spring 2012
| point n 1
president from the
Spiritual change agents
VOLUME 4 n NUMBER 2 EDITOR Bob Putman
DESIGNER, PRODUCTION MANAGER Pam Nelsen
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Fran Anderson Point (issn/1546-3257, usps#517-620) is published quarterly (with a special edition in December) by the Baptist General Conference, 2002 S. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Printed in U.S.A. Periodical postage paid at Arlington Heights, Ill., and at additional mailing offices. © Baptist General Conference 2012.
tional leadership: The spiritual influence God uses to transform lives and communities. When we read in Scripture the stories of Mo ses, Ruth, Esther, King David or the apostle Paul, we encounter the lives of people God used as spiritual change agents — force multipliers for his purposes. I am currently reading Steven Furtick’s Sun Stand Still: What Happens When You Dare to Ask God for the Impossible. Furtick is a young pastor God is using to plant a re markable church in Charlotte, N.C. His book employs the example of Joshua asking God to make the sun stand still. Joshua’s bold request became for Steven Furtick a call to audacious prayer and faith. We all have stories of defining moments in our spiritual journey with Christ. The word “leader” may not resonate with our own sense of self or life purposes. The idea of a transformational leader may even strike some of us as a manipulative or narcissistic ambition. I understand. But let’s set the nomenclature aside for a moment and just meditate on the Joshua-like faith stories that fill Scripture. Why should we let disappointments with fallible church leaders or our own spiritual discouragements extinguish the hope that God would show himself mightily on our behalf? All across our country voices are being raised, calling the Church to seek God’s might, to bend the curve of spiritual influence in this generation. Most Americans have lost faith in our economic and political institutions. Many have even lost faith in the Church’s capacity to bring significant positive change. We know Jesus alone brings God’s hope into the equation of people’s lives and relationships. We also know Jesus has chosen to use servants like you and me to bring sun-stand-still faith into our circles of influence. That is what we mean when we speak about transformational leadership. It is the conviction that lives and communities can be deeply influenced by spiritual change agents.
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SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.
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2 n point | spring 2012
Jerry Sheveland President Converge Worldwide (BGC)
MATT STEPHENS
In this issue we focus on transforma
inside features
leaders... everyday people 4 Church discovering supernatural results BY DOUG FAGERSTROM, RICHARD BERGSTROM,
4
KELLY MCSPARRAN, KAY A. FULLER, BRENDA CRAWFORD AND JOHN CRABTREE
12 Ready to chase lions 16 Follow the Nebel 18 I’m just sayin’ 19
Out of tragedy, life BY lisa cannon blumhagen
BY BRIAN STANKICH
12
BY THE EDITOR
AN INTERVIEW WITH JOHN JENKINS BY THE EDITOR
16
extras
14 I did it and he paid for it 22 Connection
18
on the cover God is raising up transformational leaders among us — Christlike people who not only impact individuals and their church, but whole communities and even nations for the growth of Christ’s kingdom.
n Transform 2012
How to reach us
n 20 tons of food n Downings retire n Short-termers to Japan n New churches n New books
19
n T o add/remove your name from our mailing list, call 800.323.4215, M-F, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EST n E mail us at point@convergeww.org @convergeww Converge Worldwide convergeworldwide.org
spring 2012
| point n 3
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Church leaders… everyday people discovering supernatural results
Billy Graham, Beth Moore, Tony Evans and Rika Diephouse are well-known Christian leaders who lead in extremely different ways. Rika Diephouse? OK, maybe not well-known to you. But please read on. BY DOUG FAGERSTROM
4 n point | spring 2012
L Like many of you, I have numerous
books about leadership. Their varied leadership themes and voluminous how-to approaches fill five bookshelves. With this vast multifaceted assortment there are repetitions of similar core themes. Christ-like humility, intentional initiative, generous giving, deep personal relationships, belief in others and a disciplined life are a few of the must-haves for today’s leader. The church of Jesus Christ is a marvelous place to foster and develop movement leaders. Throughout my journey I have discovered many leaders who display an irrefutable call of God to serve the Great Commission (Matt. 28:16-20) by building up other leaders and encouraging them to lead. I have observed that movement leaders are not satisfied with accomplishing goals and tasks. They think far beyond the next transaction. Movement leaders are about major change in people’s lives — many lives — and the results of their goals and objectives far exceed their original visionary dreams and strategic daily goals. I call this transformational. The profile of a reproducing movement leader is both unique and simple. It begins with building trusted relationships in a godly community. Those relationships grow into a deeper connec-
tion with God and with one another, while together they discover dreams for high missional impact. The ministry expands with an army of God’s people taking the lead. The final stage finds the original leader becoming a quiet voice (coach) to those who now lead multiple expressions of life-changing, gospel-centered ministry. Rika Diephouse is known by only a few people in her Michigan church. But many more in a now thriving, vibrant village in Mozambique, Africa, know her name. Her role began with quiet servanthood as a member of a short-term missions team to Africa. Later she accepted a leadership vacancy on another team and imparted a vision of hope that would prove to make a difference: fresh water, new crops, new housing and the gospel. Through shared work projects, in time the newly equipped Mozambique church leaders took the lead. Villagers are now growing healthy ministries in which lives are being saved physically and spiritually. More teams from Michigan have followed Rika’s lead in other villages. She is a movement leader, but only a few people know her. The following stories profile other transformational movement leaders throughout Converge. Thanks for joining their journey.
