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FENTON, MI – Everyone loves a challenge! If you are on FaceBook, your page probably has friends going through a challenge or issuing a challenge right now. Mine certainly does. So, I want to issue a challenge to Michigan Baptists. I call it the 3151 Challenge for 2017 What is the 3151 Challenge? 3 – Pray for three lost friends daily 1 – Learn a Gospel presentation 5 – Invite five people to attend your group 1 – Share the Gospel at least one time Part of the 3151 Challenge is to lead your church in setting aside a time in 2017 to equip people to share the Gospel. Click here for a printable 3151 Challenge Card to use in your church. 3 – Pray for three lost friends daily The 3151 Challenge begins with a call for God's people to join together in concerted prayer for the people in our lives who need Jesus. We know their names. They are our family, our friends, and our neighbors. If we are not praying for them to receive Christ, who is? Who will? We recently loaned the “Share Jesus Without Fear” study to a church. The pastor sent me this encouraging note after leading the church through it: “Two men that attended the series have been able to apply the principles learned, and have each lead a person to the Lord. One was the daughter of a man that had been praying for her for years." This is an incredible testimony to the power of prayer for a loved one who needed Christ! You can start the 3151 Challenge right now! Write down the names of three people you know who need Jesus and begin praying for them. 1 – Learn a Gospel presentation The Apostle Paul boldly exclaimed, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). The great Apostle believed in the power of the Gospel. He knew it, lived it, and shared it. As a new follower of Jesus, I remember sharing (maybe even preaching) my pastor’s sermons with friends. It was the only way I knew how to share Jesus. Eventually, my church taught me how to share my personal testimony about my faith. It was the first of many helpful ways I've since learned to better express the great hope that we have in Christ. There are many great resources available to equip us to share Jesus. Your challenge is to learn one. We can help. We have a number of resources at the BSCM that we can loan your church or you can go to BSCM.org/sending to find information about the 3 Circles Life Conversation Guide or One Verse Evangelism. We want to help you find knowledge, strength and courage to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. 5 – Invite five people to attend your church or group Did you know that the overwhelming reason people give for attending worship or another church function is because a friend or family member invited them? People come when we invite them. The 3151 Challenge capitalizes on the power of a personal invitation to connect people with opportunities to hear the Gospel. In John 1:43-51, Andrew invited Philip to meet Jesus with the words, “come and see.” Philip accepted the invitation and experienced a personal encounter with Jesus that changed his life! All you need do is share the invitation. Lives are being transformed every day because someone invited them to an event where they came in contact with God's people, and heard the Good News about Jesus. 1 – Share the Gospel at least one time Jesus said, "You shall be my witnesses...." The ultimate goal of the 3151 Challenge is for us to obey Jesus and punch holes in the darkness by sharing Him. Let's become more effective as we pray, learn, invite, and share Jesus together with the 3151 Challenge! 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. #NOVEMBER16

IRONWOOD, MI – Some churches, especially smaller churches might believe that they are ill equipped to help launch a new church start. But church planter, Ian Minielly, received a firsthand look of what an impact another church can have on the success of a new church. Ian and Stephanie Minielly lived in Asheville, NC when their journey of church planting began. They felt God was calling them to start Catalyst Baptist Church in Ironwood in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. As they began to work with the Baptist State Convention Of Michigan (BSCM) and Church Planter Catalyst (CPC), Darren Greer, he promised them a sponsoring church that would motivate and support their efforts despite being more than 600 miles apart. Minielly said, “I was leery at first, and my experience with people over the years had left me chagrined regarding offers of assistance. The offer usually fell well short of reality and this is what I expected.” Tecumseh Missionary Baptist Church (TMBC) is actually the halfway point between Asheville and Ironwood. But the relationship between TMBC and the Minielly’s began before they ever left North Carolina. TMBC Mission committee member Jim Ellsworth helped the Minielly’s with one of their largest concerns, healthcare. Minielly says ,”My wife and I had been covered through my employer and now we were venturing into Obamacare and neither of us knew what to expect. Jim put me in touch with an insurance agent in Michigan he knew that worked with other pastors, and who is the son of missionaries. Jim’s recommendation was excellent, and we still use the same agent because he has gone the extra mile time and again.” As the Minielly’s began the long drive to their new home in Ironwood, TMBC invited them to stay with them along the way. The church had tables across the sanctuary; loaded with Made in Michigan products they were giving to the church planting couple. Ian says, “Those products lasted us many months. It was so wonderful. In fact, there was so much we could not transport it all and they brought the rest up a couple months later.” He adds, “At no point in my Christian faith had I encountered a church and people so authentic and willing to uphold the Great Commission, but this was only the beginning.” Through the support of TMBC, the Minielly’s say they are two years ahead of where they would have been without them. TMBC rallied around Catalyst and the church planters. Ian says, “What I could not have never foreseen was this was only the beginning. Shortly after we arrived in Ironwood, the same TMBC members travelled up here and delivered a full trailer of church supplies, furniture, and blessings right to our doorstep, and stayed for our first service.” In reflecting on all of the support they have received, Ian adds, “If other established churches would follow their lead, I have no doubt church plants would achieve viability sooner, and win more souls to Jesus. I cannot say enough about the difference it has made in this ministry, and I cannot wait to do the same thing for a fresh Michigan church plant.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ian Minielly is a church planter and pastor of Catalyst Baptist Church, Upper Peninsula Association of Southern Baptists in Ironwood, MI. #OCTOBER2016

