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l Cross Church set to launch school of ministry l WBC finishes 4th in nation l Why teach members about the SBC? l How your church can use social media l Scout decision raises questions l RAs may emerge as alternative l LR church members ‘Live. Love. Reach.’

June 7, 2013

e-publication of the Arkansas Baptist News – www.arkansasbaptist.org

New campaign targets hunger

Nearly 51 years at same church Rosa Baptist Church, in a rural area near Blytheville, is the only church 86-year-old George Nichols has ever pastored.

After 50 years and 9 months, Nichols preached his last sermon at the church May 26, which is disbanding. A special celebration service held in Nichols’ honor was attended by 105 people. Read the entire story in the June 13 edition of the Arkansas Baptist News. View a photo gallery here. Photos by Caleb Yarbrough

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP) – Worldwide, 870 million people don’t have enough to eat – and the vast majority of them have no idea how much God loves them. A new initiative involving the Southern Baptist World Hunger Fund (WHF) aims to tackle both those problems.

The new initiative, Global Hunger Relief, seeks to take the WHF’s unique “dollar in, dollar out” message to new and wider audiences – and to challenge a new generation of believers to personally take Jesus’ love to starving souls, in both word and deed.

“No one is for world hunger. We all think it’s a terrible thing and we wish it would go away,” said Russell Moore, newly elected president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, which is charged by Southern Baptists with raising awareness about the hunger issue.

“Having the right feelings about hunger, though, isn’t enough. That’s the equivalent of the apostle John’s warning against saying ‘be warmed and filled’ to those

See HUNGER page 3

Ouachita alum presents U.S. war flag ARKADELPHIA – Flag Day came early this year to the Ouachita Baptist University (OBU) campus.

Maj. Johnpaul Arnold, a public affairs officer with the U.S. Army, presented an American flag flown in Afghanistan to Ouachita’s School of Humanities Friday, June 7 at Ouachita’s International Flag Plaza.

Arnold, a 1994 Ouachita graduate with a major in mass communications, was a Maj. Gen. Moise B. Seligman ROTC Scholar at OBU. He currently is stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma,

Wash. During his military service, Arnold has been deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan since 9/11. He has been awarded two Bronze Star medals, a Defense Meritorious Service medal, a Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary medal, Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign medals, a NATO Medal and a Combat Action badge.

The presentation service featured the raising of the flag over the Ouachita campus. It included brief remarks by Arnold and Ouachita officials as well as the playing of “The

Star-Spangled Banner” with military salute and arms. Following a prayer of dedication, the flag was presented to the School of Humanities and Rogers Department of Communications for display in Lile Hall.

According to a certificate accompanying the flag, Arnold flew the flag on May 18, 2012, in Afghanistan “in honor of the students, faculty and fallen comrades of Ouachita Baptist University.”

“Flying our U.S. flag in Afghani-

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See WAR FLAG page 2

OUTREACH

Farmington church takes service to ballpark Lynn Kutter Arkansas Baptist News FARMINGTON – Families with boys and girls playing tournament ball in the summer can’t always make it to church on Sunday mornings. So in Farmington, the church is going to the ballpark.

First Baptist Church, Farmington, started a new ministry this year called Farmington Church at the Ballpark and is bringing in speakers to give devotions before the kids play their first games on Sunday.

The 15-minute service is held under the pavilion at the new Farmington Sports Complex and

concludes with coffee, juice and After attending a ballpark service doughnuts. in Oklahoma, he said he decided to Speakers have included former try it in Farmington.

Razorback baseball Coach Norm “We feel like it’s important,” Debriyn, who coached for ArkanDisheroon said. “For a lot of teams, sas for 30 years, former it’s not an option Razorback catcher Bart to go to church.

Hester and current We thought this players Tyler Spoon was a good opand Brandon Moore. tion for those Church member families.”

Tim Disheroon got the Disheroon idea for Church at the also sees the minBallpark from a tournaistry as a tool to Boys listen during service. ment in Oklahoma. reach families who Disheroon has two sons who play do not attend church at all but baseball and said, “We found ourwould come listen to a Razorback selves on Sunday not able to go to player speak and “hear what you church.” would hear if you went to church.”

Bart Hester, who spoke May 19, played for the Razorbacks from 1997-2000. He now is a realtor and a state senator representing District 1 in Benton County.