›››Juan Aragon:
A vision for hope and healing BY RICHARD BERGSTROM
At age 7 Juan Aragon delivered his first sermon to a
group of his grandmother’s friends gathered in a living room in San Jose, Costa Rica. Believing he would someday become a preacher or a missionary, he attended Capenwray Bible School in England. But his lawyer-congressman father compelled him to pursue a profession that would “pay the bills.” So Juan entered medical school, became a physician and set out to change his world by establishing clinics for high-risk children in rural Costa Rican villages. There he began to see the transformational power of medicine, social justice and the gospel intertwined to bring hope and healing to those in need. For some, that would have been a life calling in itself. But God was sculpting a transformational leader who would someday impact a world far beyond the jungles of Latin America. In 2008 the Aragon family moved to the U.S. Juan was hired as an administrator in a community hospital in Bothell, Wash., and the Aragon family soon became members of Northshore Baptist Church. Juan learned of the church’s missional vision and about a handful of people developing a community health ministry. Before long he was casting vision, investing in the lives of volunteers and connecting with community leaders. Currently Juan oversees a team of 70 volunteers who staff a Mobile Medical Unit one evening a week at Northshore. He envisions multi ply ing healthcare outreach, including immunization, vision and dental clinics, health and wellness programs in rural and underserved areas and health education. Juan is leading the way, one Spirit-led step at a time. A rich background in providing and managing health care services, combined with Bible school training, ministry experience and a big heart make him an exemplary transformational leader. He sees each person as a unique creation of God. He believes in removing obstacles that keep people from doing their best, always painting the big picture of what God is doing. Juan knows as a physician he could touch one life at a time. But as an administrator and leader of others, he can touch thousands of lives. Maybe millions. n Richard Bergstrom is executive pastor of operations of Northshore Baptist Church, Bothell, Wash., and co-director of 2nd Half Ministries for Converge Worldwide. RICHARD BERGSTROM
“
He sees each person as a unique creation of God.
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›››Gracie Fogg: 9-year-old
world-changer BY KELLY MCSPARRAN
After hearing about Uganda through missions programs at Cheyenne (Wyo.) Hills Church, 9-year-old Gracie Fogg heard God whisper that she was being called to help orphans in Africa. She spoke with her family and church leaders about her call, and she began the Hearts for Africa ministry. Her goal was to collect flip-flops, soccer balls and money to send to kids halfway across the world, in Aloi, Uganda. According to her mom, Julie Fogg, Gracie “has the God-given ability to speak and natural leadership skills to motivate and inspire.” Gracie received permission from her school to collect the items, and each student who donated had his or her name written on a heart posted on the elementary school wall. This ministry has expanded to three area elementary schools, with several others interested in participating. 2011 gifts: 1028 flip-flops, 171 soccer balls, more than $500 collected. Gracie has spoken at her church about Hearts for Africa and has developed a team of volunteers at her school to expand the ministry. Her young passion has inspired friends, family and the community to rally around the cause. Gracie’s 6-year-old brother Daniel is now collecting coloring books and crayons as part of the mission. Nearly 500 kids in Africa have benefited from Hearts for Africa. chc pastor Galen Huck calls Gracie an “amazing young person.” Now a fourth-grader, Gracie has her heart focused on expanding Hearts for Africa into other schools. She would love to offer other kids opportunities to experience leadership in their schools. Her mom notes: “Kids want to be a part of things bigger than themselves.” It is exciting to see the next generation answering the call. n Kelly McSparran is office coordinator of Converge Rocky Mountain.
©DCIRBO STUDIO
For more information, find Hearts for Africa on Facebook, or email Julie Fogg at jfogg@ cheyennehills.org.
6 n point | spring 2012
›››››››Preston Moore:
Asking the right questions BY KAY A. FULLER
By day, 27-year-old Preston Moore is a quality engineer at John Deere and Co.,
Waterloo, Iowa. Most other times, Moore is at Prairie Lakes Church in Cedar Falls, where he is an emerging leader, serving as a trained chaplain, small group leader and First Impressions volunteer (greeter). But much as he enjoys serving at plc, he is even more excited about leveraging his ministry experience and analytic abilities to resource struggling churches in Iowa. Moore takes his leadership role in assisting churches seriously — to the point of enrolling in the Converge School of Church Leadership last fall. He is currently delving into the second scl class, Spiritual Formation. He plans to stay the course through the program and earn his master’s degree in Organizational Leadership through Bethel University. His ultimate goal with the degree is to help churches become the most efficient kingdom-building organizations possible. Of learning and growth, he emphasizes, “One of the most vital keys for church leaers is learning how to take conscious steps forward, no matter at what point they are.” plc is grateful for Moore’s growth-oriented attitude. “Prairie Lakes is a multisite church,” says senior pastor John Fuller. “For the past two years we have been refining our model for establishing new sites in Iowa communities. Then along came Preston Moore, asking if we could also consider sharing some of our systems and materials with established churches that may lack consistent pastoral leadership. He had done his homework. Now we’re asking ourselves if we could have accelerated impact across Iowa by augmenting our model and partnering with local congregations that simply need a boost. “Preston is the right ambassador for this kind of work. He is as comfortable in a church of 2000 as he is in a church of 80.” Chris Rygh, pastor of multisite ministries of plc, says, “Preston’s invitational personality, his clear mind and his ability to ask really good questions set him apart as someone others can trust. I’m looking forward to seeing how God’s going to use this young man to equip and encourage churches in the years ahead.” n Kay A. Fuller is the wife of Prairie Lakes Church senior pastor John Fuller and a student in the Converge School of Church Leadership.
