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You are invited to SBC PrayerLink in Chicago, Illinois on October 7, 2016. Don’t miss this important gathering! We are believing God for a strategic and transforming prayer experience as we join our hearts to seek His face! The date is fast approaching. We are excited about praying for awakening in our nation, and experiencing a work of God in our midst! Are you planning to attend? It is not too late. Make your plans now? If you are planning to participate please RSVP at www.eventbrite.com/e/prayerlink-tickets-25803943289. Your participation is vitally important. Come, join us on our knees before God. “Ten: Twenty: Thirty— a Great Commission Prayer Experience” will be hosted by SBC PrayerLink. This will be a corporate prayer experience with other prayer leaders from across the greater Chicago area joining with others from across the nation. This Prayer Experience begins at 9:00am until 5:15pm and will be centered on the outline of Acts 1:8. SBC PrayerLink is being held in conjunction with the State Leaders and Prayer Coordinators gathering at Broadview Missionary Baptist Church located at 2100 S 25th Ave, Broadview, IL 60155. The meetings will be held over a four day period beginning on October 5 and running through October 9, 2016. The day of prayer is only one of the experiences planned during this time. Need hotel accommodations? Please reserve lodging for PrayerLink Chicago at the Holiday Inn Express and Suites O’Hare at 6600 N. Mannheim Road Rosemont, IL 60018 Prayer Link or call toll free reservations at 877-408-9681. Please use the group code” PRA” when making all reservations. Reservation Deadline is September 21, 2016. Complimentary shuttle service will be provided from Holiday Inn Express and Suites O’Hare at 8:00 am on this Friday morning. We look forward to you joining us for this amazing day in October. Please join us in prayer that the Lord will do a fresh work in our midst! #SEPTEMBER16

Mark Twain said that he could live a whole week on just one compliment. That is because encouragement is the energy of life and it is just a fact of life, that we all need encouragement to keep us energized. This year’s annual meeting of the BSCM will be one of those places where you can get energized. A place where you can get refueled and filled. You will be encouraged to discover that our concerted efforts as a state convention is making a difference in Michigan and beyond as we together punch holes in the darkness. You will hear reports from the various ministries that we support and you will hear the testimonies of changed lives and churches. There will be music and worship that touches your heart and moves your soul. And of course there will be preaching and teaching from God’s Word by great preachers that will be life changing. I promise this will NOT be some boring business meeting where we drone on and on about nickels and noses. We will inform you of those things but most of all you will be encouraged in your walk and work for the Father. This is going to be fun. This is going to be inspiring. This is going to encouraging. I look forward to seeing you there. In Him, Tim 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. #SEPTEMBER16

IRONWOOD, MI – By the time this is published, Catalyst Baptist Church will have existed in Ironwood for thirteen months. We had our first service August 3rd 2015 and celebrated one year in operation July 31st 2016. A lot happened in that year, some seen, most not, but we are here and gaining strength. We are not an island; we are part of the Upper Peninsula Association of Southern Baptists, and the westernmost SBC church in Michigan. I like to think Catalyst is planted at the starting point, not the most distant. It is just a small change in perspective! Our first service consisted of seven people, three of which were from Tecumseh Missionary Baptist Church (TMBC) while the other four were family. We baptized two last fall and by the end of 2015 we were hosting seven to ten people every Sunday. By our anniversary in July after three more baptisms, we were running a consistent fifteen with as many as twenty, but closer to thirty if everyone showed up. Wouldn’t it be great if everyone showed up every Sunday! As it is, I wait every Sunday morning to see which 10-15 will show. I am still struggling how to rectify this; maybe you have an idea? Our association has helped many times and we have not missed a single meeting. I look forward to association meetings and seeing my fellow shepherds. One of the reasons I elected to stay in the convention and not strike out as an independent, was the value I placed on being a part of a bigger group of churches with like beliefs. There is strength in numbers. I have not regretted it one time. We were blessed to host the Executive Director Tim Patterson for our annual spring association meeting. I suspect we are probably the smallest church he has visited since coming to Michigan, but I am not sure about that. For most of the association it was the first time visiting Catalyst. Here is what they saw at that meeting, the faithful implementation of many blessings. Our chairs and soundboard are from Abundant Life, Menominee. Our furniture, shelves, and printer are complements of the faithfulness of TMBC and its members and our decorations and walls are complements of First Baptist, Gwinn. We are the sum of our parts, just like Paul wrote in Ephesians 4: 4-7. If you looked closely at Catalyst, you would see a storefront church that is one year old. Inside you would see a new group of believers, part of an association, bound to a state, comprising a convention that has all agreed there is only one Lord and way to eternal life with a commission from God himself to share the Gospel. We may be at the westernmost edge of Michigan, but we are a vibrant church punching holes in the darkness while winning souls for Jesus. Thank you Baptist State Convention of Michigan, my wife and I love it here and you can take solace in knowing the welcome we received by Michigan Baptists dwarfs anything we would have received in the south. Please join us in Spirit by praying for more church planters to hear the call and come to Michigan. I speak from experience, there is no place I would have rather gone, and the world was our oyster to choose from. Thank you Michigan, and thank you Jesus for bringing us here. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Ian Minielly is the pastor/church planter at Catalyst Baptist Church in Ironwood, MI. #SEPTEMBER16