JACKSONVILLE, FL (BP) – When most people think about tailgating, they think of football, food and fun with family and friends. But believers in the Jacksonville area will have the chance to add faith to the mix before every Jacksonville Jaguars home game as GameDay Church returns for the 2016 NFL season. Last year more than 200 people gathered for a new kind of worship experience as GameDay Church held its first service outside EverBank Field just before the Jags took on the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 13. David Tarkington, lead pastor of First Baptist Church of Orange Park and catalyst for the GameDay Church concept, said in an interview before the inaugural outreach that his desire is to take the Gospel to a place where people are already gathering. The GameDay Church experience also gives church attendees an opportunity to invite friends and family members who might not be open to going to church but who need to hear the Gospel. Tarkington is excited about the opportunity to have GameDay Church at the Jaguars' Oct. 2 game in London against the Colts. Through tour operator David McGuffin's Exploring Europe trip, Jaguars fans can enjoy several days of sightseeing in and around London, with the option of purchasing tickets for the Jaguars-Colts matchup. GameDay Church has partnered with Harrow Baptist Church in London, and tour participants will attend church there as part of the experience. Tarkington will have the opportunity to share the Gospel at that service, as well as some other things. "They want me to explain American football to them," he said. While Tarkington and his volunteer team from First Orange Park will take the lead, Tarkington said he is pleased to welcome another Jacksonville-area church to share in the GameDay Church outreach. The Point, led by pastor Jeff Stockdale, will lead the Dec. 24 service before the Jaguars host the Tennessee Titans. Stockdale said he is excited about the "opportunity to make much of Jesus in our community." "We are very much about community, and we love our city," he said. "The Jags are very much a part of our city." Since Christmas Eve is a natural time for people to come to church, Stockdale said he hopes many people will choose GameDay Church as their Christmas Eve service. Tarkington is hopeful that the next expansion of GameDay Church will venture into other cities around the state or even the country. He has been in talks with Baptist leaders in Miami and Tampa on how GameDay Church can be a part of the spread of the Gospel in those cities. "Other churches are open to figuring out how to leverage professional sports to spread the Gospel," he said. "We're still in the process of seeing what will go best." On Sept. 11's GameDay Church under the blistering Florida sun and right next to a Green Bay Packers tailgating party, Tarkington paid tribute to first responders and victims of the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001, remarking that most Americans can remember what they were doing when the Twin Towers came down, making it a moment that changed everything. In the same way, the moment people meet Jesus changes everything for them, but in a much different way. Packers fans who traveled to the game spoke to Tarkington after the service to let him know they appreciated his message. "They said it was a message they connected with," he said. "That's the goal." GameDay Church is online at gamedaychurch.org, on Twitter @GameDayChurch and Instagram @thefirstfam. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nicole Kalil is a reporter for the Florida Baptist Witness (gofbw.com) where this article first appeared. The Witness is the newsjournal of the Florida Baptist State Convention. #OCTOBER2016

TREVOR, WI – Here is the story of a man, and what he did when he was told he had four months or less to live on this earth. In August of 2015, Brett began having dizzy spells. One day while driving, one of his spells came on quickly and caused him to blackout. Brett ended up in a ditch, unhurt with no damage to his car. His doctors immediately began to try to discover the reason for Brett’s blackout. Since Brett was in law enforcement and has a high risk job, he was banned from driving for six months and would not be allowed to return to work until cleared by his office or another doctor’s office. Once his heart was cleared by numerous tests, he was sent for an MRI and learned that he had a malignant tumor in the thalamus region of his brain; a part of the brain where surgery is impossible. He was given a prognosis of fourteen more months to live. He is now living in month ten. Brett and his wife, Tracy, have been married nineteen years and have three precious children; ages of seventeen, sixteen, and thirteen. Here are a few ways they are approaching their lives and future. They are realistic. Brett and Tracy have not put their heads in the sand. They have done their best to prepare emotionally and financially for the inevitable result. They live with hope. It was interesting to hear them talk about Brett's retirement and where they want to live someday (Colorado). This is not a positive thinking exercise, but they have faith in an Almighty God, knowing only He will determine when Brett’s heavenly homecoming will begin. They live with peace in God’s sovereignty. Brett’s tumor continues to grow, moving from the thalamus region into the hippocampus region. While he has suffered headaches, the pain has been pretty minor, considering he has an aggressive form of brain cancer. He expected much worse. God has been gentle as He has placed him in the furnace for refining. Apart from his healing and provision for his family, Brett asked God for two things. That He would be glorified in his life or his death, and that his cancer would not be wasted; that He would complete the refining process in him and teach him everything he needs to be taught. They live with urgency. Cancer has given Brett a better understanding of what James 4:14 means, “life is like the morning fog--it's here a little while, then it's gone.” His time is in God’s hands. He must live it totally surrendered to Him. They live with