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I’m guessing you have a town like Chula, Missouri, somewhere around you. With a grand total of 200 people in population, Chula has a post office, a community center, a school, and not much else. I grew up about 15 minutes away in the mega-city of Chillicothe (population 9,100). Like many other small towns across North America, Chula didn’t have a church of any kind. At one time, the town had four – three Protestant churches and a Catholic one. One of those, Chula Baptist Church, had been Southern Baptist. Built in 1896, the church had once been full. But the last few decades were tough. By the late 2010s, only three members remained. No longer able to support the church, they gave it to the Linn-Livingston Baptist Association. By the time Chula Baptist closed its doors for the last time, the town had no active churches. (See related stories here and here.) The population of Chula is roughly the same as it was 60 years ago when my dad became the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church down the road in Chillicothe, but as of 2020, the town had no local Gospel witness. Of course, Chula had believers, but they had to drive 20 to 30 minutes away to worship. That would have been the end of the story if not for Calvary Baptist. For the past five years, Calvary has invested tirelessly into this small town, particularly the local school where they’ve provided school supplies for the children and much-needed physical labor. They’ve sponsored trunk or treat activities near Halloween and set up booths during the school carnival. They’ve hosted Vacation Bible School during the summers. For the past two years, the church has led Thursday night Bible studies for children, youth and adults inside the school after a lovingly made meal. You might read all that and think that Calvary Baptist Church of Chillicothe is a sprawling megachurch with a large staff and an unlimited budget. But you’d be wrong. At 120-130 people in regular attendance, Calvary is a bit bigger than your average SBC church, yet it’s hardly a megachurch. But Pastor Jon Davis has this church sacrificing both time and treasure to plant the Gospel in Chula. In fall 2022, with the full support of the community, they started a worship service in the local K-8 school. During that time, the people of Calvary partnered with the community to clean up the old Chula Baptist Church building. Last fall, they began meeting in the building, and the consistent congregation of 25-30 people are making plans to constitute a new church soon in a town that once had no Gospel presence. Of course, Calvary Baptist didn’t do it alone. The community supported it, making the school available for weekly Bible studies and worship services. The local water company allowed the church to insert notices about church events in the water bill. The town’s biggest employer gave them water to power wash the old church building. The Linn-Livingston Baptist Association also played an integral part, providing the old Chula Baptist building and paying the insurance on it. Keith Corrick, the associational missions strategist, also trained the lay preachers who are now rotating through the pulpit of the Chula church. Chula is a unique community with a history that extends back into the 19th century. But it’s also like a hundred other small communities throughout North America without a Gospel witness. More than likely, you have one of those communities near you. I get it. You might not think you have the resources to invest in a community like Chula. But you have more to offer than you think. Calvary’s model is a great place to start. They built relationships with the community by meeting practical needs in the local school and beyond. They sent Sunday school teachers to do similar classes in Chula using the same resources from their own classrooms. They started a worship service in the community with a rotation of lay preachers and music leaders. When they couldn’t find a music leader, they played a worship video to help lead the congregation in song. Your church can do this. It’s not rocket science. You’re not alone either. Work with a few like-minded churches to do this together. Your local Southern Baptist association can help. Your North American Mission Board’s Replant Team is here to help, too. We will be producing even more resources in the near future to support you in this effort. We’d love to walk with you as you explore replanting the Gospel in a rural community near you. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mark Clifton is the senior director of replanting at the North American Mission Board. Mark has served as a pastor, church planter, church revitalizer, mission strategist, coach and mentor to young leaders. He has planted and replanted numerous churches and has also served as a national and regional leader for church planting and missions. His experience includes serving as the lead mission strategist for the Kansas/Nebraska Southern Baptist Convention, leading church planting efforts in the regions of north metro Atlanta, Georgia, serving as a church planter in Montreal, Quebec, as a Southern Baptist National Church Planting Missionary for eastern Canada, and has lead Southern Baptist church planting projects west of the Mississippi. Mark has been planting, replanting and providing strategic mission leadership since 1978. Mark and his wife, Jill, live in Kansas City, Missouri and have two sons, two daughters-in-law and three grandsons. #MARCH24

