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by Tony Lynn PLYMOUTH, MI – I see resurrection power every day of my life in the Send Network and in the state convention. The resurrection is about One life given so that many others may receive eternal live, and I get to experience that multiplication of life, Every. Single. Day. In my role with the Send Network of the North American Mission Board (NAMB) and the Baptist State Convention of Michigan (BSCM), I see individuals and congregations sacrifice a lot to bring eternal life to those living in Michigan. That is one reason why celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ on April 17 is one of this year’s sacred days for me. Let me add some depth to my feelings describing a typical day. On Sunday, March 20, a new church plant, during their “Vision Casting Sunday,” was joined by previous church planters and an-up-and-coming church planter. Everyone was connected to the Send Network. I was there along with my wife. I can testify to the actions as well as the emotions accompanying the day. It started out very well that sunny morning in March. As I slipped out of my truck, the driver in the next vehicle slipped out of his SUV. I greeted him and asked, “Is this your first time at Convergent Church?” He replied, “Yes” and offered that he was a friend of Dan Dameron, one of the church’s leaders. I replied, “Let’s go find Dan and I will introduce you to the other members of the team. You’re in the right place looking at a good church. I hope you’ll like it.” We entered and started mingling with everyone. Josh Tovey, a veteran church planter with RedemptionMI.org in the Greater Grand Rapids area, was there to support Jamison Bebiak, one of our newest church planters with ConvergentOwosso.com. Tovey was also given the task of teaching that Sunday morning, unveiling a message from Romans 8 on adoption and becoming heirs of the Lord in glory and suffering. Bebiak is one of four church planters that has been given the chance at a healthy church start through a residency or training time connected with Redemption Church and Josh Tovey. For the sake of this story, you can think of Tovey as a father-figure to the other men in this story. Though Tovey has a young look and an enjoyable sense of humor, everyone senses his wisdom when it comes to church planting. Other men, like Bebiak, impacted by the life-giving ministry of Redemption Church are Seth Springs, Nathan Sharpe, and the newest one approaching assessment is named Charles. The loyalty these men have with one another is mind-boggling. Nothing will ever break the bond of love and concern these men have for each other. When we snapped a picture of these men in the middle of M-21, a highway that splits the north and south of Owosso, as a symbol of taking the city for Christ, I could sense a stronger, lasting bond between these men that does not exist among the men and women who recently played elimination basketball games during March Madness. These men aren’t competitors, they’re one team serving Christ. It was startling to hear Josh Tovey convey the idea, from Romans 8, that following the Lord’s calling is not a guarantee that everything will be easy or agreeable. He was not painting a bleak picture; Tovey was covering the blank canvas of a future with reality. Tovey, through very personal disclosure, explained the previous years of surgery, treatments, and waiting as his wife, Stephanie, battled a stubborn cancer while they planted Redemption Church. Her cancer returned four times. Each time the cancer raised itself to steal life and hope from the Tovey family, and each time they fought back with the power of the resurrection. My favorite moment that weekend was when the worship space went silent upon seeing an image that Tovey shared. The silence was followed by gasps throughout the worship space when Tovey showed the image of the three children Stephanie and he adopted exactly three years ago to the day he was preaching that March Sunday morning message. Tovey asked, “Could it be that our years of suffering and battling cancer prepared us to adopt these three siblings who had suffered early in their lives?” He added, “Now that these three are adopted, despite all that they previously suffered they will forever be part of the Tovey family and they will inherit all that they can from us. We will be there to celebrate their successes and to catch them when they fail.” Tovey’s deep, intimate, and personal story illustrated the immeasurable inheritance that awaits all of those who come to know the resurrection power. Years ago, as a pastor, I deliberately replaced any reference to the annual celebration of the resurrection of Christ from the word Easter to the phrase “Resurrection Sunday.” I know there will be jelly beans, baskets, and phony-grass, I’m not an Easter-Grinch; but I want to remind myself when I speak of the annual event that changes everything that I feature the One and the act that changes everything. He is risen! Christ is risen! I love seeing resurrection power every day of my life . . . and I do because it is there. I hope you see it, sense it, and know it. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Tony L. Lynn is the State Director of Missions for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan. Before coming on staff at the BSCM, Tony served as lead pastor for more than six years at Crosspoint Church in Monroe, Michigan. He and his wife, Jamie, also served with the International Mission Board in Africa and in Europe. #APRIL22

by Seth Springs WATERFORD, MI – This may sound odd, but my favorite Easter memory has to be Easter of 2020. Because of COVID-19, we were not able to meet as we planned, in a public school with 70+ people. But our people found a way to celebrate the resurrection! We gathered in homes for fellowship, worship, and the Word. Church members dropped off Easter baskets for our Transformation Church Kids. And we were able to spend the afternoon grilling out with neighbors who we love very much. Even in a pandemic, Jesus is alive and that changes everything. Easter means EVERYTHING to us at Transformation! It’s a wonderful day of celebration as we reflect on the history-altering and life-changing good news of the resurrection. It’s also a great day to invite friends and family who don’t yet understand the hope we have in Jesus. I don’t believe there’s a time all year when our mission and message are clearer than on Easter Sunday. Right now, I am stuck on Luke’s account of the resurrection and a conversation that follows. After Jesus is resurrected, he walks and talks with 2 disciples on their way to Emmaus, but for some supernatural reason, they don’t recognize Him. Then, as it says in Luke 24:31-32, “their eyes were opened, and they recognized him… They said to each other, ‘Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures to us?’” I love how the resurrected Jesus meets these 2 “discouraged” disciples right where they are, how He patiently explains the Scriptures, and how everything changes once their eyes are opened to the Good News of the Gospel! In short, Easter is the reason we always say, “Jesus Changes Everything.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Seth Springs started Transformation Church Waterford four years ago after moving from North Carolina. He and his wife, Taylor have been married for 9 years and have 3 crazy, beautiful children, Layla (6), “D” (3), and Lily Joy (3). #APRIL22