mission. Brett and Tracy have always been active in their church. However, with Brett not being able to drive, and his wife working as a teacher, they decided to change up their ministry involvement by turning their home into a ministry hub to share the love of Christ. They started a Cross Waves HotSpot, and each Wednesday night, friends, neighbors, and other law enforcement people come to Brett and Tracy’s home to hear how much God loves them, and even when life storms come your way, God is faithful. God has given Brett and Tracy a powerful platform to share God’s amazing love. Cross Waves has removed the expense of maintaining church buildings by developing a network of homes around the country where hosts open their homes to others for a meal and weekly sermons via the internet. Each of these host’s homes are called HotSpots where they can mentor others in following Christ. Brett started a HotSpot because he wanted to be intentional in mentoring others to follow Christ. However long God gives Brett to minister on this earth, these people who huddle in his living room every Wednesday will never forget his obedience to God. So what would you do if you were told that you only had four months to live? Brett and Tracy are truly an inspiration in showing us that we should not waste whatever time we have left on this earth. Please pray for this family as they go through this valley. And pray for the courage to face life with the same grace and faith that these two people possess. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tim is the founding and lead pastor of Cross Waves Church, and is passionate about people becoming more like Christ. He developed the simple strategy for Cross Waves Church using technology and homes to make the church "buildingless." #OCTOBER2016

FENTON, MI – Nominations are now in for the officers of next year’s convention. BSCM President, Chuck Turner had asked through an article in the Baptist Beacon and on the BSCM website that nominations be sent to State Office by October 15th. These are very important offices of the State Convention and need to be bathed in prayer. This announcement does not preclude any other nominations that will take place. We are very encouraged by the quality of people that God is calling out to serve. NOMINEES Office: President Nominee: Jerome Taylor Nominator: Ron Emmerling Office: 1st Vice President Nominee: Nathaniel Bishop Nominator: Chuck Turner Office: 2nd Vice President Nominee: Brian Jones Nominator: Roy Henry ANNUAL MEETING TEAMS The following team members have served tirelessly on your behalf. They have traveled to meetings, made phone calls and wrote emails to enlist help in preparation for and during the Annual meeting. We want to thank everyone who worked this year to make the annual meeting a success. We thank you!" PROGRAM PLANNING TEAM – Roy Henry (C0-CH), Roy Southerland (CO-CH), Marc Burnett, Brian Jones, Jerome Taylor (host Pastor), Tim Patterson, Chuck Turner, Jeff Bucholz, Kevin Litchfield, Jim Marcus TIME PLACE AND PREACHER TEAM – Larry Allen (CH), Kevin Hester, Carlos Liese RESOLUTIONS TEAM – David Roberts, Art Werry GRADUATE TO GLORY TEAM – Sharon Fishell-Greer, Tom Tengler (CH) TELLERS – David Roberts, Mike Elsey, Stan Parker, Timothy Jones (CH) PARLIMENTARIAN – Larry Allen #OCTOBER2016 #NOVEMBER16

FENTON, MI – As the excitement builds, It’s almost time once again for the upcoming 2016 BSCM Annual Meeting. This year’s meeting is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, November 4th-5th at Eastgate Baptist Church, 4226 E. Atherton Rd. Burton, MI 48519. Senior Pastor Jerome Taylor and the staff at Eastgate invite you to be their guest. The church at Eastgate Baptist is proud of their long missional partnership with the Baptist State Convention to start, strengthen, and send churches to reach the nations in our own backyard and to the uttermost parts of the world. We are certainly looking forward to being the host for this year’s annual meeting in November. As the host pastor, I would like to invite, welcome, and encourage our sister churches to come together for this fall weekend in the Flint area. It will be a gathering where we can celebrate what Jesus Christ is doing, be challenged to play our part in His plan, and be united as one as we serve boldly in His power! We have seen that it is indeed a new day in Michigan…so come this November to Eastgate. Let us all do our part together to punch holes in the darkness! -Jerome Taylor, Pastor, Eastgate Baptist There’s still time to make your arrangements. Join the us! Here is a quick summary of just a few of the wonderful things being planned. Regional Prayer Times Reports of what’s happening around the state BSCM President Chuck Turner sharing a message IMB Missionary giving a report from work in Asia – Keith N. Ministers’ Wives Fellowship – During Friday Dinner Break 2017 Budget Proposal Dr. Kevin Ezell preaching on Friday evening Cooperative Program Breakfast – Saturday, 7:00-8:00AM **All are welcome! Pastor Tim Patterson giving the Executive Director Challenge – Saturday morning Don’t forget the huge LifeWay Bookstore and other partnering agencies that will have booth tables with information to share. It’ll be a good time to catch up with Pastors and people from all over our state. You won’t want to miss this! The Convention hotel is the Hampton Inn & Suites Flint/Grand Blanc, 6060 Rashell Drive, Flint, MI 48507 (rooms $106 includes breakfast). For more information, visit bscm.org/2016. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jamie Lynn, Administrative Assistant to the Executive Director and the Communication Coordinator for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. #OCTOBER2016