Hester liked the concept of a church at the ballpark, noting baseball has moved into playing on Sundays from Little League through professional baseball.

“What’s most important is our relationship with Christ, not baseball,” Hester said. “It’s very important to take a few minutes and honor God and remember what’s important.”

At the same time, Hester noted,

See BALLPARK page 3

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June 7, 2013

Cross Church to launch school of ministry SPRINGDALE (BP) – Cross Church atically work through a curriculum in northwest Arkansas is launching framework of ministry competencies in August what pastor Ronnie Floyd to provide a practical supplement sees as a model for addressing the for what is taught in college and “experience gap” in ministry prepaseminary. ration: the Cross Church School of The rest of the week will be spent Ministry. working in full-time ministry under “The purpose of this new school the mentorship of a Cross Church is not to replace what our staff member, but the universities and seminarschool emphasizes that ies do by way of theothis is not an internship. logical education, but to Among the ministry complement them,” Floyd track options are pastor, said. worship ministry, preAt any stage of minschool ministry, children’s istry, from precollege ministry, youth ministry, to post-seminary, a percollege ministry, media son can enroll at Cross ministry (lighting, sound, Church School of Minvideo, Web, graphics), istry for a one-year resiChristian school adminisdential program that will tration, church planting, Floyd provide practical ministry global missions and comexperience at the multisite Cross passion ministries. Upon graduaChurch under Floyd and other staff tion, students will receive a certifimembers. cate.

Students can gain credit hours Cross Church School of Ministo apply to a degree – such as 18-30 try has developed partnerships with hours at Southern Baptist Theologifour Southern Baptist seminaries cal Seminary or Boyce College – as and the North American Mission well as follow a customized ministry Board, as well as Boyce College, The track, receive personal mentorship College at Southeastern, The Colfrom a Cross Church ministry staff lege at Southwestern and Union member and participate in two stateUniversity, and more partnerships side missions experiences and an inare developing. ternational missions experience.

R. Albert Mohler Jr., president of One day a week, students will Southern Baptist Theological Semiparticipate in an Oxford-style learnnary, said the most important coning environment, and they’ll systemtext for the training of ministers is

in the local church.

“I am so glad that Cross Church and Dr. Ronnie Floyd are establishing this new program for the training of ministers within the life and ministry of one of the world’s most dynamic and faithful churches,” Mohler said. “Southern Seminary is proud to be in partnership with this new program and we expect great things from those who will be trained by it and sent out into the world.”

Paige Patterson, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, said, “When local churches become interested in and committed to theological education, it always encourages my soul. Cross Church, led by Pastor Ronnie Floyd and pastoral specialist Jeff Crawford, is leading the way in blending good theology and ardent pastoral ministry.”

Floyd wrote in a promotional letter, “Please rest assured, each student will learn what we as Baptists believe, both theologically and missiologically, as well as how we cooperate together to take the gospel to the ends of the earth through the ministries of the Cooperative Program.”

Floyd noted that since the adoption of the Great Commission Resurgence by the SBC in 2010 – recommendations of a task force he served as chairman – Cross Church

has more than doubled its Cooperative Program giving. “This year we are scheduled to give at least $650,000 through the Cooperative Program, and it is my prayer and desire that within the next five years, Cross Church will be able to give at least $1 million through the Cooperative Program annually,” he said.

In 2011, Cross Church began a three-year church planting and missions mobilization campaign called “Greater Things” with several specific goals.

Floyd challenged Cross Church’s members to plant 50 new churches in three years and – in 2012 alone – to mobilize at least 1,000 church members to participate in a crosscultural missions experience outside northwest Arkansas.

The pastor also challenged the church to raise $20 million in three years to help make the vision a reality.

Cross Church has four campuses in northwest Arkansas, and Floyd wanted to ensure that a gospel witness occurred in some way to every home in the region by the end of the Greater Things initiative.

In April, Cross Church reported that 51 churches already had been planted, more than 800 members had participated in a cross-cultural missions experience and more than $13 million had been raised toward Greater Things.

WBC Lady Eagles finish 4th in NAIA tourney battled hard every at bat, and the COLUMBUS, Ga. – A dream seabreaks just didn’t fall our way. We son came to an end for the Lady just couldn’t get the big hit when we Eagles of Williams Baptist College needed it.”

May 29.