AFFTON, MO (BP) – An interim pastor told the dwindling, aging congregation he was to help "transition," that First Baptist Church of Affton was on its death journey. He showed them the statistics, demographics, and physically less-able status of members mostly in their 70s and beyond, and, "We told him we weren't just going to roll over and play dead," said Bill Wright, 72 and chairman of the deacons. But the church did die -- intentionally -- and on Easter, a new church was born. Affton is an unincorporated urban community eight miles southwest of the Gateway Arch memorial in St. Louis, Mo., and within the I-270/255 beltway that defines the metro area. St. Louis is known for the multiplicity of cultures within its beltway, including, since the late 1990s, about 70,000 Bosnians, a Muslim people group that worldwide is less than .01 percent evangelized. The heavily-traveled intersection the church sits on is the center of the Bosnian community in St. Louis. "Their presence is reflective of the diversity in St. Louis," said Jason Helmbacher, called as pastor of First Baptist Church of Affton, and now planter of Church at Affton. "First Baptist Affton had become an isolated island in a sea of incredible change. What became clear was that First Affton could not continue as it was." He told the congregation he had a different perspective than that of the interim who had heard the church's death rattle. "Jesus said He would build His church, and the gates of hell could never prevail against it," the planter/pastor explained. "The church can't die. The church is a people, not a place; a body, not a building. But what can -- and sometimes must -- die are institutions, organizations, forms and structures." The First Affton congregation had a choice to make. Did they want to continue their steadily-shrinking status quo in the face of a continually changing community, or did they want to be Jesus' hands, feet, arms and heart to whoever lived in Affton? "We aren't the same thing with new packaging," Helmbacher said. "This was by no means simply a rebranding. Starting Easter, I transitioned from pastor to church planter and our members from consumers of our religious goods and services to church planting team." The replant utilized the same debt-free building, now cleaned and moving toward a complete remodel, with internal change the most obvious difference. "That was one of the hardest things in the world for us to take," Deacon Wright said. "Pastor Jason told us for this church to go forward, you're going to have to accept some things you don't agree with, and that one little thing said a lot to me.... If we're going to save this ministry on this corner, then we're going to have to change. "I have a good friend at church who is 80," Wright continued. "When he heard this he said, 'I'm in. I'm all in. Whatever it takes.' That's the attitude that was the ripple effect that went through our congregation." About 50,000 people live within a two-mile radius of the campus that has a building complex dating to the 1940s, and that as recently as the 1980s saw some 400 people in Sunday morning worship. "We are longing to see something exciting here," said Helmbacher, who became pastor in August 2015. "Whatever the Lord does, it will grow from the soil of that desire to see the Gospel pressed out at whatever the cost. The real miracle here is the willingness of this remnant to 'die' in order to bear fruit." That desire grew as church members individually changed. "The first six months -- September to March -- was about us," Wright said. "As we got our hearts in the right place, we had a free garage sale and hauled off dumpsters of stuff. "We couldn't have done it without the Lord, and without generous partnering churches," Wright noted. "You could see His hand in everything we were doing." Jeanette Grider, among the youngest members of Church at Affton at 62, explained her understanding of the decline at First Affton. "I think so many times we, churches as a whole, become all about us," Grider said. "We did a lot of good work in the community but didn't open our heart to the people. When the interim said, 'I'm here to help you shut things down,' that sparked something in us. "A whole lot of people said, 'No! We're not dead! We can make a difference in this community,'" Grider continued. "People are going to know about us in the best possible way, and Jesus is going to shine through." Helmbacher led the congregation through six aspects of rebirth: Gospel reading, praying, inviting, engaging, changing and giving. "It wasn't about changing the name and the wrapping," the pastor said. "It was about us changing. Unless our heart changes, nothing changes. We'll keep doing the same thing. "My heart was to see this people revived in their souls," Helmbacher said. "I committed to leading them to become a church planting team." When told a huge dumpster would be dropped off for everything that needed to be thrown away, consternation arose among people reared in a "save everything" era. So Helmbacher took the congregation -- even those with walkers and canes -- on a tour of the