by Barry Martin PLYMOUTH, MI – I have seen the faithfulness of God as well as His grace extend far beyond what I ever thought possible! My wife April and I are both a part of the staff at Mile City Church in Plymouth, MI. We have three incredible kids - Caleb, who is a senior in high school, Chloe, a freshman in high school and Liam, who is finishing up his 8th grade year! We love being in an environment where we can serve together as a family and are grateful seeing how God is working not only in our lives, but in the lives of our teenagers. Growing up in a preacher’s home, Easter has always been such an incredible high. It is the day we celebrate what Christ has done for us on the cross and through His resurrection. At Mile City, we love celebrating His resurrection in a different way every year. Our pastor, Travis Whittaker, is a creative type and wants to make Easter stand out to those who may only come once a year as well as for those who understand what the resurrection is all about. I look forward to the spiritual “high” that comes on Easter morning, seeing so many people walking through the doors to hear that life changing message. Some of those people only come because of family or an invite from a friend and end up giving their life to Christ, realizing His love for them! I have so many great Easter memories and traditions but to be honest my favorite Easter was in 2020. It may sound crazy. We had just shut down because of Covid, we knew it was going to be different, but there was something about sitting together as a family on the couch in our living room and watching our Easter service online. If you are in ministry, you know Easter is special, but also a lot of work! By the time services are over, we often just want to find a quiet place and sleep. 2020 was different because there was no big crowd but just me, my wife and our three kids worshiping the risen Savior that Easter morning. My favorite passage when it comes to the resurrection is Luke 24:4-9, where it says: “While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.” When I read this passage, I am reminded of two things. First of all, believe in the power of a risen Savior. My God is not dead, nor does He sleep! He is alive and interceding on my behalf before our Heavenly Father! The second thing that speaks to me is that phrase “they remembered his words.” How many times do I forget His promises in my life, taking my focus off the risen Christ and putting them on circumstances, people, or problems in my life. When I come back to His words and promises, I am encouraged by the fact that He will never leave me nor forsake me! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Barry Martin and his wife April are both on staff at Mile City in Plymouth, MI. Barry is the Plymouth Location Pastor as well as a church-based church planting catalyst with the Send Network. April is the Kids Director for both Plymouth and South Lyon locations of Mile City Church. #APRIL22

by Phyllis Harbaugh STERLING HEIGHTS, MI – Sitting in waiting rooms at a hospital is a difficult task that all of us will experience at some time in our life. The hardest is when death is close and we are waiting for a loved one to leave this world. Saying good-bye to my grandmother was hard. In the waiting room my mind was reflecting on the years I had with her and the loss we would have without her. I cried. My heart was saying “thank you God for her life, and for the temporary separation we will have because she is your child and we will see her again someday.” Because it was Easter season, I thought of how the disciples must have grieved as they saw Jesus die with no time to say good-bye. They had no hope of ever seeing Jesus again… until the resurrection! It was Easter morning and I went into my grandmother’s room and opened the curtains. “He is Risen Grandmother. He is risen!” I turned to see her weakly smile as if to say “I Know… I know!” I hugged her for the last time, knowing this was not a final good-bye because I had the hope of seeing her again! Every year Easter Sunday reminds us and gives us the hope of seeing Jesus and our loved ones in Heaven someday. Life is hard and death is sure. But praise be to Jesus… He conquered death! We do not grieve as those with no hope! He has risen…He has risen indeed!!! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Phyllis Harbaugh is the wife of Pastor Herb Harbaugh at Memorial Baptist Church Sterling Heights, MI. She is the mother of 3 daughters, 3 son-in laws and 6 grandchildren. #APRIL22

by Jen Oshman Surveys measuring the mental health and emotional well-being of women and girls in the United States unanimously reflect a concerning trend. By all accounts, happiness and contentment are markedly down, while stress, anxiety, and depression are way up – and this was true prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Women seeking relief have myriad options – exercise class, book club, therapy, girls’ nights out, an afternoon at the spa, a day in nature, a long soak in the tub, medication. And depending on the heart behind each of these self-care strategies, they may improve a woman’s well-being. Our churches, though, have a unique and powerful opportunity to serve women and girls in this cultural moment. As discouragement and disillusionment threaten to take hold, women’s ministries can hold out a particular kind of hope – a hope that’s truth-filled, soul-deep, and all-satisfying. As church leaders, we must make the best use of our time (Ephesians 5:16, Colossians 4:5). God ordained you and me for this specific moment in our specific contexts so that we each might seek Him and find Him (Acts 17:26). So then, how might we put the God who made us and died to save us on display for the women in our churches and communities to seek and savor Him? We must ask ourselves if we’re offering a distinctly Christian hope to our women. Do we point women to the Giver of Life, or do our programs and gatherings resemble what might be offered at the local library, Mormon ward, or secular self-help class? The well-being of women in our communities is on the line, and we, the church, have an opportunity to be a porch light in a dark night. Let’s not shrink back but rather, boldly shine. Here are three components to include in your women’s ministry to ensure you’re offering explicitly Christian hope and truth to your women. The Word of God This one may seem obvious, but many women’s ministries forego the Bible in an attempt to be relevant or seeker-friendly. Especially in this cultural moment when many see God’s Word as oppressive or on the wrong side of history, it can be tempting to make it secondary