The loss ends an incredible run The Williams softball team lost to for three seniors. Hendrix, Felicia second ranked Lubbock Christian Woodard and Kacey Rasnic have University, 2-1. The loss wraps up taken the program a fourth-place finish to new heights. They at the 2013 NAIA came to a program National Champithat had not won an onship in ColumAmerican Midwest bus, Ga. It is the Conference Chamhighest finish of a pionship before their Lady Eagles softball arrivals and leave team in school hiswith at least a share tory. of four American Pitcher Karisa Karisa Hendrix pitches.

Midwest Conference Hendrix was nearly (AMC) regular season titles, as well unhittable in her last start in a Wilas two NAIA National Championliams uniform. Both Lady Chaps ship appearances, among other noruns were courtesy of an error in table accomplishments. the fourth inning and were scored “We feel like we have put our unearned. She threw six innings, alprogram on the map,” said Newell. lowing five hits. Hendrix rewrote the “Our team goals at the beginning of Williams softball record book in her the season were to put others first four years at the school. She finishes and focus on relationships. These her senior year with a record of 25-7. seniors have laid that down and I The Lady Eagles seemed to have hope that foundation continues to the base paths full throughout the grow.” contest but were unable to score a The Lady Eagles finish the year run until a wild pitch in the seventh with a 46-9 record. The team’s reinning. The team had seven hits in cord against NAIA top 10 teams is the contest and left 10 runners on 7-1 on the season and 10-3 against base. the top 25. Williams finishes the na“I felt we played really well. It is tional championship further than hard to talk about right now,” said any AMC team since 1995.

Head Coach Eric Newell. “Our girls

From left: seniors Karisa Hendrix, Felicia Woodard and Kasey Rasnik accept the fourth-place place trophy from NAIA tournament official for Williams Baptist College.

WAR FLAG continued from page one stan allowed me to say thanks to our great nation, symbolizing the tremendous sacrifice and support during our country’s longest war,” Arnold said.

“To have this flag displayed in OBU’s School of Humanities ensures current and future generations of students will understand Ouachita’s role in the Afghanistan war and the price for our many freedoms,”

Arnold said prior to the ceremony.

“My four years at Ouachita allowed me to become a commissioned Army officer, a leader and a servant to our nation,” he added.

“I am honored to present my alma mater, Ouachita BapArnold tist University, this U.S. flag, flown in Afghanistan, as an enduring tribute to OBU’s faculty, students, veterans and fallen comrades.”

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www.arkansasbaptist.org

Why teach members about the SBC? Diana Davis Guest writer TAKE THIS SHORT TEST: (1) What is the world’s largest evangelical denomination? Clue: It has 45,000 churches with more than 16 million members.

(2) Which is the largest missions-sending organization in the entire world? Clue: It sends nearly 5,000 international missionaries to 153 countries and 5,000 missionaries in North America.

(3) The Red Cross and the Salvation Army are two of the three largest disaster relief organizations in the world. What is the third?

(4) Which denomination consistently plants more churches across North America than any other?

(5) Which denomination is currently training approximately 16,000 future pastors, missionaries and church leaders in its six theological seminaries?

The answer to each question is the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC).

But do members and attenders at your church or church plant know

HUNGER continued from page one in need,” Moore added. “The World Hunger Fund – and the new Global Hunger Relief initiative – is a tangible way for Baptist Christians to feed hungry people in Jesus’ name. The Bible tells us we’ll be asked at the Judgment Seat about our response to the hungry. The least we can do is give, to offer a meal and the gospel of life to those who are starving.”

A booth in the exhibit hall during the June 11-12 SBC Annual Meeting in Houston will introduce Global Hunger Relief to the Southern Baptist family. The booth presence will be sponsored by the seven partners that collaborate in promoting World Hunger Sunday each year.

While Southern Baptist donations to the hunger cause have tailed off over the past decade – from $6.3 million in 2000 to $4.6 million in 2011 – the strategic value of those funds has increased dramatically, both in North America and overseas.

Tom Elliff, president of the International Mission Board, sees hunger funds playing a crucial role in taking the good news of God’s love to people who otherwise are unlikely to hear.

“Right now across the world, there are more than 3,000 unengaged, unreached people groups,” Elliff said. “That means they have not had the privilege of hearing the gospel.”