church one Wednesday evening. "This is a huge facility that had been neglected many years," Helmbacher said. "I took them through every room and junk-filled nook. We even walked down through the baptistery filled with dirt and grime because it hadn't been used in so long." By New Year's, First Affton had died. By Easter, Church at Affton was born. More than 200 people participated in the resurrection celebration. "The team is encouraged," Helmbacher said. "There were a lot of questions but Easter was a big encouragement. Now to maintaining that enthusiasm, maintaining that continued desire to be changed, to be used by God, being engaged with the Gospel, that's what's next. "Our people are the front door of the church," the pastor continued. "We're going to have to live intentionally for the King of Kings." ABOUT THE AUTHOR Karen L. Willoughby is a national correspondent for Baptist Press and SBC LIFE, where this article first appeared. #SEPTEMBER16

ROSCOMMON, MI – On Monday morning, July 11th more than 20 women leaders prepared the courses and finalized the routes for an amazing “Run the Race” Girls’ Missions Camp week. By midafternoon, parent’s had finished dropping their runners (campers) off at the starting gate in their respective lanes (cabins). The list of runners totaled 108 excited participants, representing several churches in all of our 14 Michigan Associations. A year’s worth of planning had all come down to this long anticipated moment, the start of the “Race”. “On your marks, get set…GO!” Runners were ready for a challenging, spiritually awakening experience that would provide a life changing mile marker for many. By Monday evening the Runners were off and moving at a great pace. The girls got acquainted with their coaches and teammates for the week. A station break at the camp ground pavilion offered a great cookout meal and fellowship time. Fitbits would continue to rack up the miles as the rest of the week would move runners into exploratory Bible studies, moving worship services, and engaging missionary lessons. One of Michigan’s own missionaries, Mrs. Sharon Hessling, who served in West Africa with the International Mission Board was the guest missionary for the week. Hessling shared with the girls her heart for missions, told stories of her work in North Africa, and offered opportunities for cultural experiences. Tasting foods, drinking tea and dressing in native outfits became unforgettable moments for the girls. On one leg of the race, Hessling challenged the Runners as she virtually took them down the “Dusty Dirt Road”. She stressed the importance of training well in the Word of God, and being ready to choose to say, “Okay God I’m ready.” “Run, (insert your name) Run”, God is with you whenever you are going in His will! Finishing the challenge with, “when you allow God to step in, you will always win!” Developing strengths in the Runners was a high priority of the camp environment. Building on team spirit was an important quality that was encouraged as the Runners trained in canoeing, paddle boating, swimming, volleyball and mini-golf. Home cooking skills, sewing, and crafting were opportunities for hands on projects. Archery, fishing and a guided hike through the woods with the Department of Natural Resources officer gave girls a first time chance to experience the northern Michigan outdoors at a new level. Preparing future leaders for a mission lifestyle was the overall objective of the camp experience. This race would not be completed until the Runners maneuvered through the obstacle course of the Missions Celebration. Each team put what they had learned all week into practice, and held a Missions Celebration to share with compassion their love for each other. As many were about to “hit the wall”, encouraging teammates would continue to cheer them on to be all they could be, as we serve together. A missions offering totaling $500.00 was collected for The Bridge Gathering Church, a church plant in Port Huron, MI and Sarnia, Ontario. Warren & Sharon Hessling are on the core leadership team of The Bridge Gathering. As the runners approached the race finish line, the most important leg of the race was before them. The opportunity to make a decision. The decision to accept Jesus into their heart was made by 8 of the girls. Several decisions of rededication and interest to serve in the mission field where also voiced. Was it an Amazing Race? You be the judge, at the finish line… “I’m going to be honest I didn’t really want to come to this camp. But once I got here everyone was super friendly. And it is really fun they have swimming, paddle boating, canoeing, canteen and other things. But the best part is the special guest because you get to talk to a missionary and understand that we are so blessed.” Trinady (9th grade Oakland Woods) “The best part of camp is the new friends that I made." Tara (5th grade, Lakeside community Church) “I love camp! It is so much fun and it allows me to get much closer to God!” Shay (6th grade, Eastside Community Church) “You learn things that you never could guess in a million years!” Jade (6th grade, Eastside Community) “I love this camp because you meet amazing people and every time I come I get really excited about missions and sharing the gospel. Everyone is just so awesome!” Annabelle (6th grade, Abundant Life, Gaylord) “There were many fun activities, you get close to the members in your cabin and make new friends. Nobody treated me differently for my food allergies and the food that I could eat was delicious.” Melody (9th grade, Anchor Community Church) “I liked meeting new people.” Brianna (10th grade, Faith Outreach Fellowship) “I like how I connected with Jesus!” Morgan (9th grade, Temple of Faith) “This year was my first year, it was awesome and I will see you next year!” Emily ( 7th grade, Anchor