or to save it for later. But we who belong to the Lord know eternal life, mercy, and beauty are found in those pages. Let’s not shy away from God’s living and good Word. Let us say with the apostle Peter, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68, CSB). This is no small thing: we have the words of eternal life. With the Word of God as our foundation, our women’s ministries will offer true life. Hebrews tells us the Bible is living and active and can help us know our own thoughts and intentions (Hebrews 4:12). James says the Bible serves as a kind of mirror for us (James 1:22-24). We look to it to see where we might be corrected and transformed so that we can be doers of the Word. We need the Word so that we won’t be conformed to this age, but instead have renewed minds to know God’s will (Romans 12:2). In this age of self-focus and discouragement, the Bible lifts our eyes up, off ourselves and our temporary cultural landscape, and onto our God and His sovereignty, kindness, and eternal glory. The gospel of Jesus In an age that teaches women they must define themselves, help themselves, and depend only on themselves, the Gospel of grace is oxygen to a suffocating generation. The deepest need of every woman attending our ministries is to receive the grace and mercy of Jesus. We must constantly remind ourselves and our women that Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. Because of His great mercy and love for us, Jesus traded us our sin for His righteousness – our death for His eternal life. We’ve been given the most scandalous and generous gift in all of history. What a relief. What a joy. What a Savior! In our flesh, we tend to believe we must conjure up our own acceptance, or that we’re beyond God’s acceptance. This age tells women, “It’s all on you.” But Jesus says, “No, it’s all on me. I paid the price. You’re forgiven. You’re mine.” Let us, therefore, make sure He’s always on full display – that His grace permeates our atmosphere, that His mercy is center stage. Do our messages and event calendars promote works-righteousness or a call to rest in Jesus, who is full of grace and truth (John 1:14)? Jesus alone is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). If our ministries are going to be truly life-giving, we must constantly rehearse the gospel to one another. It’s Jesus alone who sets the women in your church free (John 8:32, 36). The people of God, led by the Spirit of God In our individualistic and self-reliant age, we bear witness to an epidemic of loneliness. Our gatherings as the people of God are a strong antidote to the sickness of isolation. Simply inviting women in to be seen and heard, embraced in warmth and welcome, is potentially life-changing. But let’s practice a particular kind of hospitality in women’s ministry – welcoming one another to gather not only with each other but with our sovereign God as well. As we who belong to the Lord gather, our Lord gathers with us. Christ in us, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27), is in our midst. Jesus told His disciples, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth” (John 16:13, CSB). And so it is for you and me. The Holy Spirit lives inside us and guides us. By His guidance, we encourage and admonish one another; we remind each other of God’s goodness and power during turbulent times. The Holy Spirit is our counselor and our helper. When we gather, He is there, speaking truth to each of us as we speak it to one another. May our gatherings not be marked by worldly advice, but rather unity in prayer, seeking the Lord, and building up one another in Him. Women in our communities bring real and heavy burdens with them when they walk through our church doors. We have so much more to offer than the coping strategies of our age. Women’s ministries established in the Word, rooted in the Gospel, and full of God’s people led by God’s Spirit offer life. In this generation, may our women’s ministries “shine like stars in the world, by holding firm to the word of life” (Philippians 2:15b-16a, CSB). We have true, eternal, and unshakable life – let’s offer nothing less. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jen Oshman is an author and has worked in women’s ministry for two decades as a missionary and pastor’s wife. #APRIL22

by Aaron Earls Pastors face unique difficulties inherent in their career, but what are their greatest needs? Pastors themselves say they’re most concerned about seeing their churchgoers grow spiritually and making connections with those outside of their churches. After speaking directly with pastors to gather their perspectives on their ministry and personal challenges, Lifeway Research surveyed 1,000 U.S. pastors for the 2022 Greatest Needs of Pastors study to discover what they see as their most pressing issues. “The pre-existing challenges of ministry were amplified by COVID, and it’s important we lean in and listen closely to pastors,” said Ben Mandrell, president of Lifeway Christian Resources. “This project has shed light on critical needs they have and will point the way forward in how we partner with them to fuel their ministries and improve their health in multiple areas.” Protestant pastors identified 44 distinct issues they see as potentially one of their greatest needs. Of those, 17 were selected by a majority in Lifeway Research's 2022 Greatest Needs of Pastors study. Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research, said his team began the study by speaking with more than 200 pastors, asking them to think beyond the current pandemic-related struggles and share some of the enduring needs of pastors and their churches today. “Their responses to the challenges they face and the areas that are most important for them were then presented to more than 200 additional pastors,” explained McConnell. “Based on those responses, 1,000 pastors were asked about almost four dozen needs to measure the extent to which each is something they need to address today.” Of the 44 needs identified by pastors and included in the study, 17 were selected by a majority as an issue they need to address. Developing leaders and volunteers: 77% Fostering connections with unchurched people: 76% People’s apathy or lack of commitment: 75% Consistency in personal prayer: 72% Friendships and fellowship with others: 69% Training current leaders and volunteers: 68% Consistency of Bible reading not related to sermon or teaching preparation: 68% Trusting God: 66% Relationships with other pastors: 64% Consistency in taking a Sabbath: 64% Stress: 63% Personal disciple making: 63% Confessing and repenting from personal sin: 61% Consistency exercising: 59% Avoiding overcommitment and over-work: 55% Challenging people where they lack obedience: 55% Time management: 51% “The number and breadth of needs pastors are currently facing is staggering,” said McConnell. “All seven spiritual needs asked about on the survey are a current concern for most pastors, as well as practical, mental, self-care, skill-development, and needs around ministry difficulties. Clearly pastors are not looking for shortcuts and are taking their roles as spiritual leaders in their church seriously.” The need identified by the most pastors as one of the greatest needs? 