DALLAS, TX (BP) – Some of the nation's most recognizable evangelical leaders are rolling out a three-pronged plan designed to call Christians, across denominational and racial lines, to a new age of spiritual awakening. Nearly a dozen pastors and teachers stood shoulder to shoulder in Dallas Sept. 21 for The Gathering 2016 at GateWay Church, a non-denominational congregation, where several thousand assembled for "a national solemn assembly" -- the initial step in their plan. Organized by Tony Evans, senior pastor of the 10,000-member Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church in Dallas, the group has been meeting since the beginning of the year in an effort to bring a spirit of prayer and repentance to the U.S. The group organized this special prayer meeting to pray for forgiveness, wisdom and provision for the country. "'It just seems to be that God is raising up a mighty commitment to pray,"' said Ronnie Floyd, senior pastor of Cross Church in northwest Arkansas, and immediate past president of the Southern Baptist Convention. "'People are concerned about our country, and they are concerned about the condition of the church, and concerned about the brokenness in the lives of people."' The concept of the solemn assembly is found in the Old Testament, according to event organizers, and is a special time of prayer and fasting. These meetings have been called by priests, prophets, and kings who led people to repent of their sins and passionately pursue the return of God's presence in their midst. Organizers noted The Gathering is "'the Body of Christ coming together one day to unite across racial, denominational and generational lines; lifting up the name of Jesus, and taking responsibility for the condition of our nation."' A similar meeting for pastors and key leaders from around the country, a "'gathering of the elders,"' was held earlier this year in preparation for the larger meeting in Dallas, which included several thousand attending in person, and several dozen churches participating online. During his message, Floyd said many Christians are often more desperate for their football teams during the weekend than they are for the touch of God on Sunday. "'Many of us as believers are more committed to some kind of political awakening,"' Floyd said. "'That's not the answer to this nation. The answer to the nation is the next great awakening with the Holy Spirit of God and He wakes up the church and He shakes the church."' International Bible teacher and leader of Precept Ministries Kay Arthur led the assembly in a prayer of repentance saying the United States of America is not united in God. "'We trust in man rather than in God. There is no knowledge of God in our land. There is no fear, or respect, or trust,"' she prayed. "'We've played church instead of sitting at Your feet, and knowing that every work is God-breathed, and You expect us to live by every word."' With incidents of racial violence fresh on the minds of those attending, John Jenkins, pastor of First Baptist Church of Glenarden in Maryland, spoke to the issue of racial reconciliation. "'These situations and circumstances are creating a mountain level of rage and discontent and worry,"' Jenkins said. "'The 11 o'clock hour of Sunday morning still remains the most segregated hour of the week. We are further apart from each other (than ever), and the church has stood silently with little or no action or comment. "'While the world accepts racial disharmony, the church must not accept racial disharmony,"' he said. We know how to interpret Greek and Hebrew, but we don't know how to communicate in English to someone who doesn't look just like us,"' he said. "'What God ultimately wants us to achieve is that we give value to all cultures and embrace and learn from one another."' Evans described America as "desperate." "'But God will not fix the White House by skipping the church house,"' he said. "'It will be this the church house that determines the well-being of that the White House. If He cannot get the attention of this house (the church), then that house (the government) will stay in trouble."' Evans noted that every year on Sept. 11, we remember the terrorist attack on our nation. "'Nineteen men from around the world, in the name of their faith, shut down the most powerful nation in the world. If 19 men from around the world, in the name of their faith, can shut down the most powerful nation in the world, what do you think we can do in the name of our faith to redeem the most powerful nation in the world?"' Evans told a group of Dallas pastors who earlier in the day gathered for pray that Phase Two of the plan would be a call to greater discipleship. While Phase Three would focus on coordinating a massive, cross-denominational, interracial, service project where Christians from around the nation work together in their communities to demonstrate the love of Christ. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Marc Ira Hooks is associate director of missions/director of communication for the Collin Baptist Association in McKinney, Texas. #OCTOBER2016

BIRMINGHAM, AL – When we think about evangelism, we often think about sharing the gospel with people around us. Almost as often, we imagine those people are representatives of our own culture. People who show up to our churches’ events and those we engage along the highway of life are often culturally similar to us. This is not a bad thing—connecting and sharing the gospel with people who are like us is very natural. However, men and women across North America and around the world are called to step over cultural gaps to connect with unreached peoples and share the gospel. In addition to language differences, these disciple makers will encounter individuals with a variety of worldviews, ethnicities, geographies, socioeconomic situations, education levels, and personal histories. These eight guidelines may prove valuable for cross-cultural disciple making. 1. Be intentional Evangelism rarely just happens. Intentionality is critical (John 4:4; Acts 16:13). Most people don’t find themselves in a restaurant next to a person who sneezes and responds to “God bless you. Actually, I was thinking about God the other day. What must I do to be saved?” Evangelism rarely just happens. Intentionality is critical. If believers have to work at becoming disciples every day, how much more do we need to work at discipling others, given the great cross-cultural challenges? 2. Learn as you go Remain open to learning new things about other people, yourself, and the work of the Spirit. Take interest in the other person. Seek to understand him or her so as best to know how to speak truth to his or her heart. Learning as you go also means you aren’t locked into a predetermined plan and are willing to adjust when necessary. What the Lord used to reach you with the gospel and grow you in the faith may not be the best method for reaching and teaching others. Be sensitive to the Spirit’s leadership in the moment based on what you hear from the other person (Prov. 18:13). Admit you don’t know everything. If someone asks you a question you can’t answer, it’s OK to say, “That is a great question. I will try to find the answer for you.” This transparency shows others that following Jesus doesn’t make you a know-it-all, and you care enough about the person to do some research and follow up with him or her. 3. Be willing to make mistakes Expect them to happen. Know that the Spirit will work through your inadequacies. Most people are understanding and forgiving. Immigrants to this country generally expect people to be unaware of their customs, traditions, and faux pas. And if we are the newcomers to their countries, they will often overlook our blunders. We must learn to laugh—with them—at our mistakes. Apologize, ask for help, and move on. Realize that overcoming future mistakes depends on your willingness to learn the other person’s culture. Expect mistakes to happen. The Spirit will work through your inadequacies. 