Community Church “We were scared to death, as we have never left our baby girl anywhere, ever! After her 1st year at camp Arvella came home a different girl, more caring and thoughtful than ever before! This year is no different, while we missed her so much, we’re so glad she had the opportunity to go again. She's walking in faith and where God leads, she follows!! Thank you so much!” Anna Stanley, Lakepointe Church “These pictures really warm my heart. It is great to see how God is moving among the girls in Michigan.” Dee McCardle, retired NAMB “God continues to bless us at camp. The week has been exciting as we watch the girls grow in their relationship with God as life changing commitments were made.” Nelda Popkey, Camp Director “Don’t Quit! You have just finished a remarkable race, but this is just one of many, continue to prepare well, training in the Word, and always look toward the prize, Jesus Christ! I am looking forward to having you all on the team as we share missions in Michigan!” Sue Hodnett, Ex. Director, WMU of Michigan ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sue Hodnett is the Women’s Ministry & WMU Consultant for the BSCM as well as the Executive Director for WMU of Michigan. She attends Lakepointe Church in Macomb, MI. #SEPTEMBER16

HOLT, MI – The timeless solution for the problems of today: God’s Man as the High Priest of his Home. Everywhere you look you find people angry, hurting, lonely, and afraid. Political unrest prevails far beyond our own troubled republic. Racism, terrorism, globalism, and radical gender wars all compete for the top trend in social media or lead in the headlines. Where in the world do families and the Church turn for answers and stability in a world with constant cultural seismic shifts? We turn to men. The answer for today’s trouble is found in yesterday’s unknown and unheralded efforts by simple men seeking to lead their families God’s way. God’s Word presents the clearest path for peace and stability in home and Church: Biblical men leading under the headship of Jesus Christ. We need to revisit and recapture this model now more than ever, and that is the plan. Make plans now to join men from around the state at the 2016 Men’s Fall Conference at Bambi Lake Conference Center. The theme will be “God’s Man: High Priest of His Home.” The purpose will be to lay out a clear and simple roadmap for men of all ages to embrace and make evident in their homes and Churches. There will be Biblical preaching from Dr. Gary Frost and Pastor Roy Henry. As well, attendees will have the option to select practical breakout sessions aimed at equipping men to live out their High Priesthood each day. Each session will be filled with great hymns and praise songs lead by the Cedar Street Church “Veritas Band,” along with times of prayer, testimony, and celebration. Come up early and stay late to enjoy great fishing, playing cards, hiking, and mini-golf. This Friday night through Saturday afternoon conference is power-packed with relevant teaching, singing, fellowship, and adventure. Moreover, attendees will get back just in time to enjoy worship with their Church family on Sunday, they will be hard pressed to find a better value in the midst of their busy schedule. 2016 Fall Men’s Conference, September 23rd-24th. Register now at bscm.org/register . Click on the button to "Register for Bambi Lake Events". ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bryan Kent has served as the Associate Pastor of Adults at Cedar Street Church, Holt, MI, since September 2010 focusing primarily on Small Groups and Discipleship. Bryan is a 2008 graduate of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently completing his Church Consultation Certification. Bryan is married to Tonia Kent (homemaker) and has three beautiful girls, Caroline (15), Mikayla (13), and Gracie (11). #SEPTEMBER16

IRONWOOD, MI – Virtual Prayer Walk / Mission Trip going to the uttermost parts of Michigan! After crossing over the "Mighty Mac" (Mackinac Bridge), westward through the U.P. (Upper Peninsula), along the shores of the Great Lakes, bypassing historical lighthouses, pausing cruise control through small towns and searching National Forrest's for the indigenous Bigfoot, our mission teams arrived in the City of Ironwood. Catalyst Baptist Church in Ironwood is 2 miles east of the Michigan Upper Peninsula Wisconsin border. Pastor Ian & Stephanie Minielly are North American Mission Board Church Planters in Ironwood, a community of about 6,000 people. The nearest Michigan Baptist church is more than a 2 hours drive away. On Saturday, August 13th, Pastor Ian and Stephanie's Michigan Baptist brothers and sisters were no longer hundreds of miles away. Six mission teams combined to total over 30 people representing 6 Michigan Baptist churches came together to celebrate the 1 year anniversary of Catalyst Baptist Church at Historic Ironwood Depot Park. The 6 churches represented included, Catalyst Baptist in Ironwood, North End Baptist in Mt Morris, The Orchard Church in Traverse City, Lakepointe Church in Macomb, Potter's Wheel in Fenton, and First Baptist of Gwinn in Gwinn. The celebration included a Community Block Party with bounce houses, face painting, back-to-school backpacks loaded with supplies, snacks, hotdogs and water. Entertainment was proved by The Potter's Wheel Band, Fenton, MI. This was Joshua Tyson's, a member of North End Baptist Church, first mission trip. He said, "The experience at Ironwood's block party was incredible and rewarding. Giving out the backpacks was a blessing." More than 200 people from the community attended the Block Party. Contact cards were filled out and the data collected showed 74 families, 168 students, 75 adults were shown the love of Christ. 