77% say developing leaders and volunteers. The 44 identified needs fall into seven broader categories. Subsequent releases in Lifeway Research’s 2022 Greatest Needs of Pastors study will explore each of the categories and the related needs specifically. Single greatest need When asked to narrow down their list to the single greatest need requiring their attention, pastors’ responses varied. At least one pastor surveyed picked each of the 44 possible needs, while 23 needs garnered at least 2% of pastors. Eight needs were chosen by more than 3% of pastors, and one reached double digits. People’s apathy or lack of commitment: 10% Personal disciple making: 9% Fostering connections with unchurched people: 8% Developing leaders and volunteers: 7% Establishing a compelling vision: 5% Technology: 4% Consistency in personal prayer: 4% Consistency exercising: 4% “When asked to prioritize their own greatest need, pastors tend to put the needs of their church’s ministry ahead of personal needs,” said McConnell. “Personally making disciples, developing leaders, connecting with those outside the church and mobilizing the people in their church are the most common ‘greatest needs’ and are among the most common needs pastors want to make a priority.” When asked to single out their greatest need, more pastors chose people's apathy or lack of commitment than any other issue, according to the 2022 Greatest Needs of Pastors study. Pastoral help When thinking about getting help with their needs, pastors want to hear from their fellow clergy who have been through the same struggles. See also Most Americans See Churches as Helpful During Pandemic Three in 4 U.S. pastors (75%) say they would be interested in getting advice or guidance on the issues they are facing from other pastors who have already been through those problems. Similar numbers (74%) would like to hear from those who understand churches like theirs. Another 70% would listen to other pastors who are currently facing the same needs. Slightly fewer (57%) want to hear from experts on those types of needs. Older pastors are the least likely to say they’d like advice from any of those sources. “The most monumental needs of pastors are not new to this generation of pastors,” said McConnell. “They know other pastors and pastors who have gone before them are best positioned to understand and help them with the wide variety of ministry and personal needs a pastor faces.” “The most monumental needs of pastors are not new to this generation of pastors.” — @smcconn Still, previous Lifeway Research shows not all pastors are actively seeking out advice from their fellow clergy. More than 8 in 10 U.S. Protestant pastors say they feel supported by other pastors in their area. Fewer than half (46%), however, know and spend time with 10 or more other local pastors, according to a 2020 Lifeway Research survey. Most pastors (54%) have those relationships with fewer than 10 other area clergy, including 1 in 20 (5%) who aren’t connected with any area pastors and 8% who have relationships with only one or two other ministers. Pastors may also look to retired pastors for advice and wisdom for navigating common challenges. A 2019 Lifeway Research study of retired Protestant pastors, ministers, and missionaries found some have struggled with the transition into retirement and are looking for ways to serve and connect with others. More than 4 in 5 retired ministry workers (86%) say they have continued to make new friends in recent years, but 29% admit they feel lonely or isolated. When asked what resources would most help them with their relationships today, most say they want to make additional ministry connections: 25% say making friends who have similar experience in ministry, 23% making friends who live near me, 20% relating to a church in which I am not in leadership, and 17% making friends who have had similar experience in leadership. “Retired pastors and other ministry workers still want to serve the church,” said McConnell. “When Lifeway Research asked them how ministries could best serve those like them who are retired from full-time ministry, the most common response was to provide them with opportunities to serve or minister (16%). Current pastors looking for guidance may find retired pastors ready and willing to help.” Methodology The phone survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors was conducted March 30 – April 22, 2021. The calling list was a stratified random sample, drawn from a list of all Protestant churches. Quotas were used for church size. Each survey was completed by the senior or sole pastor or a minister at the church. Responses were weighted by region and church size to more accurately reflect the population. The completed sample is 1,000 surveys. The sample provides 95% confidence that the sampling error does not exceed plus or minus 3.1% This margin of error accounts for the effect of weighting. Margins of error are higher in sub-groups. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Aaron is online editor for LifewayResearch.com. #APRIL22

by Mike Durbin PLYMOUTH, MI – Legendary football coach, Vince Lombardi, started the first day of the Green Bay Packers training camp in 1961 with a football in his right hand and these words: “Gentlemen, this is a football.” Those 38 professional players knew football. They were at the top of their game, but Lombardi reminded them that no matter how much one excels in speed, technique, or performance, the football is at the center of the game. Easter reminds us that it’s all about the Gospel. The heart of our faith is the resurrected Lord Jesus. His Lordship is forever demonstrated in the resurrection. Darkness could not conceal Him. Demons could not constrain Him. Death could not contain Him. He is the resurrected Lord of Lords and King of Kings! Resurrection Sunday reminds us of the fundamental hope of the Gospel: “He is not here. He Is RISEN!” Through repentance and faith in the resurrected Jesus, we receive forgiveness for our sins and the gift of eternal life. It’s the ultimate “Good News.” We receive it in an instant, but we spend a lifetime living out its truths. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is the message of hope for a broken world. Jesus commissions us to “make disciples of all nations”. It’s a commission that unites us all as we advance His Kingdom together. Below are resources to help churches take their next step to accelerate Gospel movement: 1. WhosYourOne.com is a resource that 62,220 people are using as of this writing to pray for their loved ones who need Jesus. Multiple “Who’s Your One” resources are available to help churches conduct a prayer emphasis including a free 30-day prayer guide. In it, you will find Scripture-based prayers to pray over someone who needs Jesus. It’s a great tool to equip believers to pray for their loved ones to come to Jesus this Easter season. 