When IMB uses Southern Baptist hunger funds among the unreached, however, “every project is

about your denomination? Can a website visitor easily discover that you’re Southern Baptist? If you need simple ways to help your church stay informed and enthused about how God’s working through our convention, try these fresh ideas: – Send representatives to the SBC’s Annual Meeting.

They’ll be wowed and informed about SBC ministries. This year it’s June 11-12 in Houston.

– In your church’s new member class, tell about your denominational relationDavis ships. Use quality video clips in your worship service from SBC, North American Mission Board (NAMB) and International Mission Board (IMB) websites. Celebrate Cooperative Program Sunday in April with a mission fair or interactive display.

– Challenge members to subscribe to Baptist Press’ (BP) free daily e-newsmagazine to read exciting, current SBC news, missions and ministry updates.

– Partner in planting a church in an unreached area of North America. Connect with an SBC international missionary or unreached peo-

ple group. Help a student at an SBC seminary with a scholarship.

– Provide links to SBC and state convention websites on your church website.

And that’s just a snippet of SBC work! Explore SBC websites to discover thousands of exciting facts and resources.

The word “synergy” describes your Southern Baptist Convention well. Your church is totally autonomous (self-governing) – uniquely worshipping, serving and sharing Jesus.

You’re also part of an enormous network of like-minded, Bible-believing, missions-sending, eternityimpacting churches – the SBC. Each SBC church voluntarily contributes through the Cooperative Program and special mission offerings to mobilize a huge missions and ministry force.

Yes, your individual church is awesome. Yet together, we’re even better. That’s synergy.

It’s no secret. God is using Southern Baptists to impact eternity more effectively today than in its history!

Diana Davis is author of “Fresh Ideas” and “Deacon Wives” (B&H Publishing).

tied to a long-term strategy, not only for evangelism and discipleship, but for planting reproducing churches,” Elliff said. “There can be no better investment of your resources and your life than through projects like that, which will bear fruit unto life eternal.”

Hunger funds play a crucial role in Southern Baptist humanitarian

efforts, as well, said Jeff Palmer, executive director of the Baptist Global Response international relief organization.

“Hunger strategies are one of the most effective tools we have in reaching people in need both physically and spiritually,” Palmer said.

For more information visit www. worldhungerfund.com.

BALLPARK continued from page one baseball teaches boys about life.

They learn to deal with failure, to work together as a team and to work hard.

“But I don’t want them to think competing for that elusive scholarship is the top priority of life,” he added.

Moore played tournament baseball growing up and said he wished something like the Church at the Ballpark were available for him.

“When it came to church versus baseball, it was always baseball every time,” Moore said when he spoke in April. “It won every time. That’s not how it’s supposed to be.”

In his testimony, Hester recalled how, at 8 years old, he prayed with his uncle and asked Jesus to come into his heart.

“That happened right then, and I know it happened because I lived it,” Hester told about 40 people gathered at the pavilion.

He spoke about “absolute truth” and God’s “Playbook,” the Bible.

Hester shared John 14:6 with the young ballplayers in their baseball uniforms.

“I believe that is one of the most important verses in the Bible,” Hester said. “I believe that no man will go to heaven except through Christ and if you’ve asked Him into your heart like I did.”

Moore also gave his testimony and said he had many idols in his life, baseball in particular. He attended church growing up and knew about Jesus but did not know about the gospel. Moore told the ballplayers that he “genuinely” gave his life to Christ during his sophomore year at the University of Arkansas.

“I switched over from death to life,” Moore said, adding he knows it happened because of the peace he felt in his life.

Disheroon said attendance has varied at the services. The largest crowd to attend – about 80 people – gathered to hear Coach Debriyn.

On the other Sundays, 40 to 50 people have attended.

“God has opened a lot of doors to get some great speakers,” Disheroon said.

The service is held on Sunday mornings when a tournament is scheduled at the ballpark. At least two more services will be held in June.

Lynn Kutter is a correspondent for the Arkansas Baptist News.

trends Important information to know

How to use social media to promote your church A RECENT SURVEY by BuzzPlant reports social media as the most effective method for church outreach.

Social media is an electronic way of connecting people in various social settings.

Facebook is one of the most popular social media sites; however, there are other sites that offer a different venue.