DANIEL PHILLIPS
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| point n 7
›››››››Janice Sylvestre:
›
‘ A heart for her Father’s business’ BY BRENDA CRAWFORD
Janice Sylvestre typifies the motto of her church: “Serving
our Lord with excellence.” Her love of God fuels her passion to help people grow and reach their potential in Christ. Janice leads the multimedia ministry of New Vision Church (Bowie, Md.), overseeing audio, video, print and Internet communications. She works tirelessly to find the best, most econom ical way to get the job done. If she had her druthers, this woman — whom you will find serving in the background — would opt to work with machines rather than people. But Janice’s desire for systems to operate efficiently and effectively carries over to overseeing the operation of major church activities. She works with ministry leaders, deacons and ministers to maintain the overall health of the ministries they represent, serving as a liaison between them and the elder board. Her care for people is exhibited as she mentors, tutors and counsels those working with her in the multimedia ministry. Young people tend to flock to her ministry because of her willingness to train them and hold them accountable. Her desire is to inspire their passion and to work herself out of a task. Janice believes: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Col. 3:23). And she is adamant about others doing the same and being responsible. As an encourager and motivator, she speaks the hard truth in love: If you can’t serve with your heart, then you need to do something else. Her goal in her personal life, as well as in ministry, is to do the will of the Father (John 4:34). n
SONYA MORTON
Brenda Crawford is the wife of pastor Ron Crawford, New Vision Church, Bowie, Md., and recently served on the Converge board of overseers.
8 n point | spring 2012
››Angie Dewey:
A leader of leaders
BY JOHN CRABTREE
She would never see herself as a “move-
“
Serving is our
DANE BENTON
love letter to God.
ment” leader, much less call herself one. But Angie Dewey is the consummate transforma tional leader of leaders at Heartland Church, Indianapolis, Ind., where she directs the K-4th grade team. My son calls this superb teacher the “best teacher I’ve ever had.” Angie enjoys sharing her expertise, bringing people together into teams to love children well and lead them into a lifechanging relationship with Jesus Christ. “Mrs. Dewey,” as the children affectionately call her, builds trusting relationships and develops a community of leaders. Leaders, such as Kathy, are inspired to give their best to the children they lead. Angie took Kathy under her wing, gave her inspirational tasks, found what makes her excited and developed her that way. Kathy has become a main leader and a wonderful small group leader to many young girls. In weekly leaders meetings she has gained the confidence to contribute many effective ideas that have been implemented. People are drawn to Angie’s glow and energy. She pulls them together by forming a true relationship with each person she leads. She takes time to know them and to show them they are part of something great. As a result, she gains enormous trust from those who follow her. This lady is passionate about her calling. People feel they don’t want to miss what will happen next. She reinforces this energy consistently with positive messages. With her quirky weekly emails or her one-on-one positive conversations, Angie makes her leaders feel loved and aware that what they are doing is important. Nor is she afraid to put leaders in the front to lead, setting the bar of expectation so high that people have to stretch to reach their potential. She delegates everything, and the experience is life-changing for those willing to take on the leadership mantle. Angie oversees each leader, coming alongside to coach and develop them each chance she gets. From a small group leader to a story teller, she has served in every role to show God’s love can be poured out in everything we do. One of her trademark quotes is, “Serving is our love letter to God.” Angie Dewey is a movement leader. The people she leads — children, parents and her teams — are changing because of her leadership. n
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John Crabtree is chief academic officer at Crossroads Bible College and an adjunct professor in the Converge School of Church Leadership.
spring 2012
| point n 9
ILLUSTRATION: MATT STEPHENS
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You have just read the natural stories
“
Now it is your turn.
10 n point | spring 2012
”
of everyday people who discovered supernatural results. A movement leader watches God create the movement and applauds others while being willing to get out of the way. That is hard. We all want to stay in a leadership role of importance or significance, one in which others come to us for incredible insights or sage advice. Each of our six stories followed a four-step pattern. (See chart on next page.)
1
They started with humble people who loved God and the people around them. They took the initiative to build a community of trust in God and one another. They kept their promises. They served with unselfish devotion to the cause of Christ. A community of trusted patient warriors began to form.
2
Each story led to the second quadrant: asking God for his vision and direction. There was no self-serving plan. The open, honest, collaborative plan was clearly God’s design. It created a missional thrust that had the fingerprints of God all over it. Now, with belief in God and trust in each other, they could believe others could lead.
3
They were most concerned about arriving together at God’s destination of missional impact. They learned to honor and serve one another. “The leader” was almost indistinguishable among the many emerging leaders in the movement. Mutual service marked everything they did. No one person’s name was the only one mentioned.
4
Finally, leadership was developed among the next ministry generation, and then among the next and the next and… (selfreproducing). Author Alan Hirsch observes, “A movement doesn’t happen until a fourth generation is born.” That means great-grandchildren. The original leaders, the people in our stories in this issue of Point, became coaches and facilitators, seeing ministry expand beyond themselves. They learned to celebrate the roles of others. They began to bless others out of the blessings of God. When leaders learn to give of themselves and step back from being up front or out front, movements are born. Now it is your turn. n Doug Fagerstrom is senior vice president of Converge Worldwide.
School of Church Leadership off to great start The Converge School of Church Leadership opened during fall 2011, with cohorts located in Whittier, Calif.; Omaha, Neb.; Duluth and Brooklyn Park, Minn.; Denver, Colo.; Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Indianapolis, Ind. One hundred twenty students participated in the Church Management and Leadership course, led by trained adjunct staff. Students are presently studying the Spiritual Formations course at 12 cohort sites, including Elk Grove Village, Ill.; Cambridge and Owatonna, Minn.; and Phoenix, Ariz. More than 100 students are enrolled in this second-semester course. Adjunct training for the Worldview and Apologetics course scheduled for this fall will take place April 23-25 at Bethel University, St. Paul, Minn. All courses can be applied toward a Master of Arts degree accredited by Bethel University and Seminary. n More information is available online at www.convergescl.com.
nY ou also may contact the dean, Jim Erickson, at jerickson20@att.net or 630.208.8336.
JOEL NELSON
n F ollow the instructions on the website to enroll, or contact SCL registrar Anne Sedlak at anne.sedlak@convergeww.org.