2. Equipping God’s people to share the Good News of the Gospel is vital to Kingdom advance. A plethora of training resources are available, but it might be advisable for a church to choose one resource that fits the local context and use it to equip the church. Creating, or recreating, an evangelist culture in the church is challenging. The best resource is one that is used. That being said, we recommend churches consider using “3 Circles: Life Conversation Guide.” A free resource kit is available at: https://www.namb.net/evangelism#free-tools. 3. Evangelism grants up to $1000 are available to assist cooperating BSCM churches to engage their communities with the Gospel. These grants are possible through our partnership with the North American Mission Board and the thousands of churches that give through the Cooperative Program. The purpose is to help churches impact their communities with the Good News. Go to https://www.bscm.org/grants to find out more and submit a grant request. “Inwardly strong, outwardly focused” is a refrain that echoes in my mind as I think about the mission of the Lord’s church to make disciples. It’s the ultimate declaration of outward focus in that its reach is everyone, everywhere, in every generation. Jesus’ commission goes on to say: “Teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.” Here is the picture of His church growing inwardly strong as disciples learn and follow Jesus’ teaching together. It’s always inwardly strong, outwardly focused, and never either-or. Growing deeper in Christ and broader in reach go hand in hand. Hope has a name - Jesus - and everyone needs Him. Happy Easter! 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. #APRIL22

by IMB/Send Relief Staff As the shared compassion ministry of the International Mission Board (IMB) and the North American Mission Board (NAMB), Send Relief is working through a vast network of IMB missionaries, field partners and local churches to care for Ukrainian refugees across Eastern Europe. The IMB’s long-term relationships in Ukraine have aided Send Relief efforts to quickly mobilize on-the-ground support and resources. Thanks to the ongoing generosity of Southern Baptists, partners are providing food, shelter, transportation, clothing, medical supplies, trauma care and other essentials to more than 416,000 people displaced by the war. Send Relief compassion ministry efforts began before the Russian invasion into Ukraine, and they will continue because of the faithfulness of Southern Baptists. Gifts given to Ukraine refugee ministries through Send Relief and the IMB now stand at more than $5.5 million. Cade and Ginny Wheeler help lead international Send Relief efforts. “We are working to help our IMB personnel in Europe utilize the humanitarian gifts to Send Relief to strengthen the work of the local churches as they reach out and care for needs, share hope as they meet the acute needs of the hurting and look to long-term community development,” Ginny said. Designated Send Relief funds are being utilized to provide for these needs and minister in multiple countries where IMB personnel and national partners are ministering to Ukrainian refugees. These countries include Ukraine, Moldova, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Slovenia, Romania, Germany, Italy, Hungary, Czech Republic, Bulgaria and North Macedonia. Send Relief currently has at least 30 compassion ministry projects spread across Europe. Looking for the gaps Local Christians have been vital partners and are leading the way in reaching out to refugees. “We’re encouraging our workers as they’re doing Send Relief projects, and as they’re responding, to ask themselves, ‘Where are the places where there might be a gap in the care, and how can we fill those gaps? Are there people who are not getting their needs met?’” Ginny said. “Our workers on the field are finding those places,” Ginny continued. “Our workers immediately are thinking, ‘How can we meet their physical needs and meet their spiritual needs at the same time?’” IMB missionaries assessed the situation on the border of Romania and Ukraine and determined they could come alongside Romanian Baptists who had already mobilized to provide care. Southern Baptist volunteer teams from Texas are joining Romanian Christians. The teams hope to set up care stations. In existing stations, Christians are forming meaningful connections and providing information as to where they can shelter and connect with local churches. Utilizing corridors In addition to assisting refugees who’ve left Ukraine, Send Relief funds are helping internally displaced Ukrainians. Thousands of Ukrainian Christians remain in the country and are ministering to their countrymen. “One of our workers wrote me and said there were 20 people on dialysis in eastern Ukraine who were going to die if we could not get them out,” Ginny said. The Wheelers used Send Relief funds to provide gasoline for those patients to evacuate to Romania where they connected with local Christians. “We just thank God for the ability to save the lives of those 20 people who had no other way,” Ginny said. “Hopefully, they’re going to have meaningful connections there in Romania. Those are concrete lives, souls’ needs being met, provided for, right now – today. Every one of them, they matter.” Investing relationally “We’re really focused also on creating and utilizing corridors for sending aid into Ukraine with those trusted partnerships with our national churches and with the Baptist seminaries,” Ginny said. The investment of Southern Baptists in Ukraine has a long history and is well-established. Aid is going through Odesa and Lviv, two cities that are home to Baptist seminaries the IMB has partnered with for many years. People are lining up outside seminaries and churches to receive aid. Some Southern Baptist state conventions, such as the North Carolina Baptist Convention, have long-standing relationships in Ukraine. The Baptist state conventions of North Carolina, Mississippi, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, Texas Baptist Men, California, Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, Missouri and Ohio are sending teams of Disaster Relief volunteers to serve in Poland and Romania. Individuals and churches are also involved. Teams will assist with cooking, distributing food, cleaning, caring for children, providing health screening and sorting donations. “We’re just so thankful for those Southern Baptist state conventions that are involved and have spent years already ministering inside Ukraine, inside Romania, inside Poland, and now, also together we are doing this crisis response,” Ginny said. Providing long-term aid Ginny said IMB missionaries and local partners will continue to provide relief when the war is over. “How much more is going to have to be done,” Ginny asked, “to put these people’s lives back together, to assist the churches within Ukraine and even around Europe, as they try to help these people who have no homes, who have no jobs, who have no infrastructure in Ukraine? “It is no small thing to think of what that’s going to take, and we want to be able to do that,” Ginny continued. “We want to walk alongside them, so that the church can be the ones to be caring for people to meet their tangible needs and to build up the national churches. All the giving, it goes toward that. We share the hope of Jesus, and we meet those needs.” One hundred percent of your gifts to Send Relief’s Ukraine Crisis Fund support ministry to Ukrainian refugees. “We’re so thankful for the response and for the prayers and for the support, the giving,” Ginny said. “Our workers are just so quickly able to have resources to respond to the need because of Southern Baptists’ giving to Send Relief and to the IMB.” #APRIL22