4. Recognize the bridges of God Our sovereign Lord establishes social opportunities for us to share the gospel (John 4:39). These relationships take the gospel further and faster than we can carry it. Once we engage in these opportunities, cultural gaps tend to become smaller. 5. Look for receptivity We are to share the gospel with everyone. However, we also are to be wise stewards with the time, energy, resources, and opportunities the Lord has provided, as the early disciples did (Acts 18:5–8). Ask, “Who is the most receptive to what we are saying?” Even among those resistant to the gospel, we can find those who are less resistant than others. Unless the Spirit is leading in another direction, we should spend more time with the more receptive people. 6. Pray for all things It’s foolish to believe disciple making can be accomplished by our ingenuity. We are engaged in a supernatural battle. Although Jesus promised to build his church (Matt. 16:18), we must remember that he is the builder. We need to pray for ourselves. We need others to pray for us (Col. 4:3–4). We need to pray for those with whom we are sharing the gospel. 7. Find connecting point As you get to know people, find common ground on which to build gospel conversations. Jesus and the early disciples began where people already were in their spiritual journeys (Acts 8:30). Contrary to popular belief, most people in the world don’t avoid conversations about religion and politics. Start by discussing hometowns, foods, families, and sports. Learn to drink tea or coffee—rituals that create a natural opportunity for gospel conversations. 8. Preach the gospel Ultimately we aim to direct people to repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus (Acts 20:21). This is the core idea behind the Great Commission. Learning about other cultures, sharing our testimonies, and talking about families over a meal are valuable activities, but people do not enter God’s kingdom because of our friendship or influence. We must preach the gospel. ABOUT THE AUTHOR J. D. Payne is the pastor of church multiplication with The Church at Brook Hills in Birmingham, Alabama. He is also a missiologist, author of Strangers Next Door: Immigration, Migration, and Mission, and blogs at Missiologically Thinking. #OCTOBER2016

DENHAM SPRINGS, LA – When John Whitehead went to bed, it was raining in Denham Springs, La. He woke to an unfamiliar landscape. Water had breached his house and was rising fast. For a few minutes, the Louisiana State University (LSU) student panicked. With only minutes to spare, he faced tough decisions. What should he save and what should he leave behind? In the end, the answer was simple. Muddy water lapped against his waist as he struggled to heave his black Labrador retriever, Rascal, into his kayak. Then, he paddled away from everything he owned, knowing he would never see most of it again. His parents, Darrell and Zanie Whitehead, were in Tuscaloosa, trying to get home. They talked by phone several times as the situation worsened. “I called the fourth time, and he said, ‘Quit calling me, I’m trying to save people,’” his father said. By the end of the day, John Whitehead and his kayak had carried a number of people to safety, including two elderly women who were found clinging to a chain link fence, with water up to their chins. It is a story that unfolded all across Louisiana after the mid-August flood—neighbors helping neighbors, Christians stepping out on faith. On Labor Day weekend, flood survivors experienced faith in action on an even larger scale. LSU’s Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) spearheaded a massive Send Relief cleanup event, drawing more than 450 students from collegiate ministries in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. As the LSU Tigers played their first game of the season, the students pried up waterlogged wood flooring, tore out sheetrock and tried to salvage homeowners’ keepsakes from encroaching mold. At the Whitehead home, lightning flashed in the sky as Arkansas State University students wrestled with decking that had once held a hot tub. Not much is left, Darrell Whitehead said. The few possessions they own are stored in a 5’-by-8’ shed—with room to spare. But Whitehead, a former children’s minister, is still grateful. The family’s church, Istrouma Baptist in Baton Rouge, has helped, and strangers have given love offerings. But the students were a surprise. He estimates they saved him approximately $10,000-$12,000 for professional gutting, and they finished so far ahead of schedule that they were able to help his neighbors with their cleanup efforts. “When they were here, they worked,” Whitehead said. “I never heard a complaint. Those BCM kids could have done anything on those days. They didn’t have to come work, yet they did.” It was an eye-opening weekend for some students, said Korey McCrady, director of Baptist Student Ministry at Navarro College in Corsicana, Texas. Many had never experienced a flood. Others had never used a power tool or sledgehammer. “On the bus coming in, they were laughing and talking,” McCrady said. “But when the bus turned the corner, they went silent.” The trip offered a new perspective for Arkansas State University student Kristen Scarlett, as well. Scarlett, who attends First Baptist Church of Jonesboro, had a rough week, but that was trivial when compared with the flood survivors’ burdens. “I thought, ‘If the Lord made me an able-bodied person, why am I not there?’” Scarlett asked. “I need to live out that calling. If you’re in good health, why wouldn’t you?” Some students hesitate to volunteer because of the perceived time commitment, said Annie Pucciarelli, a member of First Baptist Church of Brandon in Brandon, Fla. But she believes college students are the perfect age, especially if they are not already juggling families and careers. “I think this is the best time in my life,” she said