Three trendy social media sites churches are using for outreach and marketing are Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Twitter is a micro blogging, social messaging tool that gives instant updates and information. Writers send and retext messages of up to 140 characters called “tweets.” Twitter revolves around the principle of followers. You choose to follow another “Twitter” user, to gain up-to-theminute information.

Three ways churches are using Twitter are to (1) tweet about upcoming church activities; (2) tweet encouraging Scripture passages, and (3) tweet lyrics of Christian songs.

Instagram is also based around having friends and followers. So what makes it different? It is all about photos! Instagram allows you to upload photographs for display. Other followers can “like” them and set them in a popular age which allows for browsing and reposting. Instagram allows you to visually see and follow a person’s life.

Two areas where churches are using Instagram are to (1) post the place and location of the church and (2) post pictures of events and activities.

Pinterest is a website that allows users to create and manage theme-based image collections such as events, interests, hobbies and more. Pinterest’s mission is to “connect everyone in the world through the ‘things’ they find interesting” via a global platform of inspiration and idea sharing. Pinterest is like a digital magazine, which allows you to select (pin) information for your own magazine (pinboard) for organization and quick reference.

Three uses of Pinterest for churches are to (1) pin images of their worship service; (2) pin outlines of the current sermon series and (3) pin articles or books that the pastor or staff have written or recommended.

Cole Penick (@ColePenick) is the Baptist Collegiate Ministries campus minister at the University of Arkansas. Email him at cpenick@absc.org.

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June 7, 2013

Churches to have ‘hard discussion’ about Scouts Bonnie Pritchett Southern Baptist Texan GRAPEVINE, Texas (BP) – With the decision Thursday (May 23) to open the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) membership to homosexual youth, the 70,000 faith-based organizations, including many churches, that have championed the virtues of “duty to God” and moral straightness by sponsoring local troops must decide whether to cut ties with the Scouts or continue their association with evangelistic outreach in mind.

Of the 100,000 chartered Scouting units in the United States, 70 percent are sponsored by faith-based organizations. Some took decisive stands against loosening membership standards, while leadership from other church groups voiced murkier positions. Numerous Southern Baptist leaders voiced opposition to the policy change.

Church leaders said the decision of affiliation with the Boy Scouts would be made at the local level.

“We’re going to have a long, hard discussion of our support for our local troop,” said Gregg Simmons, pastor of the Dallas-area Church at the Cross in Grapevine. The new membership policy, approved by 61 percent of voting delegates, admits openly homosexual youth into its ranks but maintains the prohibition on openly homosexual adult leaders.

For five years, Church at the Cross has chartered Troop No. 4.

Though he could not speak for the congregation at large, Simmons said it would be difficult for him in good conscience to continue sponsoring an organization that holds unbiblical views.

The new policy is rife with moral confusion and legal ambiguity, said Ben Wright, associate pastor at High Pointe Baptist Church in Austin, but he said the vote is not necessarily a “deal breaker” for High Pointe.

However, progression toward acceptance of homosexual leaders would warrant another review of the relationship, Wright said.

Wright noted Boy Scout guidelines prohibit the promotion of social and political agendas within the organization but “this resolution steps right into that.” Discussion with High Pointe Church elders, Wright said, led to the conclusion that the new policy inevitably will lead to the acceptance of homosexual leaders. That change will come from within the organization or be foisted upon it by a lawsuit, he predicted.

Simmons said by giving tacit approval of homosexuality, the organization loses its moral bearings.

“How will they maintain ‘morally straight’? They have stripped that statement of all meaning,” he said, referring to the Scout Oath. “You’re not just teaching young men how to build campfires.”

Wright said the wording is troubling, leaving the policy open to

a myriad of interpretations. The phrases “sexual orientation” and “sexual preference” remove the essential moral fiber from the language.

The phrases imply that a whole host of sexual expressions outside of heterosexuality are simply a matter of natural proclivities, not behaviors that should come under moral scrutiny, Wright said. With their carefully chosen words, the BSA Executive Committee ironically embraced a social agenda, which would be a violation of the Scout guidebook for Scouts or Scout leaders, he said.

Both pastors said their churches welcome the opportunity to minister to youth or adults who struggle with same-sex attraction.

But membership in the church depends on an individual’s trust in the gospel and desire to live according to biblical standards, Simmons said.

Several Southern Baptist leaders, including Frank Page, Richard Land, Russell Moore and Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) President Fred Luter, have been critical of the Scouts’ new policy.