by Ben Mandrell After you go to a restaurant, you go out to the car with your group and discuss whether you want to go back. Was the food good? Was the service good? Overall, is this an experience we want to repeat? People have the same conversations about relationships. Was that a good experience? Should we go back? Should we be friends with them? One of the greatest dangers in relationships is you never know how you’re coming across. We don’t often understand or even think about how unchurched people perceive us. In fact, according to the Greatest Needs of Pastors study from Lifeway Research, 76 percent of pastors say their churches are struggling to connect with unchurched people. Three out of four pastors are saying, “I’m not sure my people have a clue how to build relationships with those who don’t go to our church.” We must simplify what it means to be a good neighbor and to build relationships with the people whom God has placed around us. Several years ago, when my family and I found ourselves planting a church in Colorado, we took a crash course in neighboring and engaging the unchurched. Here are a few things we learned about our neighbors – things we’ll never forget. 1. They’re discerning Sometimes (not every time!) people want to have coffee with me because they want me to do something for them. In the same way, people can sniff out when a Christian wants to get together simply for the purpose of getting buy-in on their beliefs. They know when they’re being manipulated into a situation. One of the mantras that began to play out in the life of our family is: “We invite people into our lives, not a location.” Have them over to your house and be intentional with conversation around the table. We began to do this all the time. We had a conversation cube. You’ve seen these at stores. It’s very simple. That made our neighbors feel special because it wasn’t like, “Hey, come over to our house so we can tell you all about us and our journey and what we’re doing at the church.” We had them over because we had a genuine interest in them as individuals. 2. They have things to teach us Ask for advice on or help with a project. I’m not handy. My former neighbors Neil and Kristy are both super handy and amazing with tools. I would call Neil and ask how to deal with a pipe issue or get help with my sprinkler system. Admitting that you need help endears you to people. Christians can have this idea that we don’t need help because we have the Lord. While that’s true, on earth, we also do need help with some practical things. One of my favorite moments in my life and ministry was the first time our neighbor Neil heard me preach. He came over and knocked on the door. I opened the door, and he said, “Hey, I really liked your presentation.” Other times he would make statements like, “Hey, when I listen to you speak, it makes me want to be a better person.” It always meant so much to me that I was communicating in such a way that he could not only understand but also appreciate the Christian faith. It gave us a lot of room for discussion. Neil went through a hard time when he lost his job, and we were able to have some in-depth conversations about calling and why God puts us on the planet. That relationship began to grow. 3. They notice when we honor what’s important to them In one way, the connection with Neil and Kristy was natural because we have kids who are similar in age. But even if that wasn’t the case, it’s important to show them they matter to you by demonstrating interest in their kids and the things that matter to them. Soon after we began to know Neil and Kristy, their son was seriously injured in a playground accident. Our whole family went over that afternoon. We didn’t know them well at that point, but we showed up with a bag of treats for him to enjoy while he recuperated. We could tell this gesture meant a lot to them. And it created another on-ramp to have a piece of real estate in their life. A note to the church leader Neil told me he wanted to know me as a person before I was a pastor. That deeply impacted me because sometimes as pastors, we forget that we’re human beings – that we were a person before we were ever called to pastor. There are things about us that people want to know apart from what we do. Neil reminds me of the importance of building trust that comes through building memories together. Most pastors are readers, but I was an avid reader before I was in ministry. It turns out my neighbors liked sitting around a fire pit, so I suggested to a few of the guys that we read a book together – their choice. They picked a war book, which naturally led to conversations about survival and faith. And through those discussions over time, deeper things naturally came up without me having to force the issue. Those guys taught me so much about allowing myself to be human in their presence. The tendency for all of us – especially in ministry leadership – is to guard the image, to craft the perception we have it all together. But people will identify with authentic humanity over feigned perfection (which translates as inaccessibility). It’s been said people won’t always remember what you said or what you did, but they’ll always remember how you made them feel. And just like the restaurant analogy I shared earlier, they’ll remember their experience with you and decide whether they want to come back for more. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mandrell is the President of Lifeway Christian Resources. #APRIL22