as she pulled nails from sheetrock. “Being able to help others is a great experience. You can see that what you’re doing is making a difference.” She praised Southern Baptist Disaster Relief, saying they make it easy for cash-strapped college students to participate. Local churches provide lodging and meals. The only expense is fuel. Students sometimes worry that they won’t have the skills to tackle the work, but LSU student Cullen McDaniel, of Jefferson Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, dismisses that excuse. “All it takes is people coming together over one goal,” he said. “It’s not about how long you can work or the skills you have. We need hands and feet on the ground. This has taught me to trust the Lord in everything. In the midst of a desert, He will provide the healing, the comfort and the guidance you need to get through the trying times of life.” The students were a comfort to Baton Rouge resident Paulette LaComb, a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She looked around her once-pristine home, where students filled every room and the sounds of their hammers rang through the halls. If this were any other day, her house would be tidy and she would be in the kitchen, cooking jambalaya for her guests. Now the sink doesn’t work, and floodwater contaminated her dishes. She applied for food stamps, but her application was denied. “I’ve been crying all week,” she said. “It was such a good feeling to see all these people coming to help. I felt like nobody cared, but now I know they do. You’ve got to keep believing. You can’t give up.” The community has united more since the tragedy, said Sarah Farley, BCM associate director at LSU. The city has endured a lot this summer, Farley said, referring to several fatal incidents between residents and local police. But she believes the flood has washed away some of the anger and pain. “The way God has used the flood to unite us is amazing. A lot of people criticize young people, but I think there’s a lot of hope.” Those wishing to donate to SBDR relief can contact the Baptist convention in their state or visit donations.namb.net/dr-donations. For phone donations, call 1-866-407-NAMB (6262) or mail checks to NAMB, P.O. Box 116543, Atlanta, GA 30368-6543. Designate checks for “Disaster Relief.” NAMB coordinates and manages Southern Baptist responses to major disasters through partnerships with 42 state Baptist conventions, most of which have their own state Disaster Relief ministries. Southern Baptists have 65,000 trained volunteers—including chaplains—and 1,550 mobile units for feeding, chainsaw, mud-out, command, communication, child care, shower, laundry, water purification, repair/rebuild and power generation. SBDR is one of the three largest mobilizers of trained Disaster Relief volunteers in the United States, along with the American Red Cross and The Salvation Army. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Carmen K. Sisson is a freelance writer reporting for the North American Mission Board. #OCTOBER2016

NASHVILLE, TN (BP) – Conviction and kindness are the prescription of Southern Baptist leaders for the final eight weeks of the U.S. presidential campaign. With early voting by mail having begun in North Carolina and in-person early voting slated to begin in three states next week, Southern Baptist Convention President Steve Gaines, Dallas pastor Robert Jeffress, Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. and Cedarville University President Thomas White are among those to weigh in with ethical and spiritual advice for voters. Gaines, pastor of Memphis-area Bellevue Baptist Church, told Baptist Press "biblical convictions" should guide Christians "in all areas of life, even the way they vote for a president." Gaines added in a written comment, "The most pressing issues in our nation are moral not financial," "Christians should analyze the candidates' positions regarding moral issues and vote accordingly. In my opinion, the three key moral issues in America today are: a) the sanctity of human life, b) the sacredness of marriage and c) the significance of racial respect/reconciliation." Gaines' specific counsel to voters included: "Christians should have a strong, biblical conviction to vote for pro-life candidates." "Christians should vote for candidates that uphold" marriage as "exclusively monogamous and heterosexual." "Christians should vote for candidates that promote racial respect and reconciliation." Gaines said he is troubled by "hateful comments" he has heard "regarding political candidates and how people should vote." "Many voices, even among Southern Baptists, have been less than wise, and sometimes downright ill-mannered," Gaines said. "Christians must at times be prophetic. But we never have a license to be pejorative or denigrating. "If any Christian, especially a Christian leader, castigates and attacks a political candidate, that Christian has crossed a line and has sinned. The litmus test should be, 'Would that person be open to me sharing the Gospel with him/her after I make this comment?' If the answer is no, then keep silent, even if it sounds 'prophetic,'" Gaines said. Some purveyors of "harsh statements toward candidates" attempt to justify their comments as in the tradition of John the Baptist, who rebuked King Herod for marrying his brother's wife, Gaines said, citing Mark 6. Yet Scripture suggests John did not behave rudely because Herod "respected him, protected him and enjoyed listening to him" -- even while recognizing the clear rebuke of his message. In the end, hope should characterize believers' actions this political season, Gaines said. "The White House cannot send revival, nor can it stop revival," he said. "Stop looking around and start looking up. The Lord is the source of your help and strength." Gaines added, "We should be good citizens and participate in the presidential election. We should also realize that we are part of a greater Kingdom than America -- the Kingdom of God. Today is a great day in America to share the Gospel with lost people and win them to Jesus. Today is a great time for God to rend the heavens and come down in revival in His churches." Supreme Court Justices In a Sept. 9 appearance on Fox News, Jeffress, pastor of First Baptist Church in Dallas, cited as paramount for Christians this election season "the appointment of conservative Supreme Court justices" who will protect "religious liberty and the sanctity of life." Of the two major party candidates, only Republican nominee Donald Trump will appoint such