122 backpacks with supplies were given to elementary school children, 200 mission dolls and 200 water bottles were handed out. An awesome total of 34 people requested a follow up contact from Pastor Ian. "God honored the prayers and hard work of Michigan Baptists by flooding Depot Park with over 200 people. Last year we drew 17. If that is not a blessing by God I don't know what is" said Ian Minielly, NAMB Church Planter, Pastor of Catalyst Baptist Church. "Isn't it amazing how God brings people together from all walks of life, with different backgrounds and gifting, from different places of birth etc., to converge in one focused place and effort for the sake of the gospel message!" Marc Burnett, Senior Pastor, Potter's Wheel, Fenton, MI. For two days prior to the Block Party, mission teams prayer walked and engaged with people in several neighborhoods of the surrounding community, knocking on doors, and sharing flyers announcing the block party in the park. The team had several opportunities to stop and pray for special needs with families. One family was in need of a staircase off the back of the home for added safety for the children. As the team began to pray it was impressed upon their hearts to meet that need. Chuck Danzer, North End Baptist Church, Mt. Morris, put his carpentry skills to work and completed a set of steps for the family. Afterwards, he said, "There were blessings beyond expectations!" There were many opportunities to pray with and hear the hearts of Pastor Ian and his wife Stephanie. It was very obvious that God had called them to Ironwood, that they have a passion for the people of Ironwood, and want to share the Hope of Christ with as many as they can. "I really enjoyed being a part of the mission trip to Ironwood. God greatly blessed our time there. We felt the Lord's presence and loved getting to know Pastor Ian. We'll continue to pray for his ministry there" said Carolyn Stephens of North End Baptist Church, Mt. Morris. Prayer walking offered the mission teams many engagement opportunities. A single mom with three children shared her story of being homeless and had just been able to find a home for her family. A team member noticed that the children all had snow boots on in the middle of August. That soon charged and the little boy was heard saying, "You are the nicest lady ever, Thank you!" "Look how high I can jump now!" “I saw God's light and love in the actions of the team that served the community of Ironwood. The greater thing, though, was seeing that light reflected in the faces of those whose needs we met – not just basic needs for school supplies or food or the like – but the need for love. So many of them feel forgotten and invisible, beaten down by life. God used our team to be his hands and feet to remind them they are still seen. It was a humbling privilege to be used by God in this way" said Andra Williams of The Orchard Church, Traverse City. This Prayer Walking Mission Trip was captured and shared by the WMU of Michigan Team as a virtual FaceBook event. More than 60 Michigan Baptists joined the team virtually over the 5 day trip, viewing video posts, pictures and writing in prayers as the mission team served in the community of Ironwood. The event page is still available for viewing from the Women's Ministry & WMU Mission Education Facebook page. Chuck Turner, President of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan, joined the virtual prayer walk and shared, "I have been blessed as I have participated in this virtual prayer walk. I continued to praise God for what He accomplished through the efforts of many. Thank you." ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sue Hodnett is the Women’s Ministry & WMU Consultant for the BSCM as well as the Executive Director for WMU of Michigan. She attends Lakepointe Church in Macomb, MI. #SEPTEMBER16

PORTAGE, MI – Because of the spiritual climate of our country Franklin Graham is leading Prayer Rallies on state capitol grounds throughout 2016. The Rallies extend a challenge to Christians across our land to boldly live out their faith and to pray fervently and faithfully for our nation. In each rally Franklin shares the Gospel and invites a personal response. During the first 32 state stops more than 150,000 from across denominations have gathered for Decision America Tour Prayer Rallies. There have been over 1,000 who have made decisions for Christ. On Tuesday, October 4th, Franklin will be leading a Decision America Tour Prayer Rally on the capitol steps in Lansing. The Rally will provide the body of Christ, the opportunity to stand together in our allegiance, not to a political party but to Almighty God. I hope you will come and bring your church body. It is important that we pray and not just talk about praying. It is important that we pray together. My church must pray, Michigan Southern Baptists must pray. But more than that the body of Christ in Michigan must come together and pray. It is important that we stand together before the Throne of Grace in full view of our nation that is living in such darkness. The presidential campaign is in full swing. There is no real ground for hope in political parties or campaign promises. But there is real hope in our promise keeping God. It's time to pray. Join fellow Christ followers from across Michigan. When: Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. Where: on the Capitol East Steps at 100 N Capitol Ave in Lansing. For more information, visit: DecisionAmericaTour.com/tour/michigan To involve your church and volunteer to serve, visit: DecisionAmericaTour.com/get-involved PRAY. VOTE. ENGAGE. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jim Glidewell is the Michigan Field Rep for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. He works with My Hope and the Decision America Tour. He is also the pastor of Amazing Grace Baptist Fellowship and serves as Associational Missionary for South Central Baptist Association. Jim retired from the North American Mission Board in 2011 having served in Michigan and Ontario, Canada. #SEPTEMBER16