The fall 2011 SCL class at Prairie Lakes Church, Cedar Falls, Iowa. Not pictured: Adjunct professor Joel Nelson, church planting director of the Minnesota Iowa Baptist Conference.
spring 2012
| point n 11
life
out of tragedy,
Vera Nyaen
This suburban Iowa church wanted to help Liberian refugees settle in the U.S. Then one of the immigrant kids drowned in a local lake. What happened next was an act of God. BY LISA CANNON BLUMHAGEN
My first memory of Vera Nyaen was just after her arrival in 2004 from an Ivory Coast refugee camp. Vera, 8, was at our church (Olivet Baptist, Urbandale, Iowa) with her mother Lucy and her little brother Prince, 3. Vera held his hand tightly as we tried to find clothes that fit them in the piles of donated clothing collected for Liberian immigrants from West Africa refugee camps. Both children wore flipflops. It was winter. Over time, Lucy, Vera and Prince became family to many of us. Prince attended our church preschool, and Vera, a public elementary school. Their little family was among a dozen or so Liberian families attending our church. We were inundated with their needs. Among them was that the children experience the normal activities
Vera’s little brother, Prince.
12 n point | spring 2012
of American-born children. But swimming lessons were overlooked in the midst of helping adults find employment, secure decent housing, furnish apartments, acquire driving lessons, etc. At a summer outing several Liberian children were swimming at Gray’s Lake, a public park in Des Moines. Vera was on a raft and drifted out into deeper water. She fell off and, unnoticed, didn’t surface. None of the children present knew how to swim.
Keeping my ‘impossible’ vow When I heard the details, my anger rose. This did not have to happen. I kicked myself for not getting all these kids into a swimming program. I vowed that the following summer every immi grant kid I knew would have the opportunity to learn to swim. Little did I know then that my personal struggles would make it nearly impossible to keep my vow. I was diagnosed with breast cancer the following spring. It seemed humanly impossible to pull off swimming lessons for two dozen children. I gave up the idea, feeling defeated. But God didn’t give up. Out of my weakness, his strength prevailed. I got a phone call from someone at the Des Moines Parks and Recre ation office. She said, “We’ve had a group drop out of our group swimming lessons. If you can pull together any number of kids to swim starting next week, we would love to have your group.” What better way to sidestep my own crisis than to pour myself into something “impossi ble?” I told her I would get back to her. I prayed, knowing God had dropped this into my lap, and then called a few church people I knew would stand by me. Each one responded with a yes. Among them were the McKeevers, American “grandparents” to Vera and Prince, who had spent countless hours with the children while their mom, Lucy, worked.
LISA BLUMHAGEN
A splashing picture of resurrection Our small band of volunteers transported a group of kids back and forth to swimming lessons for eight days. When I watched them swim- ming, every ounce of personal pain and anguish disappeared. The resurrection of Jesus was right before my eyes in the kicking legs and joyful screams of kids, some of whom had been present when Vera drowned. Unfortunately, Prince was unable to participate that summer, due to a trip to New York to visit his biological grandparents.
The following summer, the same band of volunteers joined together to take the refugee kids to swimming lessons at another pool. This time Prince joined us, and Lucy came along to watch on her time off work — perhaps concerned for his safety. Prince came every day and had his own personal instructor, who helped him overcome his fear of water. To celebrate, one afternoon we decided to picnic with the kids at a park. A volunteer made sandwiches. After lunch, we played for a few hours and then, against the kids’ wishes, took them home. Everyone had a great time, so we did it again the next day. On the last day, we agreed that next year we would picnic every day after swimming.
Unexpected, profound impact Fast-forward to 2011, our fifth year of swimming lessons and activities for children from many cultures. With Lucy and Prince’s permission, we named our day camp “Camp Vera” to honor Vera’s life. Now, besides eight days of swimming lessons, we provide lunch and a choice of afternoon activities for the children. We have heard numerous sad stories of other immigrants drowning. Parents new to the U.S. are often unaware of the need for or availability of swimming lessons. They may also find it hard to fit lessons into their work schedules and most often cannot provide transportation. Swimming lessons are a cultural bonus. Each summer our church has chosen to provide the opportunity for a few dozen immigrant kids to attend swimming lessons, now including those from several nations. While doing this, we become the hands and feet of Jesus, and we can talk about and honor Jesus as we drive the kids in our cars, eat picnic lunches with them, play games, do craft projects and go on field trips. The Bible lesson we give is pale in comparison to the message we are sending to the kids and their parents: “We love you, and we don’t want to lose another child.” God has immensely blessed us in this venture. If you think you would like to start a summer day camp with an emphasis on swimming in your community, please see the following link for some “how to’s”: http://cvrg.us/Zkq. n
2010 Camp Vera participants on the last day of swimming, decked out in their hand-decorated T-shirts.
Lisa Cannon Blumhagen is a member of Olivet Baptist Church, Urbandale, Iowa.
spring 2012
| point n 13
I did it
he paid for it
T
AND
They seem such simple words.
But they brought me to a halt one Good Friday afternoon as I went for a walk near campus. A seminary student, I began to mull over the events Christ experienced on Good Friday. Those words — I did it and he paid for it — came unbidden into my heart. I felt something break inside me. Let me step back a bit. When one is born and raised in the Midwest as I was, you are taught to be self-sufficient. Pay your own way. Pull your own weight. Clean up your own messes. You are taught to stand up and be ready to accept the consequences of your actions. These are, in most cases, admirable attitudes.