justices, Jeffress said. "I am getting sick and tired of these namby-pamby, pantywaisted, weak-kneed Christians who say they're going to stay at home in November out of moral principle," Jeffress said on Fox's "Hannity." "Will you please tell me what great moral principle there is in the universe that would allow a pro-abortion, anti-religious liberty candidate like Hillary Clinton to become the president? I believe any conservative Christian who refuses to vote or throws away his vote in November is nothing but a hypocrite and a fool." Jeffress later clarified to BP, "I never said people who don't vote for Trump are this or that. That wasn't my comment." Jeffress explained, "It's hypocritical for conservative Christians to say they believe in the sanctity of life and the sanctity of marriage and religious liberty then sit at home and not vote or throw away their vote on a third-party candidate and not elect a candidate like Donald Trump who has said he'll appoint conservative justices to the Supreme Court, a candidate who says he's pro-life, a candidate who says he believes Christians are being marginalized in society today." While Jeffress admits he is not certain Trump will keep his campaign promises, he said he is confident Clinton will "nominate liberal, activist judges to the Supreme Court." Despite Jeffress' public political statements this year, he said his beliefs are not necessarily the beliefs of the members at First Baptist Dallas and the congregation's Democrats "are just as welcome as Republicans are." At church, "the only leader we're going to talk about is Jesus Christ." He estimated that "the vast, vast, vast majority" of First Baptist members support Trump now that there is a "binary" choice between two candidates in the general election. Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. appeared on "Hannity" with Jeffress and praised Trump's stated desire to repeal the Johnson Amendment, 1954 legislation that prevents churches and other nonprofit groups from endorsing or opposing political candidates. Some conservative nonprofit organizations are "in silence" regarding political matters, Falwell said, "because they're afraid of what's going to happen to them" if their leaders speak out. Post-election witness Cedarville hosted a Q&A session Sept. 13 on the presidential election in which Cedarville University President Thomas White told students that voting is part of a Christian citizen's responsibility to promote "human flourishing" in America. Supreme Court nominees, White told BP in an email after the Q&A, should be an important consideration for voters. "Obviously Supreme Court appointees matter greatly," White said, "and in fact all presidential appointees, like those in the Department of Education, affect the work of Christian universities like Cedarville. In one candidate we reasonably know the appointees will oppose a biblical worldview. In the other candidate, we expect friendlier appointees to a biblical worldview but have no guarantee." White emphasized that the Gospel, and not politics, is the nation's ultimate hope. "While Supreme Court appointees matter, what matters most is that believers conduct ourselves as good ambassadors for Christ," White said. "Our hope lies not in courts or political systems but in the Gospel as the power of God to salvation. We must speak and act consistently with our biblical worldview so that we do not harm our witness to the world after this election has passed." By a show of hands at the Q&A, about a third of the Cedarville student body said they would vote for Trump were the election held that day. Two-thirds did not indicate support for either major party candidate. ABOUT THE AUTHOR David Roach is chief national correspondent for Baptist Press, the Southern Baptist Convention's news service. BP reports on missions, ministry and witness advanced through the Cooperative Program and on news related to Southern Baptists' concerns nationally and globally. #OCTOBER2016

MONROE, MI – A few weeks ago,what were you thinking when you heard reports of flooding in Louisiana? I thought, “Oh my God, they need you Lord, be with them Lord.” Later, I would receive a call out from Michigan Southern Baptist Disaster Relief. The call came from a familiar voice, Judy, but this call also came from the Lord. I needed to respond to the voice messages that Judy left on both of my phones. By calling back I was saying, “Here am I Lord, send me.” This was the start of my journey to Louisiana with a “mudout team”. Although I have had some disaster relief training and experiences, I never before served with a mudout team. Judy assured me I could be trained on the spot, and learn along the way. Now that I think of it, that was exactly what Jesus did with his disciples. He walked and talked with them along the way, teaching them, training them for their ministry in the world. As God put together the mudout team of volunteers, to my joy and surprise, I would work with three people I served with in Flint. These three people gave water there for many, many, many weeks. I only served one week. So I know these three men are dedicated to serving God and their fellow men and women. It was my privilege to work with them again. There were seven of us that prayed, traveled, ate, slept, and worked together. My bunkmate, Diane, was also our chaplain on the trip. When we arrived in Louisiana we met up with Pastor Joshua Spinks at The Way Church in Denham Springs, LA. We saw several flooded churches in the area, and many homes devastated by the flood waters. Our first day on site was day nineteen after the storm had circled above the area for fifteen hours raining down and flooding the community. With some 233,000 souls in the parish, 80% of them were displaced due to the flooding. People fled to family, friends, church members, shelters, and motels outside the flood zone. The Way Church, which had sheltered many also had a cleaning supplies and a food pantry operating out of their fellowship hall. In addition, Joshua and his wife Tabetha were sheltering people in their home, as were other church members. The Way Church also housed and fed us while we were there. Pastor Joshua never took a day off, instead insisting on caring for the many needs of the community. So, what does a “mudout team” do? Our first assignment took us three days. We removed sheetrock four feet high, then swept, power washed, and sprayed with a shock treatment to kill mold. Maybe the most special time was when we met and prayed with the widow homeowner and her family