WASHINGTON (BP) – The barring of two Christians from jury duty in a trial involving a lesbian is evidence that Christians with a biblical worldview are increasingly seen as bigots, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito said after Missouri asked the High Court to review the ruling. Such treatment of Christians is what he warned of in his dissent in the Obergefell v. Hodges legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015, Alito said in “reluctantly” concurring with the court’s decision not to hear Missouri’s appeal Feb. 20. “In this case, the court below reasoned that a person who still holds traditional religious views on questions of sexual morality is presumptively unfit to serve on a jury in a case involving a party who is a lesbian” Alito wrote. “That holding exemplifies the danger that I anticipated in Obergefell v. Hodges, … namely, that Americans who do not hide their adherence to traditional religious beliefs about homosexual conduct will be ‘labeled as bigots and treated as such’ by the government.” While the High Court indicated in the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling that it should not be used to discriminate against those holding biblical views of marriage, Alito said he’s “afraid that this admonition is not being heeded by our society.” Alito had predicted in his dissent that the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling would “be used to vilify Americans who are unwilling to assent to the new orthodoxy.” The decision, which equated the denial of same-sex marriage to the denial of equal treatment for African Americans and women, “will be exploited by those who are determined to stamp out every vestige of dissent,” Alito wrote in 2015. Alito called to mind Obergefell v. Hodges after the Supreme Court declined to hear Missouri’s appeal of a court ruling that dismissed two jurors in a 2021 employment discrimination case brought by Jean Finney, a lesbian. In the original trial in the Circuit Court of Buchanan County, Finney’s attorney successfully moved to strike two Christian jurors for cause, arguing that “there’s no way” anyone who sees a gay person as a sinner “could ever fairly consider a case involving a lesbian plaintiff.” In its appeal to the High Court, Missouri challenged the state appeals court’s decision affirming the removing of the jurors for their religious beliefs. The appeals court agreed with the lower court that jurors who believed the plaintiff’s homosexuality was sinful could not be impartial in hearing the case. The Missouri Court of Appeals’ reasoning is cause for concern, Alito said. The High Court should address such rulings at an appropriate time, he said, but asserted that a state law procedural issue complicates hearing the current case. “I would vote to grant review in this case were it not for the fact that the Court of Appeals concluded that the Department of Corrections did not properly preserve an objection to dismissal of the two potential jurors and, thus, that their dismissal was reviewable under state law only for plain error,” Alito wrote. “Because this state-law question would complicate our review, I reluctantly concur in the denial of certiorari.” The free exercise of religion must be protected in courts of law, Alito said. “The judiciary, no less than the other branches of State and Federal Government, must respect people’s fundamental rights, and among these are the right to the free exercise of religion and the right to the equal protection of the laws,” he said. “When a court, a quintessential state actor, finds that a person is ineligible to serve on a jury because of his or her religious beliefs, that decision implicates fundamental rights.” ABOUT THE AUTHOR Diana Chandler is Baptist Press’ senior writer. #MARCH24

FREMONT, MI – Michigan Disaster Relief Volunteers are reaching out to overwhelmed homeowners in Newaygo County. More than 100 roads were covered by flooding in the Western Michigan region, and more than 100 homes were impacted. Jim Brown was one homeowner assisted by a Southern Baptist Disaster Relief team. He did not have flood insurance. He told a WZZM-TV reporter from Grand Rapids that “God had sent him angels”. He added, “The team did in two hours what would have taken me a week.” Baptist State Convention of Michigan (BSCM) Disaster Relief Director, Bob Kiger led a team of 14 volunteers. He says, “I get choked up with I think about my opportunity to serve.” You can see the full news report about the team below. #APRIL19