BY PHILLIP OSTLUND
Yet standing on that residential street, metaphorically at the foot of the cross, I realized there was no way for me to pay. Good Friday meant there was no weight for me to pull. Someone else had stood and taken the consequences of my actions. Someone I loved had suffered horribly for my mistakes. And that hurt. I felt helpless because there was no way for me to make it right. You could argue that such an elemental idea — I did it and he paid for it — should have been firmly rooted in my mind. Indeed it was. But it needed to be driven deeper into my heart. We need to lay not only our sins at the foot of the cross, but even our admirable qualities, which can become a source of pride. These can interfere with our ability to accept the free gift of God.
The helpless grow strong When God needed to break the willfulness of King David, he allowed others to suffer from David’s mistakes — David had Uriah the Hittite murdered, David’s son Amnon raped his sister Tamar, Absalom killed his brother Amnon, Joab killed rebellious Absalom. To break our willfulness, God reminds us the Prince of Peace suffered for our sins. Remember this as you take the Lord’s Table this month and as you pray on Good Friday. Let your helplessness come. Accept that Jesus suffered (did) all for you. Lingering self-sufficiency is what causes me to add to the gospel, as if I can still pay my own way. It’s what causes me to judge others for their sins, as if I had conquered my own. Selfsufficiency brings me to take my sins lightly, as if they are messes I can clean up alone. The apostle Paul considered every source of pride in his life as rubbish so that he could gain Christ (Phil. 3:8). He realized it was at his point of greatest helplessness that he was strongest (2 Cor. 12:9-10). Too often we hobble along in our Christian life because we rely partly on Christ’s strength and partly on our own. We awkwardly lean on the crutch of our self-sufficiency rather than stand solely on the simple truth: I did it and he paid for it. When I am humbled by that fact, I will be exalted by the death and resurrection of Jesus. n Phillip Ostlund is pastor of New Life Community Church, Ortonville, Minn.
14 n point | spring 2012
Take a breath of
fresh air Trying something new in your life can be like a breath of fresh air. Consider, for example, the Converge Cornerstone Fund for an investment or loan.
Investment Options Fixed-Rate Certificates MINIMUM TERM RATE INVESTMENT
Currently 2100+ investors are part of the Cornerstone Fund. You can invest in either a Term certificate or a Demand certificate, a Traditional IRA or a Roth IRA, or a Church Savings Certificate, which is for churches only. And by investing in the Cornerstone Fund, you are also joining us in helping Converge Worldwide churches meet their facility needs through the competitive financing the Fund offers. When you choose the Cornerstone Fund, you can breathe easy, knowing your investments are growing while they help churches extend Christ’s kingdom. To learn more about the Cornerstone Fund, visit us at cornerstonetoday.org, email us at csfund@convergeww.org or call our toll free number: 1.877.228.8810.
6-month 1.500% $100 1.625% $100,000 1.750% $250,000 1-year 1.625% $100 1.750% $100,000 1.875% $250,000 2-year 1.750% $100 1.875% $100,000 2.000% $250,000 3-year 1.875% $100 2.000% $100,000 2.125% $250,000 4-year 2.125% $100 2.250% $100,000 2.375% $250,000 5-year 2.375% $100 2.500% $30,000 2.625% $100,000 2.750% $250,000
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2002 S. ARLINGTON HEIGHTS RD. ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60005-4193 www.cornerstonetoday.org n csfund@convergeww.org n 1.877.228.8810
The offer and sale of certificates is limited to persons who are, prior to receipt of the Offering Circular, members of, contributors to, participants in or affiliates of Converge Worldwide (BGC) including any program, activity or organization which constitutes a part of Converge Worldwide (BGC), its district conferences, or its member churches or other persons who are beneficiaries or successors in interest to such persons (“Investors”). n This shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state in which such an offer, solicitation or sale is not authorized. The offering is made solely by the OFFERING CIRCULAR. The offering involves certain risks, which are more fully disclosed in the Offering Circular under the heading “Risk Factors.” These investments are not FDIC or SIPC insured. n In the event the Fund exercises its right to redeem a Certificate prior to maturity and upon 60 days notice to the holder thereof, payment of the outstanding principal and interest will be made to the holder to the date of redemption, rather than to the Certificate’s maturity winter 2012 point n date.
|
1
Ready chase l
I
MATT STEPHENS
Ivan Veldhuizen is a man on a mission.
Introducing the new executive director of Converge International Ministries. BY BRIAN STANKICH
16 n point | spring 2012
The first time I met him, he was sharing a devotional message at a missionary retreat with 20 missionaries on home assignment. His missionary care heart enabled an atmosphere of trust and encouragement. His demeanor with our missionaries thrilled me. The next time we met was at a meal arranged for the Converge International Ministries team to meet Ivan and Susan, his wife of 27 years. We were to give feedback to the search committee on the viability of Ivan’s leading the IM team. After several hours of missiological- and ministrybased questioning, I decided it was time to gauge Ivan’s interest in coffee. As a man of superior coffee taste myself, brewing a pot of Frenchpressed coffee in the Orlando office most afternoons, I prefer to have a boss who enjoys good coffee. So I faced the question head-on. Jokingly, but with a straight face, I asked, “So what do you think of coffee?” Ivan, sensing my sarcasm, brushed off my coffee snobbishness and retorted, “I roast my own beans.” The man who assumed the top role within the Converge missions team January 1 got the last laugh. I’ve no doubt this man loves his coffee. I’ve since learned how much he loves his God. No wonder the City of Brooklyn Park, Minn., and mayor Jeffrey Lunde declared Ivan Veldhuizen Day, December 11, 2011. Ivan’s leadership in mobilizing members of Edin-
brook Church to reach out to Brooklyn Park residents by feeding the hungry and mentoring elementary school students changed the community during good times and bad.