WINDSOR, ON – Mission teams from across the US partnered with The Gathering to host three weeks of SURGE Camp. SURGE camps focus on the areas of sports and the arts as a tool to help the church reach into it’s community in Windsor, Ontario. There were a total of three weeks of camps that included sports coaching and instruction in the areas of activities like baking, woodworking, art, and karate. Mission teams from Springfield, TN, Juliet, TN, and Wilmington, NC joined with members of The Gathering to host the camps. Pastor Garth Leno said, “As the children were submerged in the Word of God throughout the week, it became evident to us that the Holy Spirit was at work. By the end of week three, we witnessed several children trust in Christ for eternal life! We are now following up with their parents and talking to a few about water baptism.” During the first week of camps in downtown Windsor, a number of Muslim families were among the participants in the camp. Garth asks for Michigan Baptists to pray with and for The Gathering for a great in-gathering of people for the Kingdom. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Garth Leno is senior pastor at The Gathering in Windsor, Ontario. You can find out more information about Pastor Leno and the church at www.thegathering.com. #SEPTEMBER16

ROSCOMMON, MI – This month Bambi Lake will host its first-ever motorcycle event on September 16th-18th! It will be a time of renewal and refreshing. It will be a great time to unite together in the beautiful surroundings God created at Bambi Lake. Everyone is welcome no matter what or if you ride. The theme is "Can These Bones Live?" based on Ezekiel 37:1-14. God tells the dry bones to hear the word of the Lord. The bones pull together with muscle, flesh, and breath and begin to live. That's something only God can do in our lives. Join us for some bone refreshing in the Lord. There will also be a color ride of cruising Northern Michigan's great scenery at such a perfect time of the year. Registration is open now. Go to bambilake.campbrainregistration.com or call (989) 275-5844 or check out the event page on Facebook at facebook.com/mrbcfaithriders/events Registration is now open! The pricing for 4 meals and 2 nights lodging at Bambi Lake: 1 per room = $122 2 per room = $102 3 per room = $86 4 per room = $78 5 per room = $72 Dorm/Pinegrove = $70 Camping = $82 w/ meals Camping = $58 w/out meals Price per person includes dinner Friday, & Saturday and Breakfast Saturday & Sunday, a commemorative t-shirt and choice of 2 really cool color tours on Saturday, plus guest speakers and great fellowship! For more information about the event, you can also contact Darrel Manuel at ChaplainD13@gmail.com. For more information about Bambi Lake Baptist Retreat and Conference Center, visit bscm.org/bambi. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Darrel Manuel was born and raised in Michigan, graduated Garden City High School in 1986, married my beautiful wife Theresa in the fall of 1994, I have 2 sons one 20 and one 17. Employee of Ford Mo.Co. (Millwright). Saved and baptized in the spring of 2001 at 32 years of age, at Merriman Road Baptist Church, served in many capacities within the church, currently youth worker, and Chaplain/Director of the MRBC F.A.I.T.H. Riders Chapter, Commissioned as a SBC Chaplain in 2010, I'm a LifeChangers board member, Mayors Committee for Underprivileged Children board member, Ride for Kids Task Force Member, Wolverine State Victory Riders Victory Motorcycle Club Chaplain, Bambi Lake advisory team member. #SEPTEMBER16

ALPHARETTA, GA (BP) – The death toll in south Louisiana's unprecedented flooding has risen to 11, and at least 40,000 homes have been damaged or destroyed. In response, Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) is deploying volunteers, equipment and resources to the affected area, including four kitchens in Baton Rouge, Hammond, Lafayette and Walker. The American Red Cross has requested four kitchens which each have capacity of 10,000 meals per day. All four DR teams deploying have twice that capacity. Additional support is expected given the scope of the disaster and the long-term nature of the relief work to be accomplished. "The spring floods in Louisiana this year affected 10,000 homes, and the response duration was 80-90 days," said David Melber, vice president for Send Relief at the North American Mission Board (NAMB). "Currently we are estimating as many 50,000 affected homes and a much longer response." The four kitchens will be staffed by SBDR volunteers from Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma and the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Alabama SBDR, like many states, is preparing for the response and will be sending volunteers and at least one shower unit. "We have multiple states getting mobilized at this point," Melber said. "The four key meal preparation areas will be located at Baptist churches, including Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge, Woodlawn Park Baptist Church in Hammond, The Bayou Church in Lafayette and Walker Baptist Church in Walker. Additionally, we have 16 other Baptist churches set up as defined worksites." First Baptist Church in Livingston will host the Incident Command Center. Louisiana Baptist Convention state SBDR director Gibbie McMillan is directing the state's response. Arkansas SBDR is providing an Incident Command team to help coordinate relief efforts. "Eddie Blackmon from NAMB's SBDR team is already at the American Red Cross headquarters in Baton Rouge," said Mickey Caison, executive director for SBDR at NAMB. "There were reports of 280 