by BP Staff NASHVILLE, TN (BP) – Southern Baptist leaders have published a statement grieving the recent death of George Floyd and calling for the end of "racial inequity in the distribution of justice in our country." The statement, co-authored by SBC president J.D. Greear and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary president Jamie Dew was unanimously signed by all SBC officers, entity heads and state convention executive directors. Statement on the death of George Floyd As a convention of churches committed to the equality and dignity of all people, Southern Baptists grieve the death of George Floyd, who was killed May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis, Minn. While all must grieve, we understand that in the hearts of our fellow citizens of color, incidents like these connect to a long history of unequal justice in our country, going back to the grievous Jim Crow and slavery eras. The images and information we have available to us in this case are horrific and remind us that there is much more work to be done to ensure that there is not even a hint of racial inequity in the distribution of justice in our country. We grieve to see examples of the misuse of force, and call for these issues to be addressed with speed and justice. While we thank God for our law enforcement officers that bravely risk their lives for the sake of others and uphold justice with dignity and integrity, we also lament when some law enforcement officers misuse their authority and bring unnecessary harm on the people they are called to protect. We further grieve with our minority brothers and sisters in the wake of George Floyd’s death, pray for his family and friends and greatly desire to see the misuse of force and any inequitable distributions of justice come to an end. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the Bible speaks to matters of justice and human dignity. We are taught by Scripture that human beings are distinct among the rest of creation as those beings which bear the divine image. From the beginning of life to the end, all human beings, both male and female--of all ethnicities, colors and ages--are sacred beings that God values and loves. Throughout the law, the prophets, the gospels and the entire canon of Scripture, murder is condemned and God’s people are called to protect the vulnerable. The Bible further condemns injustice and the misuse of authority and force. And in the example of Jesus Christ, God’s people are called to love others, care for their needs, grieve with them in brokenness and labor for the well-being of our neighbor. To follow Christ is to follow in these examples He puts before us. Therefore, as a matter of Christian obedience and devotion, followers of Jesus Christ cannot remain silent when our brothers and sisters, friends and/or people we seek to win for Christ are mistreated, abused or killed unnecessarily. Therefore, we pray for our local, state, and national leaders as they seek justice, and call on them to act quickly and diligently to ensure that these situations are brought to an end. As a people, Southern Baptists stand ready to help towards that end. May God give us His favor, help and strength in this effort. Co-Authors: James K. Dew, Jr. President, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary J.D. Greear President, Southern Baptist Convention Pastor, The Summit Church, Raleigh-Durham, N.C. Signatories: Marshal Ausberry 1st Vice President, Southern Baptist Convention President, National African-American Fellowship of the Southern Baptist Convention Pastor, Antioch Baptist Church, Fairfax Station, Va. Noe Garcia 2nd Vice President, Southern Baptist Convention Senior Pastor, North Phoenix Baptist Church, Phoenix, Ariz. Kathy Litton Registration Secretary, Southern Baptist Convention John Yeats Recording Secretary, Southern Baptist Convention Missouri Baptist Convention Executive Director Ronnie W. Floyd Treasurer, Southern Baptist Convention President & CEO, SBC Executive Committee Paul Chitwood President, International Mission Board Kevin Ezell President, North American Mission Board O.S. Hawkins President, GuideStone Financial Resources Ben Mandrell President & CEO, LifeWay Christian Resources Jeff Iorg President, Gateway Seminary Jason K. Allen President, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Danny L. Akin President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary R. Albert Mohler, Jr. President, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Adam W. Greenway President, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Russell D. Moore President, Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission Sandy Wisdom-Martin Executive Director/Treasurer, Woman’s Missionary Union Rick Lance, Alabama State Baptist Convention Randy Covington, Alaska Baptist Convention David Johnson, Arizona Southern Baptist Convention J. D. “Sonny” Tucker, Arkansas Baptist State Convention Bill Agee, California Southern Baptist Convention Nathan Lorick, Colorado Baptist General Convention Fred MacDonald, Dakota Baptist Convention J. Thomas Green, Florida Baptist Convention W. Thomas Hammond, Jr., Georgia Baptist Convention Christopher Martin, Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention Nate Adams, Illinois Baptist State Association Steve McNeil, State Convention of Baptist in Indiana Tim Lubinus, Baptist Convention of Iowa Robert Mills, Kansas-Nebraska Convention of Southern Baptists Todd Gray, Kentucky Baptist Convention Steve Horn, Louisiana Baptist Convention Kevin Smith, Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware Timothy Patterson, Baptist State Convention of Michigan Leo Endel, Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention Shawn Parker, Mississippi Baptist Convention Barrett Duke, Montana Southern Baptist Convention Kevin White, Nevada Baptist Convention Terry Dorsett, Baptist Convention of New England Joseph