helpers. As we wrapped up the job, each of us signed a disaster relief bible and gave it to them. Our next assignment was similar, but many, many, many more nails to be removed. While on a run to the hardware store Diane and I met a young man getting his supplies who expressed gratitude that we had come. He told us the Red Cross brought him water and meals daily while he worked. Words seem somewhat insufficient to explain the deep gratitude everyone shared with our team while there. I was reminded of what Christ suffered for our sins as I bandaged the hole I had made in my hand pulling nails. The homeowner shared she had suffered through a tornado back in January that destroyed her roof, and then told of losing a loved family member in an accident not long afterward. Now, she is dealing with a flooded home and trying to care for a child with great health challenges. I observed a women of true faith in the Lord. Her strength and joy through it all was admirable. Our team signed and gave her a Bible, and prayed with her before leaving what was barely a shell of a home. It was very hot in Louisiana, but the spirit of the people was awesome. They cared for one another, helped one another and looked to the Lord. We were five men and two women, and our ages ranged from 24 to 70. For that one week we were a team, and we worked together bound in Christ’s love. If I could provide one encouragement to others it would be that when God calls – answer! God doesn’t give us the spirit of fear. He calls us to fellowship with Him in prayer, and show love for one another. I cannot out give God. He always blesses me more. He loves us! When my wounds and bruises heal, I’ll go again. From what I saw, I expect volunteers will be needed for some time to come. God has a place of service for every member of the body of Christ. Volunteer. You are needed. Disaster relief training is coming up in October at Bambi Lake, but like me they may train you along the way, you know, like Jesus did! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Carla Strunk is a Southern Baptist Disaster Relief volunteer. The Disaster Relief Team from across Michigan included Kendall & Kameron Bailey, Diane Brooks, Brian Buckerfield, David Wyatt, Donal Bezeau, and Carla Brown Strunk. #OCTOBER2016

CINCINNATI, OH (BP) – After interviewing five men from Central Asia in refugee camps, I asked them what would attract them to actually listen to Bible stories on the radio. After suggesting five or six options, I asked, "Would you listen to conversion testimonies from Muslims, even Muslim religious leaders?" Their eyes grew wide. One asked through an interpreter, "There is such a thing?" In their country, conversion was considered an act of treason punishable by death. One man -- a Muslim -- said his child was almost kicked out of school for being caught with a page from a Christian coloring book. Yet, a number of their religious leaders and thousands of everyday folks were quietly praying to receive Christ. In this country, many were coming to faith in Christ through the bold, yet careful, witness of believers. When I discussed Muslim conversion in that region with a missionary there, he said, "The veneer of Islam has created a hunger for the Gospel. They know their leaders don't have anything to offer and so they turn to Christians they know to request a Bible, evangelistic materials, or anything to help them understand the Gospel." In obedience to the Jesus in the Great Commission, believers were risking everything in seeking to make disciples. If they kept quiet, they could live normal lives. If they spoke up, some who heard their message might believe, but others might turn them in to the religion police. When a man was caught distributing the Bible in one predominantly Muslim area, he was brought before a judge. The judge forced him to bring in his pastor. The pastor asked the judge, "What is so harmful in the Bible's message?" The judge answered, "People will believe the Bible if they read it and I will lose my job." The judge gave the two believers a stern warning and set them free. Many times people who are not believers exert their authority because they feel it is their role as an official enforcer. Pushback seems to feed the anti-Christian tone and tension. That doesn't mean that sometime later they won't embrace the Gospel. In one Muslim area, a police sergeant told a believer he had to guard a shipment of Bibles. He wondered about the fuss over a mere book until he began to read it. When he got to the part about Jesus, he prayed to find a believer who could help him. He gave his heart to Jesus but felt conflicted because he had to keep enforcing the local law. Nik Ripken, author and IMB missionary, once described the horrors he experienced in Somalia as an example of a country in which Satan and his agents seemed to roam unchecked. Ripken's "Insanity of God" movie, which gets a second nationwide theater showing Tuesday, provides a glimpse into this godless anarchy. Muslims live under enforcers; if we do not tirelessly intercede for our leaders and speak openly of our faith while we have the opportunity, we too will find the enforcers of the secular worldview limiting our Christian liberties. We must use our remaining freedom, not just to check cultural decay, but to bring God's healing to our troubled world. Step back and examine your walk with the Lord. Is it in obedience to Jesus? Do you share your faith? Why would someone want to ask you about Jesus? What is your faith reputation? Are you helping someone become a disciple, even a disciple-maker? Increasingly, we find ourselves witnessing in a hostile environment in which various enforcers exert negative influence against the Gospel. In America, they typically are in seven "power centers:" government/military (elected officials/leaders), business (CEOs), education (superintendents/principals), news media (anchors/editors), sports (team owners/star players), arts & entertainment (writers/actors), and religious leaders. These seven leader groups affect culture for good or bad. Those who do become born-again believers have the potential to become godly agents of spiritual transformation. Why not be intentional to talk to them about your faith in Jesus? ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mark Snowden is director of missional leadership for the Cincinnati Area Baptist Association and Snowden Ministries International. He developed an oral Bible for a predominantly Muslim people group while serving more than 18 years on IMB staff. #OCTOBER2016