road closures and some recues still occurring yesterday. This is going to be a long-term response, and the water has yet to recede." Caison said some south Louisiana residents have compared the magnitude and scope of the devastation to Hurricane Katrina. He said he expects the long-term nature of the rebuild to take years. "We are, of course, still serving in West Virginia, and there are 5,000 homes to restore there," Caison said. "This is a marathon, not a sprint. The amount and type of responses we have already experienced this year have been taxing on disaster relief funds. People have been generous, but we will need a tremendous amount of support to address the recovery in south Louisiana." "Almost immediately starting tomorrow, we will be bringing our Emergency Response Vehicles, our ERVs, will start going into neighborhoods and distributing food and will continue that for a long time," Craig Cooper told Lake Charles' KPLC TV on Wednesday (Aug. 17). Cooper is coordinating the American Red Cross response in Baton Rouge. "One of our partners is the Southern Baptists," Cooper said. "If you remember, after Katrina, Ike and other disasters, the Southern Baptists are contracted to set up these massive mobile kitchens. They are four or five semi-trucks, and they pop up like a kid's Transformer toy and produce the food that will feed a very large crowd." Melber and Caison will be in Louisiana late this week for a site visit as SBDR volunteers begin the task of assessment. The four kitchens are expected to be operational by Thursday (Aug. 18). 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 Joe Conway writes for the North American Mission Board. #SEPTEMBER16

BELO HORIZONTE, BRAZIL (BP) – Southern Baptists returning from Belo Horizonte, Brazil, are sharing testimonies of widespread revival in churches, communities, prisons and schools, following an 8-day schedule of crusades, medical ministries and other outreach efforts in this South American country. Wayne Jenkins, director of evangelism and church growth for the Louisiana Baptist Convention, said there were a recorded 3,202 salvation decisions resulting from events conducted July 10-17. "God did exceedingly above all that we could think or ask," Jenkins said. "Even working for the first time with this Brazilian association, the way was smooth in constructing three church buildings in five business days and reaching the number of people who came to know Christ, especially in some difficult areas. "Moreover, the Gospel was received by every age group and social class," he added. "On top of that," Jenkins noted, "it is remarkable to think that Burl Cain was given favor, in such a short amount of time, in lining up the three entities in the country needed to get permission to replicate in a Brazilian federal prison the same spiritual and moral rehabilitation program we have in Angola." Cain served as warden of the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola for 21 years before retiring in 2016. In 1995, he initiated a four-year college degree program at the prison -- with New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary -- which is now being reproduced around the United States because of its success in the moral rehabilitation of its graduates. Jenkins coordinated the mission trip, his 25th to Brazil with the Louisiana Baptist Convention but the first time to work in Belo Horizonte. He was joined by 60 Louisiana Baptists representing 10 congregations, and another 37 Southern Baptists from Utah, Texas, North Carolina, Florida and California. Testimonials Mission team members shared a number of compelling reports about individuals who responded positively to the presentation of the Gospel in Brazil. Stones will cry out Carlos Meza, pastor of Calvary Spanish Mission Church in Shreveport, and his wife Lupe told the Baptist Message the mission trip was "exciting and memorable" even though it was his 16th outreach in Brazil and her ninth. He said one of the highlights of the trip "was using a mannequin" to lead a young man to the Lord while conducting street evangelism in a small village. "I started 'witnessing' to the mannequin using an evangelism tract," in order to attract the attention of passers-by, Meza said. "A young man stopped and said, 'Mister that mannequin can't talk or read,' and I asked him if he could," Meza explained. "When he said, 'Of course I can,' I handed him the tract, he read it and after a brief explanation of the Gospel he said, 'I believe every word the tract says' and he surrendered his life to Christ!" "Yes, God can use a mannequin to lead someone to His kingdom. To God be the Glory!" Meza exclaimed. Every tongue confess His wife Lupe was a member of the medical services team which included a pediatrician, ophthalmology staff and a physician and nurse, as well as other volunteers. She said a particularly special blessing was sharing the Gospel with an "18-year-old girl from Bolivia." "It was so unusual to witness to someone in Spanish while in Brazil," where Portuguese is the official language, Lupe Meza said. "She was so young, and it was apparent she had been influenced by the Jehovah's Witnesses," Meza observed. "I felt I had to be gentle, so as not to frighten her or make her feel like I was being pushy." The girl had a blank look early on, Meza shared. But after carefully explaining about Jesus as the Son of God, "she accepted Christ, and she was at church service Sunday night!" Blind shall see In all, the medical outreach effort responded to the health needs of nearly 700 community members, Monday through Friday, including free prescription eyeglasses for about 350 individuals with vision problems. But team members also inquired about the spiritual condition of everyone who came to the clinic and 106 were recorded as professing Christ as Lord. Sue Johns, a