Bunce, Baptist Convention of New Mexico Terry Robertson, Baptist Convention of New York Milton Hollifield, Jr., Baptist State Convention of North Carolina Randy Adams, Northwest Baptist Convention Jack P. Kwok, State Convention of Baptists in Ohio D. Hance Dilbeck, Jr., Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma Barry Whitworth, Baptist Resource Network of Pennsylvania-South Jersey Felix Cabrera, Convention of Southern Baptist Churches in Puerto Rico Gary Hollingsworth, South Carolina Baptist Convention Randy C. Davis, Tennessee Baptist Convention David W. Hardage, Baptist General Convention of Texas Jim W. Richards, Southern Baptists of Texas Convention Rob Lee, Utah-Idaho Southern Baptist Convention John V. Upton, Jr., Baptist General Association of Virginia Brian Autry, Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia Eric Ramsey, West Virginia Convention of Southern Baptists Quin Williams, Wyoming Southern Baptist Mission Network #JUNE20

by Baptist Beacon staff PLYMOUTH, MI – Three African-American pastors share insights into the recent protests in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The conversation is part of the most recent episodes on the Baptist State Convention of Michigan’s (BSCM) new podcast, “Punching Holes in the Darkness.” Host Tim Patterson talks with Pastors Larry Johnson at Middlebelt Baptist Church in Inkster, Ken Nether at Crossover Church in Southfield and Cornelius Roberson at Heart and Soul Community Church in Detroit. The conversation is a two-part episode of the newly launched podcast. The three pastors share personal stories of racism they have faced, as well as, the challenges to being pastors in predominately African-American communities. Ken Nether says he believes these kinds of conversations are important as we take steps to move forward. Cornelius Roberson adds, “We have to look at how we got here before we can figure out how to get out of this situation.” And Larry Johnson says the white majority churches don’t know what they don’t know, and that’s why it is important that we spend time together. The BSCM has launched this new podcast called “Punching Holes in the Darkness.” for conversations like these. The online audio program is hosted by BSCM Executive Director and Treasurer, Tim Patterson. The podcast is a collection of interviews and stories about the ministry of pastors and churches in Michigan. Patterson says his purpose for this podcast is that he wants Michigan pastors to have a voice on current issues, and to allow them to hear from key national Christian leaders. He adds, “I really want pastors to be able to see and hear each other whether they are ministering in the Upper Peninsula or in our urban center of Detroit.” The first episodes of “Punching Holes in the Darkness”, include conversations about the COVID-19 crisis. Patterson along with BSCM staff, Dr. Tony L Lynn and Mike Durbin, share examples of churches across the state, and how they continue to minister during the coronavirus lockdown. The program also heard directly from pastors at Mile City Church in Plymouth, Heart and Soul Community Church in Detroit, Chapel Pointe in Hudsonville, and Redemption Church in Grand Rapids. Patterson says, “We are doing this thing together so together we can punch more holes in the darkness.” “Punching Holes in the Darkness” can be found on Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts, or at bscm.org/podcast. #JUNE20

by Bill LaFollette Just a month ago central Michigan experienced a 500-year flood and the subsequent failure of two dams on the Tittabawassee river. The heavy rains and ensuing flood waters damaged a number of homes in Gladwin, Midland and Saginaw counties. In Midland county alone, 2,500 homes, businesses and nonprofits were affected. Some 150 homes were completely destroyed, with another 790 suffering major damage. As one of the impacted homeowners, it was welcome news to hear Michigan Disaster Relief was being mobilized to help. Shortly after Memorial Day, twenty-five trained volunteers came from across the state over a two-week period. There were another 67 spontaneous volunteers from Michigan churches. A number were from the Bay Area Baptist Association, some of whom were impacted themselves. The volunteers were housed at Sunrise Baptist Church in Midland where Disaster relief established a command post, along with feeding and shower/laundry units. Several of the homes had damage to more than one floor. Those homes typically took more than one day to complete due to the amount of work required. Drywall and flooring were removed and the disposing of debris. Thorough cleaning and sanitizing were involved; all while trying to protect household items that could be saved. Because of the layout of many homes, the number of people at some locations had to be limited to keep from getting in each other's way. When initially contacted during the assessment phase, some home owners were overwhelmed. After a few days passed and volunteers showed up to help, it was heartwarming to see hope returning to their eyes when they realized others cared and their problems were not insurmountable. All of the homeowners were grateful, many finding it hard to believe Disaster Relief was providing this help without cost. This often led to discussions about Christ’s redeeming love also being free. The COVID-19 virus restrictions continue, and impacted homeowners are performing the many time-consuming tasks of restoring their homes and getting their lives back to normal. Homeowners are appreciative of Disaster Relief, and churches that showed us the true meaning of loving your neighbor. For more information about the Michigan flooding, click here. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bill LaFollette and his wife Linda live in Midland. They have two adult children and two grandchildren. They volunteer with community organizations and attend Sunrise Baptist Church. #JULY20