A man of 23 countries Ivan’s ability to challenge Christians to touch their communities will be a strategic component as he begins to lead 150 missionaries around the world. Senior pastor of Edinbrook Church since 1996, Ivan has overseen significant expansion of the congregation, church facilities and budget, which has resulted in a greater impact in Brooklyn Park. His missions leadership experience with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association prepared him to captain a global movement seeking to partner with local Christians to reach their own. A native Minnesotan, Ivan ministered with the bgea in 23 countries throughout the Pacific Rim, South Pacific, Caribbean and South America. His experience networking with Christians in other countries allows him to view global Christianity from an inside-out perspective, trusting God to lead locals on the field in partnership with the American church. Two other values that Ivan exudes show he is the right man for the IM post. First, Ivan comes to International Ministries as a learner. His desire to gain information and to understand context, combined with being a visionary leader, enhances his instincts to encourage quality min-
istry to take place. These values also allow him to proffer initiatives to leverage the talents of current and future Converge missionaries. Second, Ivan is committed to being a team player. Team, by definition, includes all the players on the field and on the sideline. An effective team leader recognizes the abilities, experiences and growth opportunities of all members. Ivan’s ability to incorporate individuals into a whole — integrating personalities, gifts and experiences — will be invaluable. Talk with anyone who knows Ivan, and they will tell you one of his greatest strengths is helping team members develop their upside to contribute to team success. Ivan also knows when and how to stop and smell the coffee. His tender relationship with Susan is evident, as is his love for their two sons and daughter. Susan was employed at Bethel University for 25 years. Their transition to Orlando means leaving behind countless friends and ministry partners in Minnesota and setting out on a journey to make new ones. That is the life of a man on a mission.
Committed to missions and missionaries If Ivan learned anything during his time as a student at Bethel Seminary (M.Div.,1990), it was the importance of going in obedience to Jesus’ Great Commission. Ivan has gone and he has sent. In recent years Edinbrook Church sent out 500 short-term missionaries. He knows inte-
BETHANY WEAVERS
Above: Ivan and Susan Veldhuizen Below: Kids Shane Veldhuizen and Bethany Weavers ham it up. Not pictured: Oldest son Erik serves in Kuwait with the Minnesota National Guard.
Bean roaster, international networker, lion tamer Besides his global missions experience with bgea, Ivan also led evangelistic counseling and follow-up efforts at their U.S. events. Combining that experience with his history of creating church systems to follow up with new believers, the new executive director brings an ability to recognize and anticipate the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of new Christians. His commitment to follow through is stellar. Now that I’ve told you about the giftedness, history and abilities of my new boss, the attribute that most encourages me about Ivan is his down-to-earth, humble persona. In a missional setting of high-capacity visionary leaders, Ivan’s warmth and kindness is refreshing. I’m looking forward to working with him. Pastor. Bean roaster. Community caregiver. Worldwide networker. Evangelist. Team captain. Chief learner. Visionary. Family man. Systems guy. Lion tamer. God has raised up Ivan Veldhuizen to shepherd a group of lion chasers into a new century of mission to the world for the glory of God. n
SUSAN VELDHUIZEN
to lions
grating sending structures at the church level with support systems at the agency level and care structures at the field level enables missionaries to be effective in life and ministry. One simple example from the missionary retreat shows his commitment to missionaries. After Ivan finished his devotional, he blessed each missionary with a copy of the book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, by Mark Batterson. Batterson encourages Christians to seize the opportunities God gives, rather than allow regret to overshadow lifelong dreams that were never pursued. He details the story of Benaiah, one of King David’s mighty men, who chased a lion into a pit on a snowy day and killed it. The author says normal people don’t chase lions; they run away. But some people are lion chasers, men like Benaiah and Ivan Veldhuizen, who answer the call of adventurous mission to the glory of God. Indeed, missionaries who move halfway around the world, learning a new language and culture in order to share the Living God with lost men and women, exemplify the quintessential lion chaser. Lions are ferocious. Lion tamers take the opportunities God presents to accomplish great things. Ivan and Susan see God’s hand all over this new season of lion chasing.
Brian Stankich is director of Missionary Partner Discovery of Converge International Ministries. spring 2012
| point n 17
MATT STEPHENS
Follow the Nebel
“
For the past year Tom Nebel has been floating a vision among Converge leaders to see if
‘Converge Worldwide is seen as a
leader in U.S. church planting.’
”
—Ed Stetzer
18 n point | spring 2012
F
BY THE EDITOR
it finds traction. Not content that Converge regions/districts and national leaders are in the midst of an effort to plant at least 351 churches in 66 months, Nebel asks, “What if God were calling us to plant a transformational church — a church of influence — in every county in the U.S.? All 3146 counties.” Pursuing God-given, God-sized dreams is Tom’s motivator. Nebel is one of Converge’s key transformational leaders. A founding member of TeAMerica, the former name of Converge’s U.S. church planting movement, he now directs Converge Church Planting in the usa.
Recruiting leaders, inventing systems
After Tom’s graduation from Denver Seminary, he and his wife Lori moved back to Wisconsin to plant a church in Whitewater. There he discipled and coached two couples who went on to plant churches in Oshkosh (Sam and Kris Wood) and New London (Aaron and Brenda DeNeui). Next he encouraged Gary and Mary Rohrmayer to plant in Oconomowoc. Like Nebel, Rohrmayer went on to become the Great Lakes church planting director, and next, Converge’s national director (he now serves as executive minister of Converge MidAmerica). Nebel and Rohrmayer co-authored Church Planting Landmines. Nebel has also written or co-authored books on coaching church planters, church multiplication and starting churches in small towns. Says former TeAMerica co-founder Paul Johnson: “Tom is the rare leader who has actually started a church and parented daughter churches. He helped develop the systems that support continued on page 20
I’m just sayin’...