member of First Baptist Church in Graceville, Fla., who came with her son, Brent Johns, administrative and discipleship pastor at First Baptist Church in Houma, La., was one of several volunteers with the ophthalmology team who helped fit individuals with eyeglasses -- matching right and left eye measurements for near and far vision, astigmatism, as well as reading clarity. Johns said two older patients stood out in her mind. A 72-year-old man had heard the Gospel several times during his visit to the eye clinic, and while waiting for Johns to find a pair of glasses which matched his vision needs, "he came under the conviction of the Holy Spirit" and began singing a hymn, Johns said. "He had fallen away from church for some time and I prayed with him to get right with God and get back into church." During the Sunday night service he found me before the service to say "I am here," she added, and after the message, he went forward and "prayed to ask Christ to forgive his sins." Johns also told of a frail woman well past 80 years of age, who was almost blind and lived alone with her dog. "She was frequently falling because of her lack of vision and church members were worried about her," she said. "We were able to find her some very strong prescription glasses," Johns recalled, "allowing her to see the top 3 lines on the eye chart and do close up reading. She came in unable to read at all and unable to see the chart. We were all very emotional when we saw that smile come on her face when she realized she could see." Captives set free Tamarah Wales, who was raised at First Baptist Church in Lafayette and is a member at Family Life Church, Lafayette, served as a member of the street evangelism team which had a unique prison visit. Wales said they typically encounter "some difficulty" when they try to minister to inmates. "The warden and his assistant came out to talk to the team and just like at other facilities there was some reluctance to let us in," she explained. "But during the course of the conversation, we had the opportunity to share the Gospel with them and both trusted Christ. "After that they allowed us to go to every area of the prison to talk with the prisoners," Wales said, adding, "and the warden and his assistant led the way. We witnessed almost 300 salvation decisions that day!" Bread of Life (& Gumbo) June Charrier and Lisa Breaux conducted a unique cooking ministry while in Brazil. Charrier, wife of church planter Louis Charrier, both members of Washington Baptist Church in Opelousas, and Breaux, a member of First Baptist Church in Lafayette, provided a gumbo meal as an enticement for influential individuals -- who were unsaved and resistant to home visits or invitations to attend worship services -- to hear the Gospel. Charrier mentioned in particular the meal at First Baptist Church in Veneza where 30 people had gathered for what was billed as "a Louisiana specialty prepared by Americans." "We cooked dinner and a dessert and shared a little bit about the history of gumbo and its origins with African slaves," she said. "After the meal the people listened to a message on 'Who needs Jesus'," she continued, "and they were given a chance to repent of their sins and submit their hearts and lives to Jesus as Lord." When the prayer ended, Charrier said she looked up and four men had been saved -- a vice mayor, city attorney, well-known businessman and church "member" who had been the subject of many prayers by the congregation, according to the pastor. Breaux summed up for both of them the joy they take away from their cooking ministry. "It reminds us a little gumbo goes a long way, even to eternity," she said. Unfinished business Jenkins said the group intends to return to Belo Horizonte next year to build on the work accomplished in 2016. "One of the Brazilian convention officials told us this region has more cities with fewer believers than cities in Saudi Arabia," Jenkins said, and he challenged Louisiana Baptists to consider joining the 2017 team that will be going there. "There is a place for everyone," Jenkins said. "VBS teams, drama teams, construction teams, sports camp teams -- every member of a family can find a place to plug in and I want Louisiana Baptists to seriously pray about being part of this family mission trip. "Moreover, this is a great place to go for a first-time church mission trip," he said. "We have lodging in a safe place, and everyone is well-fed. But most importantly, this is the place where you can faithfully do the work of an evangelist and see growth and experience growth. Gary and Darlene Maroney agreed. Gary is president of the Louisiana Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists, a multi-state organization, and both are members of Eastside Baptist Church in New Braunfels, Texas. In a note to the Baptist Message, they jointly expressed strong sentiments about their experiences. "There are so many people in bondage all over the world, and we were blessed to be a part of this team who diligently fulfilled their specific assignments and saw God work miracles in the lives of 3,202 people," they said. "We are confident that there were many more individuals who made decisions for Christ, but this 'Pentecost number' represents those whose names are recorded and will be followed up by the national pastors. "Belo Horizonte means beautiful horizon," the Maroney's explained in closing. "We were so blessed to see the spiritual horizon that stretched across that city last week and know that we were used of God to witness such beauty!!" For more coverage on this mission work in Brazil visit BaptistMessage.com. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Will Hall is editor of the Baptist Message (www.baptistmessage.com), newsjournal of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. #SEPTEMBER16