by Jerome Taylor BURTON, MI – Years ago, I was enthralled by episodes of Star Trek :: The Next Generation™. Viewing the sci-fi phenomenon, I was captivated by Capt. Jean-Luc Picard’s command to engage, and the blazing special effects of “warp speed.” At this point the Starship Enterprise was fully engaged in reaching the desired destination. Now, looking back on my life actively engaged in the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) cooperative labors… this sci-fi moment seems relatable. Not because it has been other worldly, but because once introduced & initiated, the days moving forward have flown by. More than a decade ago, I attended the SBC Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Arizona as a messenger from my local church. I was able to see first hand why active cooperation matters, but this wasn’t my first encounter with cooperative work. I am a product of the laborers that partnered to pour into the lives of many. Here are some of the examples. Growing up in the southern U.S. in the 80s-90s, the potential for connecting with churches that were Southern Baptist in their affiliation would have been likely. But the churches that connected with my family were highly engaged in teaching the Bible to multiple generations. I am a product of their partnership. Going to the community college, the local Baptist Student Union, ministered to my life and became a place where I recognized the Lord’s calling to be a minister to the lives of others. It is here that leadership took time to come alongside a lanky nerd, and encourage me to be a learning disciple. I am a product of the partnership that supported this work on my local campus. Continuing theological undergraduate work, the opportunity was provided to attend William Carey College. Due to the partnership the university had with the Mississippi Baptist Convention, the education I received was not as costly and as burdening as it could have been. I am a product of the partnership that provided a way for ministers to be trained. Serving as a youth pastor, an invitation was extended to serve on the Arizona Southern Baptist Convention, Student Evangelism Team. This moment welcomed a young and relatively inexperienced young man to the table and opened my eyes to see the value of collaborative labors to reach the multitudes. It would be easy to brag on the Lord for His gracious work and how a relatively odd duck like myself can be involved. All of this both encourages and invigorates my soul in such a way, that I am resolved to remain actively engaged in cooperation. And here are the reasons that such a decision to be cooperatively engaged remains an imperative. 1 :: We see that important decisions are made by those who show up. Being involved helps the voice of the local church be heard in our local, state, and national mission strategies. 2 :: We can be reminded of what we have received. It is easy for missional amnesia to creep in and forget what has been accomplished, but being involved produces gratitude. 3 :: We are able to share in mutual fruit. We are brought to work together in a way that produces greater fruit than could be accomplished alone. 4 :: We are accountable for our partnerships. As local churches we are called to be good stewards over that which has been entrusted to us. Being good stewards requires accountable evaluation. 5 :: We are reminded of how to pray. When we are involved, we can actively see how our prayers matter, how prayer works, and how to pray even further for the collaborative labors ahead. 6 :: We are moved toward greater generosity. When local churches and leaders get involved, we see God using our time, talent, and treasure for greater effectiveness. This encourages cheerful giving and service. 7 :: We are able to celebrate how the Lord Jesus does immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. Let us be renewed in our faith and worship as we see the greatness of God working as only He can. Engage! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jerome Taylor is the Pastor of Eastgate Baptist Church in Burton Michigan. He loves his family, wife Melinda and 4 children. #JUNE21