by Rick and Cindy Truesdail Hello, MI COMers! Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Truly we are praising Him for His everlasting goodness, love, and grace. He has seen us through some tough times these past few months and gives us victory to overcome! Cindy is doing quite a bit better, and we are getting ready to join the COMers from other states at The Great Passion Play the end of March. We covet your prayers for continued healing and also as we travel. Hopefully some of you can meet us there! It’s a fabulous place to work and meet Christian missionaries such as yourself. We are getting several plans into place for the summer, so look for more information in the upcoming newsletters. We know each one travels and works at their own pace and schedule, but hopefully you will be excited to participate as much as you can. As presidents of MI COM, we continue to see God first as we plan and allow His guidance in all that we do. We pray for you too as you seek His will for your missionary journeys. We know He has great plans for COM as a national unity of volunteer missionaries serving the Lord. It’s wonderful to be able to travel and join in other state projects. We are so proud of MI COMers who are working in several states. God bless you all! Sharing Christ as We Go, Rick and Cindy 9th Annual Work Week at The Great Passion Play Maarch 28 – April 2, 2022 Monday – Saturday The Great Passion Play 935 Passion Play Rd. Eureka Springs, AR To register and reserve your spot, call the National COM Coordinator (479) 253-5879 or email: nationalcoordinator@campersonmission.net. Projects include painting, woodworking, electrical, plumbing, set decorating, planting, grounds cleanup, power washing, sewing (costumes, masks for cast), cleaning, etc. Bring your favorite tools with you. Lunch will be provided. Bring crackers, cookies, fruits, etc. for our snack table. Bambi Work Week & Spring Rally 2022 May 9-14, 2022 Monday noon – Saturday AM Bambi Lake Baptist Retreat & Conference Center Roscommon, MI Mark your calendars NOW! Set aside this week to come to and be a part of MI COM on mission. We have four work teams: Construction, Cleaning & Beautification, Sewing, and Kitchen. There is always a place for you! Contact Cindy to make your reservation for a campsite or room in the lodge. We will have the MI COM Country Store set up, so bring something to put on the table if you can. Proceeds go to the treasury to pay for our non-profit/corporate expenses. 2022 COM National Rally June 7-9, 2022 North Florida Fairgrounds Tallahassee, FL This will be the Golden 50th Anniversary of Campers on Mission. "Renew in 2022" will be the theme. Mark your calendars, start saving your money for travel, and be ready to register when it's available. More information will follow as we get it over the next few months. Click here to download the registration form. Article from our MI COM Member Obeying the Call by Helena Witherell Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. – Philippians 1:6 When I was 18 years old I felt the Lord’s call on my life to go into ministry full time. I felt the Lord was speaking right to me during a night of worship at a local church. One of the verses shared that night was Philippians 1:6 and it stuck with me through the night. Later that evening on my way home, I turned on the radio and again- that verse was spoken. The very next day, I opened up my Bible and somehow there was a bookmark right on that verse despite not purposely putting it there prior. I knew the Lord was putting this verse on my heart for a reason, and perhaps as a reminder for the future when things wouldn’t be easy, to rest in Him and find my peace in His purposes that He has already planned long ago for our lives. I wish I could say from that moment on it was smooth sailing - but of course we are not promised it will always be easy. We are promised, however, that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Heb 13:5). He will always walk with us. His faithfulness to us is more than enough to carry us through! What a God we serve - One that cares to know our concerns and worries, dreams, and desires, and always leads us according to His will. Praise God! Fast forward a little over 10 years past that initial call into ministry, and T.J. and I are now as a couple together doing ministry and serving the local church while living in our bus full time. We have had the privilege of meeting many wonderful people, specifically through Michigan Campers on Mission. We are honored to have found and be a part and are looking forward to meeting more of you and completing more projects alongside you this summer. We would greatly appreciate your prayers for our ministry, our family, our business that we have in Owosso, and specifically for us as we explore some new opportunities this year to do ministry! “...Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” – Psalm 139:10 ABOUT THE AUTHOR TJ is a minister; Helena is a talented singer who ministers through her song or leading a congregation in praise. They are fulltime RVers in a 43’ tour bus, from the Kalamazoo area. They seek opportunities to minister in churches around Michigan and share the Good News in word and song. Their business is located in Owosso, which supports a part of their ministry costs. Swift Windshield Repair is an auto glass company that specializes in repairs and replacements. They are certified by Dow/DuPont, using only OEM urethane and supplies, and are equipped to service any vehicle. If you or someone you know needs a windshield replaced, here’s how you can help support them on mission. Call for a free quote - (734) 892-4303 or visit swiftwindshieldrepair.com. Chaplain's Corner I was reminded of something the other day: all truths we know are but insights, as the Lord simply allows us for a brief moment to see inside His Throne Room, where all knowledge dwells. Add to this the fact that He often allows others inside to see the same things, too. Yes, I was reminded of this the other day when an insight came to me suddenly during a Small Group meeting, which I shared. Thinking I had read or heard that somewhere, another in the group immediately responded by saying that they too had read or heard that somewhere as well. Hmm ... it would appear I was not the only one allowed in the Throne Room for that insight! Thanks for humbling me, Lord! Isn't our loving Lord absolutely wonderful for allowing any and all of His children so willingly and graciously into His Throne Room so that they might glean from the endless treasures of truth and knowledge there? May we all go there often for blessed treasure hunting ... To the Praise of His Glory, Chaplain Chip MI COM Tees & Hats For Sale We have fun things and essentials for you to let others know you are a MI COMer!!! We encourage you to wear the tees whenever you are working or on a COM event. Tees are printed on the front and the back Patches are iron-on or easy to sew onto your shirts or jackets Key Chains are plastic on metal holder Hand-held fan is paper on wooden handle Hats are gray with embroidered logo, adjustable Lapel Pins are easily attached to a suit jacket or coat. Stickers to put on notebooks, computers, etc. Pens to accent your writing Contact Cindy for your purchase. MI COM Officers & Executive Board Presidents/Project Coordinator: Rick & Cindy Truesdail Vice-President/Project: Tony Morningstar Hospitality/Food Coordinator: Kim Norrington & Maria Hannuksela Sewing Project Coordinator: Cindy Truesdail & Terry Simmons Cleaning & Beautification Coordinator: Sharon Hessling & Ruth Farwell Secretary: Brandi Dyke Treasurer: Gary Hannuksela Chaplain: Pastor Chip Collins Historian: Cindy Truesdail Disaster Relief Liaison: Warren Hessling Networking Center Keep checking at our online Website and Facebook for announcements! Website: www.michigancampersonmission.org Facebook: Michigan Campers on Mission For more information, contact: Rick & Cindy Truesdail Phone: (810) 869-4716 Email: michigancampersonmission@gmail.com #MARCH22