W An interview with John Jenkins BY THE EDITOR
“With Solomon-like wisdom, Joshua-like courage, Paul-like energy and John-like
compassion, he has been a model leader and Christ-like example for our leadership team. “His collaborative spirit and nature is second to none, respecting and honoring every person in Converge — his selflessness and kindness evident to all.” When Doug Fagerstrom, Converge senior vice president, makes statements like that, it’s clear he’s talking about someone remarkable. John Jenkins Sr. is pastor of 11,000-attendee First Baptist Church of Glenarden (Landover, Md.) and executive director of Converge National Ministries. I sat down with Jenkins to ask a few questions.
What is a transformational leader, and what role does he/she play in the church and community? A transformational leader influences people within and beyond the church walls to embrace new and fresh ideas that impact people’s lives. We recognize that to reach and impact this next generation and culture, and keep the church alive, the past is not going to work.
Who are a few transformational leaders you’ve influenced?
There are lay people like William Gentry, our cfo. He’s very involved in helping other churches embrace similar financial practices that keep us healthy. Ron Crawford definitely falls into that category. His church had some seasons of struggle. I worked with Ron and the church leaders. They’re standing healthy now, doing well. He is a lead continued on page 20
“
To reach and impact this next generation and culture...
the past is not going to work.
”
spring 2012
| point n 19
I’m just sayin’
Follow the Nebel continued from page 18
continued from page 19
church planting, and he is a quality writer whose books influence what is done in church planting.” From more than 50 churches started in Wisconsin, since the mid-1980s the nationwide Converge church planting movement has birthed more than 600 churches. Lifeway Research missiologist Ed Stetzer says, “Tom is widely respected by his peers in other [organizations], because of his knowledge and because Converge Worldwide is seen as a leader in U.S. church planting. I regularly use them as an example.” A big part of this recognition has to do with Nebel’s passion for quality control — creating systems so that church plants survive: the Assessment Center (four-day evaluation of potential church planters), a risk-factor analysis, lead Teams (groups of pastors and church planters who meet regularly) and coaching church planters. Fifteen years ago only 40 percent of Converge church plants survived five years. Today the number is 85 percent.
Team leader in our district. His wife Brenda served on the Converge overseers board. Tyrone Stevenson planted a church in Brooklyn, N.Y. It had 10 people, and in the few years since he’s been there they now run about 500 or 600 people. I’m heavily involved coaching and developing leaders across the country.
What persuaded you to step into your present position as part-time executive director of Converge National Ministries? I have a passion for what National Ministries does: equipping churches to better serve their communities and developing pastors. I also got involved because I love Converge. I think it’s excellent for people to look at the Converge leadership and see minority representation. So when the position became available, there were just a handful of people who met the qualifications. I came in to finish off my predecessor’s term and now am completing that responsibility.
Taking it global Nebel’s impact has gone global. About four years ago International Baptist Convention general secretary Jimmy Martin told Nebel the ibc needed church planting help. Pastor/church planter Gene Selander TeAMerica leadership circa 2002 (l. to r.) caught the vision, and Converge Paul Johnson, Steve Johnson, Dan has helped launch ibc churches in Maxton, Tom Nebel and then BGC vice Panama City, Panama, and Darmpresident Jerry Sheveland. stadt, Germany, and provided pastoral leaders for locations in Costa Rica and Germany. ibc has instituted lead Teams and is developing other systems. Converge has dipped its toe into helping cru (Campus Crusade) start churches and assess church planters among the “educated, next-generation, tattooed, text-messenging strata” in Mexico, who are responding to cru’s campus outreaches. And Converge has linked up with Global Media Outreach to provide online evangelism and discipleship, intent on starting churches where clusters of people respond to the gospel. When not in the thick of church planting, you can find Nebel at Lambeau Field cheering the Green Bay Packers, riding his Yamaha Virago, reading history books, running, relaxing at the family cottage, managing rental properties or at their homes in Madison, Wis., or Orlando, Fla. Transformational leaders multiply themselves. Hundreds are following in Nebel’s entrepreneurial footsteps, making an impact for the kingdom of God. n
What were some needs you saw? Doug Fagerstrom has done a great job bringing systems and structure to our movement. Instead of every ministry operating independently, he fostered cohesiveness and collaboration. I saw a need to develop these. I also see a need to bring some best practices from the minority community that can be beneficial to the majority community. Like respect for the pastor. In the African-American community the pastor is highly respected and honored. And we encourage every pastor to have a pastor. To cultivate a relationship with someone who can coach him, mentor him, hold him accountable. We think that’s a healthy model.
You serve on a lot of boards: Project Bridge, Bethel University trustees, the Greater Prince George Business Roundtable, the National Association of Evangelicals, Vision360, the Skinner Leadership Institute and a local bank. How does Trina let you get away with doing all this? My plate is full. Trina travels with me as much as she possibly can, and we try to spend time with our kids still at home. I told her I will release my Converge staff responsibility at the end of June. n Read more of this interview at http://cvrg.us/ spring2012.
The Jenkins family (l. to r.): Back row — Josh, Sarah, pastor Jenkins, Jimmy; front row — granddaughter Anaya, Ana, Trina, Johnny and Natalie.
JOHN MARQUES
Creating the DNA for a transformational culture in your church In a course I teach on spiritual transformation, one question we cover is raised in the John 5 story about the man by the pool of Bethesda. When Jesus saw him and learned how long he had been there — 38 years — Jesus asked him if he wanted to get well. This is a significant question for any believer. Are you tired of living life at a level less than the one God has given you through Jesus’ death and resurrection? That is, the abundant life produced in us by the Spirit. Do you want to get well from the effects that sin-in-you has had on your life (to the point it has defined your personal identity)? I followed up with a pastor whose church had me teach this course. He told me he has discovered so far that a lot of people in the congregation do not want to get well. At least not yet.