ROSEVILLE – Inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty are these words by Emma Lazarus. “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” These words sound so inviting, so noble, so beautiful. Reality is a bit different. One day at the gym I watched an older man (probably about my age) get more and more frustrated because a younger guy was on a treadmill longer than the older guy thought he should be. Finally, the older guy had enough and pulled the plug on the machine. When the younger guy (middle eastern descent – maybe?) asked him what his problem was, the older guy told him to, “Go back to the country you came from.” Apparently, he hadn’t heard of Emma Lazarus or knew much about the Statue of Liberty. It is so easy to get an image of the kind of people we want to be around us whether that be our country or our church. Typically, they are people who appear to be what we are, or what we want to be perceived as. But, when we view the life of the church this way, we sadly miss one of the primary purposes of the church. Isn’t the gospel sticky enough to make natural born enemies, and people of different groups one body who love one another? Years ago, I was frustrated that several wheelchairs were near the front doors of our building. I thought this made us look like a Nursing Home. I feared that it would not be attractive or inviting to younger people. People in wheelchairs are generally not the demographic church growth strategists tell us to aim for. But doesn’t Jesus love people who are in wheelchairs too? Do I only want a congregation made up of people who don’t need assistance, who are strong, self-sufficient, etc.? My frustration was no different than the reaction of the guy at the gym. I was thinking in my heart that if you need a wheelchair, we really don’t want to make it easy for you here. You can go back to where you came from. But that is not what the gospel is about is it? It is the weak, the broken, the sick, the lame, the poor and the tired who are most drawn to Christ. Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Mark 2.17) The perverted prosperity gospel would have us buy into the notion that we can have a church without needy people, and that the weak only get in our way and slow us down. But what is supernatural about loving people who are strong, sufficient and successful? How is the power of the gospel displayed by making room only for people who are what we want to be like? Wasn’t that one of the big problems of the early church? Remember that Jew and Gentile thing? Isn’t the church to be the people who give space in their lives to one another, no matter what? I’ve learned a bit since then. We still have wheelchairs near our front door and now I like it because it says if you aren’t perfect, you belong here. The fact is, only imperfect people belong in the church, right? And that is good because we have a perfect Savior. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bob Johnson has been serving as the Senior Pastor of Cornerstone since 1989. He has a Masters of Divinity degree from the Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary (1997). #FEBRUARY23

by Diana Chandler ANAHEIM, CA (BP) – Online hotel registration opens Friday (Oct. 1) for the 2022 Southern Baptist Convention Annual Meeting June 14-15 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Online registration will be available at sbcannualmeeting.net beginning at 8 a.m. Central Daylight Time, with the discounted convention rate available until May 16. California Southern Baptists showcase diversity, with 12 languages and 51 nationalities counted among the 147 churches in the Orange County Southern Baptist Association, according to Director of Missions Mike Proud. Statewide, Hispanics are now the largest ethnic group, the 2020 U.S. Census notes. “The annual meeting will be an amazing opportunity for Southern Baptists to encourage and join the work of God that is happening in California,” SBC President Ed Litton has said. “It also excites me for Southern Baptists to see the vast mission field of our most populous and diverse state. “For better or worse, California sets trends for our nation, and we need to seize on the tremendous potential in planting churches that will impact the spread of the Gospel across our land.” “Jesus: The Center of It All” is the 2022 annual meeting theme, anchored in Colossians 1:15, which describes Jesus as the image of the invisible God and the firstborn over all creation, with all things in heaven and earth created by and for Him. Gateway Seminary President Jeff Iorg has encouraged Southern Baptists to visit the seminary in the days surrounding the meeting, at its Ontario campus, which is within 30 miles of Anaheim. “The most unique thing happening at Gateway this year is we’re capitalizing on all of you coming to visit us and specific strategies to make sure that we take advantage of training our people and exposing so many Gateway folk to the Southern Baptist Convention,” Iorg said a week ago, “and then hopefully giving you a new vision, a new image, a new impression of what God is doing through Southern Baptists across California and the West.” Rooms are available at 20 hotels, many of them within walking distance of the meeting site. Both the Anaheim Marriott, the official convention hotel, and the Hilton Anaheim are adjacent. Online registration is encouraged, but reservations may be made by phone at 864-580-4468 with wait times anticipated. Reservations canceled on or after May 16, 2022, may result in a penalty of one night’s room and tax. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Diana Chandler is Baptist Press’ senior writer. #OCTOBER21