Page, president of the SBC’s Executive Committee, said the vote “ushers in a sea-change in the credibility of the Boy Scouts of America as a viable boys’ organization for millions of Americans who believe strongly

in the principles of biblical morality.

To claim that the Boy Scouts is the nation’s foremost youth program of character development and valuesbased leadership training suddenly rings hollow.”

Luter said, “My prayers go out to the parents and churches who have been forced to make decisions about being a part of the Boy Scouts organization. As Southern Baptists, our commitment to the Word of God and Christian values must take priority over what is ‘politically correct.’”

R. Chip Turner, chairman of the BSA Religious Relationships Committee and former president of the Association of Baptists for Scouting, admitted the language of the new policy is problematic. Turner called the potentially broad interpretation of the statement “scary.” But so, too, is the thought of Southern Baptist churches withdrawing from Scouting and the ministry opportunities it presents, even to young boys struggling with same-sex attraction, he said.

Moore, president-elect of the SBC Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission told Baptist Press at the time the decision was announced, “Few, if any, are suggesting the Boy Scouts kick out boys based on their particular temptations. We don’t, and shouldn’t do that in our churches,

much less in the Scouts. But this change is more than this. It doesn’t speak in terms of temptations but in terms of the claiming of a sexually politicized identity as morally neutral.”

The revision of the membership policy “highlights how important it is for churches to speak clearly of both our love for all people, including our gay and lesbian neighbors, and the importance of God’s design for human sexuality,” Moore said.

Commenting on Turner’s open letter, Roger S. Oldham, vice president for convention communications and relations with the SBC Executive Committee, said, “It is disappointing, but not surprising, that Turner’s letter repeats the BSA party line – we’ve changed; but don’t leave us!

“Our ability to show the love of Christ will not be hampered by choosing not to expose our children to an organization that has taken the first step toward a worldview at odds with biblical morality,” Oldham said. “While Turner’s logic may sound reasonable on the surface, it is based in a flawed understanding of the very gospel it references.”

Bonnie Pritchett is a correspondent for the Southern Baptist Texan, online at www.texanonline.net. Michael Foust and Art Toalston of Baptist Press contributed to this article.

RAs may emerge as alternative Erin Roach Baptist Press BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (BP) – As the Boy Scouts of America seriously considers lifting its ban on gay and lesbian troop leaders, churches across the Southern Baptist Convention may turn to the Royal Ambassadors (RA) program, which for decades, has shaped boys into responsible followers of Christ.

“Royal Ambassadors (RA) espouses many of the same virtues and characterbuilding activities that are found in Boy Scouts but with the added benefit for Southern Baptists that our primary goal is developing boys into men who understand the mission of God and carry the gospel with them into the world,” Richard Bodenhamer, a marketing specialist at Woman’s Missionary Union (WMU), said Jan. 29.

RAs is the Southern Baptist missions organization for boys in grades one through six. Challengers engages young men in grades seven through 12 in missions education.

The RA program was established

by WMU in 1908. Years later, responsibilities for the program were transferred to the Brotherhood Comission and then the North American Mission Board. In 2011, the organization was given back to WMU. The RA pledge is this: “As a Royal Ambassador I will do my best to become a well-informed, responsible follower of Christ; to have a Christlike concern for all people; to learn how to carry the message of Christ around the world; to work with others in sharing Christ; and to keep myself clean and healthy in mind and body.”

Based on 2 Corinthians 5:20, the Royal Ambassadors motto is “We are Ambassadors for Christ,” providing boys with a lifestyle goal.

Wanda Lee, executive director of national WMU, described Royal Ambassadors as “unique and significant in that it instills godly characteristics in boys while helping them understand the mission of God and their responsibility for living out and sharing the gospel.”

Boys in RAs participate in fun activities that are appropriate for their age and gender, Lee said, and the

curriculum helps nurture their mental, social, physical and spiritual development.

“At a young age, boys learn that life isn’t all about them as they develop a biblical worldview by actively serving others and learning how God is at work through missions efforts around the world,” Lee said.

About 3,000 churches across the country have RA programs, and many churches have more than one RA group, WMU said.

Based on subscriptions to RA Leader magazine, WMU estimates there are 6,300 RA leaders, and 31,000 subscriptions to RA World, the magazine for RA members, indicate there are at least that many boys involved in Royal Ambassadors.