by IMB/Send Relief staff Send Relief, the combined compassion ministry effort of the International Mission Board and the North American Mission Board, is currently working with local Baptist partners in Ukraine to respond to the growing humanitarian crisis. This crisis has been created by the escalated tension mounting around the border between Ukraine and Russia and Russia’s invasion. Send Relief partners are already on the ground providing emergency food relief, shelter, clothing and more to displaced families. As the situation worsens, Send Relief partners are ready to provide further food relief, meet shelter needs and offer transportation to assist those impacted by this escalating crisis. “With the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine, we join all those in Eastern Europe in praying for peace,” IMB President Paul Chitwood said. “We know that God is sovereign in all situations, and Scripture reminds us that He is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. We keep our focus on Him, asking for His protection of the innocent and trusting that His justice will prevail. Pray with us that Jesus Christ would be glorified through the crisis in Eastern Europe, and that Southern Baptists would remain vigilant in meeting the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those who are suffering.” Reports continue to indicate that as many as 5 million Ukrainians will be displaced in neighboring countries such as Poland and Romania, and a large number of internally displaced people are beginning to form in Western Ukraine. The greatest needs for these displaced families will include finding access to food, water, shelter, clothing, sanitation and hygiene. Gifts to Send Relief’s Ukraine Crisis Fund are vital to these relief efforts. The best way for Southern Baptists to respond is through prayer and giving. Send Relief encourages churches and individuals to pray for Ukraine by downloading the Ukraine Prayer Guide: Pray for: The people of Ukraine. Pray for strength, courage and perseverance as their home is threatened by conflict. Safe passages out of conflict zones for displaced populations. Government officials to lead with wisdom in this tense time. The estimated 4 million displaced people who will be forcibly removed from their homes. Pray that in the face of conflict, they will find psychological, emotional and spiritual healing from this trauma. Soldiers on both sides of this conflict to be safe from harm. Local churches, relief workers and humanitarian aid organizations to care for what could be a massive wave of displaced peoples in Ukraine. Disciples Church in L’viv, Ukraine, and its church plant in Bryukhovychi. Many of the people there are displaced from the East. Pray for peace for these believers as they had hoped this conflict from eight years ago was over and now, they are facing it again. The Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary as it wrestles with how to assist its students in this time of crisis. Ukrainian believers as they seek to be a light in the darkness. Ukrainians who have never heard the gospel to have an opportunity to experience the hope of Jesus. #MARCH22

by Sue Hodnett PLYMOUTH, MI – These are big numbers. 275 million people are estimated lost in North America. That’s men, women, young adults, and children. Among that population is more than 40 million people living in the United States who were born in another country. That’s about 1/5th of the world’s migrant population—more than any other country. Almost every nation in the world is represented in North America, making it one of the most complex mission fields. And immigrants continue to come here for a better life, even from countries closed to the gospel. But these aren’t just numbers. They represent people made in God’s image—people in need of gospel hope. When we come together to reach the nations and our own neighborhoods, the Church becomes a beautiful representation of God’s vision for every nation, tribe, and tongue to be saved and united in praise to Him. Through all our differences, we can be transformed and united by the unchanging, life-giving gospel of Jesus. *(Statistics from Pew Research and NAMB Missional Research) *NAMB-Day 1 Prayer Guide Michigan Baptists can be a part of reaching those big numbers by being a part of the North American Mission Emphasis on March 6-13, 2022. Help Michigan Baptists become more aware of the depth of lostness in North American by promoting the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. Contact your convention/WMU office to order free offering print materials. Website: https://www.bscm.org/missionofferings Email: wmu@bscm.org The Annie Armstrong Easter Offering® Through your church’s gifts to the Cooperative Program and the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering, you are making a difference in spreading the gospel in North America. People are hearing the gospel and growing in their commitment to Christ. Churches are being started in areas where Baptist presence has been limited. Every dollar given to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering supports thousands of missionaries across the U.S. and Canada. Time and time again our missionaries relate how the offering is their lifeblood. They know that behind each penny given, there is someone who believes in the ministry they do and are affirming by supporting the need to equip them to share the gospel with those who need a Savior. Lives are changing as a direct result of your support of North American missionaries through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. Today, more than $2 billion has been given through the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering®. All gifts—100%—support thousands of missionaries in church planting and compassion ministries across the U.S. and Canada. “UNITE” with us again in 2022 to continue this mission that is transforming lives. Your gifts to the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering: Support more than 2,200 missionaries and their families. Enable hundreds of churches to be planted and thousands of disciples to be made. Continue the SBC’s 177-year commitment to North American missions. Week of Prayer Missionaries watch the inspiring stories from: Michael & Traci Byrd, St. Louis, MO Jared & Jennifer Huntley, Washington, D.C. Brianna McKinney, Denver, CO Itamar Elizalde, Guaynabo, PR Steven & Cindy Martins, St. Catharines, ON Amer & Vicky Safadi, Cincinnati, OH Be sure to check out the online Resource Page: https://www.anniearmstrong.com/resources ABOUT THE AUTHOR Sue Hodnett is the State Director of Women’s Ministries for the Baptist State Convention of Michigan as well as the Executive Director of Michigan WMU. She is married to Wayne; they have 4 adult children and 2 grandsons. Sue is dedicated to ministering to women and supporting them in their leadership development. #MARCH22