by Nathaniel Bishop, Sr. DETROIT, MI – The recording in Luke’s Gospel brings us to focus on the heavenly announcement of the birth of Jesus to the shepherds which were keeping watch of their flock by night; truly this was God’s blessings from above. This announcement by the Angelic Host from heaven was spoken directly to the shepherds, but it carries a universal message for all of mankind and for all ages. The appearance and the message of the Angelic Host as recorded in chapter 2, verses 9 - 10 were quite plain, but yet it was an amazing event and quite astonishing to the shepherds. The announcement of ‘good tidings of great joy,’ to all people, ever rings true for today. In addition to the royal announcement the shepherds were given further information revealing unto them, ‘Born this Day, in the city of David (Bethlehem) a Savior, which is Christ (Messiah) the Lord (Verse 11). Looking at this account of what took place by the supernatural power of God; these shepherds, no doubt, in their daily and nightly task of keeping the flock safe and well-guarded, were emotionally startled by this heavenly appearance, the glorious message, and the invitation to go and see with their own eyes, the Christ Child. No doubt being startled, they were equally overwhelmed to be given such a privilege of seeing the glory of the heavens opening and observing the appearance of the Angelic Host; As well as receiving the message of the Christ Childbirth in Bethlehem (House of Bread) and the invitation to go and see. Those shepherds were honored by God to witness this great biblical event which is deeply rooted in the prophecy of Old. Although, Christmas is a celebration throughout our world, and some acknowledge Jesus’ birth was in Bethlehem, where He was born in a manger. It is very unfortunate that despite the birth of the Christ Child and the biblical impact of God’s Gift, there have been many who have missed out on seeing God’s plan and true purpose of the coming of the Messiah. Through the prophecies of old, God spoke of the coming of the Messiah (The Anointed One), and the divine impact of the birth was to have on all of God’s creation. God, who is omniscient, in His foreknowledge had already arranged for the coming of the Messiah. Going back to Genesis 3, we read the account of Adam and Eve, and the Serpent which had a devastating part, in Adam and Eve's fall and separation from God. Here in this 3rd chapter, where Adam Eve disobeys God’s commandment, God pronounced the punishment upon the serpent. Because of what the serpent did, God placed a curse on the serpent, and the serpent would undergo a metamorphosis and the ‘Seed of the Women, would bruise his head, and the serpent would bruise His heel.’ From this passage of Genesis 3:14 and 15, we have what is known as the ‘Protoevangelium,’ (the first mention of the good news), God’s plan and promise as His divine way to bring about “Restoration, Reconciliation, and Redemption,” for mankind. By sin entering into God’s creation, which brought the sinful nature of mankind, as well as death, destruction, and separation from God, who is holy and righteous. So, from Genesis 3, we have the plan and promise of God to bring about salvation to mankind, because of His great love for His creation (Ephesians 2:4). God’s prophecy allowed us to see His divine hands moving throughout scripture and raising prophets up, to prophesy about the Messiah. God used the prophets of old to foretell the coming (Genesis 3:15), the how (Isa. 7:14), the when (Daniel 9:25-26), the where (Micah 5:2), the tribe (Genesis 49:10), and the glorious salvation for all of mankind (Isaiah 53:3-5). All of this was preordained by our Sovereign God. The appearance and message made to the shepherds and their invitation to go and see the Christ Child is the fulfillment of God’s love and universal gift to mankind. Christmas isn’t just another holiday, but it is a day when the very Son of God was born into this world. Being born of a woman, He came as the universal gift to all, bringing the gift of eternal life, to all who would receive Him. So, to that end, let us join with the Angelic Host in speaking the message of good tidings of great joy to all, and tell others about the Savior, Christ the Lord. God’s gift of salvation (deliverance). A Gift that has a universal appeal, A gift that is free – A gift that is perfect – A gift that is everlasting. I do pray with all sincerity that this Christmas may be one of great joy and everlasting hope from above to each of you. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Rev. Nathaniel Bishop, Sr is Pastor of Cass Park Baptist Church in Detroit. He is married to Joyce A. Bishop. They have been married for 53 years, and are blessed with a wonderful daughter and son, and 6 very great and very special grandchildren (5 girls, and 1 boy). #DECEMBER21