Lee, at the SBC Annual Meeting in New Orleans last year, noted, “We recognize there is such a short window of opportunity for shaping young minds to be missions-focused, and we are fully committed to effectively discipling children and students in Southern Baptist missions.”

For churches considering Royal Ambassadors, extensive resources are available at www.wmu.com/ra.

Erin Roach is assistant editor of Baptist Press. With reporting by Baptist Press Editor Art Toalston.

www.arkansasbaptist.org

Opinion

LR church members ‘Live. Love. Reach.’

Jessica Vanderpool Arkansas Baptist News LITTLE ROCK – “Live. Love.

Reach.”

It’s the life focus the staff of Geyer Springs First Baptist Church, Little Rock, desires each of its members to embrace – “live for God,” “love people” and “reach the nations.”

As part of embracing that focus, Geyer Springs recently held two of its annual projects – The Barnabas Project and Feed the Need.

The purpose of The Barnabas Project is to bless other ministries through donations given by church members.

This year, the church added an aspect of hands-on service to the project. A number of departments planned projects, ranging from filling potholes in a parking lot to holding a paintball extravaganza for students, during which two people accepted Christ.

“The Barnabas Project was begun to help us, as a body of believers, expand our mindset beyond our local church to the kingdom of God, to see the bigger picture of what God is doing,” said Jeff Williams, Geyer Springs First Baptist Church lead pastor.

“We want to be known as the Macedonian Church was known in 2 Corinthians 8 – a church that gives and gives sacrificially to other churches to advance the gospel. God has blessed us in so many ways, we wanted to be able to be a part of

Members of area churches purchase food items for the Feed the Need project. blessing other ministries that were Henry said about 24,500 pounds seeking to impact their communities of food was collected. with the gospel,” he said.

“Feed the Need was a great event So far, the church had received albecause it allowed us to join with most $106,000 in donations toward other churches in fighting hunger the monetary aspect of The Barnin central Arkansas,” Williams said. abas Project. The money will then “God’s Word is clear about our be given to other ministries. responsibility as the Church to care Feed the Need is another Geyer for the poor, and (multiple) churchSprings project. This year, a number es can address that a lot more powerof churches participated in the projfully than just one,” he said. “In adect with Geyer Springs to help meet dition to the food that was provided, hunger needs. we also were able to send a message The churches bought nonperishto our community that the Body of able food items, which were divided Christ is together for the gospel, not among several church pantries, as in competition for members. I hope well as the Little Rock Compassion that in the future, we can expand Center, the Arkansas Rice Depot this opportunity to other churches and the Watershed. in our community, as well as expand “It was great to see local churches to other parts of Arkansas.” working together to help fight hunContact Jessica Vanderpool at jesger in central Arkansas!” said Patsica@arkansasbaptist.org. rick Henry, community life pastor at Geyer Springs. He also said they are grateful for Rich Logistics, which donated a number of things, including advertising space and trucks and drivers to transport food and advertising space.

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5 NOTEWORTHY

SBC Annual Meeting June 11-12 in Houston HOUSTON – A Tuesday evening revival service with worship led by Charles Billingsley and a sermon by Southern Baptist Convention President Fred Luter will be among the highlights of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Annual Meeting June 11-12 in Houston.

Messengers will convene with the theme Revive Us That We May Be One, based on John 13:34-35, at the George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida De Las Americas.

Luter said he chose the theme because he believes the brotherly love that distinguishes God’s disciples is the only way the convention will experience the revival it so desires, adding the theme passage commands Christians to love one another because such love is how the world will know that believers follow the Lord.

“We’re not going to do it by just our preaching or by our singing or just by our giving. We’ve got to prove it through our actions that we truly love one another,” Luter said. “And the way we do that is by being the disciples that God has called us to be.

“And if we ever get in one accord, I believe something can happen like happened in Acts chapter 2,” Luter said. “When the New Testament Church was in one accord, God did great things through the Church. And that’s my prayer for this convention.”

The SBC would be more Christ-like in fulfilling its mission if the convention were to experience greater unity, Luter said.

Luter expressed excitement about the meeting location of Houston, dear to his heart because his pastorate, Franklin Avenue Baptist Church, planted a congregation there to serve its displaced New Orleans members after Hurricane Katrina.

Visit www.sbc.net for more.