20 n point | spring 2012
The desire to become a transformational church has to be planted in two places: First, in the minds of the people, so that they are convinced of the power of the gospel to change them from the inside out. Second, in the hearts of the people, so that they are willing to engage intimately with God in the process of being transformed themselves. Because so many believers have never been exposed to the transformational truths of the gospel, they find them to be incredibly hard, because the truths involve being humble instead of performing their way to health (think “rich young ruler”). Or they find these truths incredibly intrusive, because they do not want their neediness laid bare, revealing unhealed, soulish wounds and the sin-in-me choices they have made to comfort themselves. Read more at www.cvrg.us/spring2012. By Steve Smith, executive minister of Converge Southeast region.
spring 2012
| point n 3
connection converge
NUMBERS
20
tons
ANGELA MOULTON
Total weight (in 44-pound boxes) of food Heartland Church, Indianapolis, Ind., members delivered to local food pantries, to Shepherd Community Center and to people they knew who were in need. Last November the church set a goal to give 1000 boxes of food to families in the greater Indianapolis region. A local box manuÂfacturer donated the boxes, and church members collected food. Executive pastor Mike Makalusky led the successful project. Get your church engaged in missional generosity. Learn more at www.convergegenerosity.com.
2400+
8
Potential missionary candidates assessed at the January 19-21 Missionary Assessment Center, held at the Global Collaboration Center, Orlando, Fla. Participants approved for missionary service came from Edinbrook Church, Brooklyn Park, Minn.; Wheaton, Ill.; and Burleson, Texas. For more about becoming a Converge missionary, go to www. convergeworldwide.org/reachnations/opportunities.
MATT STEPHENS
Number of lunches First Baptist Church, Amery, Wis., served to children through its Annie’s Lunchbox program last summer. Read the full report at www.cvrg.us/spring2012.
$22,000
Amount the Converge World Relief team disbursed in mid-January to the Haitian Baptist Mission to complete rehabilitation of the Morne Pele Clinic in Cap-Haitien, Haiti. The clinic served numerous people who fled north after the January 2010 earthquake near Port-au-Prince. This was the final disbursement of more than $500,000 donated by Converge churches and individuals for Haiti earthquake relief.
382
Number of participants from across the U.S. and Caribbean at Transform 2012 Converge Network Gatherings, January 23-26 at the Orlando Airport Marriott Hotel. Attendees participated in multiple sessions of their choice from among 20 breakout groups geared to their specific ministry roles. They attended one of five timely workshops, energetically worshiped with the Bernard family and the Rejoice in the Lord Ministries Choir, networked with ministry peers, gained ministry wisdom and resource ideas and heard inspiring messages from musician/speaker Richard Allen Farmer, speaker Carol Kent and Converge president Jerry Sheveland. Watch keynote messages online at www.convergeworldwide.org/resources.
MORE ONLINE... New books from Converge authors
Read brief summaries of books by Duncan Robinson, Jerry and Dee Sheveland, J. Michael Smith and Victor Cuccia online at www.cvrg.us/spring2012.
22 n point | spring 2012
Nate Jahnke, Chloe Milhous to Japan
TOM ELLISON
Nathan Jahnke, son of Converge regional director David and Carol Jahnke, departed January 30 for a one-year short-term missions project in Japan. He will help coordinate relief teams and assist the ministry of Kokubunji Baptist Church. Learn more at www. convergeworldwide.org/give/ 192817. After her first semester in college, Chloe Milhous headed to Japan February 15 to serve as a Converge short-term missionary to earthquake/tsunami victims. She is working from a disaster relief camp on the northeastern coast. You can read her updates on Facebook: “out of dUSt — Chloe’s adventures in Japan.” Her parents, Ken and Debby Milhous, pastor Boston Japanese Church.
New churches 1 Christ Redeemer, Woodbury, Minn.; Brett Lewis, church planter 2 Eaglebrook Church, Woodbury, Minn.; Jason Anderson, campus pastor 3 Fields Church, Galesburg, Ill.; Mark and Jodi Robinson, church planters
5 LifeBridge Church, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; Mark and Christie Davenport, church planters 6 Movement Church, Haslet, Texas; Troy Wolfe, church planter 7 New Beginnings Community Church — Indian Hill Campus, Indian Trail, N.C.; Michael Henderson, campus pastor 8 New Life Community Church, Stewartville, Minn.; Josh and
JOY RICKARD
4 Folsom Community Church, Folsom, Calif.; Tito Dixon, church planter
PAID ADVERTISEMENT
Stephanie Kruger, church planters 9 Pathway Community Church-Addison Campus, Addison, Ill.; Kirt and Jennifer Wiggins and Steve and Sarah Erickson, church planters 10 Point of Grace Community Church, Beltsville, Md.; Cleveland Morrison, pastor 11 Simply Church, Jacksonville, Fla.; Kevin Hale, church planter 12 Crosspointe Community Church — Jefferson Campus, Jefferson, Wis.; Russ Walker and Andy Graf, campus pastors 13 Wave Church, San Diego, Calif.; Jason and Angelina Hardy and Clay and Candie Stokes, church planters 14 Westbrook Community Church, Chaska, Minn.; Kevin and Julie Sharpe, church planters
Downings retire Longtime Converge missionaries to Brazil, Mark and Helen Downing retired January 31 after nine terms of service, August 1985 to September 2011. Mark assisted his seminary students in Campo Grande with their church plants and later he taught at seminaries in São Paulo and Campo Grande. While on home assignment in 2000, they studied at Western Seminary. They spent their final nine years of service in Rio de Janeiro, training world missionaries of the Brazilian Baptist Convention. They retired in Vancouver, Wash.
spring 2012
| point n 23