by David Thompson NASHVILLE, TN – He is the last of his kind—-the last of what’s affectionately known as the greatest generation. He is U.S. military pilot Gail S. Halverson. A bomber in World War II, he is an American Hero. Oh! Did I mention he targeted kids! I also failed to mention that Gail who just died the last week of February of 2022, was known as the “Candy Bomber”. That’s right… he dropped hundreds of thousands of pounds of sweets and goodies all over the Soviet controlled West Berlin as World War II was ending. What a legacy to leave. What an honor and duty for him to drop the last bombs on Soviet Berlin…. and it was something delicious and wonderful from above. He lived to talk about it personally for 77 more years, now I am telling his story, and now you are learning his story. It’s not a stretch to relate this to a picture of what our heavenly Father is like. The very first book in the New Testament actually appears near the end. It is James, the half-brother of our Lord. In one of the first paragraphs, he says, “Every good and perfect gift comes down from Heaven—from the Father of Lights, in whom there is no variableness or shadow of turning… of His own will He brought us forth….in order that we would be a kind of first fruits”. James is, in very simple terms, describing what God is like. First, all that is “GOOD” is always from “GOD”. Next, this “GOOD GOD” cannot change—“EVER’. Lastly, GOD is GOOD FOREVER—not because he feels like it. GOD Is GOOD FOREVER, simply because that’s what God “WILLS”. James states, “of His own WILL…. He brought us forth”. Another translation says, “gave us birth”. In other words, if you have a spiritual birthday, it is surely because God loved you first and He didn’t do that just because He felt like it. GOD WILLED IT! The great C.S. Lewis puts it like this, “Being in love and loving are two different things—being in love is great but not the greatest thing—there are many things above it and many things below it”. Lewis goes on to say, “no one can sustain the feeling of a teenager in love. True love is loving someone even when you don’t like them” and so, God doesn’t like you because He “FEELS “ like it… But because HE WILLS TO! I hope today, dear friend, that you will come to know this God just like Jesus’ own brother knew Him. Thank God today if you do know Him, and that He does not love like you and I love— EVER… (we tend to love based on feelings that change). Instead, learn this, “Jesus loves me this—this I know, for the Bible tells me so”. I am grateful that a tiny, but very round little scotch woman, Ms. Stewart, at the Old Hickory Presbyterian Church taught me that before I could even write my name. Be glad and rejoice brother and sister that you have a God who is responsible for all that is good in this old messed up world. No matter what happens today, or tomorrow, or this year, God is still going to be the same—causing “mercy drops” from Heaven to rain down on you, just as He has done every livelong day of your existence! And take a moment to praise Him that he never does “GOOD” just because he feels like it… He does it because HE IS A GOOD GOD!! ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. David L. Thompson holds an undergraduate degree from Belmont University in Psychology and Religion, a graduate degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Education, and a doctorate in Counseling and Pastoral Psychology. He has served as a chairman of the Church Planting Group and Executive Committee Chair at the North American Mission Board for 10 years. He has been a Police Chaplain since 1991 and served as a Corporate Chaplain to the Coca Cola Bottling Company in Nashville, Tennessee where he resides with his wife. He has six children and five grandsons. #APRIL22

by Stan Parker LANSING, MI – We were part of a team that had a blessed Holy Land experience in September. The adventure was a day of contrasts including visits to both sites where Jesus reportedly was born and where he reportedly died, as well as other historical and biblical places. The Garden Tomb is the site of the" place of the skull" where Jesus was crucified. Though the site has changed hands over the centuries, the evidence has not been altered. The site is very consistent with the words of St. Matthew chapters 26 and 27. Many of the team spent time in prayer while also visiting the Garden of Gethsemane. The Garden is so beautiful and serene. After leaving the Garden, the team traveled to the Church of the Nativity. In studying the Bible, we learn that Jesus was born in a manger. Many years ago, the Catholic Church converted the site and built a church at the very spot of Jesus's birth. It includes the cave revered as Jesus's birthplace, and it is believed to be the oldest functioning church in the world. The trip included the Herodion, the fortified palace, and final resting place of Herod the Great. The Herodion is one of several palaces built by Herod the Great. History states he needed many places to live because he always feared for his life. Having various palaces made it almost impossible to know where he was at a given time. All of these palaces showed just how great a builder he was. One of the most humble places visited was the Shepherds' Field in Bethlehem. In Jesus's day, shepherds were considered one of the lowest forms of work. Shepherds were not esteemed by the general public. However, scripture shows that in spite of how mankind may have viewed shepherds, their view did not stop God from showing how valuable Shepherds were to him, and the major role they played in God's plan for Salvation. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Dr. Stan Parker serves as senior pastor of Faith Fellowship Baptist Church. He is on mission during his spare time, traveling domestically and internationally. He is the author of several publications, and serves as a regional director for the National African American Fellowship within the Southern Baptist Convention. #OCTOBER22