTON, MI – Much of what I learned about teamwork I learned from the Bible and playing football. Ephesians 4:3-4 "Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future," (NLT). 1) Effort: overcome fear & work hard When I was in 7th grade, I informed my parents that I was going out for football. When I approached the gym to sign up, there was an excitement. The gym was filled with guys who were more athletic than me. Many could do more push ups and more sit ups than me. I saw that in gym class. Guys were gathered into groups boasting about being on the same team. They were claiming positions. All of that seemed intimidating to a guy like me who didn't know the names of more than 3 positions on the field. So, I chickened out. I went to the pay phone and called my mom to come get me early. She did so. The next year, when I was a 8th grader, a similar invitation to join the football team was offered. This time I entered the gym, just as frightened, but I stayed and joined anyways. To this very day, it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I overcame a fear and joined one of the most rewarding brotherhoods. I knew that I was behind in strength, agility, and knowledge, but I worked hard in order to become part of the team. From that day forward, the brotherhood I shared with my teammates increased my confidence and connections at school. In ministry, we need to overcome our fears and accept that meaningful ministry is challenging. Routines that get us no where become comfortable patterns. Routes that lead us to achieve will be difficult, but rewarding. Are we putting out effort? 2) United: squash envy & celebrate each person's achievement I played next to guys who surpassed me in strength and talent, but I never allowed myself to become jealous. Instead, I admired them. I learned from watching their style of play. Running practice sprints against Hicks improved my speed. Sharing the outside linebacker position with Gibson increased my reaction time and improved my instincts. Sprinting downfield on kickoffs and punts increased my confidence as I mowed opponents over who were in my lane. I wasn't the best player on the team. I wasn't the weakest. The thing I remember most is simply being part of the team. Our victories, our losses, our shared history, and our common mission welded us together. We celebrated each person's achievements: tackles, fumble recoveries, sacks, interceptions, extra points, field goals, and touchdowns. When one of us caused the fans to stand to their feet all of us slapped that guy on the back or on his helmet. In ministry, we must see ourselves as one team. It’s not existing churches versus new churches. It’s not the association versus the state. It’s not the congregation versus the pastor. It’s not about rural versus urban. It’s not about the pastor in a suit versus the pastor in skinny jeans. Our natural tendency is envy when the Spirit requires unity. Are we celebrating the achievement of each person on the team? 3) One Spirit: ignore the crowd & listen to the coach While we practiced football, our coaches practiced screaming at us. I understand their motive now that I've played on the gridiron. Imagine standing in a field of green with two to three thousand students and family members screaming. Now add the cheerleaders cheering and the marching band playing. Then somehow in the midst of all that random noise the coach calls an audible to the captain on the field, followed by the captain echoing the audible to the team. Assignments change. Formations adjust. How is it that players can hear the distinctive voices of the coaches and captains yell out new directions? The answer is: practice, conditioning, and reaction. The coaches are orchestrating a victory. The coaches know each player’s strengths and weaknesses. The coaches see opportunities and dangers. Players pay attention because they are convinced the coaches never lose sight of the team’s mission. In ministry, we need to quiet the roar of the crowd and listen to God’s voice. The most important conversation we will have each day is with God. The wisest person striving to influence our lives is the Lord. Others will offer opinions whereas God offers the perfect response to every circumstance. Are we listening to the Lord as often and as deeply as we should? 4) One glorious hope: get into the end zone I love football more than any other sport. A large team with approximately 60 players. A four quarter game with a series of plays. Plays that last seconds. Within each play, twenty-two men colliding and attempting to control an entire field to advance a ball downfield. A game measured in yards and inches. Yet at the end of the game the only thing that really matters is who moved the ball into or through the end zone more than his opponent. It is all about touchdowns, field goals, two-point conversions, safeties, and extra points. It's all about teamwork. Each player completing his particular assignment in concert with every other player in order to score. In ministry, each one of us regardless of our respective role on the team must remember our common goal is to see people become followers of Christ, who in turn, share Christ with others. It’s about salvation. It’s about being set apart. It’s about service. It’s about surrender. It’s about sharing that one glorious hope with every individual. Are we striving for the goal God set before us? Effort: overcome fear & work hard United: squash envy & celebrate each person’s achievement One Spirit: ignore the crowd & listen to the coach One glorious hope: get into the end zone Ephesians 4:3-4 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. #NOVEMBER16